Great video. One thought about the large fuel tank, (nomad, safari, whatever brand)... the tank doesn't add weight, the fuel adds the weight. I've got a 4.2 gal safari tank on my WR and very seldom run with it full. With 2-3 gallons in it, I'm carrying no more weight than a stock tank, but it is much lower on the bike. Lower center of gravity, better handling, safer, etc. When I need the extra fuel, the capacity is already there. So much better than carrying a Rotopax on the tail rack or fuel bag in your luggage. People that complain about big fuel tanks adding weight have not thought that through.
So I meant this guy and was blown away how real he is. I have a 21 RL along with a Yamaha T7. I talked his ear off and he is totally has passion for his bike and adventure. I like my 450 for the harder BDRs and the T7 for everyday rides. Thank you so much John for your passion and no bull about the Honda and how you describe the add-ons and why you need or don't need due to cash flow to make the it that much better. Hope to ride with you some day......Dan
Ever feel you should have a wider gap in capabilities? I have the T7 which does what I need on road and easier not too crazy off road. I also have a Husky TE250. I've stopped doing hare scrambles and opportunities for trail rides are hard to get to. Thinking about selling the TE and putting funds towards the 450RL. Can at least use it more frequently. Still ride the occasional trail ride. Do dual sport events etc. In this scenario I could see setting the T7 up with a bit more wind protection and a hair taller gearing for longer rides.
Hi John Great to hear you've had 16000 HONDA miles on the CRF. I did get a 2021 CRF450RL and it has been outstanding ...quite frankly the perfect all round adventure bike. I did some similar mods as you have, with a long range 20L Nomad tank from Mick, different grips for the vibration and they have made a great difference for long days on the bike, no need for a new ECU as the new bike is well behaved at very slow speeds and easy to learn the throttle for required low speed, likewise very easy to keep the rear wheel from spinning on gravely/scree type very steep sections off road, the throttle is very responsive but nothing that can't be learned within a few miles of trying. I did add a rack, changed out the mirrors, and seat of course as the stock seat is worse than an old well used wooden hockey bench at -45C. So far the bike has been truly outstanding and the more miles I ride it the more I really REALLY like it. As I said the best adventure bike by far...its just a shame its taken me 50+ years to find it.!! I haven't used my old Mosko Moto reckless 80lt bags yet as they are the first generation and while the fit looks not too bad in terms of heat catching from the muffler I haven't wanted to test it this past summer, rather I have loaded a 50lt backpack and stowed it length wise on the rack and back portion of the seat. The balance has been very good, with the heavy units inside the pack being close to the center of the saddle and I have not suffered lack of gear for camping etc., so far, but will head into protecting and possibly custom fitting the reckless 80 in the off season to see how I can have it fit as it is easier for long/multi week trips. The new CRF has a lithium ion battery and came form the dealer with a charging unit and connection so I use that for cell phone and SENA recharging on trips and run a Garmin Zumo GPS straight off the battery. That's all! Many thanks again for all your excellent videos and honest reviews and ideas. Once we can cross the 49th more easily, I will keep an eye out for you on the trails on some of the BDR's that I will be checking out next year. Safe rides!
Just bought my FIRST bike ever! It's a 2022 CRF-450RL. Got it for 9200 brand new plus I bought the Honda 6 year total extended warranty. Total price was 10.8K with tax and everything. I think the bike is a monster bad ass machine! Yes the throttle is extremely responsive, and I think I could have gotten used to it. But because my son has a KLX300 and will let him ride my new 450, I bought a throttle tammer just so it could be similar to his. Also for the people who complain about killing it in low speeds learn to feather the clutch, use your friction zone. It even states this in the manual for anything less than 10mph. Anyway I only have around 25 miles on mine so far. We are getting ready to go riding some dirt trails this weekend or next with my son's KLX and my new bike. Looking forward to many years of reliable fun!!!
