Haven't heard that they'll have to run in the open class. From what I've heard, you can still run up to a 440cc engine. Also, Honda is NOT going to be selling any CRF 450 engines alone. You have to purchase the entire bike, Sparks has been trying with no luck.

I'll be keeping my 400ex if Honda comes out with a 650ex also. They can keep that boat anchor in a XR chassis. I don't think they will though. It's been confirmed by more than one person that there has been a 650ex in Honda R&D for quite some time now. I never heard of a new Rincon though, and they let the cat out of the bag pretty quick on that one with the new release of the 660 griz and the Prairie. Very un-Honda like. I'm hoping they're back at the dwg board and either re-working a 400ex over or releasing a 400cc-500cc liquid cooled 4 stroke. I'd take a de-tuned 450 engined quad. And if you really think about it, a stock 250r doesn't have much more HP than a stock 400ex. So they've been de-tuning engines for awhile.

I think a special edition 400ex would go over good. Like a 400ex-r or something. Higher compression, FCR carb, more agressive cam grind and a free flowing exhaust. With the new CR250 engine out, Honda has been doing alot of engine R&D work.

 

Hey airtimehocutt

I see that you also joined the forum recently.

Welcome aboard.

KNOWSALOT

 

Why dont you just get a 400ex and bore it out to a 440. Or get a 250r and leave it at that.

1995 yamaha blaster-lots of mods
1986 honda trx250r-esr chrome pipe, rear douglas rims and more to come

 

he probably want's a 4 stroke, that x's out the 250r, and second, a 440ex, is not quite a yz426f. there you go, easy reasoning.

 

thanks alot, knowsalot, i have enjoyed coming here so far. i heard that yz426 information from another racer. i went to the official atva site and they said it was talked about but not implemented. i don't know why i want a four stroke quad. i've never riden one. i think i will try to find one to ride before i spend my hard earned money. the 400ex seems to be a pretty good quad, but i think (and from what i've seen) the yz 426 is a much stronger motor. i guess liquid cooling has it's advantages. maybe i'll wait and see what the drz400 suzuki will do. i believe it will be the quad to have above all others (unless honda steps up to the plate).

 

hey i spoke with scott at curtis sparks racing last week. scott said curtis will be selling the crf 450 honda motor for $3600.00 (stock of coarse)but that is better than $6000.00 for the whole bike. i was checking out a dirt bike magazine and they were compareing the honda crf 450 to the yz426. they said the yz motor would walk all over the honda. i was very disapointed. they said the honda was smooth on power delievery but the yz426 would eat it alive. i guest it is up to suzuki???????

 

As far as the 650 XR motor being a boat anchor, you are way wrong on that score. It is by far lighter than the DS or the Raptor motor and it makes more power. To be honest with you, the XR650 is a high speed desert sled that is extremely fast. Admittedly, it handles poorly for a lot of things, but at speed in the DEZ, it is pure joy. It was never meant to be a motocrosser.
So what if Honda detunes it, doesn't everybody mod their ride? Honda has a power up kit for the 650 that increases power by almost 28%, so the bike is already delivered in a tame state of tune. Most engine builders estimate around 70 reliable ponies with out going big bore on it. Can you do that with the DS or the Raptor? Don't think so.
Also, the 450 is not a "flop". They are all sold out here in Tucson until January time frame and the thing just RIPS! "F" the magazines, and the sales numbers, I believe what I have seen.

 

About the CRF450, I've stopped by three Honda shops in the past month, and two had new 450s on the floor for sale. I wonder if I was just lucky...

 

Out here, you are in luck if they even have a picture of one for you.