Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
AT HOME ON TARMAC OR DISHING THE DIRT
Following on from the excellent CRF250L and CRF250 Rally, Honda last year released this CRF450L.
It’s a dual-purpose machine based on the Japanese firm’s flagship motocross bike, the CRF450R. That means it shares the same aluminium beam frame, essentially the same single-cylinder 449cc Unicam engine, and its Showa suspension.
However, to make the bike legal for use on the road, a number of modifications were needed.
The motor has a different camshaft and a dedicated ECU which shifts power lower in the rev range, and spreads the torque and power more broadly.
There’s also a six-speed gearbox, a heavier crankshaft, reduced compression and a cush-drive damped rear wheel.
Surprisingly, the engine only puts out 24bhp, mainly to reduce service intervals and to meet Euro4 regulations. But with an impressive 23.6ft lb of torque on tap, there’s plenty of potential for fun on the dirt. If you are coming from a pure street bike background, jumping on board can be a bit of a surprise with regard to how high its seems, but with a seat height of 940mm (37in) and 315mm (12in) of ground clearance it’s actually lower than a lot of off-roaders.
The cockpit is a pretty basic affair, with a small rectangular digital clock which shows speed, time and mileage countdown meter (till the tank’s empty) and fuel warning light.
On the tarmac, the 450L is surprisingly smooth through the gears and hums along perfectly happily at 70mph. But, of course, it’s off road that this bike really comes into its own. Naturally it’s heavier than its off-roadonly cousins, but the 450L is still superbly agile yet feels reassuringly planted at all times.
Power delivery is delightfully linear and the suspension, in particular, is excellent. It’s fully adjustable front and rear, and works perfectly – nice and soft initially, before firming up and being seemingly impossible to bottom out.
Bear in mind this Honda will need an oil change every 600 miles and an engine rebuild at 20,000.
But that’s actually pretty good for a machine which performs this well off-road and, with LED lights, proper mirrors and the usual high-standard Honda build quality, is perfectly capable on the journey home as well.
Honda CRF450L
Engine: 449cc 4-stroke single
Max power: 24.6bhp
Max torque: 23.6 ft lb
Price: £9,469