Heed 505

Salutations all, your pals at MotoUSA just returned from a morning spent aboard the updated 2010 Honda CRF450R motocross motorcycle. While the updates aren’t as earth shattering as its predecessor, the changes were much needed and do equate to a better performing dirt bike.
 
We tested the bike at one of our preferred testing venues—Southern California’s Racetown 395. If you’ve never ridden there, the track offers a fast, challenging layout filled with a assortment of different obstacles that provide accurate insight into the absolute performance of a motocross bike.
 
While we definitely welcomed the updates engineers bestowed on next year’s CRF, it’s still questionable if in fact the changes are enough to allow it to best with the reigning class champ, the Kawasaki KX450F, and the totally revamped Yamaha YZ450F. (Read about both of those machines in our 2010 Kawasaki KX450F First Ride and 2010 Yamaha YZ450F First Ride.) Stay tuned for the full 2010 Honda CRF450R First Ride review.

Soon enough we’ll know the answer as we’ll be conducting our annual 450cc MX shootout in the weeks ahead. Until then, feel free to comment below and tell us what kind of individual performance testing data (i.e. top speed, horsepower, torque, etc.) you’d like to see in order to ease your next motocross bike purchasing decision.

*Editor Note: Check out our full review in the 2010 Honda CRF450R First Ride.