VOL. 53 ISSUE 6 FEBRUARY 17, 2016 P73
mediately noticed the different
offset that gave the bike—just
like Johnny said—a lazier feel.
On a motocross track, we prob-
ably would not have liked that,
but on the trail, the JCR Honda
didn't feel nearly as twitchy or
nervous up front, which made
the bike easier to guide through
the trees and to keep steady on
the narrow trail. The bike also
felt more planted in the ruts,
meaning it didn't want to climb
up the sides nearly as much as
a stock CRF450R would. Don't
get us wrong, the JRC 450 still
responds quickly to handlebar
input, but with the slightly more
stretched out front end, the bike
just feels more predictable in the
steering department, which is
very important in GNCC racing
when you're turning the motor-
cycle every few feet!
The bike also deals with the
ruts extremely well. Dropping
into them isn't a big deal at all;
the bike just settles in and stays
put until the right spot comes
along to where you can pop out
easily. The suspension helps out
here, as well.
Bach's 450 is super compli-
ant and soaks up the smaller
bumps and sharp edges like
they aren't even there. We'd
certainly say that both front and
back suspensions felt plush but
not mushy, or overly soft. There
is still a hint of firmness overall
that gives the bike a super stable
and confidence-inspiring feel,
overall. The front end is very
predictable and provides excel-
lent feedback. Both Bach's 450
and Bollinger's 250 are fitted
with spring forks, rather than air
forks. Campbell says that the
spring forks offer better feel over
the smaller bumps, are easier to
dial in and remain more consis-
tent in a longer three-hour race
than air forks.
Bach's motor is simply amaz-
ing. It still produces big power,
just as you would expect from
a 450, but is delivered in a very
predictable and civilized man-
ner, especially off the bottom.
You can still chug it in the tight,
slow-going stuff in both first and
second gears without that herky-
jerky feeling you often get on a
450 motocrosser when you're
gingerly working the throttle be-
tween the off and on positions.
And the bike never stalls, which
we certainly tested on one par-
ticular dry, slick and rocky uphill
section on their test track. The
450 chugged its way to the top
in first gear every time, and did
so quite easily, aided by the solid
and smooth-working clutch.
We absolutely loved Bach's
front brake, which was very
strong but not grabby at all.
For motocross, we would've
complained that it was way too
mushy at the lever but for off-
road use, with all of the ruts, off-
cambers and almost-always slick
terrain, Bach's front brake was
(Right) Properly torqued engine
mounts and swingarm pivot play a big
role in the handling department. They
affect flex in the chassis. (Far right)
Guarding the bike from the elements
is a big part of off-road racing, and
the JCR bikes are well protected and
beefed up wherever needed.
