Honda CRF450L Light Adventure "BDR Slayer" Build Review and Mods List (Post-ORBDR)
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- I've spent the last year building my 2019 Honda CRF450L into the ultimate "BDR Slayer" light adventure bike with the intention of taking it on the all new Oregon BDR. Now that I've finished the Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route on my Honda CRF450RL, many have asked for a Honda CRF450L review talking about how it did on the route and what mods I have on the bike, so here it is.
Check out my full Honda CRF450L mods list and a complete review of my Honda CRF450L light adventure bike build and how it performed on the ORBDR.
I'm happy to report that the BDR Slayer absolutely lived up to its name and slayed the Oregon Back Country Discovery Route with few problems beyond fuel anxiety and discomfort on the highway for long periods.
Honda CRF450L Light Adventure Build Mods List:
AIM ECU: tacomoto.co/pr...
Graves Full Titanium Exhaust: tacomoto.co/co...
Graves Carbon Fiber Front Disc Guard: www.gravesport...
Giant Loop Lift Strap: www.giantloopm...
12 o’Clock Labs Tail Tidy: shop.12oclockla...
Works Connection Rear Brake Reservoir Guard: imp.i104546.ne...
Zeta Handguards: imp.i104546.ne...
Zeta Handguard Shields: imp.i104546.ne...
Doubletake Enduro Mirrors (x2): bit.ly/3QQmAIJ
Tusk D Sport Tires: bit.ly/3RUy7rP
G2 Throttle Tamer: www.g2ergo.com...
Progrip 714 Grips: amzn.to/3LqqFCo
Tusk Bar Risers: bit.ly/3aiSI5N
Seat Concepts Comfort XL Seat: bit.ly/3RVWmGl
(save 10% with promo code “dorkintheroad22”)
Tusk Billet Race Footpegs: bit.ly/3QXhMkO
Tusk Folding Shift Lever: bit.ly/3BSh9oD
Tusk Folding Brake Pedal: bit.ly/3xCbsIV
Tusk Rear Brake Caliper Support w/Brake Disc Guard: bit.ly/3LxGRBV
Tusk Rear Caliper Guard: bit.ly/3BRYtFl
Flatland Racing Radiator Guard: bit.ly/3Se1Uvj
Giant Loop Mounts: www.giantloopm...
Tusk Billet Rim Locks: bit.ly/3SgxtVr (1.6 front, 2.5 rear)
Tusk Ultra Heavy Duty Tubes: bit.ly/3QXoUO6
Rider Cargo Tie Down Rings: bit.ly/3SbWXUx
Tusk 4 Stroke Oil Change Kit: bit.ly/3BlkB9y
Flatland Racing Skidplate: bit.ly/3BvS41c
Tusk Skidplate Foam: bit.ly/3PdqI6l
IMS 3 Gallon Tank: bit.ly/3Bs99cu
Giant Loop Coyote Saddlebag: www.giantloopm...
Giant Loop Diablo Tank Bag: www.giantloopm...
Giant Loop Fender/Number Plate Bag: www.giantloopm...
Thank you for supporting the channel by clicking on the affiliate links in this description.
Disclaimer for reasons: I am not a professional journalist, expert motorcycle rider, or a mechanic. These videos are for entertainment purposes and represent my personal opinions and experiences. I'm just a dude who isn't even good at riding or making videos, so be smart and don't risk life or limb trying to follow my example or advice.
