SK,
Where are you getting your info? The reason I ask is because Honda claims to have totally redesigned the cases on the 04 to reduce the crankcase and intake volume, the intent being to improve low-end power. And I can’t believe they would risk their credibility by making a false claim that is so easy to verify or disprove. This won’t show up on a spec sheet, though.
Ditto for the suspension. A spec sheet won’t list valving changes, which, as we all know, will make a huge difference.
And the rake and trail are totally different? I’m sure I can’t feel a 0.07 degree change in rake and a 0.6 mm (0.02 in) change in trail. The Storm Links for the 02 CRF change the steering head angle by 1.5 degrees to make it turn, that’s more than 21 times the amount we’re talking about here.