2022 Honda CRF450RL

[richard310]

Well since the last data loss, this thread was lost to the internet gremlins but here's Round 2!

Snagged this fairly like-new 2022 Honda CRF450RL with just under 75miles and small scuffs from a previous fall. This is planned to be my dedicated offroad bike and I'll be keeping the CB500X as my road bike.

I learned a LOT of lessons from the ADV build on the 500X, and will be implementing all the things I can do with and without. But more importantly, keeping the bike lightweight and less is more.

The bike came stock but with only an upgraded Vortex ECU. It's been flawless just putting around town, as I have yet to get it on the dirt where it belongs...

First brought home Mar-2024:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• Current Mods:
  • Electronics:
    • Vortex ECU
    • 12V USB 2x Power outlet
    • Baja Designs Headlight Kit
      • S2 Sport (headlight)
      • Squadron Pro (high beam)
  • Suspension:
    • Racetech Front Fork Springs 0.42kg/mm
    • Racetech Rear Shock Spring 4.6kg/mm
  • Body/Controls
    • IMS 3.0gal Fuel Tank
    • Zeta Windscreen and GPS bar
    • ProTaper Pillow Grips
    • Barkbusters handguards
    • Doubletake Mirrors
    • Seat Concepts Low Seat
    • Works Connection Rear Brake Master Cylinder Guard
    • Tusk Fender Eliminator
  • Luggage
    • Kreiga OS-Base Dirt Bike
    • Kriega OS-12 x2
    • Kreiga US-30
    • Giant Loop Buckin Roll Tank Bag

As she sits Oct-2024

 

[richard310]

First order of things was to make sure my bottom was comfortable on long hauls as the stock seat is unforgiving, even for a little guy like myself.

In comes the Seat Concepts - Low Comfort. This thing is a world of difference and totally worth the coin needed to fork over.

Plus it gives my short 5'7" stature a better footing at stops.

 

[richard310]

Even as comfort is important, getting the bike sprung properly takes the cake to make sure its working properly. After trying to get the sag set up, i needed just a bit less spring rate to get me in the golden zone. I hopped on Race Tech's website and tried out their spring calculator for both the Fork spring and rear shock calculations per my weight. Comparing to the stock springs, I needed quite a lighter rate and I went ahead and pulled the trigger for the fork and rear shock.

0.42kg/mm Front Springs.
4.6kg/mm rear shock spring

The swap itself was relatively simple after certifying myself on YoutTubes. An hour or so later and the springs were swapped over, and the sag readjusted properly.

 

[richard310]

After taking the bike around town a few more times for about an hour, wind buffer sucked and the handguards could use some beefing up. I ended up installing a Zeta windscreen and also Barkbuster VPS handguards.

With the Zeta screen, having a bar to attach my small GPS Phone is nice, plus having a USB charger easily accessible is even better. Trying to keep things as simple as possible yet have the amenities for long distance travel if necessary.

The best part of this screen is that with just 4 screws, it can be easily removed for rougher riding if necessary.

Barkbusters well, because barkbusters. They work.

 

[richard310]

I popped on some cushier and grippier ProTaper grips and also swapped over my DoubleTake Mirrors from the CB500X. It's starting to look the part, but the rider definitely isn't lol. Far from it with n00b experience.

Heading out to an overnighter with a few old friends and I've been itching to get back out there on a bike, so I've got the Kreiga OS-12 setup finally getting put to use. Everything fits great for this quickie even for non-lightweight gear, and i also added a Giant Loop BuckNRoll tank bag for snacks and goggles, although i kinda want a slightly bigger bag... this thing is teeny!

Anyways, I'm looking forward to getting this one broken in, so prepare for a slew of sleepy bike photos!

On the horizon of mods, an IMS 3-gallon tank is looming in the distance to help with the miniscule OEM tank. Even though it only adds 1-gallon over stock, it brings the overall range to a bearable quantity for a bike like this. Might even throw in a tail tidy to clean up the rear end...