Honda CRF450L Light Adventure Build Mods List:
AIM ECU: tacomoto.co/products/aim-ecu-for-honda-1
Graves Full Titanium Exhaust: tacomoto.co/collections/exhaust/products/copy-of-graves-motorsports-full-titanium-exhaust-system-19-honda-crf450l-rl-x
Graves Carbon Fiber Front Disc Guard: www.gravesport.com/products/honda-crf450l-rl-x-carbon-kevlar-front-brake-disc-guard.html
Giant Loop Lift Strap: www.giantloopmoto.com/product/giant-loop-lift-strap/?ref=dork
12 o’Clock Labs Tail Tidy: shop.12oclocklabs.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=174
Works Connection Rear Brake Reservoir Guard: imp.i104546.net/ZdazKW
Zeta Handguards: imp.i104546.net/XxkRnM
Zeta Handguard Shields: imp.i104546.net/BXg9y4
Doubletake Enduro Mirrors (x2): bit.ly/3QQmAIJ
Tusk D Sport Tires: bit.ly/3RUy7rP
G2 Throttle Tamer: www.g2ergo.com/shop/g2-dirt-throttle-tamer-honda/
Progrip 714 Grips: amzn.to/3LqqFCo
Tusk Bar Risers: bit.ly/3aiSI5N
Seat Concepts Comfort XL Seat: bit.ly/3RVWmGl
Tusk Billet Race Footpegs: bit.ly/3QXhMkO
Tusk Folding Shift Lever: bit.ly/3BSh9oD
Tusk Folding Brake Pedal: bit.ly/3xCbsIV
Tusk Rear Brake Caliper Support w/Brake Disc Guard: bit.ly/3LxGRBV
Tusk Rear Caliper Guard: bit.ly/3BRYtFl
Flatland Racing Radiator Guard: bit.ly/3Se1Uvj
Giant Loop Mounts: www.giantloopmoto.com/product/giant-loop-mounts/?ref=dork
Tusk Billet Rim Locks: bit.ly/3SgxtVr (1.6 front, 2.5 rear)
Tusk Ultra Heavy Duty Tubes: bit.ly/3QXoUO6
Rider Cargo Tie Down Rings: bit.ly/3SbWXUx
Tusk 4 Stroke Oil Change Kit: bit.ly/3BlkB9y
Flatland Racing Skidplate: bit.ly/3BvS41c
Tusk Skidplate Foam: bit.ly/3PdqI6l
IMS 3 Gallon Tank: bit.ly/3Bs99cu
Giant Loop Coyote Saddlebag: www.giantloopmoto.com/product/coyote-saddlebag/?ref=dork
Giant Loop Diablo Tank Bag: www.giantloopmoto.com/product/diablo-tank-bag/?ref=dork
Giant Loop Fender/Number Plate Bag: www.giantloopmoto.com/product/giant-loop-fender-bag/?ref=dork
Thank you for supporting the channel by clicking on these affiliate links.
Suspension vendor?
@@joryv1www.evoind.com/
With respect to fuel tanks I'd advise anybody to get the largest fuel tank you can for your bike. You don't have to fill it all the way for everyday use but when you want the extra fuel you can carry it. They aren't that much bigger and for adventure riding the extra width is worth the convenience. Also, always buy clear or natural colored tanks. You can see exactly how much fuel is in the tank and they are cooler. If you're riding in the deserts don't buy anything black unless you want to fry yourself.
I prefer the smaller tank and the versatility of a fuel bag that I can remove completely when I don't need it, but throw on the back when I do.
I know. But from what I saw your fuel bag was strapped to Travis' bike because it wouldn't fit on yours. His bike that was already too heavy for that trail in that heat.
For all the noobs it's much easier to carry gas in the gas tank. I just read about somebody who had a bag leak and it was a real mess and you could get caught without enough to get back to civilization.
@@DorkintheRoad
I find a fuel tank around the 17 litre mark or 4.5 gallon is good, not to big that it will get in the road for small rides and still big enough to do at least 80% of longer rides and for the other 20% of the time you can just carry something small like a 1 to 1.5 gallon container or bladder!
