CRF450RL Is the ecu swap worth the hype?

[@billyarsenault1970]

The engine, frame and in particular the 6 speed gearbox and even the suspension on this bike is so super tight when brand new that it can be seriously discouraging for the first 599 miles and it can be difficult to remain patient with your 11k stock bike while it is vibrating your brain around in your skull just sitting on it and then trying to kill you every chance she gets when you ride it. But this bike runs and rides like a dream once it is well broken in and I love just listening to the motor idle like a Swiss watch while letting it warm up. For example both my hands would go seriously and painfully numb every ride for the first 600 miles but after that it has not even come close happening again so just imagine how many pro taper bars were purchased for absolutely no reason whatsoever. I almost feel guilty now for owning the most comfortable thumper on the road and which I never really even expected from this bike but I am definitely very grateful to Honda for it. You hear this advice over and over again about this bike- Go put 800 miles on it before you buy anything except for a seat, a gallon of oil and a couple of oil filters. Yeah don’t fight that stock seat it will win every time.

[@The450Kid]

I agree with everything stated. I also put 2800 miles on the stock seat 😂, I did a 400 mile trip and said I'm finally getting one.

[@jeffosland5447]

💯 the riders skill that holds them back on this bike. If you have the skill, this bike can do it all.

[@The450Kid]

A lot of people's egos get in the way of admitting this.

[@jamesoso259]

Yeah but it’s going to respond a lot better than in stock condition. Why have a 450 that feels like a cry230 lol

[@anthonyridesphilly]

Amen brother! Get it, ride it, love it! Words to live by

[@mattrobinson898]

The real hero of this video is the phone mount 😂 great video keep it up

[@The450Kid]

No Kidding ive had that bad boy on for almost 5k miles now and multiple drops and my phone has never come off

[@scottwatkins3156]

@@The450Kid What mount is that?

[@The450Kid]

@@scottwatkins3156 quad lock

[@rsbreeze]

I just picked up a new 2023 and I was expecting horrible fueling and a sketchy throttle. It actually really performs well and i dont think it has any ridability issues and no flame out issues. I can go slow or fast and rip wheelies no problem. I'm gonna run it for 500 miles and then decide what ecu and exhaust I might add. I would like a little more snap in the mid range for 4th gear wheelies and passing. I want some better sound, it sounds like a grandpa rig.

[@The450Kid]

ECU and exhaust makes a big difference power Wise. I can rip mine up in 4th no problem now.

[@lnxextreme6275]

​@The450Kid Hi guys! What exhaust fits on this bike? I recently bought mine and sounds like crap! 😅

[@The450Kid]

@@lnxextreme6275 I'm currently running a FMF with a Megabomb header. I'd personally recommend a full Yoshi system tho as the quality is way better than FMF. If your on a budget I'd run the arrow slip on system with a 450 x header.

[@lnxextreme6275]

On every online motorcycle store, there's nothing for this bike, though! 🤦🏻‍♂️ There are more options if I put "crf450r," but I don't know if that exhaust fits!

[@The450Kid]

@@lnxextreme6275 you will have to shop for exhausts for a 450x of the same year

[@johnhudson5135]

Coming off not riding since the 90's 250ts I love this bike no problems here. Added ECU bike is even more fun .

[@The450Kid]

Agreed, while I don't think it makes it a better bike it does make it easier and more enjoyable to ride.

[@ericrusch8258]

Good feedback on the AS tower - really could bring myself to get one, but tempted to

[@The450Kid]

I would splurge for a tower. One adventure sells one landed in the US for around $550. Just wasn't happy with how the AS vibrated really bad and the wind noise was worse than stock.

[@gmatthewpaul]

I have this bike and selling my KXF450R. So far love the bike do a lot of public land fire roads and trails. Building a new house so it’s going to have to stay stock for now. 😂😂😂

[@The450Kid]

I always love riding down the road and going I wonder where that trail goes 😂

[@nvmcrider8475]

This is one of the better video's that I have seen on the 450L ecu's. I may have missed it, what exhaust or other mods have you done to the engine components?

[@The450Kid]

When this video was made there were absolutely 0 modifications made to the engine or exhaust. This video was showing what to expect when you put a ECU on a 100% stock bike.

[@ridemfast7625]

@@The450Kid That is perfect test of the ecu and was wondering about other mods also. If possible, add that to the notes description of the video.

[@The450Kid]

@@ridemfast7625 hey man in this video I had no other mods done to the bike other than a rear rack and a ims 3 gallon tank.