 

[TACMEDIC]

Thank you for sharing. Please keep us updated with photos.

 

[richard310]

Man this bike is fun once I got used to it. The weather was perfect once we got some elevation, and the trail was tame except some rutted out spots... I went down twice on slow bits but it was a great time!

After a long 2.5hr hardball run, and three fillups later, we finally hit the trail entrance. I was a bit nervous considering my (lack of) experience and on a new bike, but i went in with whatever I remembered from a few moto clasees I took in the past. Plus this is an easy trail.

I kept my loadout as light and minimal and it was well received on the way up with my two slow speed spills. Picking the bike up was so much easier without any help and I wasn't winded anymore than I was trying to figure out the controls. I found it difficult to tame the twitchy throttle by shifting up, and I also needed to adjust the lever positions as I was literally hanging on for the ride on some sections. I'll figure it out somehow...

Sorry no pics of the spills this time around.

The suspension ate everything up with the camp loadout and myself with a pack. It was buttery smooth with no bottom outs. Steering is very responsive as is the throttle as mentioned earlier. Looking at the suspension travel on the shock itself, it looks to be in the sweet spot, i think.

We reached camp about 1800 with the summit void of people. It was a blessing considering the lower camps were all full up. The weather and sunset was absolutely stunning. A much needed break from everything.

The ride back down the following morning was noneventful as I was starting to gain more confidence on this machine. I need more skill-based practice but I'm overly happy with this bike!

Until the next time, hopefully there's time in this busy life to head out before I get life'd again.

The IMS 3-gal tank will be on order to extend my range since 85-90miles max is concerning and unsettling on long hauls to the local trails. The repeated stops are nice to rest the body, but still, having one less thing to worry about would be nice.

 

[richard310]

Installed a rear brake master cylinder guard by Works Connection. Simple and effective. It's just too close to the boot and prime to hit a rock on a tip over.

I ended up ordering a Baja Designs headlight to replace the OEM unit, which is actually pretty decent but could use some more throw. I don't expect to ride at night very often but it's nice to have the ability to... but more importantly, it looks pretty cool.

The BD assembly combines their S2 and Squadron Sport which easily connects into the OEM harness with a provided adapter and replaces the OEM headlight assembly behind the shroud.

Low beams - S2 combo beam is on only.

High Beam - S2 Combo + Squadron Spot on at the same time.

Overall it's a fine addition to the bike and makes it look pretty spiffy. I'll have to hop on a night ride to get the lights adjusted to the right height.

The next task is to finally install the IMS 3gal tank, which is still sitting in the garage. I'm looking forward to getting more range with the extra gallon.

 

[richard310]

Finally got the IMS tank installed this afternoon. Took a little longer than anticipated, but actually very straight forward.

The IMS rotomolded tank is a 3-gal unit compared to the smaller stock titanium 2-gal tank. It's just slightly heavier than the titanium tank, but it gives me an additional gallon for longer durations between fuel ups, and allows for longer rides of course without the worry.

I ditched the IMS included gas cap for a Tusk vented cap for this tank, based of other's experiences of leakage.

After swapping the fuel pump over and installing some mounting hardware, the tank itself dropped right in. I did run into a small fitment issue with the fuel pump sliding up into the IMS tank: I had to shave a bit of plastic around the inlet hole in order to slide the pump flush-ish with the supplied O-ring and mating surface.

Also, some pulling and pushing of the side fairings to align the bolt holes had to be done. Starting from the bottom up, I found to be the ticket to get these holes to align easy.

I'm leaving the inner tab shaving on the side fairings for later. The fairings stick out just about a 1/8" off the gas tank, nothing to worry about at the moment but should be done for a cleaner fitment.

Now it sits overnight with a gallon of fuel to make sure there's no leaks. She did start right up on the first go. I will have to remove the fork reflectors as they interfere when turning the bars, so that'll happen when i tackle the fairing shave.