2019 Honda CRF450L

[stevo as b4]

I like 90's trail bikes!
I always liked the KLR as they threw a high revving DOHC design at the engine in the aim of making the best or quickest big for the time trailie. Unfortunately it didn't quite work out as intended and the less fancy XT/XR etc were better bikes and more punchy too.

Oh what I need is a 0% finance deal on a 2019 Supermoto, or else a cheap looked after SVX550 to come up for sale locally.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[G]

I would presume the answer is "masses of midrange" and "low revving" in relation to the 250.

Especially if they are both derived from the respective competition bike.

The first enduro I did, I did on my KTM690. It was incredibly wet (like long sections where water was halfway up the wheels, with exposed root networks hidden under the water - I still seemed to be going past a good few better riders on competition bikes. I put it down to the high gearing giving wide spacing between the power pulses, so that the tyre had plenty of time to regain grip.
Also, of course, I didn't have to use lots of revs to get power - plenty from not far off idle (the 690 is actually a bit revvy - but not compared to a 250 4 stroke competition bike!)

And on that - it's still only 8kg lighter than that KTM690, a bit newer ones which are around 70hp! Aftermarket exhaust on the KTM would straight away get it a bit nearer too.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Yeah good points - that was my mate's argument too. Accessibility of power. Plus also the 450 is nearly 15kg lighter, apparently. Still - it's almost twice the price. It looks like you're paying double the money for 1bhp more, and 15kg less. That's a big ask from Honda. Doubtless, if you could ride them back to back on your favourite trails, you'd feel all kinds of difference. However, just looking at the spec i.e. power to weight in particular, and then the price tags, you'd be excused for wondering what honda was playing at.
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[G]

And remember it's not just power to weight, but the weight of picking up a bike for the 15th time that day when you're pretty knackered - also giving the tyres an easier time when they're scrabbling for grip on a gloopy top-surface as you're coming up to a sharp turn with a mixture of brambles and nettles straight on if you don't make the turn .

[thx1138]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[stevo as b4]

I don't know what you're all worrying about. Im almost certain that the de-tuned quiet and clean enough to be road legal CRF will be 45bhp at the flywheel as std. They'd not try and sell it otherwise, and remember this very same engine with some slightly different internals, cams and more compression almost makes 60bhp.

Oil changes at 600miles isn't a problem for a lightweight 450 with a trick chassis and tunable ex race engine, and valve clearance checks at 2500miles. Motocross racers would think they'd won the lottery if they had such relaxed service schedules.

It'll sell well, but the bigger cc and not much heavier KTM/Husqvarnas will be good competition for it.

I've heard that Yamaha is also going to bring out a new WR450F that's fully equipped and road legal too.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

I'm not sure how much it matters in the grand scheme of things, but I've yet to find anywhere on the internet where it says the UK CRF450L will make more than 25bhp stock. If you can find a source I'd be interested in reading it.

As for whether it will sell well, the emerging consensus is that at £9.5k it's unlikely. Time will tell, though.

Fwiw I personally am toying with the idea of a 200 exc. And a budget of 2-2.5k.
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[stevo as b4]

Yeah sure £9.5k is a bit salty, but the 450R is nearly £9k and they'll be plenty of buyers for that bike who want to win in open class MX races next year.

Remember a new 125cc enduro bike is over £6k, I should know as I lust over them far too much!

Oh and good luck with the KTM 200EXC. I just have serious reservations that you'll find an old one that's worth having for that price.

[Dagon]