On-road, off-road performance

though it is fitted with a fan and a catalytic converter.

It shares the 450X’s seat height of more than 37 inches, but has a one-inch longer swing arm and a slightly lower ground clearance. Despite the added weight of the converter, LED lights, turn signals, horn and other aspects that make it street legal, at 289 pounds fully fueled it is only 14 pounds heavier than its trail-bike sibling. Its on- road performance is surprisingly good. Though it comes stock with knobby tires and a dirt- bike narrow seat, the 450L skipped nimbly along the pavement and was very well-mannered on canyon roads and even on the highway. Its six-speed gearbox allowed me to climb to 60 mph quickly and cruise at speeds above that comfortably. And Honda has made a smart move in extending

suspension eating up everything in its path. On hill climbs, it was a tractor, its low- revving four- stroke engine chugging up slopes composed of sand and loose rock.

The bike showed its weight on the skinny single tracks. There, it felt slower to turn and harder to manage than the 250X and 450X trail bikes, but not much. While it might be challenged by more technical trails strewn with roots, rocks and fallen trees, it tackled everything I undertook with aplomb.

Honda does not release horsepower or torque numbers, but shop owners and other experts I queried set those figures at about 42 and 35, respectively. Those aren’t race- track levels, but I had no problem getting the 450L’s 289 pounds to come off the line the throttle.

Honda is selling the 450L as a “trail to trail” motorcycle, allowing the dualsport rider to go adventuring freely. Unlike the X bikes, it’s street legal and can be ridden on the roads and highways. That creates easier access to OHV parks, national parks, trail systems and other riding areas that would otherwise require a pickup truck or trailer to enjoy.

Honda was accused of being too late to the adventure- bike game because it waited so long to introduce its Africa Twin. Has the company waited too long to make an impact on the dualsport market?

It’s too soon to say, since the 450L has been on the market for only a couple of months. But I hope it succeeds. This is a

place in the dual-sport world.