Honda CRF 450L Dual Sport BRUTALLY HONEST Review 

I absolutely love my 450L. I have to disagree with you. It’s a great base platform and you can mod it your way, but it’s not for everyone. One thing your did not mention is that a lot of stuff that’s bad on the 450L is because of EPA regulations. I have 20k km on mine, it’s one of my favourite bike ever!

I watched this video, and many others and decided to go ahead and get the 2022 CRF450RL. Having been a die hard Honda rider for 50 years I just couldn't switch. After the first week I have to admit I had mixed emotions, wondering if I made the right choice. Then came my scheduled hernia surgery. For a month I couldn't ride it so I got online and started ordering parts. I ordered the following. 3 Gallon IMS tank, G2 Throttle Tamer, Seat Concepts Seat, AiM Taipan ECU with AiM Multi Mode Map Switch, Graves Exhaust, Steahly Flywheel kit, Skid Plate, Fender Eliminator, bar ends and pillow grips. I put on all the parts and tuned the suspension while I was healing, which took about 5 weeks. Eventually I was able to get on the bike again and take it for some serious rides. I was absolutely blown away with the transformation this machine had taken. It became the perfect trail machine. Here is the AiM map 2 description: "MAP 2: OPEN EXHAUST - ENDURO SINGLE TRACK MODE (full system or slip on) smooth and linear low end power for riding the gnar gnar rough stuff eliminating the lurchy snappy throttle feel of the stock ecu. Combine this map with a 7oz flywheel weight and a Rekluse clutch and you've got a machine that can be chugged and lugged up over and through virtually anything. It’s such an improvement over the stock bike it’s completely transformative." I have to agree. Gone was the twitchy throttle, never had a flame out, the seat felt great, and I was sitting on an amazing powerhouse trail bike with amazing suspension that could take me home without loading it in the truck. Sure, I had to spend more money to get it where I absolutely love the bike, but I would do it again, well worth it... and it's a Honda.

I'm surprised. I've owned a xr400, xr650r, KTM 950 super enduro. Love the crf450L / RL. Big tank stock ecu and exhaust. Flameout issue went away after about 1000 miles.

11k miles on mine. It’s been fantastic. Bike isn’t perfect, but it’s a jack of all trades and the master of none. Can be built however you like. I ride mine in the desert and at the track. Mostly fast paced riding and as a supermoto on the track. I even plan on racing it this year. This bike can do all of the above and still cruise on the highway if needed. Flameouts were only a issue during break in. The manual even states it. Even says to raise the idle which helps allot. For tight single track a flywheel weight is a must. The engine is heavily based on the mx bike. Not really good out of the box for the slow technical stuff but absolutely rips in the fast stuff. Excellent bike. Sold my ktm 500 for mine. The 450 fits me better and the engine is much better for my type of riding. Plus it’s been trouble free while my ktm had a multiple issues in the same amount of miles. None of them were major but for the price I’d rather ride it than spend extra time fixing it. I had the same problems with both of my drzs. They are supposed to be reliable but I must have bad luck with them. They left me stranded one to many times. So that’s why I went with the 450l. I think the problem is people buying it with the wrong expectations. This bike is not for everyone but that could be said for many bikes. That’s why there’s so many different flavors out there get the one that fits you the best, not the one that the internet tells you is best (I’ve made that mistake with the drz).

Every time I ride my DRZ400E, I'm pleasantly surprised how good it is.

I'm 6k miles on a 19 450L. 100% all stock, and I haven't had a flameout since 1200 miles.

The Steahly flywheel weight very much helps the tractorability of the bike reducing the flameout issue dramatically imo.

I paid $3800 for a 03 drz400s fully modified and very well taken care of 7300 mile bike. First duel sport and absolutely loving it. Thank you for your honest feedback on the 450L

I am in Australia and own a crf450L with a vortex and fmf and cane the guts out of it in all types of riding and never get flame outs!! Outstanding bikes love mine

I had a 2019 450L for a little over a year. I found that it worked better on tight trails after I went -2 on the rear sprocket, Steahly flywheel weight, and a throttle tamer. Flame out issue went away with some miles and the heavier flywheel. I liked the slightly taller gearing because it made 1st gear more useable. Power was plenty, easy to pop up the front in 3rd without any clutch. Also did the IMS 3 gallon tank and Seat Concepts so you could sit on the bike for almost as long as you could ride on a tank. It was a great bike, but ended up being wrong for my use. I ride a lot more tarmac and some dirt roads with a once yearly camping trip where it would get used on trails. Made more sense to replace with a CRF300L Rally. I'll probably regreat that on my camping trip, but it'll be adequate. It's so much better for 99% of my riding.

