I have always loved Honda's durability but after owning an 04 and 05 with intake valve issues I was disappointed with Honda. I thought they fixed the problem but my buddy's 07 had the intakes go south at 21 hours.

The new Honda looks great and I really hope they addressed the issue. Time  will tell if they fixed the problem and if so I may be in the market for another Honda!

Later!

Todd

For '09, Honda reduced the valve stem diameter from 5.5mm to 5.0mm, and they are running some sort of new intake valve springs to allow the engine to have a higher redline.

I assume that they're running the same valve seat material as the '06/'07/'08s.  So far, I haven't read anything that mentions valve seat material.

I hope the valve issues are fixed.  Every CRF I have owned has needed a valve job eventually.

NorCalRider said:

I'm a vet B rider and I didn't live on the rev-limiter and I kept the filter clean and all that good stuff and I still had issues. Like I said I hope they fixed it. I got tired of it and decided to buy my kid a Cobra 50. It has been more reliable the the CRF!

They did fix their crappy suspension by going with KYB'S!

It's a good looking bike but the front fender has a Suzuki look to it.

Later!

Todd

yes because rather than having dirt pass through the carb it just clogs up the injector.....valves are now safe  

Using the spring and retainer that RHC and ferrea developed was a definate improvement on the 08 and early crf 450s while using the oem titanium valve mainly because of spring and retainer mass being much less .With the smaller stemed valve and likely a new engineerd spring and retainer with less mass and a better coating applyed to the valve we will see less wear.

Have you heard anything about the '09s having a different coating on the intake valves?

i dunno, my '04 has not had any major valve issues, had the valves done once after 4 years of pretty constant riding, my friends yamaha's need replacing just as much, although I am gonna upgrade my head and valves to the 06+ design next time the valves are due (looking like its gonna be a long long time since Ive been riding the KTM more)

too much speculation.... they just need to release them and let time tell.... 2cents..