The 606 is a 90/10 tire with a softer compound for traction. The Rallz is an 80/20 with a harder compound, but with silica added for wet traction. Either one is a great tire.
I'd like to add that I prefer not to run the D606's because they're so incredibly hard to change if you're out solo on the road and get a flat tire. If you do long solo trips its best to stick with another tire type. if you do short trips from home or go with a group of friends its fine. Im running Michelin 140 Desert Tires now and i'm much more comfortable knowing i can easily change a tire.
Hey John, Really appreciate all the honest reviews. I just recently sold my Dr650 (videos on my channel) and have been looking at either a 500exc or The 450L. I need the bike to replace what I did with the Dr650 which is basically everything. Watching your videos is making me feel like the 450 might be The way to go. Thanks again! -Blake
I found your channel because i was looking for some reviews about the CRF450L, and by far your videos are the best to describe the bike and understand what kind of bike is it, i want a CRF450L and my budget is not a lot so i want to make sure this is the bike that i need ( looks like it is ), i do the same kind of riding i like to explore the desert i live in AZ and i also have a youtube channel that explain about bikes and exploring, is in spanish, is been 2 years since i load the first video and now i have a lot people from south america, spain, mexico and some other places sennding e-mails and comments about the videos and that they want more, i also race in dirt bike, i have a CRF450X and a CRF250L RALLY (i race VEGAS TO RENO in my 250 RALLY). I love the 250 RALLY, is a great bike, has power to go anywhere but is just to slow but that little bike is like your 450L never break down i love HONDA, hope by the end of this year i will sell both of my bikes and get the CRF450RL, i will keep watching your videos and i also have a TACOMA 🙂.
Man you make me feel good about my purchase. They are not cheap to get in a usable state but I am glad you convinced me to ditch my 800gs and go this route with your videos. Keep the videos coming please they both save and cost me money at the same time.
@@JohnTYoung right. Its made me think about selling the GS for something more fun on the street but still good for daily duty, like VFR800/Interceptor. But nothing soaks up nasty degrading New York roads like long travel suspension and a 21" front wheel, so I'm not that tempted yet!
My best friend has the T7 and I was going that route but could not find one in Alberta so I stumbled on your videos while googling to find something similar. It never occurred to me the CRF could be turned into what I have now. We have swapped rides back and forth on a few outings and the last time out I had trouble getting it back from him :) He loves the T7 as he also came off a 800gs but I can see the wheels turning in his head now. His biggest grip with my 450 was how plugged up it felt but I have the vortex on now and the exhaust coming this week. In one of your videos you hit the nail on the head when you said something to the effect buy the bike for what you ride. You can get the 800 and realize it’s too big and heavy the hard way. He and I were the 17 and 18 person to buy the first 800gs in all of Canada when they were first released thanks to Charlie and Ewan and long way around, we ran them until last year. I loved my 800gs and like his T7 a lot, but I need to dig bugs from my teeth when I ride my 450 from smiling the whole time.
Hey John, another great video with solid communication skills. You've certainly helped me with my decision to purchase a CRF450L. Keep up the good work and I hope to meet you on the trails in the future. Regards - David Hook
Great review. Now you can find these bikes used in the $8-$9k range with the “necessary” upgrades already done. Softens the blow to your wallet! I am still torn between this and the T7. I currently ride the heavy pig Africa Twin.
Have you ridden the T7? Having test ridden both nearly back to back, I can honestly say the difference between the standard AT and the T7 isn't that big, especially not the weight. At least not big enough to warrant a switch unless you are riding seriously hardcore trails. The most noticeable difference I found was the slenderness, and the ease of steering at slower speeds offroad, whilst the AT is much more comfortable on-road. Although if in the market for a new bike and don't have one yet, the T7 is probably most 'bang for buck'.
