My Journey with the CRF 450R and Its Limits
So, I’ve been riding dirt bikes for ages, seen a lot of them come and go. When I got my hands on this Honda CRF 450R, the newer model, I was pretty stoked. Thing’s a beast off-road, everyone knows that. But you know how it is, that little question always pops up in your head: just how fast can this thing really go on a straight?
It’s not really what these bikes are built for, obviously. They’re all about torque, quick bursts, and handling the rough stuff. But curiosity, well, it’s a powerful thing, isn’t it? I wasn’t looking to break any land speed records, just wanted a real-world number for myself.
Getting Ready for the Run
First things first, safety and prep. You don’t just hop on and pin the throttle, not if you want to tell the tale afterwards.
- The Bike: Gave it a good once-over. Checked the tire pressure – made sure it was good for a bit of speed, not just soft for the dirt. Lubed the chain, checked oil, coolant. Everything had to be spot on. This isn’t some clapped-out old thumper; it’s a serious machine.
- The Spot: This was tricky. Needed a long, flat, and most importantly, private stretch of tarmac. No public roads for this kind of thing, absolutely not. Found a decent spot, an old access road that’s hardly ever used and I got permission. Cleared it of any debris too.
- My Gear: Full leathers, good helmet, gloves, boots. The works. Even if it’s just a “quick test,” you dress for the slide, not the ride. Learned that lesson the hard way a long time ago, on a much smaller bike, thankfully.
- Measuring: The stock speedo on dirt bikes? Ha! They’re optimistic at best, or non-existent. I used a reliable GPS app on my phone, mounted securely, and also had a dedicated GPS speed meter as a backup. Wanted an accurate reading.
The Moment of Truth
Alright, so there I was. Bike warmed up, gear on, feeling that mix of excitement and nerves. It’s funny, even after all these years, pushing a machine gives you a bit of a buzz.
I did a few gentle passes first. Got a feel for how the bike behaved on pavement at higher speeds. It’s definitely not its natural habitat. The knobby tires give a bit of a squirmy feeling compared to road tires, and the wind hits you like a wall once you get going.
Then, it was time. Tucked in as much as I could, which isn’t much on a dirt bike, and just rolled on the throttle smoothly through the gears. That 450cc engine pulls hard, man. Each gear, just a surge of power. You’re working the gearbox pretty quick.
The wind noise was intense. The bike felt pretty stable, all things considered, but you’re very aware you’re on something designed for jumps and mud, not top-end speed runs. I kept my eyes glued way ahead, focused. Did a couple of runs in both directions to account for any slight incline or wind.
So, What Did She Do?
After a few solid runs, letting the engine cool a bit in between, I checked the GPS logs. The numbers were pretty consistent.
The CRF 450R, the one I was on, topped out right around 85-87 mph. That’s about 137-140 km/h for those of you using metric. Maybe, just maybe, with a tailwind and a longer road, you might squeeze another mile or two per hour out of it, but that felt like its comfortable, screaming limit.
Now, someone will say “Oh, mine does 90!” or “You can gear it for more!” Sure, probably. Gearing changes everything. And rider weight, conditions, if the engine has any mods. But for a stock-ish bike, in my real-world test, that’s the figure I got. And honestly, at that speed on a CRF, you’re really feeling it. It’s not a sportbike experience, that’s for sure.
Final Thoughts
Was I surprised? Not really. It’s a motocross bike. Its magic isn’t in its outright top speed, but in how quickly it gets up to speed, how it rips through trails, and how it handles the gnarliest terrain you can throw at it. That 85 mph is plenty fast when you’re standing on the pegs, blasting down a fire road.
It was a fun experiment, satisfied my curiosity. But now, it’s back to the dirt, where this incredible machine truly belongs. The top speed run was just a little detour, a way to understand the bike a bit more. Knowing its limits in one area helps you appreciate its strengths in others. And that’s what being a rider is all about, right? Learning, experiencing, and sharing.