CRF450L

[canthai55]

Just announced. Not much info yet ...

 

[canthai55]

https://thumpertalk.com/articles/honda-broadens-crf-lineup-with-expansive-new-model-launch-r871/

[CMKiwi]

My oh my....if this appears in Thailand I expect it to sell like hot cakes in the expat community.

 

I've been ranting on for ages about Honda bring out one here. Hopefully they will bring out a road version like the CRF250M as well.

 

Although I have been looking at the Suzuki DRZ400SM for a while, this would definitely change my focus in Thailand.

 

Maybe something to look forward to for my return in a year or so.

[JonnyF]

Looks fantastic. From what I've read this bike is much more closely related to the CRF450X/R than the CRF250L was to the CRF250X/R. Basically the CRF250L was nothing like the 250X/R (although they did a great job making it look the same) whereas this 450 shares a lot in common with the "real" dirt bikes.

 

Unfortunately this will be reflected in the price. While the 250L is quite weak and heavy, it's undoubtedly great value at about 150,000 Baht. Preliminary pricing for the 450 in the US is about 10500 USD (330,000 Baht) so I'd expect it to be over 350,000 here (assuming it is sold here), maybe even 400,000. Quite a lot of money for a 450, but it looks like it's going to be a pretty awesome machine and would really fill a gap in the market as there is nothing really comparable here at the moment except dodgy old DRZ400's.

[VocalNeal]

I cannot understand lusting after something that is not either made or available here.  Thinking global is OK but eventually the reality of buying local sinks in.

[JonnyF]

6 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

I cannot understand lusting after something that is not either made or available here.  Thinking global is OK but eventually the reality of buying local sinks in.

Are you sure it won't be sold here? Honda BigWing already sells loads of models that aren't made here, including the CRF250R for 285,000 Baht. I'm not saying it will definitely be sold here, but it's a strong possibility. 

[taninthai]

Yep just see this this morning,,,,,,suppose have to wait see if sold here....could be a little pricey at around 350,000 bht.......20 kg lighter than the crf 250 l...lol

https://adventuremotorcycle.com/news/2019-honda-crf450l

[allane]

canthai55 - I have just sent you a Private Mail.

[eisfeld]

130kg for a 450. Sweet! Now if they would make a 160kg 800cc twin instead of the 240+kg AT that I currently have... I can only dream ?

[inThailand]

F... Honda for a 450cc for 400K. But I will still buy one 

[McGregor21]

So is it confirmed its being made in Japan? 

[ktm jeff]

Nice one Honda. Lets hope it proves worth the wait , and coming to Thailand. If its shipped to the USA for 310 K , then it should be no more than 350 K , if the 250 R is 285 K. Having twin radiators will sort the heat problem of the CRF L out. with the engine loosely based on the X/R version , that should be OK. Im assuming fully adjustable suspension , with decent fork seals.131 KG is good , but the 7.5 L tank will severely limit its range off-road.                 

[thaiguzzi]

7 hours ago, eisfeld said:

130kg for a 450. Sweet! Now if they would make a 160kg 800cc twin instead of the 240+kg AT that I currently have... I can only dream ?

Waiting for the T7. You know Yamaha makes sense...

 

[eisfeld]

1 hour ago, thaiguzzi said:

Waiting for the T7. You know Yamaha makes sense...

 

True, that one could be pretty nice, probably under 200kg if they didn't mess it up. Yamaha is doing some pretty good stuff recently. Honda could also if they wanted to but somehow it always feels like they went 80% of the way and stopped at "good enough". And yet l somehow still ended up owning 3 Honda bikes... curse you Honda! ?

[guzzi850m2]

I wonder how much power? 45-50hp?

 

Nice bike if you go a lot off-road and perhaps a little trip to Laos.

 

Boy 130kg!! you could turn it into a nice little supermoto and spend most of the time on the rear wheel only, he-he.

[eisfeld]

47 minutes ago, guzzi850m2 said:

I wonder how much power? 45-50hp?

The R/RX versions are spec'd at 60hp, one would hope they didn't tune it down much for the L version. That's 20% more HP from a 450cc thumper than their 470cc twin in the 500 series.

