VOL. 54 ISSUE 12 MARCH 28, 2017 P107
and the X is no exception. On tight trails
riding right above idle, the X's engine is
easy to control and is predictable and there
is zero pop-stalling. When you want great
power at any rpm, it is just a twist of the
throttle away; it pulls strongly through the
mid and into a healthy top end.
The stock Showa suspension is pretty good
overall and works well for a variety of skill
levels and rider sizes. It can be left in stock
trim and shine as a single-track machine, or it
can be modified to handle high-speed racing
situations (we know, we've done it in the past).
The Honda is stable and predictable, great
attributes for an off-road bike.
The Honda CRF450X is ideal for the
rider who loves simplicity. There isn't any
EFI to mess with, just a good ol' carburetor
feeding a strong and proven engine. The
CRF450X chassis is an awesome start-
ing point for building a great off-road race
machine, or even a dual-sport conversion
for long explorations. There are a ton of
suspension guys who can really improve the
handling, and the choices for aftermarket
goodies are endless.
The Yamaha and Suzuki have the Honda
beat by a mile in the computer/display
department. The Honda uses an old-style
dial odometer, driven by a cable off the front
wheel. Old-school, for sure.
In summary, the Honda CRF450X can
wear a lot of hats depending on what is
asked of it and do it relatively cheap. It's
still a great motorcycle and we're thankful
that Honda kept it in its off-road line despite
the recent introduction of the Red Sticker
CRF450RX. They are two very different
motorcycles that serve two entirely different
needs (and well, we might add).
Of the three bikes, the Honda is
the most user-friendly.
HONDA
CRF450X
NOTABLE FEATURES
•Carbureted
•Unicam Valve Train
•Mechanical Meter
•Electric Starting w/Kick Backup
•Honda Progressive Steering
Damper
NOTABLE NUMBERS
MSRP: $8699
Curb Weight: 270 lbs.
Seat Height: 37.9 in.
Ground Clearance: 13. 6 in.
Fuel Capacity: 1.9 gal.
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