Tell me straight...

MigGames
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MigGames
Edited Date/Time 4/14/2020 10:33am
Now I need some people to tell me straight.....
I've always had a thing for the 2005-2008 Honda crf 450, to me they are fabulous looking things and the aftermarket availability is amazing.
I owned a 2008 crf 450 but never rode beyond a quick blast down the street to realise it had no 3rd gear but it felt like a complete animal.
I replaced the shift drum but then sold it on immediately to make way for a 2018 exc 300 but I've always kept my eye on ebay for them.
The way prices are I'm thinking about buying one once the lockdown is lifted but tell me truthfully what are they like in reality.
The only 450 experience I have is with a 2013 exc 450 and a quick ride on a 2014 rmx450z and neither felt as aggressive as that old 450.
Now is it just that I'm thinking of it with rise tinted glasses or something?
Also how does the x feel compared to the r?
I don't want to hear from people obsessed with having the newest thing and think anything old is rubbish. just a honest opinion from someone who has owned one.
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lostboy819
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lostboy819 4/13/2020 12:22pm
4/13/2020 12:22pm Edited Date/Time 4/13/2020 12:23pm
Buy what you like because you are the only one you need to please. Cool and you will have fun on whatever it is you get.
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Shawn142
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Shawn142 4/13/2020 12:32pm
4/13/2020 12:32pm
You'll find the old carb bikes have a lot more hit off the bottom, especially the Honda. The bike is still viable sure, it just takes a more tamed approach. People raved about that chassis but for me personally, I could never get it to turn well. I agreed more with the '09.
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Paw Paw 271
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Paw Paw 271 4/13/2020 12:39pm
4/13/2020 12:39pm
I still have my 2005 and still love it even with owning other newer bikes. Turing was never a problem and carbs are much easier to work on the EFI.

Paw Paw
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moto543
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moto543 4/13/2020 1:10pm
4/13/2020 1:10pm
lostboy819 wrote:
Buy what you like because you are the only one you need to please. Cool and you will have fun on whatever it is you get.
Couldn’t agree more! My ‘01 YZ250 and ‘82 CR480 put a smile on my face every time I see them. Whether race day or practice, I have the time of my life!
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SeaClassExpert 4/13/2020 1:15pm
4/13/2020 1:15pm
OP I think the 2007-2008 CRR450R has a bit of a nostalgia factor in that people like the remember how great they were at the time (They still are fantastic bikes), but I always find it funny that everybody forgets the 2009-2012 bikes. That bike is a very, very solid platform.

They’re less popular for some reason, but I think for the money, they are much better and are just as good for the average rider as the 2020 bikes these days. I’d go just as fast on my brothers 09 CRF450R as I would on my newer KTM.
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cablecable 4/13/2020 1:23pm
4/13/2020 1:23pm
SeaClassExpert wrote:
OP I think the 2007-2008 CRR450R has a bit of a nostalgia factor in that people like the remember how great they were at the time...
OP I think the 2007-2008 CRR450R has a bit of a nostalgia factor in that people like the remember how great they were at the time (They still are fantastic bikes), but I always find it funny that everybody forgets the 2009-2012 bikes. That bike is a very, very solid platform.

They’re less popular for some reason, but I think for the money, they are much better and are just as good for the average rider as the 2020 bikes these days. I’d go just as fast on my brothers 09 CRF450R as I would on my newer KTM.
yeah if you listen to pulp show with Reed the 2012 his favorite bike he`s had, and pretty sure he said better than the current gen crf
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brimx153
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brimx153 4/13/2020 1:40pm
4/13/2020 1:40pm
Shawn142 wrote:
You'll find the old carb bikes have a lot more hit off the bottom, especially the Honda. The bike is still viable sure, it just takes...
You'll find the old carb bikes have a lot more hit off the bottom, especially the Honda. The bike is still viable sure, it just takes a more tamed approach. People raved about that chassis but for me personally, I could never get it to turn well. I agreed more with the '09.
Efi bike s have way more hit right off throttle. Carb bikes are tamer , the power can hit harder then but thats not off the bottom, its normally mid and signs off early. efi bikes are very touchy off the bottom compared to carbed bikes imo
davis224
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davis224 4/13/2020 1:58pm
4/13/2020 1:58pm
I had an 07 CRF 450 that never really agreed with me. Traded it for an 09 KX 450 that I liked better but still felt too much like a boat to me. Traded it on a 2010 CRF 450 and loved it so much more (after a few very minor fixes), rode my friends 2013 CRF and hated it, never got rid of the 2010 and don't ride enough anymore to justify a new one.

