Dirtbikes- 2019 Honda Line Up

[Meaney77]

Looks like Honda introduced a few new models for 2019, check them out! It will be interesting to see if they can give the Austrians a run for their money or if its too late since KTM has dominated Dual Sport bikes for the last 10+ years.

https://powersports.honda.com/offroad/competition.aspx#models

 

[Bigmutha]

290lbs. for the 450L, seems kind of heavy.

 

[RodnJen]

Nice looking. I've been out of the game for awhile, how far does at 2-gallaon fuel capacity get you on a modern bike?

 

[sintax]

Nice looking. I've been out of the game for awhile, how far does at 2-gallaon fuel capacity get you on a modern bike?

not far enough...

This was my only gripe. IMS will have a fix for this soon enough.

 

[sintax]

290lbs. for the 450L, seems kind of heavy.

Yea, i'm sure you could strip a bit off of it.

I think my XR650r weighs in around 318 lbs

 

[Hondo-407]

Honda needs to fire their engineering team that developed the CRF450L "Dual-Sport"... 35+ Pounds heavier than the 2017 KTM 500exc! Sorry I'll stick with my KTM.

 

[sixdays]

It’ll be interesting to see the reviews of the 450L...been stalling on plating my 450X for a while now...

 

[brianwhiteboy]

Finally the 450x is getting fuel injection, but I can’t believe prices are knocking on the 10k door.

I got my 2016 450x right at 8k out the door. That’s quite an increase. And my son will be ready in less than a year for a bigger bike. He’s been asking if they’ll make a 250RX.....well sumbitch they are now.

Guess I’ll be forking over some cash to Honda soon.

 

[Meaney77]

been stalling on plating my 450X for a while now...

Is that even possible in CA anymore? I have heard a few stories from friends who were able to get them through the system but far and few in between.

 

[Meaney77]

Finally the 450x is getting fuel injection, but I can’t believe prices are knocking on the 10k door.

I got my 2016 450x right at 8k out the door. That’s quite an increase. And my son will be ready in less than a year for a bigger bike. He’s been asking if they’ll make a 250RX.....well sumbitch they are now.

Guess I’ll be forking over some cash to Honda soon.

They are definitely proud of their new product as KTM is as well. But in the grand scheme of things to the buyer who is fully financing a new bike whats an extra $20-$30 each month for the $10K machine.

 

[sirbob]

Why do they do this?

You would think a bike that is made for "trail to trail" riding would not have turn signals sticking out on the sides. I'm sure they must meet certain requirements and I know they are rubber mounted etc but I can't help but think they will get broken off the first time you dump it.

I would think they can integrate them better or built a crash bar around them or something.

 

[brianwhiteboy]

They are definitely proud of their new product as KTM is as well. But in the grand scheme of things to the buyer who is fully financing a new bike whats an extra $20-$30 each month for the $10K machine.

Or financing two new bikes

I love my 450x. Doubt I could pull the trigger on a new one again for myself anytime soon. My son will get the next one.

 

[Meaney77]

Why do they do this?

You would think a bike that is made for "trail to trail" riding would not have turn signals sticking out on the sides. I'm sure they must meet certain requirements and I know they are rubber mounted etc but I can't help but think they will get broken off the first time you dump it.

I would think they can integrate them better or built a crash bar around them or something.

View attachment 647613

It looks cheap and cheap to make- I am sure they know a majority of the DS Bike riders are going to rip this stuff off along with any emissions stuff and replace with something a little more buff.

 

[sirbob]

It looks cheap and cheap to make- I am sure they know a majority of the DS Bike riders are going to rip this stuff off along with any emissions stuff and replace with something a little more buff.

Ya I get it but jeez - if they were really thinking that far ahead (give em a cheapy cause they are going to pull it off anyway) they should take a page out of Harleys' book and make a bunch of after market stuff that people would want. Lots of profit in that I would think...

 

[HotRod82]

Honda needs to fire their engineering team that developed the CRF450L "Dual-Sport"... 35+ Pounds heavier than the 2017 KTM 500exc! Sorry I'll stick with my KTM.

Sounds heavy, but, Honda includes a full tank of fuel in their weights unlike KTM. Also, the new Honda has a Catalytic converter. So de-smog it, get rid of the DOT lights and a new exhaust and it's right there. I've enjoyed my Ktm 500 but I'd like to give the Honda a shot.

 

[HB2Havasu]

There about 10 years too late to the Dual Sport dance. Husky & KTM have dominated this sport for a long time now and I don’t see that changing with this pig! Plus nobody is going to buy a 289# Dually. How do you strip off 20 pounds to get close to the KTM weight? Answer - You can’t without spending a fortune!

The other thing is most off-roaders are now buying SxS’s not Dual Sport motorcycles. Honda Fail !!!

 

[sintax]

The other thing is most off-roaders are now buying SxS’s not Dual Sport motorcycles. Honda Fail !!!

"most off-roaders" aka fat old dudes who cant ride on two wheels anymore you mean?

 

[OC Mike]

Honda needs to fire their engineering team that developed the CRF450L "Dual-Sport"... 35+ Pounds heavier than the 2017 KTM 500exc! Sorry I'll stick with my KTM.

Yup. at 295lbs, this thing is a pig. Close ratio trans for X country???
Probably needs close ratio for the weak limp, detuned engine.
It'll either be over geared for trail work, or undergeared for Road.
My guess it will need $2,500.00 to get it to KTM level.

What do I know. It'll probably be a big success and sell every one of them.
I hope they do... It's just not at KTM / Husky level...