I think that people have become obsessed with the idea that in order to do very big solo miles that you absolutely *have* to have at least 700 cc. Many years ago, I used do hugely enjoyable rides around Europe on my trusty old Honda CB550F (obviously on black top with a few very sketchy dirt miles from time to time). To my mind, modern off-road bike technology and accessories combine to produce such astonishingly capable machinery and packaging in terms of power and load carrying ability, you have to ask yourself "just how *essential* are those extra cubes for the majority of your riding?" Your approach to off-road oriented touring ticks all the right boxes for me. It's completely accessible to virtually all riders (including women) because of the relatively low weight. Itchy Boots did the Kalahari Rally on a (very) second hand CRF250! I don't think spending circa ten thousand pounds/dollars on a bike is remotely expensive compared to the considerably higher sums many people spend on a second car. Your bike looks and does the business.
I had the same issue with my tank bag as I was getting ready to ride the TAT. I took a 90° motorcycle valve, the air stem, and hollowed it out with the drill so it would flow and fit the nipple on my tank. I attached my normal vent hose. I rode from sea level to over 12,000 feet in very hot weather. I never boiled a tank of gas, and my tank bag sat up higher, not obstructing the vent. I’m sure someone makes one. I’ve seen them, but at that time, no one did, and that’s what I came up with. It worked for the two of us who used it. I hope that helps.
I got 5500 miles on mine. Never left me stranded besides at the house. My starter reduction gear failed and it wouldn't start. I think it's one of the most overall fun bikes. It's average at just about everything. Nice to see you haven't had many problems.
Looks like that motor is running strong with the thermostat delete! I got worried about all the internet mechanics on the forums saying it will destroy the bike. Seems like it’s a safe mod to do. Cheers!
The whole idea of the header coming out of the front of the bike is so moving air can cool it. Exhaust wrap is to hold the heat and protect other stuff from the Exhaust heat. I would unwrap the header. Just my 2 cents.🍻 safe travels. Good to hear a new bike loaded with electronics isn't braking down all the time. I like my old carb and kick start bikes for peace of mind.
Hey John love your videos. We are getting our CRF450’s with all you great advice. What tire pressure do you run? I just replaced stock with Tusk Dsport adventure and am having trouble dialing in, running 16 lbs running on road and off-road rocky single track. I weigh 215, my son has his TP same but only weighs 135. We don’t carry any load otherwise.
Howdy John, I ride a big pig (not just to Starbucks.) I was almost dead set on adding a 690/701 to my garage but now you have me thinking CRF450L. I won't get rid of my big girl because road touring is a large element of my adventures. Just to get to/from BDR's I put in thousands of miles; but it's time to change it up. Thanks for the great video!
Should have blown a fuse instead of a stator. That's on Honda. I carry a mountain bike pump. It's a lot more effort but much lighter, more compact, much less expensive, as reliable as the best compressor but can be repaired trail side in the rare occasion that it fails, and it needs no electricity. It fits in my seven pound tool roll with the tire plugs and patches. My bike uses tubeless tires which are awesome, but I carry patches to help others.
This is a great review. Really like how detailed you are with this and how you go over your parts. Thanks for finally talking about the guards, somehow I kept missing you talking about them. As far as that tank bag goes, I doubt that Mosko designed it for a tank as large and angled like yours is. Have you tried talking to Mosko? Maybe they have some stuff in the works and would send you stuff to try.
...of the stator (if it's not been said) ...it's amps output you needs, the volts will be as the stator is designed in tandem with the regulator. The two offer the watts, and it's the watts that all then bits drink. Useful reveiw J.
@@JohnTYoung Wonder if there's an uprated stator and regulator John? Then again, is it a matter of managing what you have, appreciating how much it offers(?) In this world of LED technology I would hope there were enough 'amps' left... though maybe the air pump is over drawing and under fused(?) Through you experience we now know to consider all!
Big Dog John back at it again 🤟 Hey, at 7:36 you bring up a good point about plated bikes from the factory being de-tuned to be compliant. The only exception I can think of is the Beta RR-S lineup. They seem to be running richer and producing more power than the stock competitors. BUT… I’m not sure if they are legal in all 50 states.
