Jake
May 16th, 2003, 02:23 PM
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Eric Crippa from American Honda stopped by the office and showed us the new 2004 CRF450F. The bike features many “minor” changes, mainly changes to reduce weight. Honda claims that the ’04 CRF450R weighs about three pounds less than the ’03 450.
Some changes were incorporated to improve engine performance, such as going to a higher-compression piston, ignition re-mapping, and a new exhaust system. It also has a lighter flywheel. The bike is reported to have more bottom and midrange power without sacrificing power on top. According to Crippa, the bike has so much more torque that they went to a two-tooth smaller sprocket in the back. Honda claims the new 450 delivers 55 bhp at 9000 rpm and 36.5 lb./ft. of torque at 7000 rpm.
Other new stuff includes a non-slip seat cover, a quick-adjust clutch lever, redesigned footpeg hinges that prevent dirt accumulation, Dunlop 742 (front) and 756 (rear) tires and updated fork and engine guards. The bike also gets a magnesium ignition cover. But perhaps the coolest change of all is the aluminum Renthal handlebars that are now standard equipment. The CR also has a slightly different shade of red
Suspension-wise, the inner surfaces of the fork tubes use the same honing process as the works bikes for less friction. Honda claims this is a first for mass-produced motocross bikes.
Also new for ’04 is the price. The new CRF450F will cost $200 more than last year’s, going from $6299 to $6499.
Eric Crippa from American Honda stopped by the office and showed us the new 2004 CRF450F. The bike features many “minor” changes, mainly changes to reduce weight. Honda claims that the ’04 CRF450R weighs about three pounds less than the ’03 450.
Some changes were incorporated to improve engine performance, such as going to a higher-compression piston, ignition re-mapping, and a new exhaust system. It also has a lighter flywheel. The bike is reported to have more bottom and midrange power without sacrificing power on top. According to Crippa, the bike has so much more torque that they went to a two-tooth smaller sprocket in the back. Honda claims the new 450 delivers 55 bhp at 9000 rpm and 36.5 lb./ft. of torque at 7000 rpm.
Other new stuff includes a non-slip seat cover, a quick-adjust clutch lever, redesigned footpeg hinges that prevent dirt accumulation, Dunlop 742 (front) and 756 (rear) tires and updated fork and engine guards. The bike also gets a magnesium ignition cover. But perhaps the coolest change of all is the aluminum Renthal handlebars that are now standard equipment. The CR also has a slightly different shade of red
Suspension-wise, the inner surfaces of the fork tubes use the same honing process as the works bikes for less friction. Honda claims this is a first for mass-produced motocross bikes.
Also new for ’04 is the price. The new CRF450F will cost $200 more than last year’s, going from $6299 to $6499.