Honda announces CRF450L

[Karbon]

You don’t like the decade old brand new Fireblade?

LOL i ride the fuck out of one for sure but, yeah the rebuild that started in 08 is about as exciting as it got for honda in recent years.

 

[msethhunter]

It's got a ti tank. That's going to be expensive to replace.

 

[RightCoastBias]

So it seems like there is no one here to buy this bike

The performance guys will go with a ktm

Too high maint for everyone else

Well, i'll see what the actual spec sheet and reviews say. But, so far it's gone from exciting market changer from Honda, back to typical Honda disappointment and lackluster showing.

There's not a Honda out there I'd spend my money on today. Except, maybe, a CRF250L/Rally. Big maybe.

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

Well, i'll see what the actual spec sheet and reviews say. But, so far it's gone from exciting market changer from Honda, back to typical Honda disappointment and lackluster showing.

There's not a Honda out there I'd spend my money on today. Except, maybe, a CRF250L/Rally. Big maybe.

If you had any sense, you'd buy an NC700X. That is literally the best do-all bike ever made. It's sad that it lacks the ego appeal for the US.

 

[RightCoastBias]

If you had any sense, you'd buy an NC700X. That is literally the best do-all bike ever made. It's sad that it lacks the ego appeal for the US.

I've ridden one, and they're great bikes. If my commute were longer, I'd strongly consider one.

But, at the end of the day, the NC700X doesn't excite me. If I had multiple bikes in the garage, the NC would have a home. Even my F800GS is quite a boring/great do-all bike is more exciting. But it'll be getting replaced this summer by 2 bikes, 1 more street oriented and a dual sport of some sort.

I'd have a sporty street bike, touring bike, dual sport, scooter and then add in a NC after all those are sorted.

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

I've ridden one, and they're great bikes. If my commute were longer, I'd strongly consider one.

But, at the end of the day, the NC700X doesn't excite me. If I had multiple bikes in the garage, the NC would have a home. Even my F800GS is quite a boring/great do-all bike is more exciting. But it'll be getting replaced this summer by 2 bikes, 1 more street oriented and a dual sport of some sort.

I'd have a sporty street bike, touring bike, dual sport, scooter and then add in a NC after all those are sorted.

I hope I didn't come off too snotty. I re-read that just now and was like "whoa, what an asshole".

The NC shines for me as a great general purpose bike. I'd start with it, then get my CRF Rally, then my FXR.

Oh, wait, my Uly is like a cut rate NC...

The CRF 450L does at least offer a great street legal frame to out a CR500 engine in...

It's also too bad the architecture isn't there to drop in the CB 500 twin. That engine will someday find its way into my Rally.

 

[banshee01]

I am still hoping the information is wrong and it is only a 600 mile break in oil change not an every 600 mile oil change...keeping my fingers crossed.....

 

[RightCoastBias]

I hope I didn't come off too snotty. I re-read that just now and was like "whoa, what an asshole".

The NC shines for me as a great general purpose bike. I'd start with it, then get my CRF Rally, then my FXR.

Oh, wait, my Uly is like a cut rate NC...

The CRF 450L does at least offer a great street legal frame to out a CR500 engine in...

It's also too bad the architecture isn't there to drop in the CB 500 twin. That engine will someday find its way into my Rally.

Haha, moderately snotty, but I wasn't offended.

I forgot about the Africa Twin, which many folks speak highly of. Owning an ADV bike for the last 3+ years, I'm not really interested in the off-road oriented versions. I want 7"+ of suspension travel, upright righting position, modern TC/ABS/Riding Modes/Cruise Control, 100+ HP and 17" wheels and around 500lbs is fine for me. Really wish the ADV market would stop faking the funk.

My next bike is very likely to be the Tracer 900 GT, close to my desires. I'll be supplementing the off-road with a WR250R or KTM/Husky 350, me thinks.

Really hoping this CRF450L shakes out a bit better, as it could end up on this list, and I'd gladly welcome it!

 

[Eric B]

For reference, regarding oil change intervals -
My KLX 250 holds 1.5 quarts of oil. I think the owners manual say 7500 miles.
Granted the KLX makes way less hp, and 7500 is more than most folks will go.
I would think, oh, say 3000 miles is safe for the new CRF. Refresh the top end as a compression check reveals.
Folks take their <1 quart KTM’s & Beta’s on long trips, like Baja with no ill affects.

 

[kuksul08]

I hope I didn't come off too snotty. I re-read that just now and was like "whoa, what an asshole".

The NC shines for me as a great general purpose bike. I'd start with it, then get my CRF Rally, then my FXR.

Oh, wait, my Uly is like a cut rate NC...

The CRF 450L does at least offer a great street legal frame to out a CR500 engine in...

It's also too bad the architecture isn't there to drop in the CB 500 twin. That engine will someday find its way into my Rally.

Too bad the NC is the most boring bike ever created in all of history. KTM the best!

 

[Surj]

Too bad the NC is the most boring bike ever created in all of history. KTM the best!

Boring is often in the rider, not the bike. I had an awful lot of fun on the last NC we had, and can't wait to get my ass on the new 750 version.

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

There is no rider more boring than the Sloth.

 

[OaklandF4i]

I love how this thread has evolved..... From OMG Honda has a winner to Wtf is Honda thinking... I'd never buy this thing.