I would love to see this chassis repowered with something less high strung/ high maintenance. A 300 pound fuel injected XR650?

Love your brutally honest reviews. So glad to hear Mr. Duhfactor is still around since I first heard of him with your DRZ "upgrade" so many years ago. Such a great teacher. Look forward to more of his videos. Love the southern Utah tracks you show!

A little over a year ago, the allure of a late year 450L with a dealer discount had me dropped off and left to make a purchase. With my wife 30+ minutes away and me beginning paperwork, I asked for a ride on the bike I was 99% certain I wanted to buy. Within minutes the flame outs, stalling, lurching and finicky nature had me frustrated and now stranded at a dealership with no way home. (First world problem). I called my wife and in her infinite wisdom and appreciation for my hobbies, not to mention patience; told me that I needed to make a decision and come home on a bike (again first world problem and awesome wife). I took a Beta out for a test ride and was blown away by performance, part spec and price, but fears of maintenance and part availability had me concerned and I passed. Now with dwindling hours to remain open, the only other option was KTM and there is a no test ride policy. Assured it was going to be similar to the Beta in feel/performance and my love for team Orange, I bit the bullet and bought a KTM 500 exc-f……. After 1 year, I have never been more satisfied with a bike. On trail it is flawless, on highway it laughs at speed even fully loaded. It is a beast, but gentle in a way that allows a rider to grow with it and not scare you away. Great review, I am glad that my test ride experience is validated once again and also glad that my wife left me stranded at Beaverton Motorcycle that fateful January afternoon!

Love my 450RL but you’re right off road. That’s why I had to get a te300i for the woods. Thanks for video.

Its too dang bad Honda didn't knock this one out of the park right from the get-go. And they don't seem to be trying to correct the basic problems so far.

I love that flameout terminology I’ve had it happened to me a few times on my 450 I just didn’t know how to properly word it lol love all your videos which I accidentally stumbled upon your honestly living my life dream I came to the US as a refugee from Bosnia in early 90s as a kid now that I’m a grown man and I have a family of my own my only dream is to ride a dual sport across the United States although right now it’s still just a dream but maybe one day it’ll become a reality

I love my 450L!!!!! After the ECU that is…

I work as a tech at a dealer. This is 100% a mapping issue. Honda has had a few years of having to rush out product or not put anything out at all for that year. The R and X models got the same treatment. Imo i think the 2k into a ecu, exhaust and tires is worth while to wake this bike up and put it with the like of a ktm or husky 500(i ride the 501 and love it)

You could never be nothing, Tyler. But thank you for your content and thanks for your appreciation. Loved this video, was very to the point without hating on the bike. Well put.

I have a 2019 450l which I bought for almost a steal. With the stock ECU and stock exhaust, the bike is very very disappointing. However, I didn’t want to give up on Honda and paid for a Vortex ECU tuned by Twisted Developments which I had to wait many months for, and a full Pro Circuit Exhaust. The bike feels like how it should have from the very beginning. Is it worth the 2k upgrades? Depends on how much you paid for the bike ... A lot of people don't know that there is a very heavy catalytic converter in the stock exhaust as well. Ultimately the bike is great at everything besides very intense single track but hey we can't have it all!

Great review. Thanks for the honesty. The bigger MC outlets placate Big Red, and are hesitant to offend (Rocks Mountain MC/ATV: Honda v Husky review).

Hey Tyler, I really enjoy your channel. Two years ago, I got an invitation to ride with three semi pros, to do the KAT. “1000 miles in five days in the Kentucky mountains.” I’m fortunate to be able to afford any dirtbike, within reason. Since I was a 60 year old and the least experienced rider, I needed to not worry about the motorcycle. Thus, “Honda”. I installed a tuner, recluse, springs for my weight, and good tires. We all made it but the Honda shined. The EXC 500 had rear bearing failures. The DRC 400 Ryder had carb problems. Altitude etc. The WR 250 rider was was short on power at times. I sold it after the ride. And went to a small KTM for the local rides. I would buy another one if I was invited to do another grueling adventure/duel sport ride again where I had to depend on the motorcycle.

