Briarcliff MX C-Group at Briarcliff MX on my 2025 Honda CRF450R

Riding my new 2025 Honda CRF450R at Briarcliff MX. My latest '25 CRF450R ride comments are at the end of the video.

This bike is stock except for Pro Taper EVO bars (Husqvarna bend) with the handlebar mounts in the forward hole rotated back. I also installed ODI grips (the stock grips are fairly large diameter). I am 6'2" tall and while the stock bars and mounting position (rear hole with mounts rotated forward) felt good I like the new position a little better. Pro Taper EVO bars have a little more flex and bump absorption feel compared to the stock Renthal bars that come on the 25 CRF450R. Fun to try new different settings and different parts on the CRF.

I had the opportunity to ride the all new 2025 CRF450R last month during the media launch at Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, Indiana. The track was dug deep and very soft with lots of ruts thanks to sporadic rain throughout the week. I was looking forward to picking up my own 25 CRF450R and riding it at my familiar places to see if the great chassis and suspension and engine impressions I had at the press launch were still here in hard pack choppy conditions.

Big standouts from these first couple of rides: Engine is very smooth and strong and the maps offer a noticeable different feel, especially when combined with one of the (3) levels of traction control. The Showa suspension was plush - especially the forks! This is the best CRF450R suspension off the showroom floor I have ridden to date. I never felt the more rigid chassis - in fact the front of the bike felt calmer and more absorbing compared to previous CRF450R's I have ridden yet still had the effortless corner entry feel CRF's are famous for. The "just feels right" Honda ergos are still there along with slightly stiff feeling Renthal Fat bars. I installed a set of Pro Taper EVO Husqvarna bend handle bars and ODI grips to give a little more comfort at the grips (also ODI grips are a little smaller diameter than the stock CRF grips). The revised front brake is strong and easy to modulate. Looking forward to more rides on this 2025 CRF450R including back to back comparisons to my 24.5 KTM 450 Factory Edition and my 2025 KTM 350XCF.

Did the perfect season lead to the perfect CRF? I will being doing many more rides in different conditions and at different tracks. Stay tuned!

Here is my first summary after a few rides on my 25 CRF450R: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPqd2s37HA4

Here are mine and my son's first ride impressions from the press ride at Ironman Raceway in July (lots of details in the video description)...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RDgXSQTIbI&t=3s

Here is a comparison of the (3) EFI maps and (3) levels of traction control on the 2025 CRF450R...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5d2O4dkztM&t=3s

Видео Briarcliff MX C-Group at Briarcliff MX on my 2025 Honda CRF450R канала mxengineer1