Honda CRF 450 RL Review | 6000 Mile Review - The Best Modern Day DualSport?

[@MobMoto]

Do you own a Honda 450 RL? DO you love it or hate it?

[@Jezebel_Cat]

I love my 450 RL.

[@Keith-u9h]

Got a 2023 love this bike more then I thought I would , aim ECU , IMS tank , throttle tamer. Great bike

[@billyarsenault1970]

2024 and Luv it but the motor, gearbox and even the suspension and subframe comes so extremely tight from the factory that the best advice I can give is to just get a seat and go put at least a 1000 road miles on it to break it in completely and then it starts to literally get better and better after every single ride. If you do this then you can put off any mods whatsoever and ride stock for years if you need to. Honda truly is amazing.

[@SomewhereInside]

Those spotlights on the handlebars look brilliant . Do they work practically ? Stay tight ?

[@anthonyridesphilly]

I just picked one up a few months ago, had the 2005 450x model when I was a youngster and it feels so good to be back on the 450 platform and in the dirt for that matter (hadn’t ridden dirt in 15 years) I’m loving all the 450 content you are doing. Between your channel and tacomotos channel it’s really helping me to figure out how to make this great bike even better! Ride safe!

[@jctoth]

Excellent review. Mine is heavily moded with over 22,000 miles on it. It’s never left me stranded. Honda = reliability.

[@modulate72]

The blue seat gives it that classic Honda look.

[@MobMoto]

I agree, makes it look good and it’s comfortable.

[@lexdfox]

Great points on the complaints about the throttle response and rideability. When i jumped on mine for the first time it instantly took me back to my years when i had a 2009 CRF450R. First year of fuel injection made it pretty snappy. With time is easy to get use to it!

[@bebeandjohnnotsonomadiclif5287]

81' CR450R Love it. Best dirt bike ever made imo. Been banging hard on Oregon, and Washington Mt. trails for ever. PNW rocks .

[@texlee84]

I loved mine, it was a great bike but the KTM 500 that replaced it is just a smidge better. It's hard to go wrong with either of these bikes, best in the biz.

[@ericc90]

Great review! I love my RL. Especially with the SX1 paired with a Graves exhaust. Gotta love that taco moto seat as well!

[@DesertVetRider]

Outstanding review! Dig your Honda. Maybe I will see you on the trail one day when I make my road trips to Vegas. Cheers.

[@bartman376]

Great video! I love mine all I did was a vortex ecu, crf 450 x header and a fmf slip on.

[@ev304]

my 450 come in tomorrow im so happy

[@orical2832]

Great review.

[@birybenjamin3522]

Great review, RLs are awesome all rounder bikes

[@ImLazarus666]

What really sucks is the fact I love the look of this bike and they don't sell it In the UK it's all 250s and 300s all sound and no poke

[@ericrusch8258]

One of the best 450rl reviews if not the best one.

[@leethomas556]

You might want to check your chain tension

[@ss22076]

Yup, also think it’s too tight

[@taneumjct5156]

You could play a toon on that thing!!

[@yungkeanu2013]

great video! exactly the bike i want with the mods i want.

[@adventuremulemoto]

Great review. I don’t have a 450RL but I wish I did…long story ugh. 😂

[@MobMoto]

Thanks bro!

[@dilloncox1837]

What mirrors do you use? Nice bike!

[@mesabman]

I want to ask you guys a question: I'm a beginner rider and really am considering getting this dirtbike as my first ever motorcycle. I know that a lot of you are already thinking that I'm crazy and that this would be a bad idea, but let me put it into perspective: I'm middle-aged, 6'1, 210 lbs, in good shape, and have a little experience riding a smaller dirt bike. Most importantly, I have been riding BMX, MTB, and E-MTB's seriously for over 40 years. I'm a really good mountain bike rider and can tackle blue and black diamond mtb trails confidently. I know that a dirt bike is much different in several ways, but I also know that dirt bikes and MTB's share a lot of the same riding characteristics. The first and only time I rode a 230cc dirt bike, I picked it up quickly and was ripping around dirt fields and even standing up while I did it all within the first 45 minutes of ever riding a motorcycle. It was super easy for me to ride it, so I am confident that I can learn to ride a CRF450RL, granted that I approach it cautiously and with much respect. I'm also first going to take a motorcycle safety course before I buy it. What do you guys think about me buying myself the 450 as a first time bike given my background? Please share your advice and feedback. Thanks