[jackdd]

15 hours ago, CMKiwi said:

My oh my....if this appears in Thailand I expect it to sell like hot cakes in the expat community.

I doubt it, unless they produce it in Thailand

In the article they mention a price of 10399USD. An Africa Twin has a retail price in the USA of 13499USD

In Thailand they sell the Africa Twin for 550k THB, so we can expect a price of about 420k THB for the CRF450L in Thailand (if not produced locally)

For sure it's a nice off road bike, but there are only few people who would spend 420k THB on it in Thailand.

 

[canthai55]

There's 20,000 miles (32,000 km) between major strip-downs, partially due to the L running three piston rings instead of the R's one. Mind you, don't expect this thing to act like a touring bike. The 450R needs an oil change every five hours of use, so even if the 450L manages to triple that you'll still be putting oil in it frequently if you try to rack up miles.

https://newatlas.com/honda-crf450l-road-legal-motocross/54751/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2018-05-24 143712 USA Daily Basic 2018-05-24 144706 Ferrari unveils achingly gorgeous one-off SP38&utm_content=2018-05-24 143712 USA Daily Basic 2018-05-24 144706 Ferrari unveils achingly gorgeous one-off SP38+CID_c4efe4165a75005920247f6567198b97&utm_source=Campaign Monitor&utm_term=Read more

[eisfeld]

Interesting but I doubt Honda would release a road legal bike that requires an oil change very couple days. Pretty sure they implemented enough changes to make it more "normal".

[nikotin]

canthai55 said it all and i dont know how to delete the freakin post!555

 

I was also all hyped up thinking it would be a powerful low maintanance dual sport,but it isnt

[canthai55]

Early days yet. Must wait and see ...

A. Where will it be manufactured

B. Maintenance intervals

c. Price

Until then - all speculation besides what we already know - which ain't much

[inThailand]

I wouldn't be surprised we don't get it here. Really, how many Thais even buy the CRF250L for 140K. They ain't going to pay 400K for a 450cc and it's still too tall for them. Very limited market here. 

[Damrongsak]

So, I could cut my nads off and sell them.  That would effectively lower the seat height a few inches and offset the purchase price.  I could further offset the price by long-term fuel savings because I wouldn't have the balls to ride it hard or very far.  That would save a lot on periodic repairs and rebuilds.  Sounds like a weiner to me.

[inThailand]

According to one article it will be manufactured in Japan. Will we get it? 

[canthai55]

50 minutes ago, inThailand said:

 Really, how many Thais even buy the CRF250L for 140K.

Check social media sites for this model. Many for sale, 99% from Thai people.

[thaiguzzi]

Indeed. Maintenance/service schedules will be the biggie.

I guarantee that if the thing is knocking out 60 bhp, the schedule will be in hours rather than 1000's kms.

That aint for me.

Plus I prefer the XR650L anyway....

Air cooled, carb, same weight, indestructible, been made for nearly 3 decades, nada yada bada da bing…

 There's one on B&S right now for 200k with a book, i'm sorely tempted.

[taninthai]

There is still rumours of a 700/800 cc Africa twin coming,,but can’t see it myself.

[papa al]

4 hours ago, inThailand said:

I wouldn't be surprised we don't get it here. Really, how many Thais even buy the CRF250L for 140K. They ain't going to pay 400K for a 450cc and it's still too tall for them. Very limited market here. 

when papa goes to enduro event,

CRF250 is the most popular bike among the Thai riders.

 

Many would choose KTM or Husqvarna  before Yamaha

for B400K+.

[jackdd]

1 hour ago, taninthai said:

There is still rumours of a 700/800 cc Africa twin coming,,but can’t see it myself.

This will probably not happen. If you look at all the other similar adventure bikes the AT is already compareable to the lower end of these, like the BMW F850GS or Triumph Tiger 800 XCA (All three have for example 95HP)

But next year there will be a Yamaha Tenere 700, which i would expect to see in Thailand

[MekkOne]

It looks like somebody dreams that this bike is gonna be something close to the CRF450R... It's a 35hp piece of junk...