Performed by me over the weekend in two days of rain and mud,I put this stock 450es thru the most torture you could imagine.We started on ridge roads that were used mostly by 4x4 trucks that had mud pits dug so deep they would swallow up a atv,thru holes were I rolled over,had mud and water over the headlights many times, and most of the time was pulled out because it was to much for any ATV,I was only in these kind of holes to find out one thing.Then we went to the creeks which were running high because of the rain,a couple were touching the bottom of the seat.Total of 60.2 miles with mud and water all over the shift buttons and never a malfunction in any way.Can't wait to put some goodie's on this machine and go back.I LOVE IT.....

 

aaaaaaaah spring time ..when a mans thoughts turn to ...MUD!!!
Ride safe and have Fun..Bill

 

The love you feel for the 450ES will only grow.....They are awesome bikes. I now have 1400 miles on mine, not a moments trouble....

 

Yes I feel it will,I mainly done all this to find out about all the things I heard on shift problems.Anyone who rides mud all day knows how hard it would be to keep that left thumb clean,mud slapped that button all day and the spankin didn't hurt.
Honda450es"MeanGreen"

 

Shifting problems occur mainly in temps below freezing...I rode mine in -20 below and all you have you do is let it warm up...say 10 minutes.
Nothing special..up north we let all vehicles warm up that long..at least.
I'm running Valvoline synthetic blend..no problems.I'll bet it shifts easier next winter!
Have fun...Bill

 

RidgeRunner--ROLLED OVER!!?
Please don't ask to borrow my stuff- :-) -LOL
Sounds like they should have followed you and done a Honda commercial. Good Job.