Looks like the 15L (3.96-gal) Nomad is now available for the 450L/RL (not the case whenever I last checked). Like their 20L/5-gallon, it's hideous in both price and appearance. However, it doesn't look to be _too_ wide between the knees-which is what most reviewers complained about with the 5-gallon. I think this will be the sweet spot for my usage. 3 gallons is 50% more than stock, but still kinda small for multi-day adventures. I'm planning a ride where there's 150 miles with absolutely no fuel-and that's assuming it's available at all my planned stops, which is not a given in the boonies. Should be able to get ~180 miles pretty comfortably out of a 4-gallon, and I still have the 2-gallon gas bag if needed.
@@rossjohnson2151 Dude chill out. It’s not your bike or decision. If you listened during the video Ben said Travis offered to carry his fuel bags.
Second hand build inspiration as well. I used a lot of yours, and John's, builds as a blueprint for my 450RL. Ran the Smokey Mountains 500 two weeks ago and it was just about the perfect bike for the job. I found myself taking the hard lines again and again, just because I could.
That's awesome!
Love my 450RL. I’d be a real tough choice to take the lighter 450RL or my Norden 901 Expedition on the ORBDR. Hope to get the chance sooner than later.
Good video! Thanks
I agree 100% The CRF450L/RL is the ultimate ultralight ADV bike. Your mods are right on. I prefer the 4 gallon Nomad tank as it adds a gallon over the IMS and holds the fuel much lower which lowers the bike’s CG. Also, use filter skins on your air filter. Two minutes and you have a fresh air filter every day.
I ordered some skins right when I got home
My 450L is very similar with the additions of the Nomad 20L tank and Rekluse clutch. Love this bike, does everything I want it to do.
You've inspired me (a very novice dirt rider and fellow middle-aged dad) to commit to tackling the Southern California BDR next winter. I'm going to take the next year and a half to plan, train, practice, and prep the bike (also a 450L, as it happens). I figure the more work I put in now, the higher my fun-to-misery ratio will be. Honestly can't wait!
Socal is supposedly the hardest one. I admire your determination, but I might suggest tackling the NorCal route first ;)
Any weight you can get off the rear fender will be huge in bike control. Weight placed there flat kills the way a bike is supposed to handle. I see this mistake a lot. Pete from Mosko has a good reel on this. If you have crash bars try to mount all you heavy stuff there (tools, water etc). Get the high / rear placed weight relocated.
You need to do it again on the 300L Rally.
My buddy and I have been slowly getting geared up for the BDR. He just picked up a new Tenere 7, and I'm working on getting a wr450. He's in Newberg and I'm in sherwood. It would be fun to cross paths or take a ride together. Keep up the good work buddy 👍
John T Young uses the nomad 5gal tank, it looks like a really nice design with the fuel being carried low. I'm saving up for one of these Honda 450's now.
Great ORBDR series Dork. I didnt see where you put a $$ on your build. Be nice to see that to get an idea of what it will cost to put something like that together. I have a Norden Expedition that I ran the ORBDR with. It was a handful. I rode from Portland to the trail so it was great on road but on the BDR I worked for it for sure. The 901 is a beast and did well, but as I get older I get wiser. Smaller is better despite what my wife says! 😂
Great choice of bike and very clever setup!!! Congratulations to you and to Tim on a most successful ORBDR traverse!! Your choice of bike and the choices you made in its setup really resonated with how I feel about off-road adventure riding: that a lighter bike is usually the way to go. I, on the other hand, would have gone with a CRF300 (with modded suspension) because I'm cheap and probably would be unable to convince myself to cough up the dough for the crf 450. That said, I'm glad you got the crf 450. I really really enjoyed the ORBDR series. Thank you so much for sharing it here!! Keep up the excellent work! Best regards from Brasilia, Brazil.
I got lucky and picked this bike up for not much more than a new 300L would cost. ;)
@@DorkintheRoad I hate you LOL.
Funny how similar it sounds to my plated 00' Honda XR400. I have the 3.8 gallon tank, get about 40mpg, isn't great on highway but does really well off road. Reach out if you ever ride near Sisters and I can show you some cool trails. I plan to slay the Oregon BDR on the old beast at some point as well.
