Racer X Online - Motocross & Supercross NewsRacer X Online

  • Subscribe Now
  • Latest
  • Features
  • Breaking News

Racer X Online - Motocross & Supercross NewsRacer X Online

  • One Click Sign-In

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    OR

    Sign in with your username and password

    • Sign In
  • Features
    • 10 Things
    • 30 Greatest AMA Motocrossers
    • 3 on 3
    • 250 Words
    • 450 Words
    • Between the Motos
    • Breakdown
    • Deals of the Week
    • GNCC Report
    • Great Battles
    • How to Watch
    • Injury Report
    • Insight
    • In the Mag, On the Web
    • Lockdown Diaries
    • Longform
    • MXGP Race Reports
    • My Favorite Loretta Lynn's Moto
    • Next
    • Observations
    • On This Day in Moto
    • Open Mic
    • Privateer Profile
    • Race Day Feed
    • Racerhead
    • Racer X Awards
    • Racer X Redux
    • Rapid Reaxtion
    • RX Exhaust
    • Saturday Night Live
    • Staging Area
    • The Conversation
    • The List
    • The Moment
    • Things We Learned at the Ranch
    • Unphiltered
    • Wake-Up Call
    • Where Are They Now
  • Multimedia
    • Podcasts
    • Photo Galleries
    • The Weege Show
    • Racer X Films
    • Video
    • SX Preview Shows
    • Factory Tech Tip
    • MX Preview Shows
    • Behind The Bars
    • Racer X Rapid News
  • Races
    • Series Schedules
    • TV Schedules
    • Results
    • Champions
    • Teams
    • 2021 Numbers
  • Results
    • Points Standings
    • Race Results
    • Riders
    • The Vault
    • Loretta Lynn's Vault
  • The Mag
    • Customer Care
    • Digital Magazine Bookstand
    • Current Issue
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletter
    • Free Stickers
    • Store Locator
    • Sell Racer X
  • Shop
  • About Us
  • Table of Contents
  • Subscribe Now
  • Latest
  • Features
  • Breaking News
Results Archive
GNCC
Wild Boar
Articles
Overall Results
  1. Ben Kelley
  2. Josh Strang
  3. Jordan Ashburn
Full Results
XC2 Pro Results
  1. Jonathan Girroir
  2. Craig Delong
  3. Michael Witkowski
Full Results
Supercross
Daytona
Articles
450SX Results
  1. Eli Tomac
  2. Cooper Webb
  3. Aaron Plessinger
Full Results
250SX West Results
  1. Cameron McAdoo
  2. Stilez Robertson
  3. Pierce Brown
Full Results
Live Now
Amateur
RCSX
Articles
Upcoming
GNCC
The General
Sat Mar 13
Articles
Upcoming
Supercross
Arlington 1
Sat Mar 13
Articles
Upcoming
Supercross
Arlington 2
Tue Mar 16
Articles
Upcoming
Supercross
Arlington 3
Sat Mar 20
Articles
Full Schedule

Racer X Tested: 2011 Honda CRF450R

September 14, 2010 10:45am | by: David Pingree
  • Home
  • Multimedia
  • Racer X Tested
  • Racer X Tested: 2011 Honda CRF450R

There were a lot of skeptics when Honda scrapped its original 450 and created a new bike from the ground up in 2009. Its predecessor had been so successful that it just didn’t make sense to re-create the wheel. And in ’09, there were certainly some bugs that needed to be worked out of the new CRF450R. Complaints mainly centered on the bike’s "stinkbug" feel and unbalanced chassis. Adjustments were made in 2010 and the bike improved. Now, for 2011, there are even more changes that focus on balancing and really fine-tuning the bike.

 

Honda started by changing something that every Honda race team was doing to their bikes: changing the link arm and linkage. By increasing the length of the link arm, they dropped the rear end and created a much more balanced feel. They also changed the linkage itself to improve rear-wheel traction in choppy sections. Revised shock valving complements the linkage changes.

Another major feature is the revised engine tuning and new 46mm throttle body, which give the bike more low-to-mid power and improve the throttle response. There was a slight lag in power down low with the 50mm unit, and the 46mm alleviates that problem without sacrificing anything up top.

 

Other features include a lighter cartridge cylinder in the front fork and all-new valving for improved control and ride plushness, larger piston diameter (20mm to 24mm) in the Honda progressive steering damper for more control up front, and a redesigned muffler that lowers sound emissions to 94dB. Honda once again boasts that it has the lightest 450 in the class, and that contributes to a more nimble, better-handling motorcycle.

From my perspective, the changes that were made to the 2011 bike are all positive. The balancing of the front and rear end are a big step forward. The throttle body is also a positive change and something that every rider, novice to pro, will appreciate and benefit from. And the decreased sound is a step in the right direction—it’s great to see many of the manufacturers stepping up and meeting what are becoming standard sound limitations.

If you didn’t see the video of this introduction that was shot by our own Simon Cudby, you can check it out right HERE. And look for the Racer X Tested 450 Shootout coming soon.

 

  • Racer X Films: Kevin Windham Racer X Films: Kevin Windham 10:20am
Read Now
April 2021 Issue Now Available
Get Racer X on your iPhone
Check out all the exclusive content this month on any device!
Read Now
The April 2021 Digital Issue Availalbe Now

Motocross & Supercross News - Racer X Online

122 Vista Del Rio Drive, Morgantown, WV 26508 | 304-284-0084 | Contact Us
©1999 - 2021 Filter Publications LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
designed at: Website DesignImpulse Studios