Parts
List (US$)
Well, it was a rainy weekend at the Oregon Dunes and with little left to do but drink and wrench, we attacked Crash's 'Dog' (450R) with visions of speed dancing in our heads.
See Crash (Pat) is a pretty kewl guy. Fly's choppers and bench races bikes (he's a "usedtobe") , so he has an inherant problem with being in second place (it's a guy thing). Now see, thing is, he should be used to that cuz he drives a Dodge - and here's the funny thing - the truck aint even his - it's his ol'lady's - bwahahahah - he drives a, of course, Honda!
So
vehicle choice aside, he's in the running with the 450R but the YFZ was
consistantly bitch-slapping him. This would never do. Crash's wife
is an ebay goddess so online they went.
Really, the only parts that matter for performance are the pipe, can, breather and jetting. The armour is always nice to have and definitly adds bling and the case guard can save your butt down the road, but we'll talk about performance here.
I'd never used an LRD before, but it's a nice package. You do some assembly to get the fit right for the machine and the parts are all high quality polished aluminum. Definitly a nice product. Crash installed that while I did the jetting.
I've used Dynojet kits before and from experience I know
not to question what seems to be very bizzarre instructions and sizes
cuz them folk at DynoJet seem to know what they are talking about. The
first instruction is put a little (very looseable) plug into the pilot
air hole. Just do it. Sounds weird, but trust me. We went with the
Stage 2, 0-5000' settings, used the recommended needle and the 175 main
jet. Crash had read this and that about airbox lid cutting and bla
bla bla - I ripped it off and threw it away. We used the suggested 2.5
turns out on the airscrew.
After installing the K&N filter and the 13 tooth sprocket we hit the starter and the unleashed beast flared right up.
The LRD commands a throaty rumble and the first thing noticeable was
the instant throttle response off idle. It sounds like my GYT-R
equipped YFZ but not as obnoxious. It definitly aint gonna make the
noise police happy and probably idles near 100db.
Incidentally, the YFZ we used to compare has a GYT-R full pipe and ceramic coated header with a dynojet drilled 180 main (about 185) and a Pro Design K&N filter assembly.
Our
first series of tests was against the formerly dominant YFZ on the flat
ground of the beach. Here, it's all out power and weight effects the
outcome less then a hillclimb. I'm 250 and Pat's a buck 70 or so, so he
has a distinct advantage. In beach drags the YFZ still wins - but not
by much and really the outcome is dependant on the launch. He who keeps
the front end down and gets good hookup wins. They are that close.
Things are different when you get into the hills. We went for a trail ride from Winchester towards Spinreel and found the biggest steepest dune we could find and lined em up on the bottom. Bottom line, the Honda wins. Everytime. Either rider. The difference in performance is actually quite incredible. The Honda hits low and pulls high. It's got a way more linear powerband then the YFZ but doesn't hit quite as hard down low or in the middle, but pulls all the way to the moon in a strong predictable manner, and somehow drives away from the YFZ. I was actually able to beat my YFZ with Crash's Honda by several bike lengths - with the YFZ having a distinct weight advantage.
Bottom line, the Dyno Jet kit, K&N and the LRD pipe may not be the cheapest out there, but it defintly is money well spent and lets the Honda not only run with the bigboys, but put them in their place. Stay tuned for round two - the big bore challenge ;)
| K&N Air Filter | $ 69.00 |
| LRD Full Exhaust | $454.00 |
| DynoJet Stage 2 Kit
|
$ 46.95 |
| Stainless Bolt Kit
|
$ 82.95 |
| AC Racing Engine Skid |
$ 89.95 |
| Pro Design Case Saver |
$ 27.95 |
| Armadillo A-arm Guards |
$ 64.95 |
| Eating your first YFZ |
Priceless |
The Story
'Twas the night before Easter when all through the site, all you could hear was Crash wrenching, with all of his might,
The 450 was stripped it's engine was bare, defeating Yami 450's was for all he did care.
The rest of us nestled drunk snug in our beds, while visions of drag races danced through our heads.
And Nippy in her toesocks and Jo with the freaks, had just settled down - man that gives me the creeps.
When out in the trailer arose such a clatter, I probably should have got up to see what was the matter.
The swearing I heard the flashes I saw, the tools they were flying, Crash's hands they were raw.
The moon on the breast of the rain trodden sand, gave Pat and erie glow we still don't understand.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear? but Crash's 450 sporting performance gear.
He's a squirley little driver so lively and quick, I knew in a moment his ride would be 'sick'.
More rapid then Raptors not seeking just fame, his Honda would be first when the new drag day came.
"Now Nippy, now Asshole, now Jo and the Freaks! Come quickly for the new mods, I'll show you a peek!
To the top of the hill to the top of the dune, now shift into second prepare for third soon!
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, his roost from the sand dune nearly touched the sky.
So up to comphill the machine's they flew, with 400's and Raptors and YFZ's too.
And then in a twinkling I hear from afar, the bwwaaaap of a fourstroke sounding like a performance car.
As I grabbed second gear and was turning around, over a dune flew the Crash 10 feet of the ground.
Down comp hill ol Pat shot with a roar, he was pinned in high gear but was looking for more.
His Race gear was scuffed from crashes gone by, his helmet was dented and he stank of rye.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! His laughter so merry! The throaty exhaust, the pipe glowed like a cherry.
The paddles churned sand as white as snow, the suspension took hits from above and below.
He had a grinning face and an adrennaline shake, he shook when he talked, make no mistake.
He's skinny and little, kinda looks like an elf, and I laugh when I see him in spite of myself.
A snap of the throttle and a twist of his head, soon gave me to knowing the Yami had something to dread.
He spoke not a word but went right to the start, revved three times while he sat there in park.