I always value your opinion and agree with you most of the time, but time will absolutely not make the 450L better, even at half the price. I'll happily stick with my XR400, properly dual sported and adventurized at a total investment of about $6K. The cabled clutch is not an issue at all. The carb works great. Lack of water cooling is not an issue imo. I actually prefer air cooling. Would I prefer electric start? Of course, but it still starts on one to three kicks and the wet weight is 274 lbs. With my mods I think mine is at about 285. As for ergos, I will agree the XR is outdated, but I for one love how it feels and looks. I'm not trying to race motocross anyway. Thanks for everything on your channel.

I've got a WR450, DRZ400 and RMZ450. Of those I really love the DRZ400 the most. A set of Kenda K270 and the bike goes pretty much everywhere. It is a bit soft on suspension but good tractor power. Really comfortable to spend the ENTIRE DAY on the trails and fire roads. You only need shorts, tee shirt and glasses! Only serious drawback on the DRZ400 is weight, a bit heavy. Half hour on the RMZ450 and I'm baked. Tons of power but takes a lot of energy. RMZ450s are for full out and courses. The WR450 turned out to be a very interesting bike, climbs everything and makes for a very nice trail bike. Thanks for your honest assessment of the Honda. A bunch of trade offs with dual sport/dirt bikes. To me, the quiet and comfort of the DRZ400 is just awesome.

As always Everide, you produce an amazing video, love the presentation, love the voice over, love the content and love the visuals...you should be doing movies mate!

Massively superior production skills over 90% of the reviewers on RU-vid (of any product). The commentary combined with the video really appealed to me.

I'm a honda guy and I bought a 450L used with 500 miles with all the mods on it. It's a good adventure bike but I think the ktm 500 is a better overall bike but I don't trust the reliability of it. The ktm 500 was so smooth off road and the clutch is very nice. For the flameout issue, increasing the idle rpms to 1800-1900 helps. I think they set the idle too low at the factory.

I bought my XR650R from a guy who was transitioning to a CRF450L because it is lighter and has electric start. Even the legendary bikes have issues we are willing to put up with, often due in large part to the price they are now - exactly like you said.

I love my 2019 450L! I am the original owner and definitely bit off more than I could chew learning on this bike. Sure I could have bought a 250L but I wanted a bike I could grow old together with. It was a pure pain to ride right out of the gates. I did not want to give up on the bike or myself. We do mostly off-road rides and things were slow going. I started to add aftermarket parts and as I honed my skills the bike also became easier to ride. So far I have added a vortex ecu, exhaust, throttle tamer, steahly flywheel weight, race tech rear spring, tusk dsport tires, rear rim lock and balanced wheel, 14 front sprocket, seat concepts seat, ims 3 gal tank and a few creature comfort items. Future mod is hydraulic clutch to aid in slower more technical off-road. I never bought the bike for technical single track nor did I as a commuter. I have used it around town for short trips, fire roads to single track, I take it up camping, I use it on hunting trips and lastly some dual sport bike camping trips. Would I be better off with two bikes lets say ktm 300 xcw and ktm 690 sure but I wanted one bike that could take me nearly everywhere and it has in its current state. If you want a specialized bike to do one task buy all means purchase multiple bikes the 450l is not for you. If you don't modify bikes and keep them in oem configuration the 450l might not be for you. If you want a bike that can be modified to your needs and can be ridden on a vast array adventures the 450l is a viable option. Ride Safe!

Yup That Was Me Today ON My New 2 Day Old XR 150LS . This Thing Is Too Much Fun . I Had More Fun In 1st & 2nd Gear OffRoading Than ON The Highway In 5th Gear . I Never Realized A Low CC 1 Cylinder Bike Could Be So Much Fun .

Good review as ever...and nice drone footage too 👌. I have an XR650R that i briefly thought of trading for the 450...but good sense prevailed!. My T7 takes care of trips, travelling and light off roading and the XR650R is still brilliant for 'proper ' off road stuff. Can you imagine how utterly brilliant an XR650R with fuel injection and electric start would be...come on Honda it's part of your heritage!! Cheers, Steve

Great review. I'd love to see your review on a CRF300L and a KLX300R. Keep up the great videos, they're awesome.

