I have always been a Yamaha man but this Honda is what i have always dreamed of. Thank you Honda. Wake up Yamaha.

This by far the best review I’ve watched for this motorcycle! You’ve convinced me that this will fit my needs perfectly. Thank you!

Thank you for sharing the kind of riding you were doing, especially with pictures of each. It backs up your opinion immsensely for actual dualsport riders. All too often we see some dualsport rider taking his bike "off road" on some gravel or dirt road that any suv can handle.

What a wonderful comprehensive overview. I was just looking at this bike and wondering about its performance. Thank you..

Now give us a CRF450L Rally Honda, we want! 😁

Perfect review! you know how to review. this is the first guy I found speaking with percentages, finally. perfect!

Outstanding. Thanks, that is exactly what I needed to know. Thank you for your work with this bike. Excellent review

Thank you for such an honest and useful real-world review! I rode the CRF 450L for a day at the Dave Thorpe off-road centre and came to similar conclusions. I'm convinced now that with some modifications I could take it round the world!

This video convinced me to buy my CRF450L, and 6 months later I'm still loving it. Thanks a lot Dave for putting in the mileage and reporting back. Being new to trail riding I didn't think I'd go the 450 route, but have to agree it feels like the bike is looking after you at every turn. For a typical UK rider exploring the local lanes it's more than enough machine, as well as something I can grow into as my skills improve. Also a big thanks to the motley crew at Adventure Spec for all the helpful content, it's much appreciated.

Great review, different angle to all the others. Very clear presentation to camera, easy to watch. Keep it up! 👌

Amazing review! More of that please. Greeting from Bavaria

Great summary of this bike, I’m currently looking at something to fit both spaces, dont want a 300 racer or a 690 and this may just hit the nail on the head. Your reviews been really useful thanks!

Solid review vid with a good perspective on the Honda. I'm excited to see new entrants in the small DS bike category and with the range of bikes falling into the off road capable/worthy 400 - 500 cc category there is something for everyone's particular taste. Look forward to seeing some builds for the Honda.

Just picked one up here in the USA. I freaking love this bike!

Thank you for a concise, honest review. Very well done.

This is the review of this bike I've been looking for. Thanks so much.

Love the down to earth style and great to see a good UK/European review looking at the trails we have.

I was almost convinced that a KTM690 was going to be the bike I buy...until I watched your review. Thanks for the comparison and detailed ride report about the CRF. You covered all of my concerns and more. It also helps that Honda is significantly dropping the price on it's leftover 2019s here in the US. That checks the last box for me.

awesome review! you convinced me to take my 2021 crf450rl on a 2,000 mile trip thru MN, WI, Mi with buddies that all have big adventure bikes

Great review. You touched on the reasons why I sold my 701E. The bigger husky was a blast, especially with a sumo conversion, but I didn’t enjoy it on tight single track. Which is mainly all the riding in my area. Sounds like this is on the list to compare to the KTM 500. Thanks for the solid info

Thanks for choosing Giant Loop for your adventure Dave!

That was an excellent, clearly articulated and usefully objective review. Thank you. 👍

What an EXCELLENT video and INCREDIBLE journey "THANK YOU!" I am 64 yrs old, I've been riding since 16. I have been away from dirt bikes for thirty years but "Today" I was at a Honda dealer sitting on the CRF450L and the XR650L, I must admit the extra four thousand dollars for the CRF450L makes a difference "HOWEVER" I am so impressed with the CRF450L. I can get either....leaning toward the XR650L (had an XR600R thirty years ago)...so nostalgia comes to play, but wouldn't be surprise if I wound up purchasing the CRF450L....Thank you again..(PS Just came back from Andalusia)

Great review. I have not ridden it nor I am brand loyal. I like how you clearly described what it is good at and why, if you are looking for something else, you might not be happy. Nice job.

Well that’s it, Dave, you’ve blown it..! I don’t want to watch any more bike reviews - unless it’s you doing them!!! 😂 That was so genuine and down to earth, that I’m going to pay my deposit on one tomorrow! I will though be getting the bits to up the power to the US model PDQ! Well done Dave. 😊

Sweet review, done quite thoroughly. Thank you!