This BDR content has been amazing. I have really enjoyed following your progress. Thanks for all of the great info. Question: I think Tim was riding a KTM690. Was he as happy with the performance of his bike?
Yeah we talk about it in part 4 but he's really happy with it.
Great video and series...I think the second hand value of the Honda 450's just went through the roof !!. Question: how do you feel the Honda 450 BDR slayer compares to a similarly Adventurised KTM 690/Husqvarna 701 or 701 LR as regards any advantages & disadvantages...especially for a rider fairly new to BDR's but keen to be try the tougher routes ?
Preach it, my brother!
Awesome bike! I have a 2022 that’s set up very similar to yours.
I started with the same DS Tusk tires. That the front tire totally sketch. It always wanted to wash out and scared the hell out of me.
The rear seems to do ok, especially for the price.
Love the 450L content.
It seems like every Honda dirt bike needs the suspension replaced before you ride it!
Lucky they make great engines.
Enduro bike conversion looks like the best way to go, I can't imagine trying to ride some of those places on a heavy bike, just seems like asking for trouble, unless your name is Pol Tarres.
No armadillo bag?
Great setup. Just returned from Silverton Colorado. What a blast the 450RL is up there! Those passes are no joke.
Tim was carrying it
Love the bike!
Picked up the 21 450RL and first thing I did was throw the Throttle Tamer on it. Ordering a new ECU from TacoMoto soon but hope to remove the tamer as soon as I install the ECU. Just wondering if you tried it without the tamer on there, I know its a weird feeling standing on the pegs and trying to jerk the throttle 1/4 of the way to get some power. Great build!
Fantastic review thank you.
Would love to see you test a 701 and get your thoughts on it.
From Omaha Nebraska
I still don't know why manufacturers won't offer a lightweight 450 cc class off road oriented adventure bike. It wouldn't take much for the factory to make an ADV variant of their dual sport bike. I bet they'd sell at least as many as they do supermoto variants of their dual sport bikes, and a helluva lot more than BMW's sales of their R18 highway locomotive.
Nice ride and build.
High octane requirement, high frequency of maintenance interval, and stock seat height are the weakness.
Light weight, one of the best stock suspensions, and power are the strengths.
In the same light, BDR's, overall, really never allow the use of high powered bikes. BDR's are endurance rides at 35 mph...
Finna do the ORBDR on a XR650R, just found large metal shavings in my oil so pray for me. I have the biggest tank I can, and I've done some hardcore trails with it so I'm confident it's going to slaughter the ORBDR... but if she blows I'm definitely going for the 450L.
Thanks for the info!
Great video & what a cool setup Mr. Dork! 😆 I personally would go with some different brand/style of mods but, that's what makes this community so awesome, you dont have to like everyones setup. The one thing I agree on 100% for anyone getting a bike, is to have yhe suspension setup for yourself. Where I work, we set customers up day in & day out with specific spring rates and shocks or fork kits and they all agree after install, its the biggest game changer. Anyways, staying excellent over here and hope you are as well!🙌🏻
Fellow XT2 user here! Did I understand right that the USB port can’t provide enough power to the XT2 long term? Dang if so! Glad i wired mine in but sounds like a quick handlebar mount on a different bike on USB power would only work for a short ride with a fully charged up Zumo.
I thought the Dog was going to pee on the front tire. lol He looked like a Kawasaki dog.
Hi Sir (can't in good conscious call you 'Dork') - just got the '23 version of this CRF (coming off a KLX250, KTM 390) and love it so far - after the initial 'OMG, this thing is trying to kill me' couple of rides. Quick question - I have the IMS 3g tank, but the cap is leaking gas. Are you running the stock cap or IMS'? My goal build is similar to you, not as rad as yours though! Thank you for all the content, it's a huge help! ~ Panda
IMS cap.
