Overall Feeling of the 2019 CRF 450-X
Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2019 4:37 pm
I'm just curious what others out there that have the 2019 450x think of their bike. Previously, I had the 2009 450x, and absolutely loved it. Seeing a new model with all the new bells and whistles, I decided to purchase the new bike.
Overall, I haven't been very impressed with the bike. It doesn't start very well if it's cooler out (even with the fast idle), and it seems to overheat and boil over frequently. I do a lot of single track riding with my bike, and I can't go very far at all in first gear without it boiling over. I ride with my cousins a lot who have KTM and Betas, and they have no problem. I'm always stopping though to let mine cool down. We're not talking about clutching first here over rocks and such, but first gear with mid-range RPM. On my first ride of the season I was constantly packing the radiator with snow (there was quite a bit in the shadows by trees).
Another issue with the bike is stalling. If you're not clutching with a high rpm, it doesn't take much of a rock or stump to kill the engine.
Random, but has anyone put a third party pipe on to see if that helps it run better? I wonder if the stock muffler chokes it to where it can't perform well.
Whomever designed the guard on the exhaust pipe needs to double-think that idea. Mine collects every weed and plant I drive by. Creates a nice smoky scent. Can't wait until I start a forest fire.
Anyway, I'm mostly just curious what others general opinion on the bike is. I've been with Honda my whole life, but I'm considering selling it and switching to something else next year.
Thanks!
Overall, I haven't been very impressed with the bike. It doesn't start very well if it's cooler out (even with the fast idle), and it seems to overheat and boil over frequently. I do a lot of single track riding with my bike, and I can't go very far at all in first gear without it boiling over. I ride with my cousins a lot who have KTM and Betas, and they have no problem. I'm always stopping though to let mine cool down. We're not talking about clutching first here over rocks and such, but first gear with mid-range RPM. On my first ride of the season I was constantly packing the radiator with snow (there was quite a bit in the shadows by trees).
Another issue with the bike is stalling. If you're not clutching with a high rpm, it doesn't take much of a rock or stump to kill the engine.
Random, but has anyone put a third party pipe on to see if that helps it run better? I wonder if the stock muffler chokes it to where it can't perform well.
Whomever designed the guard on the exhaust pipe needs to double-think that idea. Mine collects every weed and plant I drive by. Creates a nice smoky scent. Can't wait until I start a forest fire.
Anyway, I'm mostly just curious what others general opinion on the bike is. I've been with Honda my whole life, but I'm considering selling it and switching to something else next year.
Thanks!