truespode
Moderator / Wheelie King
- Jun 30, 1999
- 7,985
- 252
Well, I finally got to put some good time in on the CR450F. I think I went through almost a full tank. I had half a tank at the start of the day and filled her up once and now have half a tank in it.
First things first, this thing has some lovely attributes and some poor attributes. I learned all this before I even cranked her up!!
First, the aluminum frame makes it hard to get to components of the engine. Getting to the airbox boot that attaches to the carb was a giant pita. Getting the air filter in an out is a pain too. I spent about 10 minutes with just the cage mimicking putting the filter in and taking it out so I could learn the exact procedure necessary. It really helped when I put the filter back in.
I rode it at TNT Saturday and took a little while to get used to it. I was immediately comfortable on it on the intermediate track but the big track took some time. We'd do a lap or two and rest then try something else.
I started to get comfortable on the 450 so I decided to ride the 250F and see how it felt. First thing I noticed was that the 250F has less power... well duh! It took me awhile to start riding it right.
I can say that the 450 does suit me better simply as a result of the power and me being a fat ass. The 250F is easier to ride longer but harder to clear obstacles with. The 450 has a little twitch to it and it is not as stable as the 250F is but with the steering damper on the 450 it is not a big problem at all.
The suspension on the 450 is really good. I overjumped one 40 foot double and the 450 handled it better than when I did the same thing on the 250F. After over-jumping I found myself more comfortable and trying new things on the 450.
By the end of the day I had done all of the jumps I used to do on the 250F and found them to be easier to do b/c of the extra power. I also added a few jumps to my collection.
1) The downhill ski jump. I used to do it (only a handful of times) but it always scared me. I am comfortable doing it now. However, the jump has been re-faced since then to make it easier.
2) The new uphill triple. I cased it the first time and cleared it good the second time.
3) The new step down. It kicks you high but the CR handled it really well. I started to get more comfortable on that jump as the day went on.
4) The big 60 that I thought I'd never do. The face has been re-surfaced in the middle and the landing has been made a lot more forgiving. James and I both were doing it by the end of the day. On my first attempt I did it and turned around and the bike stalled. I kicked and kicked. It wouldn't fire. Dumb me had the gas off. I am so lucky I didn't get hurt. Overall though the bike starts very easily.
5) The triple after the gully. I did it pretty well on my first attempt but my last attempt (which coincided with my last attempt of the day) I came up short and my ankle went down and stretched a few ligaments or something on the top of my foot. It hurts but I'm going to be fine. The 450 took the abuse rather well considering.
Overall, I really like the power of the 450. The ergos fit me well. I do not think I'm any faster on it than I was on the 250F but I do think that it is easier to clear obstacles b/c of the power. That makes it a little more fun for me.
Cornering the 450 is pretty nice but I still suck at it. I did have an issue with jetting though. Not sure at this point what the cause is but the bike would pop a little when decellerating. I was pulling in the clutch and I *think* I may have been hitting the hot start lever too but not sure. I'm going to pull the plug and take a look but it could be nothing or it could have been the humidity which was pretty wicked.
The thing I like the most is the limited decompression braking. The 250F has a lot more. It is nice to have some but I found on the 250F when I'd get in trouble on a jump and then land the decomp braking would sometimes throw me off kilter a bit. The 450 lack of decomp braking makes a lot of things safer IMO as a result.
Next I want to try some trails with it. I know the 250F is awesome in the woods so I'm just hoping this is half as good as the 250F is in the woods. I plan on doing more MX track play riding than anything else so the woods isn't as important to me. However, I know that in the woods is when I'll miss the 250F the most.
I think the only thing I need to do now is move the bars back a little. I have them too far forward. After that just change the oil, check the bolts, check the spokes, clean the air filter and go ride again next week :)
I'm sold on the bike and pretty happy I got it.
Ivan
First things first, this thing has some lovely attributes and some poor attributes. I learned all this before I even cranked her up!!
First, the aluminum frame makes it hard to get to components of the engine. Getting to the airbox boot that attaches to the carb was a giant pita. Getting the air filter in an out is a pain too. I spent about 10 minutes with just the cage mimicking putting the filter in and taking it out so I could learn the exact procedure necessary. It really helped when I put the filter back in.
I rode it at TNT Saturday and took a little while to get used to it. I was immediately comfortable on it on the intermediate track but the big track took some time. We'd do a lap or two and rest then try something else.
I started to get comfortable on the 450 so I decided to ride the 250F and see how it felt. First thing I noticed was that the 250F has less power... well duh! It took me awhile to start riding it right.
I can say that the 450 does suit me better simply as a result of the power and me being a fat ass. The 250F is easier to ride longer but harder to clear obstacles with. The 450 has a little twitch to it and it is not as stable as the 250F is but with the steering damper on the 450 it is not a big problem at all.
The suspension on the 450 is really good. I overjumped one 40 foot double and the 450 handled it better than when I did the same thing on the 250F. After over-jumping I found myself more comfortable and trying new things on the 450.
By the end of the day I had done all of the jumps I used to do on the 250F and found them to be easier to do b/c of the extra power. I also added a few jumps to my collection.
1) The downhill ski jump. I used to do it (only a handful of times) but it always scared me. I am comfortable doing it now. However, the jump has been re-faced since then to make it easier.
2) The new uphill triple. I cased it the first time and cleared it good the second time.
3) The new step down. It kicks you high but the CR handled it really well. I started to get more comfortable on that jump as the day went on.
4) The big 60 that I thought I'd never do. The face has been re-surfaced in the middle and the landing has been made a lot more forgiving. James and I both were doing it by the end of the day. On my first attempt I did it and turned around and the bike stalled. I kicked and kicked. It wouldn't fire. Dumb me had the gas off. I am so lucky I didn't get hurt. Overall though the bike starts very easily.
5) The triple after the gully. I did it pretty well on my first attempt but my last attempt (which coincided with my last attempt of the day) I came up short and my ankle went down and stretched a few ligaments or something on the top of my foot. It hurts but I'm going to be fine. The 450 took the abuse rather well considering.
Overall, I really like the power of the 450. The ergos fit me well. I do not think I'm any faster on it than I was on the 250F but I do think that it is easier to clear obstacles b/c of the power. That makes it a little more fun for me.
Cornering the 450 is pretty nice but I still suck at it. I did have an issue with jetting though. Not sure at this point what the cause is but the bike would pop a little when decellerating. I was pulling in the clutch and I *think* I may have been hitting the hot start lever too but not sure. I'm going to pull the plug and take a look but it could be nothing or it could have been the humidity which was pretty wicked.
The thing I like the most is the limited decompression braking. The 250F has a lot more. It is nice to have some but I found on the 250F when I'd get in trouble on a jump and then land the decomp braking would sometimes throw me off kilter a bit. The 450 lack of decomp braking makes a lot of things safer IMO as a result.
Next I want to try some trails with it. I know the 250F is awesome in the woods so I'm just hoping this is half as good as the 250F is in the woods. I plan on doing more MX track play riding than anything else so the woods isn't as important to me. However, I know that in the woods is when I'll miss the 250F the most.
I think the only thing I need to do now is move the bars back a little. I have them too far forward. After that just change the oil, check the bolts, check the spokes, clean the air filter and go ride again next week :)
I'm sold on the bike and pretty happy I got it.
Ivan
