VOL. 50 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 9, 2013 P59
T
he Honda CRF450R jumped up
two notches to third place in our
six-bike comparison. Some of the
things that held it back last year were
addressed this year, like the CRF get-
ting easier-to-adjust mapping system,
via its new Engine Mode Select button,
which is conveniently located on the
right handlebar. Before, if you wanted
to alter the CRF's mapping, you had
to first purchase Honda's expensive
and somewhat complex HRC Tuning
Kit ($495) and hook it up to the bike
and start fiddling. Now, you just push
a button and change among three pre-
programmed mapping modes, which
can be accomplished from the side of
the track, and you're off riding again.
No tools or anything. Sweet. With the
HRC tuning kit you can also custom-
tune each of the three Engine Mode
settings (same can be said for the
other bikes but using their own power-
tuner devices).
Honda also updated its KYB 48mm
PSF (Pneumatic Spring) air fork, which
offers new high/low-speed compres-
sion and rebound damping. It's easier
to adjust than before (but still takes
some time and know-how).
COUNTDOWN
3
RD
PLACE
HONDA CRF450R
