2014 Honda CRF450R any good?

[CLVTCH]

Hi there, I have a line on a 2014 Honda CRF450R that I would like to put a snow kit on. Has anyone got experience with this bike in the snow? I know that the front forks are air now (no spring) is this something I don't want for a snowbike? Any other issues that people have had with the Honda 450 bikes? I read a lot about Yamaha, Kawi, Husaberg and KTM but haven't seen too much in the way of Honda. Maybe there's a reason for that.

I'm also considering getting an old 2S instead of the 4S but could save that for another discussion, there seems to be lots of threads on that already.

I did try using the search function but for some reason I get a bunch of HTML code every time I search Snowest forums, can't seem to do a search.

Thanks!

 

[mrquick68]

Hi there, I have a line on a 2014 Honda CRF450R that I would like to put a snow kit on. Has anyone got experience with this bike in the snow? I know that the front forks are air now (no spring) is this something I don't want for a snowbike? Any other issues that people have had with the Honda 450 bikes? I read a lot about Yamaha, Kawi, Husaberg and KTM but haven't seen too much in the way of Honda. Maybe there's a reason for that.

I'm also considering getting an old 2S instead of the 4S but could save that for another discussion, there seems to be lots of threads on that already.

I did try using the search function but for some reason I get a bunch of HTML code every time I search Snowest forums, can't seem to do a search.

Thanks!

it will work fine, but they are the slowest 450s out there and you want MAX power on snowbike.

As for the Air forks - some like them some don't. they are definitely cheaper to make stiff, but they also are less reliable.

the reason you see a lot of folks on KTMs and Husky's is the electric start.

 

[crawfishoo]

Any model year 2009+ CRF450R is a great bike for snow. Really any of the new FI bikes are pretty good in the snow, there are differences and everyone has their personal likes/dislikes. If you like Honda's and you feel comfortable on it, I say do it. The CRF450R is the least powerful of the current bikes in stock form but Honda has left a lot of HP on the table with the OE exhaust/ECM tuning. A pipe + remap with gain you 5+ HP, it will still be a few horses less than a new Yamaha or KTM but it will be close. If you have a line on a 14 for a good deal, I would not hesitate one bit to use it as a snowbike.

And before you go spend a small fortune on spring forks, give the air forks a try. I would not spend a lot of money on subjective mods you read about online or in magazines. Try out the bike as is, if you feel the need to change something down the road do it, but you just might find it works great in factory form.

 

[CLVTCH]

Thanks for the insight guys.

I should have mentioned this, also got a line on a full setup. 2011 RMZ450 with a 2015 TS ST kit on it. Bike has all the stuff done that it needs like Thermobob, air intake, seat concepts seat, they are wanting $9500 CDN plus tax. Thoughts on this price? I feel like it's not much less than buying a used bike and a brand new 2016 TS kit, but maybe I'm missing something here...

Thanks again