2025 Honda CRF450R at Ironman Raceway

I could have rushed to get this footage up last week with no riding impression, per Honda’s preferred embargo, but I just couldn’t do that: The bike is too good! Honda stepped up BIG TIME with both the 2025 Honda CRF250R and CRF450R. More stability, better balance, and easier to get comfortable than ever before. At 185 lb., I was a little nervous after seeing a spec sheet that states the CRF450R has a 52Nm shock spring. The 56Nm on the 2022-2024 CRF450 worked well for me, so anything lighter could have been problematic. However, my concerns were unwarranted. The new linkage design and chassis updates work well with the 52Nm rear, while the front fork springs are right in line as well. Faster and/or heavier riders will likely need a bit more fork oil (310cc standard capacity is lower than years past), but the stock settings are right close for a production bike and quite predictable in action. At the beginning of the video and before testing this second session, I did change from 5mm f