Taming a CRF450R with a Rekluse clutch

[sleepingdog]

I've have a '06 CRF450R which I would like to make more trail riding/single track friendly. While I could sell it and buy something better suited, it's already in my garage so I might as well see if I can make it easier to ride. Aside from changing the gearing, heavier flywheel, corking the exhaust does anyone have experience with taming a 450R? The local Honda shop recommends putting a Rekluse clutch in it but at almost $1000 installed I'm looking for feedback from someone's who's got one.

 

[Bora20]

In a word...AMAZING.

It has made me a better rider, a longer rider, and a happier rider. I have the Z-Start Pro with clutch cover and will be removing the clutch lever and replacing with a left hand rear brake kit.

I would also suggest the gearing change, but you may not need the flywheel with the Rekluse. You could also try the EXP 2.0 version as it is quite a bit cheaper, but most off-road gys use the Z-Start Pro.

 

[tomcycle]

I wonder how that Rekluse will be in Moab? Lots of tight technical stuff.

 

[Bora20]

It keeps the back wheel turning when I am upside down

 

[cactusreid]

04 klr abso- fukn-lutely rocked 2400 km of mostly single track baja with his new to him 525.rekulsed bike. it was set up by the previous owner to factory suggestions,which i think is low rpm/hard engagement. I never gave a hoot about these things,but i'm sitting up and paying attention now!
he was riding through snarly singletrack with his camera in his left hand video-ing us when he should have been fallin over and busting his nose.

 

[Bora20]

i predict cactusreid will have on this year...

 

[YogiPerogi]

Blew up my YZ426 motor in late 04. Bought a used motor off EBay which had a rekluse in it. Convinced I didn't want it, but didn't have the time to switch the standard clutch back in it before I rode it.
By the second ride with it, I was in love with it. I've now got a Pro version in my WR450 and it's far better than the standard model I had in the old YZ (can't even get the standard ones new anymore though).
It rocks in the wide ratio bikes too, but it makes a huge difference in the technical stuff on a motoX bike (tall first gear).
I've converted many friends to the idea of using a Rekluse.

Plain and simple, they are worth it.

 

[250ccforme]

Don't have one (there isn't one for my bike) but from what I've read that if you can change a tire you can install the Rekluse, no need to spend (big) $$ on labour.
If one comes available for my bike I'm 99.9% certain to get it.

 

[04klr]

though I did keep running into cactus's. And speaking of cactus here he is being chased. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpAH8cG85dM&feature=youtu.be
Low RPM hard hit, the recluse was seamless, if you gas it, it will go. The set-up offered no noticable slip just add the required amount of throttle and go, even in the deep sand I didn't worry about slip or overheating the clutch as I knew if it was off idle it was locked up. In the tight stuff (steep down to steep up transition) I feared the recluse wasn't going to let go through the down/up transition but never once did actually stall, and there is plenty of engine braking, in fact no freewheeling occurs unless you stall uphill (freewheeling the wrong way!), I still run in the gear I feel I should be in, perhaps if I didn't give a sh#$ about my clutch I could run a gear or two higher and make the recluse deal with it but why would I abuse the bike like that. I've heard that using the recluse is cheating, it is.

 

[Ti welder]

I own a 2005 crf 450r, would not tame it down if I could! I love this bike and it is probly the best crf Honda has ever made. I just geared it down and hold on for dear life, one finger on the clutch. That being said it took me a good year or so to learn to ride it in the tight stuff at Vedder. I also find when I haven't been on this bike for a while it kicks the crap out of me. I also like the abillity of traction controle when needed ( just a bit of clutch). I would never install a flywheel weight on a bike. It has a huge amount of effect on crank ballance to add wieght outboard of a bearing like that, just ask a engineer.
This is just MHO and I am shure to be corrected.
One note, I am on the third top end and original CLUTCH!!