VOL. 53 ISSUE 29 JULY 26, 2016 P85
STORY AND PHOTOS BY ADAM BOOTH
A
s the world of dirt bikes
turns high tech, there is
still a place for simplic-
ity that works. Not everyone
desires fuel injection and ECU's
with endless mapping combina-
tions. The Honda CRF450X has
remained mostly unchanged
since its inception in 2005.
Over the last 11 years the
450X has received an updated
carburetor (2007) and a change
to the triple clamp and fork
lug offset in 2008. In 2008 it
also started coming fitted with
the HPSD (Honda Progressive
Steering Damper). The heart
of the 450X—the engine—has
remained unchanged and still
defines reliability while provid-
ing awesome power. It can be
left in stock trim and works well
as a single-track machine, or it
can be massaged to shred the
desert wide open.
For trail riding, the stock
suspension is decent and overall
works well for average off-road
terrain.
Finding a used 450X in de-
cent shape for cheap isn't hard,
there have been a lot produced
and often there is one for sale
with very little time on it. The
CRF450X isn't light but drop-
ping weight is easy by ditching
the very heavy stock muffler and
swapping out the stock battery
for a lithium battery. Ta-da! Three
pounds lighter.
The CRF450X is a proven off-
road bike with an abundance of
OF SIMPLICITY
