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• Four-stroke CRF 250 R and CRF 450 R

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Driving report Honda Crosser 2008

Four-stroke CRF 250 R and CRF 450 R

After the discontinuation of the two two-stroke engines, Honda concentrated on the four-stroke crossers C.RF 250 R and CRF 450 R. A pleasant surprise first takes a look at the price list: Both machines are each around 600 euros cheaper (6990/7590 euros). And without compromising on the technology, even the extensive spare parts kit was not skimped.

In 2008 a steering damper will be introduced as a novelty in the off-road sector, which has already been tested on the factory machines for a number of years. Certainly the previous Hondas did not have an acute suspension problem that would make such a tranquilizer appear necessary. However, Honda proclaims that only with the steering damper is it possible to achieve a steering geometry that is more maneuverable without causing critical handlebar flapping.

MOTORRAD tester and ex-multichamp Didi Lacher was able to quickly confirm that the new Hondas are even more manageable than their by no means stubborn predecessors, despite the adverse, i.e. muddy, track conditions at the presentation on the Belgian sand track in Olmen. After first impressions, the 250, in particular, no longer seems as stable in the deep sand, which the noticeably effective, widely adjustable damper does not fully compensate for. The chassis of the two crossers are otherwise practically unchanged, apart from the new setup of the suspension. However, the sand stretch provides little information on this.

All the more so for the engines, which are particularly challenged here. The smaller four-stroke engine, which until now was not exactly one of the most powerful in its category, received extensive changes to the cylinder head. It now delivers significantly more pressure in the upper speed range and looks livelier. With the 450, performance was never an issue, rather drivability. Therefore, the new model now has aisle-dependent mapping. In plain language: In the lower gears, the single-cylinder is more geared to torque, in the three upper gears to speed. Its characteristics are no longer quite as explosive, but more even and beefy. At the top you don’t miss anything, although the single was even quieter because of the increased noise levels.

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