The 2007 CRF felt faster than the KX off the bottom, and the KX was faster than the 2010 CRF, but I liked it that way. I could ride the 2010 harder, felt more like I was riding a 250 2 stroke compared to those other 2, handling wise.
blockhead17 4/13/2020 9:10pm
4/13/2020 9:10pm
Chad Reed said on Pulp that he genuinely believes his 2012 Honda was better than his 2020 and the best bike he ever owned.
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Motoxdoc
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Motoxdoc 4/13/2020 11:53pm
4/13/2020 11:53pm
I absolutely love my 08 CRF 450. It's got a 490 Athena cylinder, a hot cam, Dr. D exhaust, a heavier flywheel, loudmouth filter mount, bat wing intake, oversized front disc, Enzo suspension and Excell rims. I geared it up and that thing is a very manageable rocketship! Here I am in 2015 in front of 30+ racers...probably 20 of them on new bikes.
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crc245
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crc245 4/13/2020 11:56pm
4/13/2020 11:56pm
Still great.

To answer a few of your questions: Can't really compare an R to an X; they're purpose built for two different disciplines. X is bulletproof for off-road/baja, but heavy and lacking moto geometry. You aren't wishful thinking with rose colored (coloured?) glasses - 2007 and 2008 R's are competitive to this day.

If you like the look and can get one for a good deal, I vote go for it and enjoy the process. Any tech questions, feel free to shoot me a PM. I'm still riding an 08' to this day.

https://www.vitalmx.com/community/crc245,2292/setup,62703?ptab


Good ideas here, too: https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/02-08-crf450-still-good,…
Motox627!
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Motox627! 4/14/2020 7:06am
4/14/2020 7:06am
Its a little newer than what you are referring to, but i absolutely love my 2011. Does everything i ask and more and plenty of power for i would assume every weekend warrior! Figure this will be the bike i retire on, unless i can find a good deal on a 350...….
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Ryan625
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Ryan625 4/14/2020 8:05am
4/14/2020 8:05am
08 CRF450 is the best bike I e ever raced hands down. It’s the bike I peaked on and will always hold a place in my heart, one day I want to do a Davi118 replica build. I recommend going with an 07 or 08, 08 was the first year of the HPSD.
mx1313
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mx1313 4/14/2020 8:32am
4/14/2020 8:32am
2007 CRF 450. They are carbed and they run great. Mine never missed a beat when I bought it. Had zero problems with it. My first 450 and it scared the shit out of me honestly until I got used to it.
cmotodad
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cmotodad 4/14/2020 9:11am
4/14/2020 9:11am
I am an old guy that likes the e-start on newer bikes. I've had a few different 450's and they all had their pluses and minuses. I have talked with my son and said if I could find an 08 CRF450r with e-start, I would buy it. My 19 KX450 is the closest so far. If I were younger than 63, an 08 would still be my choice, JMO
Moto520
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Moto520 4/14/2020 10:32am
4/14/2020 10:32am
I bought a 2007 a couple of years ago and it was still as good as i remembered. I also had a few new bikes at the time and i could go just as fast on the 2007 as my new bikes. I did wind up selling the 2007 due to a lack of garage space. They are good and competitive but kind of boring to ride with all of the new technology.

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