CRF450X
The Honda CRF450X is the favorite baby of American motocross. It was released in 2002. Before that, Yamaha had been king of the world of four-stroke MX. It was the arrival of the CRF450X onto the scene that would change motocross. Depending on whether you’re a performance junkie or just fixing your CRF450X up for other reasons, make sure you have a Honda CRF450X owners manual in your arsenal to combat any issues that rear their ugly head at you.
Many have mixed feelings about the CRF throughout its run. The CRF has been given four major reworkings since its launch in 2002. But, throughout the past 17-years, Honda has always maintained the same essence and has been popular among American motocrossers.
Since its inception, the CRF has proved that the single-overhead-cam motor design was still competitive. It was the lightest four-stroke motocrosser at the time. There were complaints about steering. Honda would provide a more fix in 2003 when the bike got a different linkage.
In the first year, there were minor mechanical issues. The chain guide and slider's lifespan was short, and the seal between the air boot and the airbox was lackluster. It was an issue that plagued the CRF for years. The clutch also had a short lifespan. In 2004, the bike got the long-awaited handlebar upgrade.
By the time 2005, Honda had reworked many of the characteristics that would make the suspension feel more plush, smoother. The bike also got a facelift, with bodywork from the new CRF250R.
In the time between 2005 and 2009, no one could compare or compete against Honda in motocross. The engine was tilted forward in 2006. It still had the same issues with the airbox and clutch, but all that was forgivable by those who were fans of the brand.
The 2008 model is considered by many to be the pinnacle of the CRF. Honda reworked the CRF450R from top to bottom. The biggest hurdle was weight. The 2008 Suzuki suffered from weight problems due to its fuel injection system, which added roughly 10lbs; Honda wished not to repeat Suzuki's problem. The resulting bike was, unfortunately, a failure, but mostly due to the global economy at the time more than anything else.
Honda's next bike was a big hit. It was introduced in 2013. It possessed twin pipes, a KYB PSF air fork, and was given some significant engine changes. It was a bike that could be, in short, anything you wanted. Virtually, every aftermarket company in the industry spoke the CRF language.
In 2017, the Honda got its most extensive remake since the coming of fuel injection of 2009. A sixth-generation aluminum frame came out with a titanium tank. The shock was lowered so that air could flow into the engine from above. A coil spring Showa fork returned, and the Unicam motor was rethought. Lastly, the electric start became a dealer-installed option If you are one of the lucky ones who get to work on a CRF450X, whether you’re showing it some TLC or tuning it for performance reasons, make sure you got your trusty Honda CRF450X service manual with you.
