I built all of the parts needed to make this happen(T/S mounts, wiring harness, rear rack and support system) Bought off the shelf(baja designs turn signals, Kawasaki KLX250S left and right handlebar switches, Maxxis 50/50 ds tires, 47T rear sprocket, folding ds mirror on KLX250S mount, TM designs chain guide and slider,  K&S brake light pressure switches and horn, and opened the oem meter adding Blue LED back lighting to allow night riding, but stay tuned. I am building a more robust rack system. Actually I am copying the OEM sub frame with exception of ending it at the rear fender mount. I am going to trim the rear fender to allow the sub-frame rails to extend beyond the side panels and attach a rack system to that. I want to carry enough fuel and gear to make the transamtrail with this thing in June, so packing on the gear and fuel will be a must. Actually I am using this one to proto-type for the second one I am building for my buddy. This one is our test mule so to speak. Hoping to get the 20' stick of metal in next week for the sub-frame. A few days of Jig building and tig welding and wha la we have a replacement. Well that's the plan anyway. There are a few more steps than that, but you get the idea anyway.

kpfetz said:

KLX450R said:

How about more power than the current 400/450s, similar weight, and a wide ratio six speed. I just wish they had the reliability of a Yamaha.   If the Europeans can do it, surley the Japanese can do it as well or better.

So after QUITE A BIT of research, it looks like it's NOT a program Honda will be on anytime soon......DAMNIT!  

If only they would make a CRF450L:rant:

huskyfatman said:

huskyfatman, compare the bike in that pic there to an EXC525.  What do you think?  Honest opinion GREATLY appreciated here:thumbsup:

DelTronXR said:

I haven't ridden a new "street legal" EXC but, I had an '02 KTM SX520 with an EXC 6 speed, here are my opinions:
-The Husaberg has WAY more power (650), and it's wide ratio tranny is better for ds.
-It feels just as light as my kick only SX, and lighter than the EXCs I've ridden.
-My Husaberg is a "Euro" model, so all I had to do was plug in a horn and turn indicators for it to be street legal.
-My KTM lost it's engine with fairly low hours, no problems with the Berg . . . . yet.
-I think Husabergs are ugly, and there isn't much in the way of aftermarket parts for them.

I love my Husaberg, but would honestly have better feelings about it's reliability if it said Yamaha or Honda on the shrouds.

DelTronXR said:

Why do you think this? Do you know how many Husabergs, Huskys, KTMs, etc that get sold in the USA in one year? Not even 1/10 the amount of DRZ 400's or TTR 225's. There is no market for the  Japanese to exploit, or they would do it!
EG: there will be only 400 Husky TE510s imported this year. Honda sells more play bikes than that in a day. Honda needs to sell 15,000 of a model, and sell them for 7 years, for them to stick to there current business plan. Also, Honda takes 4 years to introduce a new model. We have no idea what is coming...........

Krannie said:

I consulted for Honda in the 80s and worked on the new XR350. At that time they would not import a model to US unless it could sell 3,500 units a year which was more than the total Husky line sold in a year. A big hero at Honda was the designer of the XR200 which was their highest selling dirt model.

can you make a crf450R street legal in canada?

Krannie said:

Sad but true.

Krannie said:

Just curious where do you get these numbers? Your right Jap's make bikes they can make the most profit on, Euro's make bikes people want. Husky and KTM sold every TE and EXC they made.

Tell Baja Desisns that there is no market for steet legal REAL offroad bikes.

ss440gp said:

+1 very good . Once you build/convert/legalize one you can't hardly sell it.

pacree said:

due to the fact you dont want to get  rid of it now!

Quote

Yes and no. Yes you can get insurance and a plate, but no it is not really legal if you get into an accident. The only truely street legal bikes say so on the NIVS form. Husky's aren't even legal in Canada.

I'm really pleased with both the great single trackability and streetability of my full street legal KTM 525. I actually wanted the last of the RFS motors (2007) as I'm not fully convinced that the 2008 KTM motors are ready to rack up the miles with minimal maintenance as is the old long stroke RFS bikes. No shim and bucket valves here just good old fashinioned nut and bolt adjustment and a shared oil supply between the motor and tranny. Geared for the tight trails and still can run 90 MPH on the highway no problems. 75 MPH on the highway is dern near idiling in 6th. Excellent bike on the technical trails as well.....I think Juha won the world enduro championship open class on 525 last year. Race proven as the 525 EXC's are ran in the dakkar race as well as lots of muddy treacherous enduro races worldwide.Great bikes. Pricey though.....

That 525 will make any pumpkin scared this Halloween. I have a buddy who rides the same bike but a bit older. He says its reliability rivals the old XR600. Enjoy forever I guess???!!!!

As a CRF450X  is now, although do-able, it would make a poor DS. The transmission gearing would have to be changed and the ratios spaced farther apart, not just sprockets. The engine changed to a slightly detuned one, more compatable with long extended highway speed. Suspension would be be ok - but for some too harsh so Honda would probably soften it. Other than that it would be ok.

Personally, I would like to see the dsiplacement bumped up to the like s of a KTM. 525cc or! they could and this would be ideal I think take the old Honda BRP water cooled 600 add electric start and change the gearing and wa-la!

Edited by n16ht5, 08 June 2012 - 08:06 AM.

Since it IS dug up...

IF Honda did a CRF450L, if the upcoming CRF250L is any indication, you could count on:

* It weighing 350+ lbs. (321 lbs for their upcoming CRF250L.)
* Put out about 25 HP. (I recall the upcoming CRF250L puts out something like 17 HP.)

As for the WR250R since this thread begin in 2007:

Going against the consensus in this thread, it has proven to be a very capable dual sport bike with amazing engine durability and longevity, as well as proving to offer an amazing amount of versatility.  You can pretty much farkle it into what you want it to be.  (I have read online of those that have ridden theirs to Alaska and back farkled as "adventure" bikes, as well as those that farkled their so be used to compete in enduro events... and did pretty stinkin' good against the purpose built bikes!)

Good seller for Yamaha since the '08 model was released. Even now, there's still a good demand for them.


Vinduroman