Nice build, Did you run the stock gearing?
you need steg pegz and carry two extra gas bottles to eliminate gas pucker. If you ever consider CO or UTAH BDR, I would do it with you. I have a blinged out 2022 450 RL
Perfect sized bike. I have an FE350S wit the GL Mojavi bags. Vibration on the highway and reduced range is totally worth it for the smaller bike. Just carry a rotopax 1 or 1.75 gallon packable fuel tank!
Hey Ben, I live in Albany OR, just rode the Olympic Peninsula last weekend, didn’t ride the best trails, but scenery was great. Wondering where is the best ride you’ve done in or near the. Cascades? Have a 890 Adventure R, BDR or CDR? Would love some input. Cheers
Excellent Video and overview, thank you. I am 5'10, 230 pounds and I am looking at options for purchase to do the NE BDR. This bike seems to be one of the top contenders, albeit, with the mods that you recommended. Any other bike you recommend? I am looking for a light but with enough power ton other words, probably on make it fun.. ie that doesn't exist. :)
Any idea what that 450 weighs with all the mods?
I saw another youtuber say the official weight capacity on the 450L is 220lbs. Is that accurate? I'm 255 lbs and was considering one of these but maybe I'm too fat?
Thanks for the review. How was it compared to your buddies KTM 690?
Worse on the highway and maybe slightly faster off road but overall the 690 probably takes the cake
One advantage of the 690 is that it gives you an amazing fuel mileage on my 2019 model I was getting consistently 60 mpg on the mountains and about 57mpg in Texas
5:05 CHEWIE!!!!!!!!!! 🥰😍
This IS the BDR slayer, I fully agree...to a point. Its the difficult BDR slayer. For the easier to medium difficulty BDRs, its almost too much bike. I trailered mine to the NEBDR because there was no way I was doing 4hrs of I-95 highway north on the 450 but I used it instead of my DR650 because the NEBDR can get difficult.
Any thoughts on big bike vs small bike. Will you be using the 450 for most of your BDR riding or do you also think its overkill for the easier routes where an 890 might serve as the better bike.
It depends more on how much riding I have to do to get there. I've never regretted having too much capability, but if I know the route is a little easier and it's far away (like Idaho) I'll definitely be riding there and doing it on my Tenere.
What did it cost for the muffler baffle that fell off? The road gives and takes. Also, could you ever find yourself riding a Honda xr650?
I found it and put it back in, so $0. I'd love to ride an XR.
I have a question. I'll preface it with the obligatory different riders ability, weather, day of current conditions. Can you say approximately speeds you were traveling on the different sections. Ie heavy gravel, vs sandier conditions?
Uh....anywhere from 15 to 55? Depending on the road.
50ish on fast gravel.
20-30 on the sandy sections.
20-30 on the rocky, technical stuff.
Thanks for the reply!
Two questions, I'm considering riding the OBDR, I have a KLR that I wouldn't consider using at all. But we are thinking of using DRZ's what do you think? What was your partner riding KTM 690? 450l would be great but hard to fine and pricey. Great BDR Videos, my wife even watched start to finish.
Love the setup on the bike and all the BDR content. Question for you--I'm trying to pick up a seat concepts seat but your discount code seems to not be working. Is there an updated one? Thanks and keep up the awesome work!
My seat concepts guy left and I've had a lot of trouble getting them to reup the code since.
...and what does the bike weigh now? (cheers)
Would you have felt comfortable using your DRZ for that route ..?
Yes but not with the stock tank.
How would the drz done? Compared to the crf450l on this trip?
Which brand tank bag?
The new ktm 500s like mine have aluminum sub frames. 5:06
Love the bike, not a huge fan of the brown wheels, but that could be fixed with a little Plasti-dip 😉
but...they're black...
Sounds to me like adventure riding/ BDR is out of my price range. What did you spend all in or should I say what would a non sponsored person have to spend for that build $15k $20k?
Take a DRZ?
@@mattbillensteinright!
I just got a Drz400s and yup gas tank is small. Im cheap so i use 2 liter coke bottles. I fill 2 of them and they meet my needs. The second question i have this is the first bike i have without a center stand. How do you take care of flats out in the sticks?