There’s a reason the 500EXC and FE501 are known as The Alphas. They’re the highest performance and proven, round the world reliability. I’ll concede they do vibrate like hell though

I just bought my first brand new dual sport. Grew up on a PW80, XR200r, RM 125 & CR250. I bought a used 450 back in 2009. They definitely have their purpose…wrecked that 450. I had considered buying either the 300l or 450r for about 6months. After a long time comparing and contrasting, I bought the 300l, and my reasons were mainly weight, and it’s just easier to ride a 300 than a 450. A 450 is a thorobred race horse to me and I couldn’t justify the 10 grand price tag for what I intend using a dual sport for.

agree with all your comments. I replaced tank, seat, exhaust, header, tires, cs, full racetech suspension and added a vortex. The bike is finally set up the way i like it but like you said forking out 3k in extras on a already expensive bike. i plan on keeping mine for the long run. I'm at 3200 miles but i did love my KLX400r while i had it. you could leave it in 1st gear, plant your foot down and the bike would try to push through where the honda would stall. I did eventually relearn how to use the clutch a lot more compared to the "drz" and recently did a AL and NC rally of over 600 miles on the honda. All things considered. i should have kept the KLX400r and never bought the honda

I bought my stock 450L with 5k miles on it already. I must have missed out on the poor run-in miles. Winning!

Rekluse fixes the flame out issue pretty good

Good to see you my brother in Christ!!

Two key elements of this review need to be pointed out. The type of riding the reviewer and colleagues are doing and the minimal time many of them gave to owning the bike. But even as I type that I think it the second element circles back to the first. These guys are more 10/90 or 20/80 road/off-road riders with a focus on technical and single track. While the Honda is capable of the riding they are doing, they are likely going to be happier on a Beta. I purchased a 2022 CRF450RL after owning a XT250 and DR650. I’m 50, grew up riding dirt bikes but had all road bikes as an adult until 2 years ago. I would classify myself as a mediocre at best. I traded the XT250 when purchasing the CRF and kept the DR650. I feel I know have the perfect 2 bike combo. I live along the Delaware river on the NJ/PA border and to get to the off road riding which I prefer I have to ride 30 min to an hour on the road. The XT250 was too buzzy on the ride to and from and the suspension could use some help, but was a better bike than its gets credit. I was hoping to solve those two issues plus get more power and overall capability. My first impression on my first ride with the CRF was that I made a mistake for all the common gripes. I added a power commander and throttle tamer and noticed a big improvement in jerkiness and extreme engine braking when backing off the throttle at speed. Basically, the bike gets starved of fuel when throttling off. The CRF is meant to be a dual sport for a 50/50 rider and it nails it IMO. It handles fantastically on the road sections, off road for my ability, it’s amazing. I try to ride one gear up as much as possible and that seems to really help. I don’t even notice the jerky throttle anymore, and it’s gotten less and less as I put miles on. For 90% of riders this is probably a perfect dual sport but probably not the only bike you will want in the stable. My DR is awesome as a daily commuter but when the weekend hits I’m excited to get the CRF out to explore and have fun. The more I ride it the more I like it.

I had one with all the mods ecu, exhaust, seat, larger tank etc, and sold it as well. It was my least favorite bike of the many I’ve owned.

I agree 💯 .. I will stick with the time tested and proven DRZ 400. Best all around Dual sport ever made...

After way,too much$$$$ I gave up and am loving my 100% stock Husq.

Xr 650L, bulletproof, and AWESOME, old school 👍👍

foam filter if not damage never need replacement. clean like in the manual recommendation

I agree with pretty much every point you made other than the cable clutch and air filter wingnut. Personally I enjoy a cable clutch. Cheap and easy to repair should something happen to it, but I also enjoy the feel and modulation from a cable. The wingnut I feel is something that doesn't need to be fancy or overly expensive. It does it's job well in my opinion and is easily removable when needed. It's funny because I bought a 2020 450L brand new in 2020 after having a WR250R for 5 years. Did all the common mods as well as a thermostat delete, chain and rad guards only to sell it because of its maintenance schedule and wanting to commute it. When I sold it I only had 1600km (1000mi) on it and owned it for only 7 months with most it that being our Canadian winter. I traded it in for a street bike and rode that for all of 2021. The street bike was the perfect commuter. Good amount of power, great fuel range, extremely comfortable. I had zero complaints and even did 2 iron butt 14+ hour days on it, but something inside me missed having a dual sport so badly. I actually rebought the exact 450L I owned back from the dealership with all my mods still on it for a great price- much cheaper than I sold it for. It sat on the showroom floor for almost a year unsold. Second time around I absolutely love the bike. I already knew what I was getting into and just had a whole different vibe getting back on it and I have absolutely zero regrets buying it back. I live where you can't street title a bike that didn't come from the factory with a street title so it was basically this or a KTM500 and I couldn't be happier.