Enjoying your videos and learning a lot about this bike and some of the things I would like to do for the way I’m going to use it, I got hold of a 2019 model with 500km on it with a fmf q4 and 52 Keihin ecu installed with stock parts included, I’m a novice to this stuff and only just come off a klx250s so the crf is a weapon and my first ride I was like god dam think I bit off more than I could chew but a few rides in and I love it, keep the good content coming mate 👍🏼🍻
Hi, what oil change intervals you had in your bike? I wonder to get CRF450L but I am not convinced to 1000km oil change intervals as I heard about this bike maintenance, in some of my trips it would mean changing the oil every other day, that's quite a problem for adventure bike from my point of view
Well done John. 16000 miles! Your bike is not quite unique… apart from the expensive Italian plastic and aluminium, mine is same, same, same (well I do have a full FMF system - but only a small difference I think?). Main difference is - I’ve only done about 7000 km - because covid has clipped my wings here in Ireland. Just before the pandemic I rode Prudhoe bay to Ushuaia over six months on my Africa Twin dct. Got fed up with the weight and promised myself a light long distance bike, which is the 450L very like yours. But I haven’t had the chance to use it in the way I want to. I’m hoping 2022 will see the end of all that crap, and I can be on my way to Beijing, or Capetown, or wherever. But kudos to you for showing me the way with the 450L. Thanks man!
Certainly not a mile eater like my DL1000A V Strom or very much fun in the curves. But boy you could have fun on the mountain logging roads where it is quite risky to take my bike, particularly solo.
Looking to do a similar set up. What does your bike weigh approximately with full gear and fluid? My DR650 completed expert sections of CO/WY BDRs no problem. We avoided several goat trails due to weight and because it gets exhausting to do 150 mile off-road days for 2 weeks. Thanks
if you dont wanna deal with EPA crap, BETA rr-s models are super lively basically 1:1 to there offroad models, just gotta pop out that carbon canister for the gas fumes.
Thanks for all of your informative videos! Do you have one for replacing the foot pegs? Im struggling with the right side, because of the brake pedal. Do you have to remove it?
Hey John. How do you think the Motoz Rall-z compare to the Dunlop D606? Currently I’m using the D606 and want to start some trips that have some long highway stretches. I still want something aggressive to keep up on the trails in the southwest US. Great Video!
Rallz are better on the road for sure, but they still work fine off road. I sude them for most BDRs. The Dunlops are better in the dirt. LOL. I know that didn't help at all, but there ya go.
Great report. I’m glad you made that statement re the need to farkle our dirt bikes. EVERYONE does it, I don’t care how much it costs, it’s part of the whole ownership process. On my 500 exc for example, Cush drive hub, completely rebuilt the lighting system, fabricated a combined rack and pannier frame etc, etc. Here in Australia, we can’t buy the RL, Honda dropped it. How ironic that Nomad produced the big tank here but there is no bike for sale new to put it on. One question, what is that camera tripod? It looks both light and tall enough to be very useful. I assume you will be making a video of the 20,000 mile “no need to rebuild the motor” project. What a joke that recommendation is. Late model exc’s are easily going 50,000 km with only rare valve adjustments and your 450 will do the same.
Hi John I have been following you ( thanks for your adventures ) I hope Honda are releasing a 450 set up as a tourer. I hope you get a new bike as like veryone says weight is the killer. Thanks again John from a Aussi stay safe Mate
Hi John, great video, this is amazing bike, I have only 3KM on it and it is a blast. I had a DRZ400S and the L is way better in all aspects. Did you handle your forks, oil, and seals? Any leaks or still dry with no maintenance?
John how often do you change your oil? Do you have an extended warranty? Any signs of engine fatigue? I believe the manual says around 20K miles that essentially an entire rebuild of the engine is required.
hey John, cool bike! im thinking of getting one too :) does your mosko moto reckless 80 hang on the bike or on some sort of rack? cheers man happy riding
I am surprised you are running the 51 tooth rear on the road and say you run at 70. Mine feels like it's ringing its neck. I also have the vortex ecu and running map 1 I believe. What map do you run?