The link for the Tusk tires gets a 404 error. RMATV probably would enjoy it if that were fixed
Yeah I can't spend 8k+ on a loaded bike. I'd try it on my 2k bike and just stick to the upper BDR stuff.
Hi Ben do you think that you could have done your bdr with à norden expédition or a tiger 900 rally ???
Did you do any oil changes on the trail or just ride a few hundred miles past the oil change interval?
Edit: wait till the end before posting questions. Lol
Is the oil change interval 600 or 1000?
Most people push it to 1,000. I was at just over 1100 when I got home so I changed it right away.
1000 mile oil changes is insane. If you're taking this on a really big trip, you would be changing oil every week.
40mpg? Does that ecu / muffler combo drop the gas mileage a lot?
Got over 60mpg on wybdr1 today on my stock 500 exc
Would your 300L have been an enjoyable ride as well, or would it have been more of a struggle.
It would do fine. Just slower
Any links for the adventure spec rally tower?
If you had to pick one bike between your 450 or your 300- which would you take?
Well I sold the 450 so....
Chewbacca. I have spoken.
Seems like this is getting close to a $15k bike.
Any reason you picked the Honda over any other brands offering similar size bikes?
A lot of reasons but mostly because I was trying to buy a 500 EXC-F and all the prices were ridiculous and I got this 450L for a steal. Even with all the mods I've added I'm still into it like 2k less than a new KTM 500.
Did you ever consider the Tusk pannier rack for the 450L? With either hard cases or soft bags?
I built this one to be as light as possible so I went with rackless. I've used the Tusk racks on my ADV bikes and they've been great, though.
Yeah, I’ve got a Touratech rack and aluminum cases on my Tenere with a Rotopax 3 gallon setup. Would love to carry another 3 gallons on my 450L.
Would the 450RL still benefit from the Aim ECU or would it be ok out of the box?
It's the exact same bike. I highly recommend the ECU
I want that hat
Pug!
Could the DRZ 400 do it? With a larger tank obviously.
Why wouldn’t it?
went from a Husky 501 to my Honda CRF450RL now looking to move to the Beta 500RRS The Honda is great until you hit real single track. The weight and engine property's just suck
What are some good gps and cell phone mounts brands?
I've been using Quad Lock for 5 years now.
Having done the BDR could you tell me if a truck would fit on that trail
There were some people in an Xterra and 4Runner doing it when we were, but there are some super tricky sections (particularly in section 1) that I wouldn't take my own rig on. It's designed for motorcycles.
@@DorkintheRoad thanks my friend. I know its designed for motorcycles but ya know always looking for new trails. And I don't have motorcycle camp gear so..
Love your content. I just picked up my first bike.I went with the BMW 310gs.
Maybe one day I can conquer the bdr on a bike.
How about some bloopers?
All my riding is basically one big blooper
@@DorkintheRoadlol, this was some of your best videos ever. I’m extremely envious of the trails you have, to the point that I’m really close to loading up my bike and driving clear across the country to ride. That will probably not ever happen though. The closest I’ll probably ever get to riding trails like that is Colorado. Even that is not anywhere close to me.
Did that pug just piss on your bike WHILE you're talking it up? :)
I don't THINK so but nothing would surprise me. He's pretty shameless.
Wait... @5:15 Did your pug just pee on the front tire??
🤤🤤🤤
I don't think your dog has the same opinion. He just to a pass on the bike, lol
I mean of corse its a BDR slayer. Its absolute BDR overkill.
So many people have done the CA BDR (the hardest one) in the biggest Adv bikes you can buy.
The CRF450 and any 450/350/500 for that matter are race machines with plates.
I race hard endure desert scrambles on my 250 2-stroke with shit so much gnarlier than the toughest thing any BDR could offer and half the crowd is on a 450l or ktm 350/500.
🤣