First Look - Honda 2010 CRF450R
bayodome
- November 18 2009
- 47 comments
Honda recently introduced their latest big-bore beast, the 2010 CRF450R at Racetown 395. Last year’s model was hailed as a radically different and new motorcycle, with excellent styling accompanying the all new electronic-fuel-injection (EFI) and Honda Progressive Steering Damper (HPSD). While the bike received plenty of praise, no machine is without flaws, so for 2010 Honda chose to address some of the raised concerns from 2009.
We will have our full race test in the upcoming issue TransWorld Motocross Magazine, but for now we just wanted to give you a quick rundown of the changes to the new CRF450R, plus our brief first impression of the machine.
Whats New
-New ECU programming improves off/on throttle control and allows improved starting.
-New engine auto decompression system has revised decomp pin shape and new weight/spring enables improved starting.
-New front fork oil seal, oil settings and valving contribute to improved control, fork action, and balance.
-Rear shock features a redesigned piston, high-speed compression adjuster and all new valving for improved suspension action and enhanced machine balance.
-PGM-FI tuning connector is relocated behind radiator shroud for easier access.
First Impressions
-Ergos on the bike are really second to none. Boots and knee braces never snag unexpectedly, squeezing with your legs feels completely natural (no odd protruding plastics or edges), and the controls feel right at home.
-The new ECU programming evened out the distribution of power compared to last year’s bike. The 2010 has plenty of grunt down low, but the true juice is in the mid- to upper ranges where the bike has plenty of power in store.
-Handling is vastly improved over the 2009 model that had a very twitchy front end due to the steep steering angle. Although the rake was unchanged this year, Honda’s suspension changes allow the rear end to squat a bit more, which in turn stabilizes the front end. No more twitchy feeling during braking or turning. Now the CRF450R is far more predictable, and therefore reliable, in the rough stuff.
-Starting is super easy thanks to the decompression changes. Just one or two quick kicks and you are on your way with both cold and hot starting.
-Overall suspension action is very good. While the rear end had the tendency to kick a little in braking bumps during initial testing, that is something that could easily be remedied with the standard suspension tuning that most folks inevitably do to their machines.
What We Really Think
As many enthusiasts are aware, some manufacturers did not release their new models until much later in the year than normal, the two most extreme being Honda and Suzuki. Reason being, the companies simply wanted to hold out as long as possible to sell as many 2009 models as they could before releasing the 2010s. Suzuki has so far opted to not even import any 2010 machines to the United States, as they still have new 2008 and 2009 models sitting on showroom floors (rumors have them perhaps simply waiting until mid year to release them as early 2011 models). Considering this, we should be pumped that Honda did not opt to do the same.
The Red Riders didn’t do a complete redesign this year, but they really didn’t need to. The handling complaints they received from the 2009 model were attended to with the suspension settings instead if messing with the chassis. The rear end now flows more easily through the stroke while the front end is basically just stiffer initially. This all adds up to a much more assured ride that keeps you comfortable and allows you to ride more aggressively. Overall this is a solid machine that will be a contender in the 2010 450 Shootout. Honda is now saying the bike should be hitting dealer room floors by February 2010.
Again, look for our full test in the January issue of TransWorld Motocross Magazine.
2010 Honda CRF450
List Price $8,099
Displacement 449cc
Engine Type liquid cooled. Single cylinder four-stroke
Curb Weight 234.8 LBS
Bore x Stroke 96mm x 62.1mm
Compression Ratio 12.0:1
Carburetion Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), 50mm throttle body
Ignition Full transistor with three gear-position electronic advance
Transmission Close-ratio five-speed
Fuel Capacity 1.5 GAL
Frame Aluminum Twin Spar Perimeter
Wheelbase 58.7 IN.
Rake/Trail 26.5 Degrees/114.2mm
Seat Height 37.6 IN.
Tires (F) 80/100-21, (R) 120/80-19
Suspension Travel (F) 12.2 IN., (R) 12.6 IN.
Front Brake 240mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Rear Brake 240mm disc
Final Drive #520 Chain, 13T/48T
Handlebar 7/8 IN. Renthal Aluminum
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November 19th, 2009 at 1:18 am
FIRST SWEDEN
November 19th, 2009 at 1:52 am
I wonder if you can swap the 2010 ECU with the existing 09 model?
November 19th, 2009 at 1:54 am
I dont think you can…would be sik though
November 19th, 2009 at 3:04 am
is the curb weight, ready to race? if so thats 15lbs lighter that the kawi!
November 19th, 2009 at 4:23 am
I dont like that whole white back fender red font fender deal, but itd be an easy fix. I bet the bike pulls hard, id romp it.
November 19th, 2009 at 5:34 am
i know that test rider
November 19th, 2009 at 5:47 am
Honda is now saying the bike should be hitting dealer room floors by February 2010.????????????
WTF?? I already have one '10 CRF450!! i got the bike on last september! I live in mexico!! anyone knows why the heck honda is selling '10's bikes in other countries before they sell them in the USA????
November 19th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Curb weight if I remember right is with no FLUIDS in it. Gas, oil the b4 pre delvery to the customer.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
probably the best looking bike out there, but i don’t like the handling
November 19th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
lookin good looks like a killer bike can wait to see it out there
Honda has done it right with there NEW 2010 crf250r Ihave one and love it so im sure that bike is as bad to the bone as well
November 19th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
FYI - Curb weight is ready to ride all fluids and a full tank of gas!!!
November 19th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
I heard from a good source at the track that the 2010 ECU can be installed on the 2009 but the 2010 cam needs to be installed too.