And showing me his finger his clutch he let out, and up comp hill he went, there was never a doubt.
He crested the top and with glee he did shout - "now that's what the hell I'm talking about!!"
But I heard him exclaim as he wheelied out of site, with only a turbo, this thing'd be just right!
'Twas the night before Easter when all through the site, all you could hear was Crash wrenching, with all of his might,
The 450 was stripped it's engine was bare, defeating Yami 450's was for all he did care.
The rest of us nestled drunk snug in our beds, while visions of drag races danced through our heads.
And Nippy in her toesocks and Jo with the freaks, had just settled down - man that gives me the creeps.
When out in the trailer arose such a clatter, I probably should have got up to see what was the matter.
The swearing I heard the flashes I saw, the tools they were flying, Crash's hands they were raw.
The moon on the breast of the rain trodden sand, gave Pat and erie glow we still don't understand.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear? but Crash's 450 sporting performance gear.
He's a squirley little driver so lively and quick, I knew in a moment his ride would be 'sick'.
More rapid then Raptors not seeking just fame, his Honda would be first when the new drag day came.
"Now Nippy, now Asshole, now Jo and the Freaks! Come quickly for the new mods, I'll show you a peek!
To the top of the hill to the top of the dune, now shift into second prepare for third soon!
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, his roost from the sand dune nearly touched the sky.
So up to comphill the machine's they flew, with 400's and Raptors and YFZ's too.
And then in a twinkling I hear from afar, the bwwaaaap of a fourstroke sounding like a performance car.
As I grabbed second gear and was turning around, over a dune flew the Crash 10 feet of the ground.
Down comp hill ol Pat shot with a roar, he was pinned in high gear but was looking for more.
His Race gear was scuffed from crashes gone by, his helmet was dented and he stank of rye.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! His laughter so merry! The throaty exhaust, the pipe glowed like a cherry.
The paddles churned sand as white as snow, the suspension took hits from above and below.
He had a grinning face and an adrennaline shake, he shook when he talked, make no mistake.
He's skinny and little, kinda looks like an elf, and I laugh when I see him in spite of myself.
A snap of the throttle and a twist of his head, soon gave me to knowing the Yami had something to dread.
He spoke not a word but went right to the start, revved three times while he sat there in park.
And showing me his finger his clutch he let out, and up comp hill he went, there was never a doubt.
He crested the top and with glee he did shout - "now that's what the hell I'm talking about!!"
But I heard him exclaim as he wheelied out of site, with only a turbo, this thing'd be just right!
Well, it was a rainy weekend at the Oregon Dunes and with little left to do but drink and wrench, we attacked Crash's 'Dog' (450R) with visions of speed dancing in our heads.
See Crash (Pat) is a pretty kewl guy. Fly's choppers and bench races bikes (he's a "usedtobe") , so he has an inherant problem with being in second place (it's a guy thing). Now see, thing is, he should be used to that cuz he drives a Dodge - and here's the funny thing - the truck aint even his - it's his ol'lady's - bwahahahah - he drives a, of course, Honda!
So
vehicle choice aside, he's in the running with the 450R but the YFZ was
consistantly bitch-slapping him. This would never do. Crash's wife
is an ebay goddess so online they went.Really, the only parts that matter for performance are the pipe, can, breather and jetting. The armour is always nice to have and definitly adds bling and the case guard can save your butt down the road, but we'll talk about performance here.
I'd never used an LRD before, but it's a nice package. You do some assembly to get the fit right for the machine and the parts are all high quality polished aluminum. Definitly a nice product. Crash installed that while I did the jetting.
I've used Dynojet kits before and from experience I know
not to question what seems to be very bizzarre instructions and sizes
cuz them folk at DynoJet seem to know what they are talking about. The
first instruction is put a little (very looseable) plug into the pilot
air hole. Just do it. Sounds weird, but trust me. We went with the
Stage 2, 0-5000' settings, used the recommended needle and the 175 main
jet. Crash had read this and that about airbox lid cutting and bla
bla bla - I ripped it off and threw it away. We used the suggested 2.5
turns out on the airscrew.After installing the K&N filter and the 13 tooth sprocket we hit the starter and the unleashed beast flared right up.
The LRD commands a throaty rumble and the first thing noticeable was
the instant throttle response off idle. It sounds like my GYT-R
equipped YFZ but not as obnoxious. It definitly aint gonna make the
noise police happy and probably idles near 100db.Incidentally, the YFZ we used to compare has a GYT-R full pipe and ceramic coated header with a dynojet drilled 180 main (about 185) and a Pro Design K&N filter assembly.
Our
first series of tests was against the formerly dominant YFZ on the flat
ground of the beach. Here, it's all out power and weight effects the
outcome less then a hillclimb. I'm 250 and Pat's a buck 70 or so, so he
has a distinct advantage. In beach drags the YFZ still wins - but not
by much and really the outcome is dependant on the launch. He who keeps
the front end down and gets good hookup wins. They are that close.Things are different when you get into the hills. We went for a trail ride from Winchester towards Spinreel and found the biggest steepest dune we could find and lined em up on the bottom. Bottom line, the Honda wins. Everytime. Either rider. The difference in performance is actually quite incredible. The Honda hits low and pulls high. It's got a way more linear powerband then the YFZ but doesn't hit quite as hard down low or in the middle, but pulls all the way to the moon in a strong predictable manner, and somehow drives away from the YFZ. I was actually able to beat my YFZ with Crash's Honda by several bike lengths - with the YFZ having a distinct weight advantage.
Bottom line, the Dyno Jet kit, K&N and the LRD pipe may not be the cheapest out there, but it defintly is money well spent and lets the Honda not only run with the bigboys, but put them in their place. Stay tuned for round two - the big bore challenge ;)