Thanks for the review, I'm thinking of getting one and it helped

Great review. That trip looked fantastic, look forward to hearing more and seeing the GPX tracks for some inspiration and trip planning. 👍🏻

Great review John, most reviews are from riders that havn't done the miles or properly tested the bike. Folks you don't need a large cc motorbikes that are heavy and difficult to handle/maneuver. You can still have alot of fun & cover big miles on smaller cc bikes.

This review had great influence on me buying this bike.

Very helpful, great words and explanation, thank you :D I'm really tempted now.......

Good review and awesome pictures at the end.

Brilliant review. Thanks for the input, I really needed this honest assessment.

Excellent review. You packed a ton of detail in but made it interesting -- and you took a stand and explained it. I have viewed and read a lot about the 450L but I feel that I know the bike better now.

Great review thanks, Good to hear all the likes and don't likes...Just finished a 14,000km ride through South America, Much poff road much high altitude on my Africa Twin....very good capable machine but heavy for real adventurous stuff that I was reluctant to do because of it...this may be an alternative, but as mentioned the comfort and maintenance intervals are something that need consideration. Cheers

I cannot believe you did that distance with that seat. You are a hero. I sat on one in the dealership here and couldn’t get over how much it felt like a narrow piece of lumber on the arse. And I thought my stock wr250r seat was bad! Iron butt indeed...

Great review. Thanks. Great channel too

Great job, and tons of good input. Thank you for doing this.

Great review! Amazing pictures at the end!!!

Fantastic review. I keep coming back to see this. Very informative, but those damn birds get me everytime.

Great review my friend. I really enjoyed it.

"bike looks after you". Exactly how I feel about my '18 CRF250 Rally.

Thanks for your review and story 👍🏻

Fantastic review Boss !

Thank you very much for the review

I enjoyed hearing your thoughts. I don't ride in the same terrain that you encounter, nor do I go those distances. I ride typical Kentucky, USA terrain, so I'm a DR650 guy, with no complaints. Thanks for the video.

A year late to watch this, but an honest, well rounded review...

best review that i have seen .Thank you sir!

Wonderful video. Thanks for the breakdown ❤

I just bought one. I love that it pulls wheelies with just rolling on the throttle in first and second gear. I also love that it is a proper off road bike. It gave me the confidence needed with how great the suspension is to hit whoops for the first time. I use to just roll through them and now I'm skimming the tops of them.

I picked mine up back in November 19. When I first rode it the throttle was twitching and stalled often. Now after breaking it in that has stopped. This is, to me the best all around bike money can buy!

Hey, thanks for that review. 👍🏻👌

what an amazing and informative and very, very well done review (clear conscious, knowledgeable and entertaining ) thank you so much.. looking for an enduro bike. On a RMZ 250 now (rode track for years and some trails) and want to ride to trails on freeway and be able to ride when i go off road like you would on a 250 mx bike (or as close as possible) . Looked at some KTM 350 and 500 and by this review and your knowledge i know this bike is much better . Great way to do a "linear line" to see where different bikes land. I agree with your thoughts on the Honda 250, adventure bikes. Thanks again....

Waiting for honda crf 450l rally af!

i love my yamaha blue adventure spec skid plate for my tenere 700! i got really excited when i just now learned you do videos like this. customer for lifffffeeeeeeeee

Great video for me! at last someone who explain what the bike are meant for, not just performance

Thanks for a great, honest review. I saw one at my local Honda dealer here in Dallas, and immediately fell in love with it. The service interval is no problem for me. The price is a bit steep, but justifiable, since the bike is designed to do exactly what I want it for. The music at the end of this video was excellent. Can you give a link to it? Hit The Trail

I really liked this. Very informative. Thank you.

Concise to the point honest logical - thank you. perfect.

Very good video and thoughtful opinion. Thanks Not only about the honda crf450l, also about what type of off road bike suits you best.

congrats... such a excellent review

Great review. I’m actually in the market for a dual sport and hadn’t considered the 450L...maybe I’ll go sit on one

Great honest review . The L has been discontinued here in Australia not sure everywhere else . RL now here .

You make a good point about quiet ! Its important. Well said

Great real world review, thanks!

