2014 Trx450r Review
Honda's 450R has been a great performance value for years. For 2015, it's truly in a class of its own. We tested the newest version to see what the Honda offers to racers and other serious sport quad riders.
CAN THE CARBURETED, STEEL-FRAMED HONDA COMPETE WITH FUELINJECTED, ALUMINUMFRAMED 450S?
Yes. You can see the proof at races around the country and around the world. The truth is, fuel injection and aluminum frames have advantages, and so do carburetion and steel frames. Fuel injection and aluminum frames tend to be more expensive than carburetion and steel frames, but not better in every way. Fuel injection offers more precise, convenient tuning, but it is more complex. Aluminum frames can offer some strength and weight advantages, but the differences are small, and years of racing hasn't shown aluminum frames to be superior to the Honda's steel frame.
HOW DOES COST COMPARE?
When it comes to racing 450s, the Honda 450R is by far the least expensive route to racing-level 450 performance, but you can't simply compare prices. The Honda costs $7799, but it is a woods-width machine in a basic level of trim. The most similar 450s, Kawasaki KFX450R and Can-Am's DS 450 base model aren't available for 2015. The only other woods-width competition quad is Can-Am's DS 450 X xc. It's $9099, but it comes with ITP Holeshot XC tires and beadlock wheels, nerf bars, bumpers, a taller anti-vibe steering stem and aluminum handlebars. The other racing 450s— Yamaha's $8799 YFZ450R and Can-Am's $9799 DS 450 X mx—are motocross-width models. Adding the shocks, wider A-arms and axle to convert the Honda to motocross width costs $1600 to $2000.
WHAT MAKES THE POWER?
The Honda has a single-overheadcam (SOHC) four-valve engine, but it's different than other SOHC designs. The cam operates the intake valves directly and the exhaust valves with rocker arms. The engine cases are unusual too. Separate oil supplies for the engine and transmission keep debris from the clutch and transmission from contaminating the engine oil. A 40mm Keihin FCR carburetor feeds the engine. Unlike fuel-injected quads, you need to use the choke for cold starts and rejet the carb for top performance at extreme elevations.
HOW FAST IS IT?
It's seriously fast, right from the showroom floor. Only highly skilled riders can fully use all the Honda's power and acceleration. Very few trail or dune conditions require more performance, and the 450R has enough power for entry-level racing. Modifications can turn the Honda into a monster fast enough for top pros in any form of racing.
HOW IS THE POWER DELIVERY?
The Honda's power builds quickly and hits hard, and it keeps pulling at high revs. Skilled, aggressive riders can have a blast trail riding or duning with the Honda, and the power is perfect for motocross. When you need instant acceleration to exit a turn fast or get a solid drive at a jump, the 450R has it. The Honda is a racer, so power delivery is more abrupt than on trail quads, but for a racing machine, the 450R is impressively easy to control, and the throttle response is crisp and clean.
HOW IS THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION?
There's rarely a need to abuse the clutch on the 450R because the engine pulls so hard across a wide rev range, but if you do, the clutch doesn't mind. The transmission is one of the best in the game. Shifts are smooth and positive, and the gearbox has a good reputation for being trouble-free. As on most race quads, you provide reverse.
WHAT KIND OF SUSPENSION DOES IT USE?
The Honda 450 uses the same system as most sport quads, double A-arm front suspension with solid axle, swingarm rear suspension. Piggyback reservoir front and rear shocks offers compression, rebound and spring preload adjustments. The woods width Honda has 8.4 inches of front suspension travel and 9.3 in the rear. Motocross width machines like the Yamaha YFZ450R and Can-Am's DS 450 X mx have about an inch more travel front and rear.
HOW DOES THE SUSPENSION WORK?
Suspension on the 450R is less plush than on other racing 450s, but it is fully capable of handling the machine's speed on rough terrain. Control, stability and steering are very good. There's enough adjustability to deal with varied conditions and a fair range of rider weights and riding styles. Even though the Honda has less travel than some 450s, it has very good bottoming resistance for big bumps and jumps. Reducing the compression settings one to four clicks improves the ride somewhat, but fast riders may find the softer settings bring on more bottoming than they want. Custom racing shocks or modifications from companies like Works Performance and Race Tech can drastically improve the Honda's ride quality.