I got a test ride on the 450L and a husky FE 501 S the same day. Rode the Honda. Then I rode the husky…SOLD!!! Just like that. Night and day. Here’s a funny tidbit. Was so convinced I wanted the Honda that I bought a red helmet days before lol. Traded that helmet for a shiny white one. Kidding aside, you owe it to yourself to try other bikes (psst that’s what friends are for) ride on!

KTM 350 EXC-F is where it is and more of a true dual sport. But this requires about $2000+ ECU/Exhaust and needs Plastic tank - I would buy a YAMAHA WR450 dual sport if they made one!

Nice video as usual. It's always a pleasure watching your videos. You had me all through out. Right until your conclusion. It just didn't make sense to me. None of you paid full price for the bikes except the first owner of your 450L. So you all got a great deal but still decided it wasn't worth it. I think it's the flame out issue and weird engine braking that really turned you guys off the bike. Do you really think you'd like that bike back if it cost you even less? By that logic, Black Magic would always be the better bike.

the fuel tank size alone would make it a no no for me, sure you can put on aftermarket then your bike looks aftermarket

I hated the Flame-outs! Tried the Vortex ECU and like others feel it helps but no cure. I added a flywheel weight and now my 20' 450x is like a tractor!

Great review! Makes me feel even better about my DRZ. I want a new CRF300L, but just can't justify twice the money from my $2900 paid for DRZ with 3k miles.

We not sure about some complaints. Seat, tank and maintenance is similar the KTM 450. Almost all premium 450’s are similar. I changed the throttle and did the flywheel and I believe those changes are better than the ECU, swap.

I miss your reviews. Excellent

Great video, Tyler! I like how you pointed out that every bike is going to have it's quirks, but I never realized the flamout issue was that bad on the 450L. Looking through the comments it seems that people have found ways to mitigate the problem, but as you mentioned from a value perspective I wouldn't expect to have those types of issues when spending 11K on a motorcycle.

Seems like the ECU issue would be fairly easy for Honda to sort out, unless their hands are tied due to emission regs. Any idea? Nice review, I now feel a bit better about the small fortune I spent yesterday to adventurize my DRZ. FWIW, not a big fan of the beard, but if the wife likes it feel free to ignore to me.

I have been waiting for him to review this bike since it came out

It definitely has its issues. Got mine a year ago, right from Honda as a press review bike. Did a cam swap to the 450RX (it’s not a bolt on swap cam needs milled) IMS tank and 14/50 gearing, seat concepts, zeta guards. I get 58-60 MPG on the highway, no stalling unless it’s really slow stuff. I did all this on the stock ECU and exhaust with the 450x spark arrestor. Quiet and flows. Near 50RWHP. Never selling it. If I want anti stall I’ll get the recluse auto clutch. As for the flameout issue, this isn’t an ECU problem. As you stated in the video, you get a loud crack and the engine kicks backwards on the starter. This is actually the auto decompression mechanism on the camshaft engaging and holding the exhaust valve open during the firing stroke. You can reduce the spring tension and it will reduce the RPM at which it kicks in.

Come ride mine. You’ll swear my JD Tuner was a Vortex. Many do. And cable clutch all day long, please!

great info thanks, but i have no dog in this hunt as i am a hillbilly living in the Texas desert who loves his Mighty KLR and Tenere 700.. would still like to own a small lighter of road bike like a TW200 or a WR250 or even the Honda 300 rally

I'm gonna second the video. I know 5 people that bought a 450L either brand new or used and they didn't keep it for more than a couple months at most. At its core, the 450L is a de-tuned race bike with a race bike maintenance schedule that handles so-so. I owned a 2017 250L rally that when I put an ohlin's suspension in would eat up trails in spite of its weight. I currently ride a 2021 Africa twin adv which if you're not riding single track is an amazing machine both on road and off road. All that said, good review, good take and hopefully the 450L finds its niche.

Yep we need the XR400 back!

after making the mods its a lovely bike. flywheel weight and 1tooth bigger rear sprocket it becomes a dual sport weapon. one and half year owner. but I ride my Husqvarna fe250 when it comes to enduro. I would never travel with the fe250.

It sounds like the CRF 450L is a bike people keep if they don't ride it. Enjoying the content! I bought an 1190 ADV because of your video many years ago, but just like you I'm interested in a cheaper, simpler bike. Looking at a Honda XR650L.