Thanks, excellent review! 😎🤙

Very well done review! I've ridden one and loved it. I just cannot get past the price. Maybe when a used one comes along. IMO a 7k price point for a trail bike like this.

Awesome review!!! I just bought a KTM 450 6 days, which is a exc, and I feel the same way about. You can do it all. I put fmf exhaust on it and then took it back off. I like the quiet ride. I also have a 1200 GS and I've had several bikes in the 650 range and could not get happy. I'm finally happy. I did however install XC gear, mako and spurs. So that helped with the vibs, also fastco brass bar insert and seat concepts. I can stay off this bike. I think Honda is smart to play in this area, and they make great bikes. Also, I subscribed. I think it's the only time I've done that in youtube, as much time as I spend on here. I like your no BS reviews.

Love the honesty!

Awesome review was thinking about the 250 rally or the 450l just price and oil intervals the sticky points. Can’t wait for the final review. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

You know any KZfaq video that starts with cup of tea is going be good long video😄 great review.

Brilliant review thanks, could do with knowing what type of gear you take with you, also with that razor saddle do you use padded undershorts ? Which Doubletake do you prefer & why the round one or the diamond on it’s side 🤔 one ? I’ve been looking on your website at them.

Brilliant review Dave, lots of very pertinent points made. I hope you get a chance to do a similar test of the AJP PR7, I rode one the other day and was extremely impressed. For my money at £8500 it it offers far better value than the Honda as a straight out of the box genuine adventure bike, which like the KTM 690, delivers a lot more power for at least the same fuel economy and particularly in the case of the PR7 wit it's 17 litre tank, greater range. I completed the extended 7,500 mile TAT on in 2015 on a 2015 690 and it was flawless, perfect off road and super smooth on road cruising at 90mph with power to spare whilst delivering 64 MPG. I totally get this Honda, but really struggle to find the justification for the price. For £8500 you can buy the PR7 and not have to spend anything at all on upgrades, it even has a screen and GPS fitted, along with a massive under seat tank (KTM copied that from AJP not the other way around BTW) and a really comfortable seat. The Husky 630 derived 600 cc engine on board is bulletproof and you can get to everything to work on it, unlike the KTM. For instance the fuel pump is conveniently located (along with an easy to service external fuel filter) on top of the tank, not under it and the fuel tank as in the KTM. Every serviceable part of the bike is accessible without taking the whole bike apart. For instance, swapping a water pump would be a breeze in the unlikely event you had to do it. The only bike out there today you could fix at the side of the road. It is a toss up for me between a 2019 highly improved KTM690 or the PR7 but stuff like a fuel filler in front of you in the normal place and an a air filter you can remove in seconds on top of the tank so no disassembly of the bike is required make the PR7 tempting. It also has a big Samsung 7 tablet mounted so you can either use it with GPS apps or benefit from a full screen version of whatever phone or GPS you link it too. To get the Honda to this spec (tank, screen, seat, GPS and suspension tuning) would cost at least £1500 making it £2500 more expensive for half the power and near identical weight as the PR7. The major sticking point on the Honda is the RIDICULOUS oil change intervals. The 690 is in a much higher state of tune (now 75 BHP!) yet only requires 6000 mile changes and valve checks. The AJP PR7, again in a higher state of tune (50 OR 60 BHP depending on standard or race spec) requires 5000 mile changes and valve checks. Even the KTM 500 EXC oil changes are frequently extended to 1000 to 1500 miles as I found out talking to many long term owners in the USA with 10 to 15k miles on their pistons, and that is a 60BHP bike! It is not credible that a 25 bhp 450 requires 600 mile oil changes and 1800 mile valve checks in my book. A Yamaha WR250R produces 30BHP, has 3000 mile oil changes 6000 mile oil filter changes and 28,000 mile valve checks, weighs less and costs the dollar equivalent of £6000. Hello? Sorry but every single tester of the Honda 450 seems to be making excuses for it and somehow justifying massive short comings that would be laughed at on any other brand.Would a KTM or a AJP which weighed 289 lbs and produced 25 BHP with 600 mile service intervals be regarded as anything but a bad joke? .

This video freaked me out. I thought those birds were in my house. Scared the hell out of me.

Great review! Even if I could afford this bike right now Im waiting to see if Suzuki will make a move in this direction first...could be a long wait!

