Your thoughts on the New Honda CRF 450 L

nayther wrote:

WhitehouseLV wrote:
big Honda fan here! but that thing is a tank. lol. Stick with Honda for reliability.

If more trail riding and you like Honda would a 450X be more suited? They're fuel injected now and you can install a Baja Street Legal kit on it.

but you still can't legally plate it in most states.

If you can make it street legal why wouldn't you be able to license it?

WhitehouseLV wrote:
big Honda fan here! but that thing is a tank. lol. Stick with Honda for reliability.

If more trail riding and you like Honda would a 450X be more suited? They're fuel injected now and you can install a Baja Street Legal kit on it.

but you still can't legally plate it in most states.

big Honda fan here! but that thing is a tank. lol. Stick with Honda for reliability.

what kind of dual sport riding do you plan on doing? If more trail riding and you like Honda would a 450X be more suited? They're fuel injected now and you can install a Baja Street Legal kit on it.

My brother has a husqvarna and loves it! has owned Honda, Beta, KTM etc but says nothing beats his Husky. But he probably does more single track than true dual sport.

Another new edition of cycle news has a dual sport shootout.Cycle News

Here is some more info to help you decide. Dirtbike shootout

That's an awesome quote ~ ( I refused to drink the "orange" Kool-Aid)

I understand the KTM/Husky reliability/maintenance stigma, and I refused to
drink the "orange" coolaid. However, 12 months ago I bought a Husky 350 and
have been shocked by how good this machine is.

I came from a Honda 250->DRZ->WR250 but the Husky is in a totally different league. The suspension is sensational and safer, in that the bike will go
over stuff that I struggled with on the other bikes. The engine is just so
powerful and tons of grunt.

Reliability? so far 100%
Maintenance? no more than my Japanese bikes, oil, filters, brakes pads.

I think KTM/Husky has come a loooooooong way over the past 5 years. I still have
my WR250r, as it's a better dual-sport bike and more relaxing.

When I was deciding between my 2005 450x and a KTM I rode my BIL's 2003 KTM 525 with the PDS single shock rear (no linkage) and did not like it. I think there's a definite difference between euro and asian bikes' basic handling and ergos.

I'm more comfortable on Asian bikes.

Also for reliability how can you beat a Honda? Unfortunately I have a very bad taste for KTM/Husky reliability from a few bikes, my son's KTM 200 and prior to that an older 500 Husky; poured a ton of money repairing those bikes.

I know they're not the same but as much as I like wrenching on things fixing and buying parts got old. Through the years we had numerous Yamaha and Honda smokers for my 3 boys and beside one or two big failures (like letting the bottom end go too long before rebuilds, cold seizing from stupidity and a broken piston from lack of maintenance) they were stone reliable and cheap to fix.

CampingN.C. I definitely respect anyone that is ~ (woods racing)