At the start of this long-termer test, the TF450-RC already felt like a solid platform with good chassis manners and a friendly engine; a bike that you could tell had been thought through by people who actually ride. Now 28.8 hours in, it’ s gone from a great starting point to a bike that’ s genuinely comfortable, confidence-inspiring, and easy to ride fast. And the best part? It hasn’ t taken some massive rebuild or blood-letting voodoo
settings to do it. It’ s been the age-old story of getting the fundamentals right, then making small, targeted tweaks to suit the rider.
WHERE IT’ S AT The RC is sitting at 28.8 hours on the clock, with testing across hardpack, sand, wet, rutted, chopped-up MX tracks. There’ s been no competition time yet, this has been pure testing and practice. Fitness-wise, nothing dramatic has changed on my side, I’ ve just had a bit more seat time and familiarity with the bike.
KIWI RIDER 37