Honda CRF450R

The general opinion with motocross bikes is that they're best left in the hands of those who can ride them, and that's usually fast, fit, pimply-faced kids, or 20-somethings with chiselled bodies like those on the covers of Mills and Boon.

Now while motocross bikes were designed to be used on racetracks with these nimble young blokes aboard, you'll find that plenty of vets and bush-bashers go for motocross bikes rather than the latest street-legal rocket.

Fact is, most secondhand motocross bikes usually end up in the hands of bush bashers or play riders. Most serious motocross riders can't wait to get rid of their old model so they can get the latest bit of gear, and quite often will let the 'old' one go pretty cheaply.

The belief that motocross bikes have been flogged because they've been raced is often fallacious. Most of them are looked after pretty well. Sure, some race bikes are flogged to death, but most guys who compete are meticulous with their bikes and service them religiously.

So, with four-strokes being the flavour of the millennium, we thought we'd check out one of the most popular models for a secondhand buy proposition, the Honda CRF450R.

Now while Yamaha can be credited with producing the first really competitive four-stroke motocross bike, Honda was the first to make them user friendly. In fact, all the current '06 Japanese 450s have that Honda influence, with alloy perimeter frames, smooth power delivery and civilised handling.

BUYING ONE
After talking with a couple of experienced mechanics, their general opinion seemed to be that the CRF450 is a great bike, but keep an eye on engine maintenance, and especially the valves.

To quote one mechanic we spoke to: "These are race bikes, not XR600s. Run fully synthetic engine oil and check it often because there's only 700cc in there. Have valve clearances checked regularly, use premium unleaded fuel, and clean the air filter properly. Do those things and you won't have any problems."

So how will you know if the bike you're buying has had all that love and attention?

That's the thing, isn't it? If you can't get some idea of the bike's service history you could end up with a small nuclear bomb, so budgeting for a top-end re-build could be in your best interest if you want to sleep well at night.

Steve, from Pro Honda in Brisbane was nice enough to quote some re-build prices for the 450. He reckons that a quick freshen up with new inlet valves, a piston, rings, gaskets and labour would run about five hundred big ones. "And if the barrel and cam chain are gone, be prepared to dent the wallet another five hundred."

SWEET RIDE
With the exception of the original '02 model, which had harsh suspension and lazy steering, the Honda CRF450 is one sweet baby to ride. Honda instigated smooth, usable, power delivery with these bikes and it shows, both on the track or in the bush. Roll the throttle on and you go, roll the throttle on a bit more and you go even harder. Yep, this is definitely a fun bike.

The riding position, cockpit layout and balanced suspension are industry standards, while the brakes and componentry typify Honda's reputation for quality. The five speed box gives this bike a decent amount of versatility.

I've spoken to quite a few riders who use the Honda for trail-riding and off-road racing and they reckon they're half decent in the bush. Just remember though, you need private land if you want to ride one of these babies off-road.

GOOD BUY OR GOODBYE?
Good buy: for everything from national motocross to club motocross, trail riding on private land or just blasting the hell out of your mates on their little trail bikes, and especially good if you buy one in decent nick.

Bad buy: if you want to ride on public land, or up and down the lane next to your neighbour's house, and especially bad if you're not willing to maintain it properly. They're also bad if the engine's on its last legs and takes a dump the first time you ride.