Not as fast as I expected

[HondaRaceReady]

I finally traded my brand new 07 400ex that was a leftover in for a 450r. I basically got raped on the deal, but I really wanted the 450r so I did it. My 400ex was completely stock, I had like $900 worth of parts I returned before trying. Anyway, stock vs stock the 450r isn't really that much faster. I know I suck at riding, but I figured 2.9 compression points higher, 53cc's and faster pumping valves would make a huge difference. Its got a little more throttle response, but everyone at the dealership was talking about how it was a night/day difference and how the 450r always pulls the front end up. Dont get me wrong, its great fun, but I'm really hoping exhaust + air filter + jetting makes as much a difference as everyone says.

[REPOMAN]

must have gotten a bad 450r.

Originally posted by REPOMAN
must have gotten a bad 450r.

lol or a good 400ex and he forgot what stock felt like. 450's are pretty fast but I dont think they are lightning or anything crazy coming from a 400ex, they have the power something with 53cc more and a lighter quad should have. As my 400ex sits now I just took it down the road 1st obviously right up, second right up, 3rd right up, 4th it wants to pull off the ground but it hovers for a second and comes down 5th just hauling almost to the rev limiter and I can only go 6-7/8ths throttle because i have to adjust it so my slide goes all the way up. 450 dirtbikes now those are fast 50 or 51HP on the CRF stock, the cr500 has 55 stock. I have yet to find a reason why they put a faster motor in something lighter and a slower motor in something heavier. It should be the other way around to compensate for weight. now put an HRC kit or something on a that 450 and you will quickly change your mind lol

[HondaRaceReady]

I need to change my oil and filter tomorrow. I read instructions for an 05, will they work on my 08? And do I need to change the transmission fluid too since I'm breaking it in?

[REPOMAN]

i would change it. cant hurt

directions are the same...except the tranny drain bolt is on the clutch side...

[coryatver]

a bird couldn't breath through the stock air box intake:ermm: . Take the lid off and rejet it.

[warr72]

I agree about jetting and airbox. I came from a 416 and it hauled but once you uncork the 450 there is a big diff.

[Hondabeefast]

I too went from at worked 400ex to a stock 450r. Like Warr72 said, Once you uncork it you better hold on.

[REPOMAN]

you have have talked me into it.
i have full fmf exhaust with power bomb and a k&n. lid is on. what jets do i need to go with to remove the lid

[mc_racer]

I'd start around 185 to 190 and go from there. While you are at it, you may try out the HRC needle.

[REPOMAN]

cool thanks
so what s stock main on these 05 models anyway?

[mc_racer]

I don't remember for sure, but it's really small. I want to say 118, maybe?
My bike had a 180 in it when I bought it. I bought this on ebay...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TRX450r-2004-2005-Stage-2-Track-Jet-Kit-450r-HRC_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247 QQcategoryZ43979QQihZ020QQitemZ300235424294QQrdZ1Q QsspagenameZWD1V
Ended up using the 195 and the 3rd clip on the needle. I have a 490 cylinder, full HMF, and open air box.

[BlaineKaiser450]

stock main is a 118.


Once you get that beast uncorked, you better hold on!

[REPOMAN]

seems like a pretty big jump from 118 to 180

[warr72]

With the mods you said I would try 165 main and adjust from there. Tiil you hit the bog on top end then back down one main size.

[mc_racer]

It is, but they are really restricted from the factory. It's a good starting point and you may end up going to a 185 or 190.

[tp300ex]

put an hrc kit in it and then come tell me if its night and day...

[MAD450r]

Was the third my dealer got. 1st they did the hrc kit on. I read alot of people saying this about a 450r. I came off a 416ex fully suspended. I think my 450r smoked my 416 motor wise, but I could beat most on my 450r with my 416 till I did my suspension.

You want to be fast get the hrc then work your suspension some. Just my .02$.

I lvoe my 04 450r now with suspension done. I got faster and now am ready to put more money in the rearend. I want long travel and dual link this time around. I love the difference my derisi racing rebuilds made my 450 ride. I just found its limits even with the new rear link. It was night and day better than the stock setup.

about a year after I got my 04 I got to ride a fully stock one and yes it was very mild. I then had him put a hotcam stage 2 in his and pipe it then put the hrc jetting and it runs better but still dont pull on top as hard as the 04 hrc does. It does have better bottom end making it easier to ride for some. Im use to mine though so I have no problem with the lower amount of lowend. I clutch more and rev out gears more is all.

[REPOMAN]

my exhaust is supposed to give the same hp gain as an hrc kit. i also have full suspension and many other upgrades. i just havent touched the motor.

[MAD450r]

No matter what pipe you run you wont gain anything up top till you change the cam. Honda put a really mild cam in the 450r stock. It is robbing so much on top. It really is night and day adding a cam. Save up for a hotcam next. Since you spent this already adding a drop in cam will help alot and the hotcam wont steal all your bottom end.

Good luck in whatever you do.

I have not lost yet in a drag race with my setup. I have been riding for many years though started when I was young on a 3 wheeler. Much harder to ride those things.

[REPOMAN]

money is not an issue at all. Just really don't want to do the work and haven't found a need. I don't really drag race at all just ride desert trails and dunes. I had a 400 ex that had around 12 grand into it. Now i am just happy not having to work on anything for awhile

[represent618]

I am not suprised that you are dissapointed with the power in stock form, if you are coming from a 400, the gap is not unreal...

I do haev a question after reading some of this good info that has been posted here on jetting and air-box lid removal:

anyone removed the air-box lid with stock jetting?

I am not really a quad rider, but a bike rider, so I am not really unhappy with the power my er puts out! I was just thinking of making some mods to the air-box lid for some more air and leaving the stock main jet in it. thoughts?

thanks guys. I appreciate any feedback.

[mc_racer]

You are cutting or removing the lid to increase air flow. You have to increase the fuel to keep the A/F ratio correct, otherwise you will be too lean.

[coryatver]

you will definitly be lean. They are towards the lean side stock to begin with. Changing the main jet is very easy you can do it in 10 minutes.

[REPOMAN]

i pulled my airbox lid off and attempted to ride at my office and its not possible if you want to go over half throttle. the jet has to be changed

[represent618]

Yep, I cut my lid, and with the stock jetting, I can not ride it past half throttle, maybe less, it just starves for fuel and falls on its face. I covered the hole with duct tape to make sure that was the issue, and it was. I need to jet or go back to the stock lid air flow.