Whats the Best Cam for a Honda 450r?

 

To answer your question as best as I can, there are a few variables you need to figure out. What style of riding to you do and what mods you plan on later. I am very happy with the HRC cam and it seems to hold it's own at the dunes with earlier 450's built for top end racing. There is also the Hotcams which have a reputable name and perform great and is very comparable to the HRC but it seems the HRC retains a better top end in a flat sand drag from personal experience. There is also Curtis Sparks cam that I have seen run in a Curtis Sparks kit (cam, full exhaust and air filter) on a new '06 450 but, for the $1000 dollars you spend ($250 for the cam) again it is so close to the HRC that I don't believe it's worth the money. I didn't have any problem getting around the CS kit 450 on a flat sand drag till mid 4th gear. I will update you more within the end of the week when we finish installing a hotcams 2 and a full HMF system on a stock 450. I have rode and raced it so I can give a better review then just seeing it run.

HRC cam: $180
Hotcams: $130
Sparks: $250

 

Be careful comparing 04-05's to 06's, they are different. I think cam "a" will effect differently then cam "b", in the different models.

I have an 04 with a stage 2 hot cam. I have a slip-on fmf Q2, and a higher compression piston. It runs great, with increased bottom end, over stock. It also has a little more over rev, but not alot. The HRC has more over rev, but not quite the torque. So as nuckinfuts said, you have to consider wher you want the power.

 

I have done some reserch on cams before. I have read in quite a few places that the best cam is the web cam. I just ordered one for my 300ex the other day. when I get it put in I will post back and tell you what kind of difference it made.

 

We have 2 different cams for the 300ex. Webs are good for that quad, but pricey for the 450r.

 

Yes, the '05 and '06 run different. My bud's is a '05 so I can tell ya what kinda difference in the power band it has. My other friend has an '04 with an HRC and curtis sparks pipe and it has crazy top end but it's a freek quad cause it will plain outrun mine on pavement or sand, uphill or flat and will easily take another with the same identical mods.

 

Yes, it's a killer!! We just got back last night from riding at the dunes all weekend and his '05 rips! A basic K&N w/ outerwears, hotcams stage 2 and a full HMF sport series system, 21-12-8 haulers, stock gearing and everything else. It runs side by side with my HRC '06 on flat and pulls slightly better on a up hill drag in second gear. It sounds great and isn't as loud as I thought. So far his total investment is $765 which includes all labor costs and tuning.

 

I don't know much about the Web cam or the Sparks cam, but the HRC cam will give you more top end power than the stage 2 Hot cam. The stage 2 Hot cam will give you more low to mid range power than the HRC cam. Like everyone else says, it just depends on your style of riding and where you will benifit from the most power gain.