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What's the Chances that Honda will....

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Posted by: Flyboy500---------------------

I have been reading great reviews on the Honda CRF250X and I was wondering if they may also make a CRF450X.... Perhaps in 05 or 06??? I guess it could depend on the sales of the "X" model. Any thoughts??? The XR's are OK, I owned a 99' that I purchased new and only kept it 1 season and I had enough of the 270+ pound hog! I'm just sitting back waiting to see what Honda may be up to next! I'll just stay with my CR500 and wait to see what's next.


Posted by: BEEF706---------------------

I have a buddy that owns his own Honda shop and he thinks Honda won't do a crf450x, he thinks that they are developing an all new critter maybe 500cc and a mix of xr and CRF technology. Of course when he says this he always winks and says "just my opinion"


Posted by: OnAnySunday---------------------

From a monetory standpoint i dont think you'll see a 450X/500X for at least a couple of years.
Why?
Honda already has a recently developed big bore trailbike.
Plus it's gonna take some mods to make the 450 as reliable as the XR400 & 650R.
(heck its only got a 1 ring piston! and hold, what, mebbe a quart of oil???)
And these mods are gonna add up to what people dont want anyways......weight.
The 450 is designed to put out as much BHP as it possibly can, and longetivity was a secondary concern.
The 650R (and the 400 too i imagine) on the other hand were overbuilt to the point of not needing rebuilds for 5, 10, or even 15,000 miles or more!
There's a LOT of riders out there (myself included) who would gladly accept some extra weight for this increased longetivity.

Im actually sorta suprized they built the 250X.
But then again i guess they almost had to , to go up against the WR250F.

Oh bother!! As long as they dont go killin off the XR's i'll be happy! :thumb:


Posted by: Jay-R---------------------

Honda would be crazy not to develop a 450x. Whether or not Honda will build it is one of the most asked questions on message boards everywhere. As far as the reliability, the 450 has proved very reliable. Also, I believe the 250x has one oil ring also, and this engine will see on average twice the RPMs of a 450 in off road situations. Honda does not have a bike to compete with the WR450 and KTM 450exc. Since Kawasuki is coming out with a 450 mxer, they will probably follow it up with an off road version also. Look at what KTM is doing selling high performance trail/enduro bikes.

IMO, we will probably see the 450x when Honda gives the CRF450r its next makeover.


Posted by: Flyboy500---------------------

Oh well It's a Honda.... It's all good!!!!
It would be nice to have a nice big bore, light weight mean machine with a nice bright headlight for us night riders
If they do come up with one I gotta have one! I just don't think I would be happy on a 250x being that I'm 6-1 and weigh 255 lbs. I also have been riding big bores for over 15 years... Still will never forget the old 82 YZ490 days.....


Posted by: OnAnySunday---------------------

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay-R
Honda would be crazy not to develop a 450x.IMO, we will probably see the 450x when Honda gives the CRF450r its next makeover.


Yep, but i bet not for a couple of years.
I can see the CRF450/500X taking the XR650R's spot by then.
And they'll probably turn the 650R into a dualsport machine to replace the aging XR650L.
As far as the dependability issues, and the 650R not being competitive -w- the WR450F, then why did they develop the 250X before the 450X?
The CRF450R was in production for, what, at least a year or 2 before the CRF250R.
So why else would the 250X be developed first (before the 450X)?
First they gotta get their $$$$$ worth out of the 650R's R&D.
($$$$$ is still a priority at H.M.C. ya know)
If they are to make the 450X into a replacement trail/desert bike (to replace the 650R) they will HAVE to make the engine more durable for long distance work.
Try selling something that has to have a topend job every year (or less if you run long distances) to guys that currently ride the XR600/650's.
It'll be a hard sell.
I know i wouldnt buy it. But i'm fat, lazy, and cheap. :whiner:
Thats why i bought a 650R.

PS: And yea i guess i am a bit biased by that fact! LOL


Posted by: Flyboy500---------------------

Starting the XR600 when flooded from trying to get the big pig off of a real hill requires either a long rest to catch some wind or a lot of weight on the kickstarter! Lazy is out of the question! Fat helps but lazy no way!
And oh watch out for the mud puddles! Perhaps a studded tire on the front year round so the frontend doesn't wash-out! Come on 450X or even better 500x!


Posted by: OnAnySunday---------------------

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyboy500
And oh watch out for the mud puddles! Perhaps a studded tire on the front year round so the frontend doesn't wash-out! Come on 450X or even better 500x!


"wash-out"????
geez, my biggest problem is trying to keep the back tire from passing me by!
Thinkin about a 140 / 18 Maxxis IT to try to keep it under control.

Hard to start?
Compared to my old XL500R this things a breeze.
If i stare at it hard enough it'll light up.......


Posted by: Flyboy500---------------------

Yeah the stare thing works well


Posted by: Danman---------------------

I realy don't see the 450X as a replacement for the 650. I would see it as filling a gap in honda's current line up. If they want to take some market share from orange and blue in the offroad racing market (enduro) I think it would be wise to add a 450 off-road bike. I realy would not see much of an over lap for the 650 and 450X.



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