2017 HONDA CRF450R
FIRST RIDE
P78
the graphics are in-molded for
durability.
Dunlop Geomax M3S tires
are standard for 2017.
TWO DAYS OF SEEING RED
All the changes to the new
chassis were aimed at increas-
ing rear wheel traction, lowering
center of gravity and better cen-
tralizing concentration of mass.
Honda also worked to retain
strong cornering characteristics
while improving straight-line
stability. They accomplished all
of the above with flying colors.
The great thing about the
2017 Honda CRF450R is that
it doesn't do anything weird,
which we discovered at Ala-
bama's Thunder Mountain MX
track, where Honda introduced
the '17 CRF450R to the media
for riding. It is easy to jump on
and feel comfortable and con-
fident right away. Cornering is
easy and it lays over effortlessly
into ruts and holds a line nicely.
We played around with fork
height a bit, finding we could
slide the forks down a few mil-
limeters to increase consistency
through long sweeping corners
and long ruts while still retaining
the ability to hug an inside line.
The Showa spring fork offers
a ton of feedback and works
well to keep the front wheel
connected to the ground,
another key to good cornering.
The overall stability and balance
of the CRF450R is great, letting
us pick any line we wanted. The
weight distribution contributes
to the light overall feel on the
track.
Honda lovers who wanted
more from the engine will be
happy. Torque is improved
throughout the rpm range and
peak horsepower numbers
are up, all while revving higher.
The improved power gets to
the ground in a controlled and
predictable way. Forward drive
is excellent. Like last year the
Honda offers three maps,
changeable on the handlebars.
We switched between stock
and mellow depending on track
GEAR ID'D
GEARSET: ANSWER ALPHA
HELMET: ARAI VX-PRO4
GOGGLES: EKS SCATTER X
BOOTS: SIDE CROSSFIRE 2 SR
