I know this is an old qestion, but does anyone know what part was put on the 98'450es to fix the battery drain problem? I was wondering if its something i could do myself. I not to crazy about the dealership having my bike for 2 weeks for a $2.00 part. Also i just put a lift kit and 27"x9"x12 & 27"x12"x12" on my bike and noticed some power loss. Does anyone know if the high performance kit from highlifter does what it says it does?

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I don't know exactly what the dealer does to fix the Honda 450ES battery drain problem, but I understand that it takes only a few minutes to install on a "clean" machine (I can't believe how many people bring muddy and filthy machines to the dealer for work).

I wouldn't use a Lift Kit if you offered it to me, installed, for free! But I do enjoy the benefits of larger tires. I just threw away a half-worn set of 27" Blackwater XT's (big mistake! waaaay too many flat tires!), and replaced them with a set of 11" wide 26" Bi-Claws.

I have the Highlifter High Performance Kit on my 450ES, and although I consider it overpriced, and to include items you don't need (K&N filter, filter kit, platinum plug, and several useless main jets), it does add power throughout the RPM band. The included instructions could be improved, though. Whether you buy the Highlifter kit or put one together yourself for less money, it provides a moderate but nice boost in power.

I also have the Highlifter Big Bore kit, which to me was a total waste of time, effort, and money. The tiny gain in torque was certainly not worth the overall cost, and the resulting piston slap rattle is so loud and annoying, I'm going to have to buy an expensive new stock cylinder just to get rid of the expensive and over-rated Big Bore kit!

About Highlifter: Please don't misunderstand my feelings toward this company because of my disapointment with one or two products, or because of their prices. The people there have been VERY helpful and accomodating, and they have engineered and introduced some fine products for the 4x4 crowd. Like all such companies, they have the right to formulate their "kits" any way they see fit, and the right to set their own prices. Just because I disagree, does not mean they are wrong. I am not a fan of certain products, obviously, but I remain a supportive fan of the people there, and the company as a whole.

About K&N Air Filters: There's no doubt in my mind that the K&N air filter is a fine product (I have them on my cars), and that it does indeed flow more air than the stock foam filter that comes on the Honda 300/450. And on a high volume machine such as a 500cc or 600cc engine, or a high-revving smaller engine, there might be a benefit to using it. But if you'll remove the metal screen backfire element from the stock air filter, I think you too will find that the foam filter alone flows more air than the low-revving 300/450 needs. The key is to remove the backfire screen, and use a short length of 1/2" fuel line to plug the hole in the center of the air filter rubber end plate. Then you can still use the outer-end support bracket. Like switching to a K&N filter, removing the backfire screen may require an adjustment to the air screw, since the reduced restriction and increased air flow may cause a leaner mixture from the carburetor.

I can switch back and forth between the stock air filter (w/o the backfire screen) and the K&N filter included with the HiPo kit, and I see no difference at all with either my 450 (now 467cc) or my 300 (now 313cc). The K&N filter is a fine product, but I'm convinced that it is of no benefit to the low revving 300/450 engine, except when compared to the stock filter with the backfire screen in place.

Gordon Banks
Huntsville, AL
2000 Honda XR400R
1999 Honda 450ES 4x4
1997 Honda 300 4x4
1947 Body

 

Oldyellow, what your dealer puts on is called a Current Control Kit. Look in the front of your machine and find the two frame rails that run diagonally to the top by the handlebars. There is a box mounted to the frame. That is all that is replaced when you bring it in for the recall, it took our dealer less than 15 minutes, so yes, it is worth bringing and you will bring it home with you. Just make sure you set up an appointment with them so your machine don't get put off till the end of the day.

 

Greetings,

I finally got around to scheduling my "product improvement" visit (as noted in the recall bulletin) and found out that the supplier of the key ingredient is out of materials. I called several dealers and they all said that no one knows when more will be available. And I just hate using that pull start in the winter.

Thanks,

Rod 98 450ES [...and its yellow]

 

G.banks has the Honda answer.

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Thanks for all the info.


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