The reason it’s not a good ADV bike is because: it’s not an adv bike!

This is a very good bike to buy used. I got a smoking good deal on my 22' and therefore had quite a large budget remaining to make the necessary mods to make the bike better. I did the following after riding the bike just 20 miles: 1) G2 Throttle Tamer 2) Vortex ECU 3) Twin Air air filter and airbox lid removal 4) Graves Block Off Plate 5) FMF megabomb header with power chamber and FMF Q4 exhaust 5) Tail Tidy (Amazon cheapy) 6) PM Racks rear luggage rack 7) Seat Concepts XL Comfort Seat 8) Acerbis Hand Guards 9) Pro Taper Pillowtop Grips 10) Dunlop D606 rear, Pirelli MT21 front tire. Grand Total: $2,450. With all those mods, and the price I paid for the 22' CRF450RL w/2,000 miles on it, I am still $1,000 below new MSRP without paying the tax, dealer fee, etc. And it turns the bike into an almost perfect machine

I've got a '24 that I've put about 1500 miles on it. Has the vortec. Best thing I did with it was getting rid of the stock tires. They were so bad off road, any soft sand or dirt on the trail and I was just stuck praying that I wouldn't get sent right into the ground. And it did send me a couple times. I almost sold the bike over it cause it was that miserable but last resort ditched those tires and that turned it into a whole new bike. It's so much fun now tearing up washes and dry lake beds down here in southern az.

Good one mate...thinking about one of these after 7 years on a 250 rally 👍

I have a 23 with g2 throttle tamer, used vortex Dunlop d606 tires. It runs very smooth but if I wanted lower gearing, just switch out sprockets and chain. I also have a 2020 KTM 690 enduro r, and a Suzuki dr 650 all modified for my use. I live in the mountains with mostly gravel roads but do go on trails with more technical demands. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. That’s why I’m keeping them all! Hahahaha

I feel that the 450RL is a good blank slate to build a light adventure motorcycle. Oil quality analysis has proven that you can run it 1200miles or 65+/-hrs between oil changes without worrying about engine wear. It is possible to get a 20L fuel tank for it. The sub-frame is one of the strongest in class (despite what Honda says). There are a few inexpensive options for wind protection for longer tarmac sections. Lastly, Honda took into account the long tarmac rides by designing the engine and frame to reduce engine vibration.

I bought a 24 450RL tonight used with 140 miles on it Excellent condition . 8.9k with my pick of a helmet 30 day tags out the door.just putting around the big yard I can already feel the whisky throttle if one was to not be paying attention lol. I’m not looking for an adventure bike just a local ride on these hilly roads in Ohio to and from work 20 miles round trip . Save on gas vs our Diesel truck . I live on 5 acre and farms got 57 with some woods. I wanted a Honda and this machine will suit me perfectly . Will take a ride tomorrow and begin the mending with this new animal . Ride safe Yall

The Honda can only be considered an ADV bike if you are specifically talking about "Light" ADV. I don't believe you're going to get 200 miles with the IMS tank. The stock tank is 2.01 gallons and the IMS is only a 3 gallon tank. The IMS might ensure you're able to get over 100 in most cases. I've kept the stock tank and carry a Giant Loop 2-gallon Armadillo bag with gas whenever I'm using my 450 as a light ADV bike. That gets me a total of 4 gallons. It's not necessary, but I swapped out the stock ECU for the AIM ECU and a switch for full power and an enduro mode, and that really has helped out the fueling. But, I don't think there's anything you can do to make this bike great at slow speed technical stuff. It can do it, but I think it will always be difficult on this bike. The engine is a detuned motocross engine, so its nature is to be on/off. The enduro map helps to make the power more linear, but I don't think there's anything that can be done to make the engine work like an engine designed specifically with a linear powerband in mind. If I'm very ginger with the throttle, I can eke out mid 40s mpg. But it's typically in the mid 30s to low 40s. YMMV. Being a street legal version of the CRF450X, the desert racing king of Baja, it's great for open high speed stability off road, but not enduro style stuff. That also gives the bike good stability on the highway. Off road, the suspension really starts working once you're going fast enough, 3rd gear or higher. If you want a plated dirt bike for connecting technical trails, there are better options like those from the KTM group and Beta. But I know I wouldn't want to do any more than that on one of the KTM bikes because I rode a buddy's 500 and that thing vibrated like a jack hammer. My buddy has a Beta 390 and it's super sweet off road, but he won't go over 55 mph on the street because he says it's very unstable at the higher speeds on pavement. I think if you want a plated dirt bike to connect trails, a play bike, something from Beta or the KTM group is the bike to get. If you want a real ADV bike, the only single cylinder bikes that I would say meet the requirement are a KLR650 and the KTM 690. What makes the CRF450L/RL great is its versatility. It's a jack of all trades and that's not a bad thing. In some cases that's better than a one trick pony.