[@mikeadams410]

What eco is this ?

[@The450Kid]

@@mikeadams410 taco moto aim

[@davidsalo8397]

Try the GET SX-1 ECU. I first tried the AIM, and it still had low speed issues. Taco Moto allowed me to refund the AIM for the GET. Way better. No stalling issues. Great power throughout the rpm range. It just keeps on pulling. Yes, the GET costs more, but way worth it! My $ 0.02.

[@The450Kid]

Since this video ive actually ridden a bike with a GET SX-1 and i couldnt tell much difference between the 2. The GET had slightly better low end performance but that was it.

[@greggory448]

Thanks for video

[@dr.x4050]

Great video! But why not Vortex? Any aftermarket muffler ideas?

[@The450Kid]

Sorry for the late reply. I've added a fmf 4.1 with a mega bomb since this video and it rips. Reason for not getting the vortex is because I got a smoking deal on this aim used.

[@cignal69]

Good stuff! I agree with you on the front fairing. There is so much more wind noise with the fairing. I kept mine for 2 reasons: I tuck in when we hit the road in cold weather AND it holds my tablet/GPS. I agree with you about the ECU as well. You don't have to have it, BUT if you're doing tight trails, the throttle/flame outs will wear you out until you give into the upgrade. If I rode the bike mostly on road, I would not have gotten the ECU.

[@The450Kid]

I'm thinking about doing a rally tower on mine but I haven't made up my mind yet. I also agree, if your just street riding it definitely doesn't need a ECU.

[@jamesoso259]

If anything the cam swap and ecu would be the move

[@The450Kid]

Waiting for the tacomoto cam swap kit. I'd like to see long term reliability before I go tearing into a perfectly good reliable engine.

[@jamesoso259]

@@The450Kid it will be just fine 🤘 go for it

[@jarrod1687]

I've done 12000miles on the stock seat, doesn't really bother me, did at first though

[@The450Kid]

I did 2800 on mine and I just wanted something better for longer pavement rides but that stock seat breaks in very nice after about 1000 miles

[@greggory448]

Does it help the top end for road riding with the vibration?

[@terratrodder]

I have the Vortex and I didn't notice any difference. Can be mitigated with dampen bars and thicker grips which is what I did but here are better options that are more costly. Vibration can still be felt in the feet, etc. Chris Keifer has a guide to change the torque at several locations around the bike to allow the bike to absorb more of that vibration and it's is noticeable and recommended.

[@The450Kid]

Haven't noticed any difference in vibration but compared to my 250 the vibration is minimal.

[@jarrod1687]

Bike is silky smooth for a thumper

[@mt1885]

What size and brand of tank you got?

[@The450Kid]

Sorry for the super late reply, it's the ims 3 gallon.

[@sandrider1406]

Hi, if I only change the ECU on a stock bike, is there still improvements in the power output?

[@The450Kid]

Absolutely just don't expect huge improvements

[@ReyPereztv]

Did you changed the handlebar or you just took off the cross bar ?

[@The450Kid]

@@ReyPereztv yes I swapped the handlebar to odi flight fat bars that are OEM bend.

[@butterytoast4836]

What gearing are you running?

[@The450Kid]

Stock

[@Brian.A.Simmons]

Are you able to turn traction control on with all your maps? I have the same ECU and switch as you, but I am only able to turn traction control on with maps 2 and 5. I did change my exhaust and made corrections with all the maps to make it run more rich, so I wonder if that messed things up?

[@The450Kid]

Hey so turns out traction control was not working in this video it was all placebo. My ECU was running on firmware version 1.2 and is out for update now. I will make an updated video once I get the ECU back and I will make sure and test the traction control more in depth.

[@Brian.A.Simmons]

@@The450Kid Awesome. Thanks for the reply!

[@The450Kid]

@@Brian.A.Simmons no problem. I try to reply to everyone and support the community around this bike.

[@Jesseyahurd]

🔥

[@williampage2561]

My ecu got stolen, im just getting a stocker to replace it

[@The450Kid]

Keep an eye out in the Facebook groups, may be able to find a good deal on a aftermarket ECU someone is removing from their bike.

[@williampage2561]

@@The450Kid 😭

[@The450Kid]

@@williampage2561 how did someone steal just the ECU ???

[@williampage2561]

@The450Kid well they tried to take the bike. It's too heavy to walkaway with.they jamed a screw driver in the key slot, then ripped the seat off and just unplugged it. I was sleeping .

[@The450Kid]

@@williampage2561 I hate a thief