If there is one bike that is sensitive to setting changes it is the Honda CRF450R. The 2019 version does have slightly more comfort in the chassis and have a little wider window (for setting changes) to work with than the 2017-2018 CRF450R. However, there is a couple very small things that can drastically improve the handling of your 2019 CRF450R (that will not cost you an arm and a leg). Try some of the following settings if you need a good baseline to start from on your 2019 CRF450R and CRF450RRWE.
*Rear Wheel Placement (Chain Adjustment)*:
Before we get into optional suspension settings I wanted to talk about rear wheel placement/adjustment. In stock form the rear wheel adjustment comes pushed in too far forward on the CRF450R. It may not look/sound like much, but I quickly found out that a few millimeters drastically improved the Honda’s chassis character. The Honda is already a quick turning machine, so if you're experiencing some stability or deflection problems in your front end try running your wheel farther back. You will have to get a new chain and cut it to the desired length, but try placing your wheel towards the last two-three markings on your chain adjuster blocks. By doing this, it allows you to keep your fork height at 5mm and prevents some harsh/deflection feeling in your fork. Most riders will drop their fork height flush or to 2.5mm when experiencing oversteer or stability problems, but that just hurts the Honda’s “turn in” ability and doesn't get you that much added straight line stability. Dropping the fork can make the Honda cornering seem somewhat heavy. Running your rear wheel farther back helps traction, increases stability and actually helps fork comfort on de-cel. When I come off of other bikes and get back on the Honda CRF450R it almost feels like the front wheel is tucked too far underneath me. I get some oversteer through corners and front wheel traction is inconsistent at times. Running the rear wheel back gives the Honda CRF450R increased cornering stability and helps some harsh feel I get from the forks on de-cel (braking bumps). Something as small as moving your rear wheel back on the red machine helps “planted feel” tremendously. The suspension settings below are settings that were made with the rear wheel placed farther back (than stock).
Food for thought….There is a reason why KTM gave the customer more room to run the rear wheel back on their SX-F’s in 2019.
Suspension Settings (170-195 pounds):
Fork:
Spring Rate: 0.50
Compression: 9-10 clicks out
Rebound: 11 clicks out
Fork Height: 4-5mm (With rear wheel placement modification)
Shock:
Spring Rate: 5.6
Race Sag: 107mm
Hi Speed Compression: 3-3 1/4 turns out
Low-Speed Compression: 9 clicks out
Rebound: 6 clicks out
Suspension Settings (195 Pounds And Up):
Fork:
Spring Rate: 0.51
Compression: 12 clicks out
Rebound: 10 clicks out
Fork Height: 4-5mm (with rear wheel placement modification)
Shock:
Spring Rate: 5.8
Race Sag: 108mm
Hi Speed Compression: 3-3 1/2 turns out
Low Speed Compression: 12-13 clicks out
Rebound: 10-11 clicks out
Chassis Notes: With the frame, swingarm, and linkage changes Honda made to the CRF450R in 2019 you don’t have to rip bolts out or loosen torque specs. I am currently testing engine hangers to see if it hurts or helps this new generation chassis, so stay tuned for that update in a future Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Keefer Tested Podcast.
Clutch: The clutch is still weak in the Honda so removing the judder spring and adding a clutch fiber can help the life of your plates by 6-8 engine hours. Just know that adding a clutch fiber will make the clutch pull slightly harder to pull in!