November 19th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
just like i romped your sisters cunny puto
November 19th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Its just a stocking issue as explained with the Suzuki's. The U.S. market too a huge hit this year so manufacturers, while the still want to sell new machines, have the financial responsibility to sell off old stock first. Projections tend to be much higher in the States than elsewhere, thus dealers order more bikes. With the dramatic drop in the economy, many of those 2009 models were not sold. For 2010, projections are much much lower, so dealers will be ordering far fewer new models than in years past. Many countries already have both the 2010 Suzukis and Hondas, just not the US.
November 19th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
I've ridden a couple 2009 Honda CRF 450Rs and it is a flawed bike. Look at how many problems their Factory guys had with it. I didn't like the way it handled and the power delivery isn't great. Older Honda 450s ran better.
November 19th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
honda sucks ass, the tires dont hook up well when im drag racin in my hood
November 19th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Wrong
November 19th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Uh, no you're wrong. Look at the website. It means ready to ride, full of all fluids.
November 20th, 2009 at 1:25 am
Well maybe because it's for motocross tracks, not drag racing in the hood!
November 20th, 2009 at 1:26 am
Sure you do
November 20th, 2009 at 3:22 am
It's all about the BLUE this year. No one wants a stinkbug red rider when you could get a "game changer" in the YzF.. and I was a red guy since birth.. btw. The yamahammer is way more reliable, I hope the new one is just as bullet proof!
November 20th, 2009 at 4:08 am
I bought 2010 yz250 two smoker! Not a fan of four strokes and all the bullshit(MONEY etc,) that goes with them.
I wish people would see for themselves the truth behind the whole money machine and marketing that was, and is involved in pulling the wool over the consumer.
November 20th, 2009 at 4:11 am
The BLUE bike looks like a blue crf230 with 450 forks, AKA a POS!
November 20th, 2009 at 4:12 am
Oh ya, this bike looks SICK!! Can't wait to ride one.
November 20th, 2009 at 4:23 am
Agreed its a Honda who cares
November 20th, 2009 at 4:23 am
Ya but its still can't be as bad as a Honda
November 20th, 2009 at 9:14 am
not. Better looking than MAYBE Yamaha, but ugly as hell.
November 20th, 2009 at 9:15 am
bad as in terrible? because thats what it is.
November 20th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
what about the gear box problems?? one of my mates done his seven times over the race season! every one else rounds 3 time. each time the bikes out or action for about a week or 2 to rebuld it and ordering parts, could cost you the championship!
November 20th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
looks like all the other hondas…..POS haha
yammi all the way!
November 20th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
2 Strokes people..Stick to 2strokes. I am done with dropping huge coin on riding due to the 4 stroke debacle. Unless you hardly ride buy a 2 stroke…Cheaper, more fun= more riding.
Fuel injection..dummy check engine..? WTF..What is next? GPS, crash avoidance systems? blah!
Plus they are loud a chit.
November 20th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
crash avoidance systems… I think your on to something. Ill take it
November 20th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
honda doesnt make tires, buddy
November 20th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
All the Honda needs is roost boost!
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:50 pm
we in australia have had our 2010 rmz's for a while? dunno where yours are.
November 22nd, 2009 at 6:10 pm
This new 450 will be sick… Honda quality. Fit, finish & performance all the way around. Honda went after the bad spots from last year and made the necessary corrections. Ride Red suckas! And yes, Feb 0'10 is when it will hit showroom floors but in very limited qty's (dlrs are only getting 1 or 2 ea. through april). Some dealers however are selling new 09 models for as low as $6999 + tax through Dec. due to Honda's holiday bonus bucks offer. That's cheap!
November 24th, 2009 at 7:20 am
that's dry weight
November 24th, 2009 at 7:26 am
Are you serious? W…ow let me judge an $8000 machine based on the $50 rear tire…you, sir, are an imbecile. You want a dragster? GHo by a gaudy Hyabusa with an extended swingarm and and a turboed engine. I'm truly surprised that you were able to muster up the intelligence to not only plug your computer into the electrical outlet but to operate it somehow successfully.
November 24th, 2009 at 7:27 am
i work at a pretty large southern california dealership…this is not a problem i am aware of
November 25th, 2009 at 4:25 am
hell yeah bro!! ive got a 2002 yz 250 that i almost traded on the big 4 5 0 but opted out. It was totally cheaper to completely make over the bike up down left right and backwards than it would be to rebuild a top end on those single cylender car engines. Plus we 2-smokers can stil say BRRAAAAAP and mean it!!!!
November 25th, 2009 at 9:19 am
i got mine in october!
November 26th, 2009 at 4:29 am
I FEEL YOU!!!
November 27th, 2009 at 11:15 am
My CR 250 takes about 2 hours to rebuid the top end… $200 covers just about everything!
I can’t see spending 8K on a throw away bike… no matter what it handles like… no matter how good the low end is…. it’s 8 Grand people!
November 29th, 2009 at 1:58 am
I have the the 210 rmz 250f. I got it from a dealer in Hawaii. It is just as good as my 09 kx 250f in Chicago.
November 30th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Two strokes are back. Look at your local track. My crf 250 valves just went after 200hrs, but it didn't happen riding, but overnight. Now until things get moving with money and time, I 've been running the Carmichael replica two stroke for three weeks now, I am more aggressive, in better shape, and back to my roots. By the way, all brands break, the tires loose and spin. Get body english going and let some tire pressure out based on how deep the terrain is your rocking. I like the abundance of power. And I have even seen over six yams blow up in front of my eyes and customers bashing theor own color. But everyone has different experiences.
December 6th, 2009 at 12:29 am
im jus gunna shake my head
December 18th, 2009 at 7:16 am
my 07 crf450 rocks handles awesome same piston ride once aweek last 3 years not africken problem ever use synthetic oil only bike starts 1st or 2nd kick always never adjusted valves motocross only and always go big buy honda or eat shit