HOW DOES IT HANDLE?
The 450R is agile and remarkably stable for a woods-width machine. It has the predictable, composed feel a racing quad should have. Near-perfect ergonomics add to the Honda's easy to-control feel. Even when the terrain or rider error send it off course, the light, manageable 450R can be tossed around or brought back in line.
WHERE DOES IT WORK BEST?
Properly modified, the Honda can win at any type of racing, but its stock configuration favors cross-country competition. Ridden for fun, the 450R is a rocket on tight woods trails, and it's an excellent dune machine too.
HOW ARE THE BRAKES?
Fully race-worthy. The power and excellent feel of its great brakes are almost as much of a treat as using the 450R's awesome engine. The Honda's brakes haul the machine down from speed on fourth-gear straights effortlessly and have the fine control you need on wet, greasy woods trails.
HOW ABOUT RELIABILITY?
Stock or heavily modified, the Honda 450 has proven to be a very solid machine. Because it's a high revving racing model, you should check the oil level and change oil more often than you would on less highly tuned trail quads.
HOW ARE THE DETAILS?
Among racing 450s, the Honda has the most spacious, comfortable ergonomics. You won't find a quick adjust clutch perch or aluminum handlebars like on the Yamaha YFZ450R. The parking brake lock works, but it's not as easy to use as what you'll find on other 450s.
WHAT IS OUR FINAL ANSWER?
Honda's TRX450R is by far the most affordable way to get your hands on a high-performance 450. It's as competitive a platform as anything out there, but it's not as well-equipped as its competition from Yamaha and Can-Am. If you're looking for a 450 to build your way for racing or to have fun with for recreational riding, the Honda offers too much to pass up.
SPECS
HONDA TRX450R
ENGINE/TRANSMISSION
Engine type …….Liquid-cooled, OHC, 4-valve, 4-stroke
Displacement ……………………………………….. 450cc
Bore x stroke …………………………….96mm x 62mm
Compression ratio …………………………………….12:1
Lubrication system …………………………….Wet sump
Carburetion …………………………….40mm Keihin FCR
Additional cooling ………………………………………..Fan
Starting/back-up ……………………………. Electric/none
Starting procedure …………………………….In any gear
Choke location ………………………………………….Carb
Idle adjustment …… Thumbscrew on right side of carb
Air filter ……………………………..Washable oiled foam
Access …………..Unlatch seat, unlatch 6 thumb clips,
remove lid and filter
Transmission … Manual shift, manual clutch five speed
Drive system …………………………………………..2WD
Final drive ……………………………………………… chain
DIMENSIONS/CAPACITIES/WEIGHTS
Fuel capacity ………………………………………. 2.7 gal.
Wheelbase ……………………………………………..50.2"
Overall length/width/height …………… 73"/46.3"/43.3"
Seat height …………………………………………….32.8"
Wet weight …………………………………………. 388 lb.
ROLLING CHASSIS
Frame …………………………… Round mild-steel tubing
Suspension/wheel travel:
Front Double A-arms w/ spring preload, compression
& rebound-adjustable piggyback reservoir shocks/8.4"
Rear …. Swingarm w/ spring preload, compression &
rebound-adjustable piggyback reservoir shock/9.3"
Brakes/actuation:
Front ………………….Hydraulic discs/right-hand lever
Rear …………………………… Hydraulic disc/right foot
Parking brake ………………………Rear brake-lever lock
Tires:
Front …………………..2 x7-10 Dunlop KT371 radials
Rear …………………20×10-9 Dunlop KT335H radials
Tires:
Front ……………………………………………… 21×7-10
Rear ………………………………………………. 20×10-9
ELECTRICAL
Lighting 30W/30W headlights, LED taillight/brake light
DETAILS ………………….. Neutral and temp indicators
Colors …………………….Red, Special Edition Tri-Color
Suggested retail price ……………………………..$7799
Source: https://utvactionmag.com/test-2015-honda-trx450r/