 

[TPC]

Looks like Honda introduced a few new models for 2019, check them out! It will be interesting to see if they can give the Austrians a run for their money or if its too late since KTM has dominated Dual Sport bikes for the last 10+ years.

https://powersports.honda.com/offroad/competition.aspx#models

Thanks for posting this.

Whats Hondas affiliation with Montessa?:
(Yes, I know it's a trials bike)

 

[HotRod82]

I hate to break it to you guys, but the new KTMs aren't what they used to be. The last good 500exc was early 2016 before they switched to the 4cs forks and dramatically reduced the piston size in the rear shock. Some of the KTM/Husky shocks have plastic parts in them now. The first thing you do with a new 500 is throw the forks in the trash and buy an older set off ebay. If the Honda does in fact share the same frame, forks, and shock as the 450X, the new L has huge upside potential and can easily be made as light as the exc.
Don't get me wrong, I'm on my third KTM (525,350, now 500) and they are great bikes but I wouldn't count out the Honda if it does in fact share the 450X main components. The 450X has won how many Baja 1000's now?

 

[Rajobigguy]

I hate to break it to you guys, but the new KTMs aren't what they used to be. The last good 500exc was early 2016 before they switched to the 4cs forks and dramatically reduced the piston size in the rear shock. Some of the KTM/Husky shocks have plastic parts in them now. The first thing you do with a new 500 is throw the forks in the trash and buy an older set off ebay. If the Honda does in fact share the same frame, forks, and shock as the 450X, the new L has huge upside potential and can easily be made as light as the exc.
Don't get me wrong, I'm on my third KTM (525,350, now 500) and they are great bikes but I wouldn't count out the Honda if it does in fact share the 450X main components. The 450X has won how many Baja 1000's now?

The bike that wins the Baja has little resemblance to anything that you can buy off the showroom floor and even if that weren't true the biggest reason that Honda wins the Baja is because they throw enough money at it to relieve the national debt.

 

[2Driver]

I like to see a paired down nimble dual sport in the 800-900cc range.

Something that wouldnt kill you to do 300 miles on the highway but still vey trail worthy

 

[Rajobigguy]

I like to see a paired down nimble dual sport in the 800-900cc range.

Something that wouldnt kill you to do 300 miles on the highway but still vey trail worthy

It's more in the 600 cc range but this will do everything you asked for,

You can also outfit it to terrorize the local canyons

 

[DLC]

I haven’t poped for one yet, but I sure dig the husky fe 501!

 

[HotRod82]

The bike that wins the Baja has little resemblance to anything that you can buy off the showroom floor and even if that weren't true the biggest reason that Honda wins the Baja is because they throw enough money at it to relieve the national debt.

Yeah, it's amazing how good bikes can be over a stock bike. I have had the pleasure of riding a full factory Pro Circuit KXF250 and it was crazy how good the suspension was. I was intentionally slamming whoops and square edges and the bike completely sucked it up. I have a good 3K in my KTM suspension and the factory bike made it feel like a 1974 Hodaka.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

This was long overdue for Honda. Good for them for finally making a street legal dual sport 450. Looks like the dry weight is around 276. That's a little porky but I'm sure you can shave some weight off of that. I'm interested to see how it performs. Personally I can't see it being a powerhouse in the motor department. But, we shall see.

 

[Rivrat]

Forget the L... Buy the X and register it at Parker DOT. The new X is the bike to have. This is basically and RX plus smog equipment (which you'll remove anyways) BUT this bike has the better wide ratio 6 speed versus the close ratio 5 speed of the RX. Still amazed they spec'd showa A kit forks on the X, cheers honda.

 

[mesquito_creek]

Wasn't it Ricky Charmicheal that said something to the effect that a stock bike right of the showroom floor is more bike than 95% of riders will ever be able to fully utilize?

In terms of Baja, I think the L would be a lot of fun for the the guy who actually wants to ride a bike down from his house in the states to cabo etc. These bikes all scare the shit out of me! But I rode a XR400 for 15 years and 10s of thousands of miles in Baja. Including having it dual sported and riding it all the way from Phoenix to Mikes etc... I always said having a bike with only 80% of your ability was the smartest and safest thing you could ever do in Baja.

 

[sintax]

I like to see a paired down nimble dual sport in the 800-900cc range.

Something that wouldnt kill you to do 300 miles on the highway but still vey trail worthy

So this is where it gets tricky 300 miles of highway is A LOT when you are talking about a trail worthy bike. Obviously we all have different ideas about what "trail worthy" means, so thats open for discussion.

That being said, I've done a quite a 300 mile days on my Honda XR650R on the highway / country roads. It is a total couch, and the riding position is excellent. Would I want to SLAB this bike on the interstate for 300 miles, no. It sucks, i've done the I-15 from So.Cal to Vegas a few times and its NOT fun. I've ridden this bike cross country and would do it again tomorrow. I could also hit woops in johnson valley at 40-50mph and not think twice about it.

I think the bike you're looking for though is likely an old KTM Adventure 990 or something. Shes big and heavy, but she'll do the highway / interstates with no problem. You can dial the suspension in and shes would be alright in the rough stuff if you dont let your ambition outweigh your skill set. I'd like to spend more time on one of these bikes to really see how the handle off road. That twin cylinder engine has to be a dream on the highway though. That big thumper engine pulse gets old on long trips.

 

[mothershipper]

Honda's quality has gone to turd. I'd buy a KTM way before considering a Honda anymore. The Ktm 4stroke motors last a lot longer and are more reliable than Honda 4 strokes. I've a few fellow desert racers that will attest to this. That being said - since I've started riding Beta's - I've found the brand I'm going to ride from now on. Dual sports included.