Very good and honest review. Thank you. Cheers and enjoy

Just bought one because of this Video.

Great review Dave. I found Suzuki DRZ400 also does surprisingly well for this type of riding. Not sure if you have them in the UK.

Just got me a 21 crf450RL... in Texas. Great bike

Great review

Great review Dave. While it's not the best dirt bike but it's up there in contention for the best dual sport. Needs a seat, tank and windscreen unfortunately. As a life long dual sport rider I share your perspective and appreciate your content. Hopefully someday we see a de-tuned 500cc Rally version.

Great review. Thanks

Thanks for doing this review. nice to see from a person who is actually riding the bike as apposed to keyboard heroes. not necessarily my cup of tea but good information to have. from a 690, 450x and 800xcx rider. and yes I race them all off road. horses for courses. cheers.

I have a XR650L and I was just going to upgrade to this when I found out I have two herniated discs in my neck, now I can't ride offroad really sucks! enjoy your health while you have it!

Good info there Dave. I see that you have som interesting eq. For the bike at Adv spec as well. It looks like a different skid plate there? Question about the weight comparison with 680/701 . It is 131 kilos compaired to 145-146. With the Extra tank I am guessing 134-135 kilos? 10 kilos is of course some weight but maybe like you say in combination with the lower height it makes a difference? I am really struggling with wich bike to choose between crf 450 or 701. In Sweden a Honda 2019 is almost as much as a 2021 701 at the dealers

Hi great reviews. What is your opinion about the new 300L vr 450L? Wow be great if you could a video about it. Many thanks.

Great review. Very informative and the comparisons to the other bikes in the market to choose was spot on. I live in the USA and am torn right now on what to buy. Most of my riding will be off highway riding. I feel the AF Twin is too heavy and I want to stay away from the big bikes. I rode a CRF450X offload for many years and fell in love with the 450 size. I really like what the the CRF450L has to offer. I have also been looking at the KTM690 and the new KTM 790 ADVR. Too many choses. Thanks again for a great video.

I've watched this at least three times now, should be picking one up before the end of the month. Surprised there was no mention of what seems to be a common grip, herky jerky throttle from closed on decel back to on. How many litres of luggage do you take on those trips?

Great video mate. Yes the big Adventure bikes like the GS and Africa Twin, are too heavy for a trip like you just did. I have a WR250R which is another great bike to consider, in this class of light-weight, dual-sport, small adventure bikes. I'm tempted to upgrade to the CRF450L, which is 40+ hp in Australia, but the Honda is significantly higher in price compared to the Yammy. It would be good to see a bit more competition come out in the future.

Watched the vid again because I suspected that I might have missed the point. Your point was, I think, simple and light gives more freedom to explore. I would be interested in anything you might have to say about your travel philosophy. Thanks again for the vid...

Great honest review. It’s a great motorcycle. It’s a fun bike.. Is it worth 10.4k, Yes.... I would buy another one for my kids, if my wife wouldn’t kill me. A gentlemen in the US got his to 45hp at the wheel. He has a aftermarket filter, Yosi exhaust and booster plug. First stock pull was 38hp.

This is a great review and thank you, your right Can you buy the 450L at the moment in the Uk I was looking at getting the CRF300 Rally but after watching this I'm in great Video Dave Thank you

Much appreciate the real world review and commentary + the stones to go solo through some seriously remote territory - curious what oil & weight you chose on the trip and after? Thanks so much!

Did a similar journey in 1990 on a blue 1987 XT600 Tenere. No issues apart from two punctures. Wish they still made bikes like that.

Great video, thanks for sharing. I'm really interested in this bike, here in spain the dealers offers the possibility to have it with the full power. Question I have: I read that the plastic covers on the clutch and alternator side are to minimize the noise. But, it seems that there is a foam inside, and due to mud, wash... can creat corrosion to the metallic parts. Have you noticed some of this matter once the cover is removed? Regards

Nice review

Excellent Review Bro!

Great video thank you for the detail in your report. Question - how tall are you and what did you weigh ? this would give me an idea how I would fare if I bought one. cheers

Great review!!

Brilliant review, thanks. How many miles/kms can you do with one fuel tank? Cheers from Argentina.