Anyone ride or own the new CRF450L?

[rboe]

The older I get the more I say "buy it" if you can afford it. We regret more what we don't do than what we did. Life is short, go for the brass ring. It's not like owing a bike is all that practical.

Never understood why the KLR was so popular. It's a heavy pig, has bits in the motor that seem prone to early failure (chain driven counter balancer anyone) and some other niggles. I went for the light weight of the 650L, but the DR650 would have been an excellent choice (a buddy, now 79, has one - several over the years, and has ridden the snot out of it). Oh well. It's not the first thing the masses have done that had me scratching my head.

[dbarkdoll_imp]

Also don’t understand the KLR craze. If you’re gonna settle for something that heavy might as well get a bit more performance out of it. I guess it comes down to cost. Also have never owned one so should prob keep my trap shut. For my money I’d go with the DR

[Roper_imp]

The older I get the more I say "buy it" if you can afford it. We regret more what we don't do than what we did. Life is short, go for the brass ring. It's not like owing a bike is all that practical.

Never understood why the KLR was so popular. It's a heavy pig, has bits in the motor that seem prone to early failure (chain driven counter balancer anyone) and some other niggles. I went for the light weight of the 650L, but the DR650 would have been an excellent choice (a buddy, now 79, has one - several over the years, and has ridden the snot out of it). Oh well. It's not the first thing the masses have done that had me scratching my head.

Yep. It's the motorcycle version of a Jeep. There are lots of other vehicles out there which are better in one way or another. When you've crawled through Moab, camped high in the Uintas, and plowed snow so your neighbor can get out, you start to really like Jeeps...

[jedd_imp]

I’ve been anticipating this bike for a long time, and while the price is somewhat high I am contemplating making the purchase for my new dual sport.

Wondering if any of the nice Honda fellas here have any experience with it? My concern is buying anything during its first model year, but I really don’t want to wait for another year plus. How do you longtime Honda guys feel about that concern? Can I trust the R&D without seeing some longer term reports?
I should mention I am in the USA so the bike will not be corked up for the Euro4 regulations (25 hp on a machine that costs that much is pretty annoying in my opinion) which seems to be a non starter for a lot of folks overseas. That being said, most people I see using it as a true dual sport/light adv bike are in Europe or Asia

while you're mulling over the 450L, you should also check out the KTM & Beta.
not saying they're better or worse, but ...knowledge is king.

there's a free KTM demo ride coming up on 3/23 in morgantown, NC.
sign up, go there, and you get to ride all their bikes for free, and come home w/ some swag, and in the past, they give you a $500 or $1000 coupon to apply on purchase of new KTm.

https://www.ktm.com/us/events/us/offroad...Morganton/

and Beta's heading out east:
Beta USA Demo Tour has four more locations now
open for registration:
Alexander, Arkansas (Carter Off-Road Park) / 2-23-19
Lynnville, Tennessee (Wooly's Off-Road Club) / 3-2-19
Tallassee, Alabama (Monster Mountain MX Park) / 3-16-19
Union Point, Georgia (Durhamtown Off Road Resort) / 3-23-19

https://www.betausa.com/sites/default/fi...Update.pdf

[HondaJon_imp]

I think Honda wants a little too much $$$$ for the 450L. I just bought a spotless "ridden once" 2016 450X for $4,500.

If you want to spend the money, I would go with a KTM 500 EXC-F over the 450L. For $1,200 more, you get the top dog in this segment. Or just wait awhile for a used unit. I find the millennials like the idea of riding, but not the realities of it.

[dbarkdoll_imp]

I think Honda wants a little too much $$$$ for the 450L. I just bought a spotless "ridden once" 2016 450X for $4,500.

If you want to spend the money, I would go with a KTM 500 EXC-F over the 450L. For $1,200 more, you get the top dog in this segment. Or just wait awhile for a used unit. I find the millennials like the idea of riding, but not the realities of it.

Yeah, the concept of paying full price for a brand new bike is crazy to me. I mean, I get it, if you have the money for it. But I don’t have the money for almost any new bike, and I buy everything with cash, so I don’t get it lol. So many great deals out there for barely used, broken in, well maintained bikes.

[HondaJon_imp]

Honda should just revive the FMX650 and ship it over here.

[riggies_imp]

I ordered one. Should be on it in two weeks. Can’t freaking wait.
And while I appreciate the advice, KTM or Husky, even though I thought about it and even went to a dealer to work out a deal I just really wanted to own this new Honda for the type of riding I do. I’m looking forward forming my own opinions on the bike instead of hearing about it from the Internet echo chamber over at a certain adventure bike focused forum.

[dbarkdoll_imp]

I ordered one. Should be on it in two weeks. Can’t freaking wait.
And while I appreciate the advice, KTM or Husky, even though I thought about it and even went to a dealer to work out a deal I just really wanted to own this new Honda for the type of riding I do. I’m looking forward forming my own opinions on the bike instead of hearing about it from the Internet echo chamber over at a certain adventure bike focused forum.

SWEET!!

[the Ferret]

Good deal riggies. Can't wait for pics and a first ride report.