There is a lot of conflicting information out. 30,000 km (18k miles) before major internal engine intervals and the engineering going into the motor for it do such doesn't jive with the short oil and valve intervals. We can all pretty much agree that the Honda is banking on a lower maintenance cost and realiability to sell these bikes. We can also agree that lacking that, it can't compete on paper with lighter more aggressive ready to race bikes.

My guess is that as more information and the bikes become available this will all be resolved. I'm anxiously waiting to hear and see more.

Surj, a fantastic article could take the new CRF R, RX, X, and L on an extensive test against the last gen CRF X , XR400r, and maybe even 650l. I know how to source clean nearly stock examples of the last three if considered for that non paid City Bike CRF smack down test.

BTW Surj, I'm just teasing and hope I'm not annoying you.

 

[banshee01]

I love how this thread has evolved..... From OMG Honda has a winner to Wtf is Honda thinking... I'd never buy this thing.

There is a lot of conflicting information out. 30,000 km (18k miles) before major internal engine intervals and the engineering going into the motor for it do such doesn't jive with the short oil and valve intervals. We can all pretty much agree that the Honda is banking on a lower maintenance cost and realiability to sell these bikes. We can also agree that lacking that, it can't compete on paper with lighter more aggressive ready to race bikes.

My guess is that as more information and the bikes become available this will all be resolved. I'm anxiously waiting to hear and see more.

Surj, a fantastic article could take the new CRF R, RX, X, and L on an extensive test against the last gen CRF X , XR400r, and maybe even 650l. I know how to source clean nearly stock examples of the last three if considered for that non paid City Bike CRF smack down test.

BTW Surj, I'm just teasing and hope I'm not annoying you.

I was so excited i called my local honda dealer amd told them to put me down as #1 to call when they can take a deposit. I am really hoping for some service interval clarification.

 

[Karbon]

I don't doubt the 600m inspection is real. My 650r has valve inspection intervals at 600 miles. Apples to oranges but, I haven't had to adjust them and they haven't moved since I last sent them +4k miles ago.

 

[banshee01]

I don't doubt the 600m inspection is real. My 650r has valve inspection intervals at 600 miles. Apples to oranges but, I haven't had to adjust them and they haven't moved since I last sent them +4k miles ago.

It said 600 mile oil change amd 1800 mile valves. I know it is unicam amd hopefully set up like the 250 motor so you can just slide the rocker arm out of the way to change shims.

 

[kuksul08]

Boring is often in the rider, not the bike. I had an awful lot of fun on the last NC we had, and can't wait to get my ass on the new 750 version.

I have ridden one faster than I could ride my Hypermotard with double the power on the same stretch of road. It is a phenomenal motorcycle, very capable, practical, and everything. But that dull power and low redline... it hurt me real deep.

 

[MR662]

KTM is 255lbs sans fuel.
CRF is 289lbs full of fuel.

If you are going to grouse about 20lbs on a 300lb bike, you'd better be making money by riding it. Otherwise you're just fapping over a spec sheet.

I went from a "heavy" 2012 RMZ 450 to a light weight 2017 KTM 450 SXF and the weight difference of about 15 or so pounds was very noticeable on the track as well as how thin it felt in between your legs.

So yes, people will notice the difference. The new Honda will be a nice bike and there is an a$$ for every seat, but I think the new Honda is about 10 years and 40 lbs late to the KTM party. I'm not faithful to any one brand, but Ive been extremely pleased with my new KTM and now just bought a new 2018 Husky 450 supermoto due to fit and finish compared to the Jap bikes.

 

[Surj]

I am really hoping for some service interval clarification.

Clearer than the straight-from-American-Honda intervals I posted earlier in this thread?

Wanting the intervals to be longer won't make it so. If it would, all the wanting I've done since this bike was announced would have given it a 20,000 mile oil change interval.

Surj, a fantastic article could take the new CRF R, RX, X, and L on an extensive test against the last gen CRF X , XR400r, and maybe even 650l. I know how to source clean nearly stock examples of the last three if considered for that non paid City Bike CRF smack down test.

BTW Surj, I'm just teasing and hope I'm not annoying you.

Of course not. And if I could swing something like that, man, it'd be amazing. We will get a 450L at some point, but I doubt we'll get the whole enchilada at once. I do like your real world test bikes, though.

But that dull power and low redline... it hurt me real deep.

...I think the new Honda is about 10 years and 40 lbs late to the KTM party.

This "it's a KTM from 10 years ago" brand zealot groupthink chant is exemplary of why the orange crush crowd is as insufferable as the Ducatisti nowadays. If ultimate light weight and power were the only things that mattered, all these guys riding the shit out of overweight, underpowered bikes likes the CRF250L would have bought KTMs long ago.

It's been explained a bunch of times in this thread already—the 450L isn't trying to be at the "KTM party." The only thing hurting the bike's straight-up redefinition of the dirt-centric real world dual-sport standard is that maintenance interval.

 

[banshee01]

Clearer than the straight-from-American-Honda intervals I posted earlier in this thread?

Wanting the intervals to be longer won't make it so. If it would, all the wanting I've done since this bike was announced would have given it a 20,000 mile oil change interval.

Yes, isnt a a valve adjustment considered a major service? On a streetbike it would be...


Also i have read it holds 1.8L of oil so 600 just seems excessive. Why so frequent for a detuned motor?