[@Kakahshee]

As someone who has rode many dirt bikes for 25 years this bike honestly is pretty mellow on its power delivery since it’s been dumbed down for emissions. That being said it is still very snappy and the bike can get violent in tight trails. Being new on a dirt bike would not translate to these situations well at all, opposed to having a calmer much smoother bike like a CRF300L. Your experience on MTB’s will 100% translate to your skill on a dirt bike, but think of taking a dirt bike rider of considerable experience and sticking them on a black diamond trail on a hard tail. They will have the skill to ride the bike, but when it comes to technical stuff that you learn at lower levels over time they won’t be able to handle it and will get themselves hurt. My dad is 6’ 200 lbs and rides a CRF300L and he’s rode dirt bikes and street bikes since the 70’s. He loves it. I highly recommend starting out with this bike. It will handle your size. These bikes keep their value because everyone wants them. So you can always sell it and upgrade when you have developed your fundamentals more. Sorry if I’ve disappointed you, but go check out Adam Rieman on KZbin and watch his latest videos of him riding a CRF300L. It’s all about the skill of the rider and not the specs of the machine.

[@mesabman]

​@@Kakahshee It's too late now, my friend! I already bought the CRF450RL. I figure that if I just take it slow and learn as I go, I'll have no problem getting a handle on it. Unfortunately, the throttle response on the 450RL is TERRIBLE! It is very jerky when riding in 1st & 2nd gears. It's similar to how a cowboy looks when riding the back of a bucking bronco. It has little to nothing to do with rider skill-level. I'm having to look into investing in a new flywheel, clutch, throttle tamer, and/or an ECU. The jumpy throttle is a widely known issue, unfortunately.

[@Kakahshee]

@ I’m sure you’ll get used to it and settle in! The throttle is another reason. You have to be smooth on opening the throttle, you can’t rev it immediately after letting off the throttle. Because of emissions there’s a delay in reopening the throttle, so I recommend learning to open the throttle smoothly and not constantly revving it up over and over. The twitchyness of it is just the nature of the bike and nothing wrong with the throttle. That’s how racing bikes are. An ECU with a different tune won’t really take that twitchyness out of it at low RPM’s, that’s just something you’ll have to get used to since that’s just the nature of the bike. Since this bike is literally just a super cross bike with emissions slapped on it. Never the less welcome to the Honda family. You’ll enjoy it for sure. Take care of the bike and it will take care of you!

[@danieljurgill1681]

I would have bought one as soon as they came out...but there is one problem. NO PASSENGER CAPABILITY, NO REAR PEGS. It is NOT a true Dualsport like the DRZ, DR, CRF,WR,KLX,KLR...

[@OffTrap]

It seems like a "race bike" but honestly. You not wrong tho. For $10kish MSRP, 2.0 gal tank, no passenger or rack for storage, & they give you a "fuel meter" for MPGs, not a fuel gauge like the bikes you mentioned. You can get the KLR650 Adventure with ABS and full off road ready with USB chargers, Light pods, frame sliders, heated grips, and boxes/racks for storage for the same price and you have a much safer and more off road ready bike. Just it is heavy at 480lbs, compared to 300lb. So im trying to see if I wanna deal with the extra weight. I wish they made nicer 250-300s. I know there's have the KLX300 but the display is meh. So im stuck on the KLR650 for now.

[@vampiresquid]

Not a dualsport? Are you under the bizarre impression that the “dual” part refers to two people?