2002 xr400r. Lost track of the mileage after 100k. Engine is a little tired but I love it. Solid bike. Goes everywhere the kids on their new bikes go just fine. Even carrying my 300 lbs ass around. Btw… I think the cable clutch is better, hydraulic clutches feel more on/off to me

Just watched an ad for "Live bearded" before your video and then you showed up rockin the beard!!

Nice honest review...thats why i follow this channel. Thank u

The only modern dual sport bike that even slightly piques my interest is the KTM 690. It shows that they can make a decent middleweight dual sport bike. However, new bikes are absolutely not for me. Maybe one day I'll buy a Panamerica as a commuter bike, but right now I rock a '71 SL100, an '81 CB750, a '94 XR250L, and an '04 XR650L. I rebuilt the top end on the 650 and put another 15,000 miles on it. I probably could have bought a new 650L for the price, but I'm still thousands from a 450L or a 690.

Really enjoyed this video and your insight. Leaning toward the DR. Thnx

Im not selling my DRZ any time soon, its just to damn Good.

This mirrors my own experience. I purchased a 2019 450L with only 800 miles that had all the mods done, Vortex, exhaust, seat, throttle tamer, 3 gallon tank, etc. I was the 3rd owner. I put 500 miles on it and sold it. It was fast offroad for sure, but it was not fun to ride on the street. Even with the Vortex on the tamest map it was still snatchy, particularly offroad, and very annoying to ride through slow technical sections. I put a stiffer spring on the rear for my dadbod but I could not find a happy medium for the suspension for dual sport use. If I got it feeling good on the street, it was terrible offroad, and vise versa. It sits at a weird spot in the market. It's not cheap, but isn't really a direct competitor with a KTM/Husky. For people coming from more traditional 50/50 dual sport machines it feels too much like a dirt bike. I really wanted to like it more, but it wasn't for me, or the two other people who owned it very briefly before I did. Wonder what owner # it's on now lol?

The vortex ECU enables traction control. In sandy singletrack which is what I ride, the traction control makes it respond like a 250. Just saying for those that might find the power a little intimidating

Cool stuff. This is what riding is all about! Thank you for sharing!

So glad I passed on this bike......Picked up a 690 brand new for the same price

I'm kinda stuck...as a novice dirt rider; I don't even want or need a "big-bore" dual-sport, but I live in coastal Southern CA...250's/300's can't keep up with freeway traffic and I have to spend at least 40 mins there just to get to some dirt. DRZ seems almost perfect but I don't want to deal with carbs. KLR is too big. Kove 450 looks kinda perfect, but for all the buzz I'm weirdly having a hard time determining whether (a) they're street-legal yet and (b) if I could actually get one. Coming from the ADV world where there's like 3 different options for almost any imaginable niche, it really feels like there's a gaping hole in dual-sports. Where's the bike that's light and excellent off-road but can cruise at 80 on the freeway (doesn't have to do it in great comfort, just without being wrung-out)? What am I missing?

Very insightful review. Thank you.

Great video! I'd love to hear what people are planning on buying this spring. Might help me with a decision.

Much Love 🤙

Cable clutch isn't a downside if you have clutch issues or break a cable you can replace it on the trail and or adjust it. When you have issues with a hydraulic clutch good luck doing anything with it on the trail. Are you gonna bring a fluid bottle and or a bunch of extra components to fix issues with it?

You know something isn’t right when a newish bike has had 4 owners

Honda needs to bring the XR650R back and improve it with an electric start

I realize the 650l is a totally different animal than the 650r- you have any love for it?

Excellent review! Will continue to enjoy my low mile WR250F and older DR350.

I came from 5 years of street riding before deciding I want a dual sport, I wanted to stay within the realm of Japanese bikes (ignorantly) I ride an mt09 so what I hazard about the 450l made me want it. Got it for 9295 cdn, would I like a 690? Yes. Do I regret my choice? Absolutely not.

wait $10k for a dirtbike with lights and a license plate holder?

get ecu stock pipe with a throttle tamer and a righteous clutch lever and it is a totally diff bike can do anything with it only thing holding it back is me

Really curious to see the long term reviews of the klx300s. I think that has some potential. I learn on a klx250 before getting my DRZ and I really liked that bike I just wished it was a little faster.

