This is not a question for people who have just ridden the 450R, it is for owners only.

I have done a search, but there were no DIRECT answers to this question, at least not from multiple people. How bad is the tall 1st gear? Learning2Fly exchanged his for a 13-tooth CRF450 one, how is it, too powerful on the low end now??

Basically, I wanna know if it is tolerable for TRAIL riding, and if not, is the 13-tooth a good idea, or should I go with one bigger tooth on back?

 

Bump

C'mon guys, there are more than a few of you with 450R's out there!

 

I have had the R for about a week now...i personally do not think the first gear is tall...all you have to do is learn how to slip the clutch on it correctly

 

Any other input on the first gear is appreciated! Thank you jasontrx450r..

Where is the choke located??

 

The choke lever is located on the left side on top of the carb.

 

first gear is a little taller than i would like. that is the only thing at this point i would wish honda had not done! i'd say if you have trails where you can roll along pretty good and not real tight and technical, stop and start, putt putt, then i really dont think you'd have to gear it down. if you ride dunes- i would leave it alone. it also seems me that if first was lower, then from riding mine, i think it could have really used another gear on top, like 6th, or a taller 5th. I took it down the road and i got to near topped out in 5th in no time. it still had plenty more power... im stil breaking it in so i didnt want to go WOT for too long. i just blipped it.

the low end on mine is fine and it doesnt care if you lug or wind it. it rips when you need it to. mine is totally stock.

 

like, where it is on the 300ex? under the seat?

 

yes

 

I love the choke, theres a big yellow lever on the left hand side down on the carb. You can have the biggest of gloves on and still be able to put the choke on. Thats a big plus when its 15 degrees outside.

 

1st gear is tall feeling if you're coming off a 400EX. However, the torque this engine develops pulls it very well.

If you just can't get by with it, the good thing is this thing is geared from the factory to be capable of upper 70's MPH numbers or greater, so dropping a tooth on the front will yeild a better 1st gear if you can't get over the stock gearing, but still have a a very good top end.