[@danieljurgill1681]

@vampiresquid no the dual in dual sport does not signify 2 passengers. The dual sport was coined in the 90's, predominantly by the first DR 350 from Suzuki. Prior to that the category was called dual purpose first in the later 60's in the Yamaha DT250. After that other people caught on with the Suzuki TS250R, like I had in high school ,and Honda XL250, etc. All these bikes were fully capable to use as a bike for the street , and had 2 person capacity, just like all the street bikes. Some of my friends even had Suzuki TC models, which were also dual purpose to a mild degree like the 67 Suzuki TC250 X6 Hustler. Even though they were twin cylinders, they had a skid plate, lower gearing , folding footpegs, and high exhaust to prevent damage, and they still had passenger footpegs , just like the full street only T20 Suzuki. I use my DR650 mostly for easy dirt , but I often have my girlfriend with me, often even when I am out with the boys.. Of course, even the boys are now retired and slowed down, mostly in the 65 to 75 age group . Next time you and one friend go out riding, you will love the person in the group that has a bike setup with passenger pegs because when someone breaks down , gets hurt, etc, it is far easier to ride on the back of someones real dual sport in comfort. I have done it several times. Trying to hitch a ride on the back of a bike with no passenger pegs and a small seat is very difficult. Try holding your legs up for 10 miles or more back to civilization.

[@Georgeqaws]

It is 38 hp to the wheel. So, about 45 hp crank.

[@zampner666]

I love my RL have you had any oil leaking out of the neutral switch? I had to replace mine about 2 or 3 months ago and the new one is already starting to leak again

[@jgruen9854]

Yeah same, what is the fix for this?

[@zampner666]

Don't know but I may delete it all together

[@blakewin5741]

just bought a 450rl 2024, i’m ordering a vortex and a rs-4 yoshi. i’m just a little lost on what smog delete to do seems that every forum i read is 50/50 on deleting tstat. wondering if you could give some advice on that

[@steve2me414]

I'm about to do 5,000 in Australia, my problem is this chain.

[@kylepayne9657]

I’ve been riding street bikes for almost 40 years. I haven’t had a dirt bike (yea I know it’s a “dual sport”) since 1987. When you say it’s not a bike for beginners are you saying beginner riders in general or newbie dirt bike riders? (I guess I’d consider myself a newbie dirt biker since it’s been so long). I also live in Las Vegas. I want to get off of the pavement.

[@burddog0792]

250RL would be awesome for us less skilled riders if they made that.

[@MobMoto]

That’s the 300L

[@burddog0792]

​@@MobMoto 250RL based off the 250RX. 300L isn't even close.

[@maybeerainmaybeesnow]

What are your thoughts on riding the 450 RL with a passenger?

[@MobMoto]

It’s not a problem around town. People are putting passenger pegs on the RL.

[@maybeerainmaybeesnow]

@@MobMoto Thank you.

[@DeathKrew812]

What pod lights u running

[@MobMoto]

Ruby moto R4

[@packinc4917]

I have a 2022 450x and the swingarm is filled with foam

[@Andres1986]

By changing the ECU, can you get more than 38 hp?

[@ev304]

yes

[@sh0t_0ut]

what mirrors are you running

[@mikeadams410]

How is that seat?

[@MobMoto]

I like it. I like the way it looks and I like the way it feels, sold my comfort xl. This is all I roll now days.

[@mikeadams410]

@@MobMotoThank you, ordering one now!

[@JohnnyBoy919]

How tall are you and have you ridden the crf300l?

[@MobMoto]

yes and im over 5'9"

[@JohnnyBoy919]

@@MobMoto what are your thoughts on the crf300l

[@MobMoto]

@@JohnnyBoy919 its a good bike, affordable, easy to ride, long. service intervals, 25 hp, good beginner bike.

[@JohnDoe-mp1yn]

i wanna get one, desmog it, and go Enduro racing

[@davidrichardson5402]

Love my 22 450rl sweat bike

[@DB-sd3cw]

This man really spelled sweet wrong... amazing.

[@phantomshtter]

Buy the X and add a minimal d/s light/horn kit and some powermadd mirrors. DONE! Nothing beats lite weight! 300L is overpriced btw... yes, for what you get, it's overpriced. Honda isn't Honda of yesteryear, they're far less reliable anymore. 300l and others aren't even made in Japan. Yamaha is and has long been king of reliability. That's verifiable public info through many consumer based publications out there. I'm waiting for Yamahas answer to the last few years dual sport additions to the market. They like to be last up and homerun it.

[@poseidon5003]

i think this bike is a bit overkill for it;s use case.

[@robertknox8278]

Take care of that cold

[@thecocooreo]

KTM #1 =)