Great review

This is pretty consistent what I’ve heard and what people don’t like about it which is the computer and the way it controls the throttle come in box the engine when it’s cold it dies when you give it gas and the only way to fix it is a $3000 computer upgrade on an $11,000 bike. There’s a lot better ways to spend $16,000. But on a needs to fix that and fix it for old owners because $11,000 is ridiculous. I’d rather have an XL 650 R myself and this has some better stuff on it but it’s just a problematic bike and it sucks because it had some cool improvements but it’s not worth it. Hondas been a great company in the past but they’ve lost it in a lot of ways. I’m old and when I turn 16 in 1984 I had a ton of different XL bikes to choose from which I loved and I wish they would come out with an XL line again or at least add to the XR 650 L type bikes they’ve got no mid range options and do I like the CRF 450 L it’s still geared towards motocross and in a dual sport arena it’s kind of nice to have something that’s a little easier maybe a little bit lower a more comfortable seat and better bar position and just something simple and the XR 650 L is awesome but where are the mid range bikes. In 1984 you could have a 70 an 80 a100 a 125 a 185 a 200 a 250 a three 5400 500 or 600. My favorite of which to buy right now would be something like an 84 or 85 XL 350 which has a six speed transmission in the disc brake up front. Being a release they could add a disc brake and back and an electric start and it would be really cool if they left the kickstart on there as a back up but they don’t have these middle weight options in a CRF 300 is like a 250 and I weigh 249 pounds and I’m 6 feet tall and it’s just too small in the old 350s had more torque and power and a nice wide torque range and it gave you enough to get you over that hill without bogging down and through the sand he gave you throttle only wheelie power he gave you the six speed transmission and it didn’t have the 103 mile an hour top speed of the 600 which I drove but it would still go 75 all day long and I think the top speed was in the mid 80s and it was just a great midsize bike. The DRC 400 is kind of the only thing going in that range anymore that is still simple and easy to own low maintenance intervals easy to work on but it’s still uncomfortable and they screwed up by putting the five speed on it when the DR 350 had a six speed. I would rather get an early 2000s DR 350 SE put a big bore kit on it and be fit the suspension come on the big bore kit would make it a 440 through a deer Z carburetor on it and it’s gonna be faster and it’s a simple air cooled and though I don’t mind the water cooled the DRC just needs some updates and that six speed transmission would make all the difference because like the CRF 450 L Honda, It sucks for going slow and first gear is your only option it would be really nice if it witches widen out the five speed and drop a nice low first gear in there so you had a nice slow gear and a second gear option to do technical slower stuff if you wanted. For me a 1984 or 85XL 350 with an electric starter on there would be a no-brainer and tons of people I talk to want kind of the same thing we like the XT 250 but where is the XT 350 or a 400 and a midsize bike. Shorter riders love the TW 200 Cito hi but let’s do a TW 300 or 350 and we’ve got the K Alex and CRF 300s but they’re basically like a 250 and it’s just not enough if you’re going to ride to up drag a bunch of luggage or if you’re fat. I would love to see the manufacturers come out with some more comfortable mid range dual sports that are simple air cooled maybe throw an oil cooler on it may be fuel injection if they want but something simple no crazy computers no traction assist programming BS, a lot of people just want a simple easy bike that can go 100,000 miles And I have to do is change the oil clean the air filter and adjust your valves every few years like the old XL bikes or the old XT or DR 350s but we don’t have those options anymore and the old used ones are getting really expensive because that’s what people want still and they sell quick, if you’ve got a decent running XL 350 you can unload that fast because there a ton of customers out there that wanna buy it because they haven’t had those options for a few years and I thought the DRZ 400 was going to be awesome but they put the five speed on it and that ridiculously uncomfortable seat. At this point I’m going to buy an XR 650 L or a DR 650 which at least has an easy link option to lower it which a lot of people want because they’re kind of the only thing going and the manufactures and making a lot of cool bigger bikes like the T7 and all the adventure touring stuff but honestly the manufactures of just kind of cut out the normal dual sport riders and abandon them. I get that a lot of people want cutting edge technology and a bunch of electronics and race performance but a lot of people want an actual dual sport bike that can do off-road but isn’t going to win any races that’s gonna be comfortable very easy to own easy to ride last forever and just be great very capable play bike and those people are out buying used bikes from 2030 and 40 years ago because the manufactures already had that and everybody loved them when they discontinued them people were pissed off because the new stuff is cool but it’s just not the same. And what is the resale on a 450 L that you’re gonna have to completely rebuild after 20,000 miles? I don’t know it’s a cool bike but It’s too fragile and it’s too high maintenance and it’s way too expensive and on top of it they charge the extra three grand for a bunch of computer crap that doesn’t work very well. When you let off the throttle and your motor dies or when it’s cold and you give it throttle in your motor dies that kind of sucks and this is what I hear from most of the 450 L owners. I’m just kind of disappointed, I was hoping this was going to be the unicorn mid range midsize but still light enough to flip around and be easy to ride dual sport but I just made a crippled version of a CRF 450 motocross bike which is cool for people who want that but I want to bike that can go on a track but I don’t care about winning I would much rather have something comfortable and easy to own and something I don’t have to do maintenance on all the time and rebuild after a three or four years. I was just talking to the guy that owns the XL 600 I drove that was built in 1985 and that bike still going strong with over 60,000 miles on it and there are a lot of them out there with over 100,000 miles on them and they still rock, I just watched a video of a guy with 80 something thousand miles on a DR 650 still jumps on it and does cross country rides with 80,000 miles on it and you don’t have to worry about those old bikes because they were tough and the new stuff is cool but honestly if I’ve got a CRF 450 L with 18,000 miles on it I’m not going to drive that one summer to the top of Alaska and back and across country. I’ll get on an 85 XL and do it in a minute. Honda still has the XR 650 L and I jump on that and go anywhere I might change the oil first but that’s all I have to do because they just run and you don’t have to worry about the maintenance if you wanna go do a 5000 mile trip it’s no big deal and they’re dependable. I love Honda I just wish they would do a couple of midsize options like a 350 and a 450 version of the XR 650 L and maybe copy Suzuki and make it so you can drop your suspension down a little easier if you want that option because a 37 inch high seat is kind of a pain and a lot of disport guys don’t need 11 inches of suspension travel and would like to drop it down an inch or two. I don’t on the cares because they keep selling this stuff and don’t even bother to fix it but I wish they go back to the way they used to be. From the 60s up to about 2000, under was an amazing company full of innovation and they change the industry forever everybody else advance because they’re trying to keep up with Honda but then it went more corporate Mr. Honda is gone and they’re just pumping out junk no like everyone else. There’s some great bikes out there but the manufactures aren’t paying attention to their customers anymore and it kind of sucks