John, I have a quick question for you regarding tires. I have a 2022 450Rl and need your EXACT recommendations for a front and rear tire and rear sprocket size to go with it. Red our course :) I will be taking my Son to Durango, Ouray, Silverton and Telluride in June to ride and need to upgrade my OEM tires. I do no ride alot. Mostly on the gravel and dirt, however occasionally ride to the local coffee shop, so dirt will be my primary. I value your opinion as 2022 I see SO MANY options. Thank you in advance for your recommendation
Oh man. No pressure there. I'll start off with - at the bottom of each video I list out what all is on the bike. My favorite 80/20 tires to date are the Motoz Rallz. I like the stock gearing or a 52T rear sprocket IF I'm doing a lot of road miles. Mouse's Cafe in Ouray, Milt's in Lake City and Bear's Cafe in Silverton are your best bets for good coffee.
@@JohnTYoung Thank you. Yes I have referenced all of your gear and accessories. I am checking that list off. Pipe arrived and Vortec soon. I was just checking to see if your opinion of your tires has changed. Thank you so much. I will be coming to ride my MTN bike in Aspen in July. I would love to buy you some coffee and meet you. I will be riding Aspen and Snowmass :)
@@ebhkkc1 Coffee? Heck ya. Let me know when and where, tho I am planning on a big ride in July, so hopefully our timing works out. AS for size, I went with as close to stock as possible. I can't recall the exact one, however. Bigger means squirrely-er on the road without wider rims. Wider also means slower to turn, heavier, and stiffer for a little 450.
How have you found the bike does for multi hour rides on pavement at highway (70mph)? Would not expect to do as well as a gs bike or even a dr650 but how bD/good is it?
@@JohnTYoung Thanks John. Trying to work through the eternal struggle of which bike. Have done 350 mile day on pavement with the DR without trouble but there are interesting trails I don't have the skill for on the DR. Need an extra $12k to drop on a 350 excf/rrs.
I've got about 1000 miles on mile i changed over to a toyko mods manual cam chain tensioner. It seemed to help as I thought I might be just hearing things it seems like my cam chain is super noisey. Is that normal or am I overthinking it. Also did check my valve clearance.
@@JohnTYoung thats a fair comment john, as i said tho ther is a lot of mods now for speed and torque.....maybe have a look at the surron stormbee aswell, hope to see a vid soon john ..all the best from the uk.💕
@@JohnTYoung it has, it looks like a great competitor, it gets up to around 65mph i think ..as the free ride i think is only 50mph like the surron lbx....i am going to be straight with you john i bought the surron LBX l1e road legal model here in the uk and i love it ...i have no isues with it having no power after i unlocked the bike.... i am still going to get a bac-4000 for it tho and a battery bypass for more torque..👍💕
Hey John, really thinking about this bike for very similar use as yours and wondering about the recluse. Does this fix your low speed stall in technical sections? Also some others that have this bike say it is unbearable buzzy over 65mph, do you agree? I really want a bike I can do 75mph highway reasonably comfortable. Thank you so much for all your content!
If you compare it to a Gold Wing it's buzzy. Compare it to a KTM EXC and it's not. I'm ok with it at 80 MPH with my set up. The Rekluse makes any bike much easier to ride in any terrain. It's totally cheating.
@@JohnTYoung Sorry didn't ask my question very well :) The 450l just looks to have an issue at slow speed so I thought the recluse may have eliminated the slow speed stall issue. And my freeway concern/question was really are your hands and feet numb after 30/40 minutes, or is it pretty acceptable for the kind of bike it is. I know you changed the seat so I assume that took care of the butt. Also thank you for getting back I'd love to buy ya a beer some day.
