Motorcycles BS Thread 2.0

You've got to keep a 400cc I4 absolutely rung out all the time to get any power. I've had a couple R6's over the years, but one really good one. They're downright docile until about 13k, then all hell starts breaking loose. That bike was so easy to go fast on though if you kept it's rpms up. Came so close to getting an elbow down on it but couldn't quite make it happen. I think a 400 would be just enough of a taste to want that extra 30hp though

 

I can attest to the need to keep the I-4 spooled up. The antique CF400F Honda that I own is definitely like that. Below about 6-7 grand on the tach is sluggish. Let it rev to it's "happy place" between 8-10 grand and it can be a fun ride. Biggest issue for me with it is my background was more big V-8 muscle cars, 1000 cc inline four bikes, or my Buell with a 1200 cc V-twin so riding the baby Honda required a completely different style of riding and that took some adjusting. Keep in mind also that my Honda is old enough that the tach is cable driven........

 

One thing to keep in mind regarding any bike with forward controls like that. There is near zero ability to stand on the pegs when needed for maneuvers as simple as getting your ass off the seat to take a big bump. I rode a lot of Harley models with forward controls when I worked for a dealership and can tell you, something as simple as a frost heave on an interstate can jar your teeth loose when you hit them at speed on one of those.

 

did a bit more reading on the "500" overall its the same chassis and suspension as the original 400. now it does have some changes and updates to it but nothing in the line of performance.

engine.
the engine is coming out of the eliminator so its basically a big bore 400 is what they are saying but there is one down side people have noticed which is the bike loosing about 1k of rpm which isnt a lot. they seemed to have done this to get a better mpg out of the little bike and less vibration on it. but a jump fro 44hp to 51hp
weight.
its 4lbs heavier it seems which everyone made a big deal about when its really not to bad id imagine an exhaust system would cut some of that weight down.
dash.
you get an lcd for all the base models that look nicer then the last gens dash but if you get the se or higher trims you get a full touch screen like all the more expensive bikes with apple/android car play. plus one other odd thing.... keyless start. the bike on the higher end models will have a key phob with a Permanente key in the bike tbh i didnt know that was a thing...
ergonomics.
they changed the seat so it doesnt slide you forwards as much and smash your crotch (ive sat on one and it does kinda do that lol)
style.
they updated the looks which i was more or less wanting on the next year 400s anyways so i like the looks of it

the rest of the bike is basically the same thou so same price ranges for a slightly updated bike it seems. it does seem kawi might keep the 400 for awhile thou and then kill it off and as some have said bring out another smaller cc bike again so maybe a new updated 300?

 

I wonder if they'll ever update the baby Versys. I know the guys on ADV rider have been wanting a Versys 400 for years.

 

hopefully the versys has needed an update for sometime now.

 

I would love a 500ish cc ADV bike with spoked wheels. I have been watching A LOT of stuff on the Transalp too. If they offer it in the white/red/blue theme it may very well be on the list too. The CFMoto MT450 is on top right now......even though it's not even offered here

 

We finally got some decent weather here. I rode the 450X around town and almost sold it (that was a close one). Looking to add a big red litre bike to the mix if I don't come to my senses before summer.

 

Good ole reliable red pig! Those 650L's are time tested and beautifully simple - and that is a phenomenal specimen.

Now... that 450X.

Good lordy LORD that thing makes my pants tight. Black rims silver spokes and clean classic black n red plastics - boy I bet that thing is HOOT ! (what year is it? I had an 04 250x for a long time!)

Looking at my garage now (full of yamahas and one honda) youd never know I was a honda fanboy, XR70,XR80,XR100,CRF250X and a Honda 919 over the years!

 

I would love to have a modern XR version of the Johhny Lawrence bike The XR600's are just too hard to find or they are insanely priced.

 

haha ya that would be nice!i like the cfmoto bikes for looks but tbh i dont know if i trust the reliability just yet otherwise id be looking into it over a ninja.

also off topic i sent in a request to know when a anniversary edition comes available

man that super moto thou! more pics please!

 

I traded my last race bike (2006 CR125) for that XR. It felt like the dumbest decision on paper, but I love that pig so much. It's slow, heavy, and outdated but it's as reliable as a hammer. I have more confidence in that thing than my Tacoma lol

The 450X is the complete opposite in every sense of the word. It's a 2005, and my second in this exact trim (long story involving the DMV). Based on my math it has roughly the same power to weight ratio as a Ferarri 458. It's so, so, so stupid but makes me smile so much my face hurts when I get home

 

Alright. I've been looking at my next bike.

CFMoto MT450

Weight: 385lbs
HP/TQ 43/32
Price: Probably $6.5K

Pros: Spoked tubeless wheels/price
Cons: Unproven parts/reliability/don't even know if we'll get it





CB500X

Weight: 439lbs
HP/TQ: 47/32
Price: $7.5K

Pros: Honda/price
Cons: Wheels(I want spoked)/colors(I like white)





Transalp

Weight: 459lbs
HP/TQ: 83/55
Price: $10K

Pros: Weight is lighter than I thought/Honda/HP/TQ
Cons: Price/Color(I want the white version)





The version I want



The Transalp is looking better the more I read/watch about it

 

I'm a huge Honda fanboy and have come to prefer the OEM+ look. This one was your typical black plastic, no maitenance afterthought when I got it. It took some work to get it "back" to this state but I think it was worth it.

 

looks amazing man! only thing id change personally is the exhaust but the oem looks good as well!

 

i like the cf moto the best but do agree without any knowledge about it idk if id want to jump in on that price. the only positive is it is cheaper!

the transalp idk its 10k for a midsize bike id almost rather get the cb500x and get different wheels on it for the price

 

The thing with new wheels....$2K with tires and I'm at almost half the HP/TQ with the same ballpark in weight.

 

For an ADV bike I feel like 500cc class is about the smallest youd want unless its goint to be mainly an around town or fireroads bike (at which point just get what you currently have a 250-300ish CC dual sport). Not sure what the CFMoto motor is based on but, proven reliability is kind of a big thing if you plan on going off the beaten path or to areas that are remote.


It really depends on WHAT you plan on doing with the bike, IMO if you plan on keeping the CRF300L for shorter / more off road, and getting an ADV bike for longer street with mild off road the transalp at a minimum, but realistically just get a lightly used africa twin for the same or less than the transalp with way more features.

I do agree, the white looks WAAAAY better than the black on the transalp.

 

CF Moto looks really good.....on paper. Huge question mark though for reliability, parts availability, dealer support, supply chain issues down the road, longevity, and more. I suspect they may be much like the Buell in my avatar that I still own. Fun to ride, gets attention, breaks something at the most inconvenient time possible and at this point zero dealers even exist. Much as I might like one or at least the thought of one I'm no longer going to be a guinea pig for the next big thing.

 

I have no intentions of ditching the baby CRF I have
I do like the AT's, but not enough to want one

Unless the MT450 proves to be great overseas this year.....the Transalp will probably be the one.
Hopefully with the 450 showing up in Aus.....that will give some time to see what they are like.

That's my biggest concern with the 450.