Hmmmm 22450rl owner here and I have ZERO flameouts ever, it has no mods and 2000 miles I LOVE THIS BEAST, it will go anywhere and bike can. No regrets

Thank you I was gonna sell my 08 Harley Davidson Softail Custom to get this 450L . But I think I'm just gonna finish off my 1998 DR 350 almost there and when I got this bike it only had 3100 miles on it . Suspension front and back shock chain chain guide brakes high flow air filter . Still needs tires though and its a kick only model . I geared it down due to my weight but this bike is a 6 speed so me thinking I still have room to play with it . I'm not looking for horsepower but torque . I got it for trail riding not racing or using it as a MX bike . Hoping it was worth the money .

It's not that the CRF is a bad bike it's just that the DRZ happens to exist and is better in every department including price.

This is the most Damning evidence against the CRF450L... The fact remains that if Honda Just manufactured the XR650R to this day it would be the best Rally bike to this very day.

Good honest review 👌

Best ever review on this bike. I believe everything you said about it and not blowing smoke up my *ss. I would be mad about flame out on tight trails. I have a 1987 xr600 and love the bike. I took it on tight trail,very steep and lugging it down and it just a tractor. I been doing a lot of research on a newer bike. From newer XR bikes to 2022 bikes. And I have a street bike that has engine brake and I can’t stand it!! I should be able to turn it off. I would be so mad if a dirt bike/enduro have engine brake not good on tight trails. I was looking at 450 but I don’t think so and have to buy a module on top of the price. No thanks. I would spend that extra money if it stops flame out and turn off engine brake. Thanks for the review. I’m looking at newer xr. None of these new bikes just not like there old school family sad 😢

A guy from the DR once told me, that once you get off the plane and onto the tarmac.. let everyone see you put your gun into its holster.. they'll ( bandits) be less likely to approach you, after they follow you from the airport.. can't wait to visit

Good review I ride a 02 xr650l and I really like it

you look at the 450l's plate holder and go nice its sturdy and metal then you look at the 300l's plate holder and go wtf happend here

dang with my klx 230 it has a 2 gallon tank i think a 2.2 to be exact and at 76mpg i feel i have to stoo more than i want, only 40 some miles oer gallon would suck, they should come with a 3gallon tank from factory

When are you gonna give us another update on your DRZ? I wanna see what you've done with it so far.

Tried one , wasn't happy at all went and bought a xr650r a much inclined to my riding and maintenance schedule, wished it had electric start lol