@@johnscott9829 unfortunately no. It's not a stall as much of flameout. If you blip the throttle the bike just quits. Pop and nothing. The Rekluse does not fix that. Nor does the Vortex. My bike, for 12000 didn't do it, then one day it did.
I have been really considering trading my 2020 WR250R for one of these as I do not spend a lot of time on the highway. I do have a 2007 YZ250 for dirt but I seem to always want 1. A dual sport 2. A 4stroke available.
@@JohnTYoung Out of curiosity how well would the stock suspension handle a 260 lb guy? I have dumped more dollars into my WRR than I care to disclose and it's fun until you start cranking on the speed then it's tolerable.
I'm right here! I JUST finished up 90% of my training for my 2 new jobs, it's still snowing but getting warmer, and I am hoping to get 911 Bike out for a ride next week. I haven't died but I am dead tired. LOL.
If I was one of those dummies lugging gas around in Laundry detergent bottles or whatever- I feel like I would have to challenge you to a dual or something right about now. Later Mean Guy. Oh by the way- this is amazing from start to finish. Thx for all you do for us.
@@JohnTYoung well damn.... that's weird, mine does that only if the idle is set to low I found out... otherwise it's snappy from bottom to top, all stock btw
Well, it's not a crf450L review at all, it's your own philosophy regarding long ADV ridings. You've changed and replaced some parts from the stock bike and also had to replace the stator. So in sub-line I can't see here any recommendation on the crf450L.
How tall are you? You look like you are flat footing that thing! I am 6'1" with, measured crotch to ground, about 33 inches inseam. I am also old. :( So it seems pretty tall for me. Tall and no calves strength anymore, it's not coming back, the seat height is a concern for me. Maybe too much?
@@JohnTYoung in the video when you are on the bike with your boots on you feet look almost flat on the ground. Did you lower it other than the 'low' seat concepts seat?
I don't add preload for tours because the added sag does lots of beneficial things; relaxes head tube angle for more high speed stability, bottoms out easier which checks my speed in a good way, lowers center of gravity, lowers seat height.
You've changed your oil 18 times in that 16,000 miles....Right??? Only thing stopping that bike from selling is the oil change interval requirement of every 900 miles. Honda needs to find a way to step it up. Its every 8,000 miles on their other 2021 models... What gives with the 450????
Hi Steph. I probably have changed it less than 18. I tend to run it out to 1000 miles. Maybe a bit more. I think I covered this topic in another video, but, just like the KTM 500, this is Hondas race motor. Detuned and choked up to pass EPA for sure, but it's still a lightweight fire breathing monster if you un-do all that. The price of all that is of course, race motor maintenance. That's why you have the CRF300Rally to pick, if a 330lbs 30HP bike with 3000 mile oil change intervals is more your thing.
@@JohnTYoung - Thanks so much John. That seems to be a common range for just about all the bikes I’ve run that are over say 250cc’s. My Fat hog ATwin gets 40 (highway). It’s not a dirt bike, so I’s gotta go.. Looking at a 2020 450. The only flag that bugs me is the dark purple color of the header pipe.. Lean, but how much damage has that caused to head components? That’s the very reason I won’t build another 650L. They simply can’t handle the extreme heat events. Just missed out on a beautiful 650r.. Maybe it was because the 450 is more fun and meant to be.. Thanks again! Good luck.. Liked & S’d
Nope.. I switched off once I learned about that auto clutch.. sorry !! I've had bikes with those, but hey it's ridiculous on a fun bike. Wheelies, power jumps, steep hills... no no no .. not for me !!
Funny i could not find a problem with the right side start system. Those starter clutch's go through hell and fail! Not 1 mention of this crap start system!
I have 6500 and I hear of some getting 400 miles brand new and failing. But I see 2024 's starter to flywheel. Starter and 1 gear, Not gear to gear to gear to gear🥵
sweet mods. Your right, Tires Tuner Pipe min. This is my modded wr vs a stock crf450l. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qruM24Ifrw4.html. Those things are corked. mods are must. enjoyed the vid.
