lower legs in place while standing and on the
gas. The Renthal Fat Bars would not be my
first choice, they seem a little narrow and for
me the bend isn’t ideal. However, that is my
only slight gripe, the rest of the bike ergo wise
is spot on for me. It is slim front to back, the
seat is comfortable and an excellent shape for
moving around on the bike. All the levers and
pedals are well made, comfortable, allow easy
and effective use and are robust. It’s a very well
put together machine.
It would seem that the days of compulsory
oversized front disc fitment the moment
you get your new bike are over it. The Honda
has excellent strong brakes with superb feel.
46 KIWI RIDER
Perhaps the very fastest riders will want an
upgrade, but it hardly seems necessary. I think a
top-quality high temperature brake fluid would
be the most logical step if brake fade was an
issue…the actual components should be fine
for most races and racers.
Overall, the 2020 CRF450R is an excellent MX
race machine. It’s very well built, a solid balanced
package with a fast engine, great handling and
ergos, with decent brakes. The new electronic
package has added greater capability for
controlling the Honda’s big power delivery. It’s
a bike that can put you on the top step, but
the question is... are YOU up to it? The 2020
CRF450R is.