I thought that looked like GJ! So many great places to ride and explore! I have a 23 with most the mods you're talking about on a few of my videos. Also set up your sag and suspension. I made my own throttle tamer and took the air boxoff. I'm almost to 1000 miles and the bike breaks in and gets way smoother. I dont feel the need for an ecu just yet. I may try a jd jetting tuner, full FMF Q4 system and airbox screen. Richen her up, lose some weight, and let her breathe better.

On an unrelated note, can you do a video on your tattoos? They look great so I’m curious!

People say start on a lower power bike due to its easier to learn to ride. Starting with a 1000 as your first bike makes it more difficult to learn to ride well, it's less forgiving and give you a steeper learning curve. But yes responsibility is also Important

Damn how many bikes do you have? Good for you !

just my 2 cents but i have had a 21 RL i bought used with 400 miles on it and had it for a little over a year it came with aim ecu ,G2 tamer, the flywheel weight, and the seat concepts comfort. I got a little over 2500 miles on it now and would say get the new get ecu if you are getting a new one or a use vortex. the new get is the best because of the Bluetooth module. I was thinking about trading it in mine to taco moto and getting a get ecu I also will be getting a FMF q4 with the mega boom header because its only slightly louder than stock plus it still has the stock pipe i don't know how long it will last with the extra fuel it is burning. I can only ride mine on road because there are no trails close enough with out increasing fuel capaity so I may super moto mine just don't have the money for rims and tires at the moment good luck and looking forward to more on this bike

The Honda isn’t an ADV bike at all.. It’s a dual sport. Why compare it to twin cylinder ADV bikes? Maybe a better comparison would be to a 690/701, XR650, KTM500 etc… I have a 450RL and T7, they are completely different bikes. I recommend keeping yours stock for a while and get used to it. The ergonomics are excellent. The handlebars are actually fairly high compared to most dirt bikes. Raising them more wont do handling any favors. Mine has a Vortex ECU and it’s nice to be able to tune the way it runs. I have a Yoshi full exhaust for sale because I went back to stock. Just too loud,. Let me know if you’re interested :)

I agree. Its not a good first time bike, the suspension and power are meant for faster/harder riders. Trying to putz around on one will beat u up, with the stiffer suspension and on/off power. I had one when in SoCal/AZ, used it as a plated dirt bike and it was awesome in the desert and mnts. Took it back home in Northwoods Midwest and disliked it, even as an experienced rider. Softer power and suspension was much more enjoyable here in the woods and tighter logging roads. The 300L and 650L {for bigger guys} make much better first time dual sport/ADV bikes cuz u can ride them all day

I’ve had a KLX250, an XT660Z, a WR250R and I currently ride a Husqvarna FE501. I will now sell my FE501 and pick up a CRF450L because this bike is a Trail bike, not an ADV or an Enduro. Honda have specifically made this to be road and trail worthy. But it ain’t an ADV bike. 👍

wouldnt consider this an adventure bike. if I was going to get this for trial riding Id just get a TE300 or something similar. the 4 stroke race bike platform never took low speeds well. I'd consider this a dual sport, does not look like an adventure.

There is no one size fits all when it comes to motorcycles. The honda is a crf450 motorcross bike that has been detuned , given a 6 gear box and green sticker for the roads and emission crap. Its closer to a baja bike more than anything it loves to haul ass! It doesn't like the slow technical stuff. Its not an adventure bike . But with money and mods it can be, but it won't be a great one. I love the honda but I come from racing in the baja and motor and supercross back ground. But if I wanted an adventure bike I would just get a BMW 1300 and call it a day. But I do think the honda 450rl makes a good dualsport bike not a great one but a good one. 😀 Good video .

Just go with the vortex ecu. Totally sucks that you have to do this but everything else is a workaround.

It doesn't tame the throttle it makes the fueling proper. Most fuel injected have a twitchy throttle off idle. A tune can fix that

The 800DE is a fabulous bike.

You should have bought a betta it has traction control and you can get things to make it more manageable and you won't have to spend a train load of money on it because it already comes pre-built

It’s because it’s a dual sport not an ADV

A great bike,,,,,right outta the crate,,,, If you complain about this bike???? ,, then its not the bike for you... No ECU changes,,,,No throttle changes,,,and sure as hell,,,,no flame out 🤔....Learn how to ride,,,and appreciate the machine,,,,,cause its one helluva machine..... Bar None !!

Ultimate lightweight adv bike. 690 would be nice to for a bit more weight

Have on those 500 pound adv bikes. The people riding 350’s and 500’s have the most fun

My gasgas ex300 will do everything better than that 4 stroke junk

It needs traction control and it needs to have a lowering link put on the back of it for you can touch the ground and real suspension you have to spend money on the Honda to get it right and a new ECM so you should have just bought the beta Honda don't get it you don't need a motocross bike to ride dual sport that makes it even harder yet and you will get hurt because of the power band is so explosive if you need to put a map switch on it to make traction control

It needs traction control and it needs to have a lowering link put on the back of it for you can touch the ground and real suspension you have to spend money on the Honda to get it right and a new ECM so you should have just bought the beta

FMF makes the best pipe you can buy a quiet pack with a spark arrestor for about $320 bucks and it is badass and then it's made in America not Mexico