Honda Dirt Bikes And A Bit Of History - Specs On The 2012 Range The history of Honda dirt bikes started with humble beginnings and goes way back to 1948 when the Honda Motor Co. was officially founded. This came about when Soichiro Honda, a mechanic by trade, created the company to provide a solution to Japans war-torn market. They were short on money and fuel (ha! I know the feeling!) but desperately needed a cheap and efficient method of transportation.By 1959 Mr. Honda had accumulated a list of international motorcycle races that he had personally raced in. Here was a man who not only knew how to create a fine two-wheeled horse, but was also passionate about riding them too! 1959 also saw Honda stretch its wings into the United States. A small shop was opened in Los Angeles - not that anyone wanted to set foot in it. The Americans were more than happy with their Harley's, Triumph's and other British bikes and showed no interest in little ol' Honda bikes. A massive advertising campaign with the slogan 'You meet the nicest people on a Honda' changed all that and the early 60's greeted the American Honda with great success. People began using the smaller Honda bikes on trails and campgrounds which kick-started dirt bike riding as we know it today. A popular range of Honda dirt bikes began appearing in the late 60's... and people loved 'em!
Since then Honda Motor Co. has continued to pump out a highly successful range of Honda dirt bikes including the XR's, CR's and more recently the CRF's.
Honda seem to have upped their game this year and made some noticeable changes to their top breed motocrossers. The King Daddy Crf 450 has stiffer fork outer tubes and modified linkage to create a better overall suspension package that reviewers are raving about. They've added larger footpegs for improved grip and feel, and slightly different graphics allow your eyes to believe it's not just a 2011 model. The engine is quality Honda although apparently a bit mellower than some of it's 450 rivals, but being one of the lighter 450's this doesn't seem to be a negative thing.
SPECS: Model: 2012 CRF450R Engine: 449cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke Bore and Stroke: 96.0mm x 62.1mm Compression Ratio: 12.0:1 Valve Train: Unicam, four-valve; 36mm intake, titanium; 30mm exhaust, steel Induction: Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), 46mm throttle body Ignition: Full transistor with electronic advance Transmission: Close-ratio five-speed Final Drive: #520 chain; 13T/48T Front Suspension: 48mm inverted KYB Air-Oil-Separate (AOS) with rebound and compression-damping adjustability; 12.2 inches travel Rear Suspension: Pro-Link KYB single shock with spring preload, rebound damping adjustability, and compression damping adjustment separated into low-speed and high-speed; 12.4 inches travel Front Brakes: Single 240mm disc with twin-piston caliper Rear Brake: Single 240mm disc Front Tire: 80/100-21 Dunlop MX51 Rear Tire: 120/80-19 Dunlop MX51 Rake: 27°05' (Caster Angle) Trail: 116mm (4.57 inches) Wheelbase: 58.7 inches Seat Height: 37.5 inches Ground Clearance: 13.0 inches Curb Weight: 240 lbs (Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel—ready to ride.) Fuel Capacity: 1.5 gallons Available Colors: Red Upgraded linkage for better tracking and handling, larger footpegs and a small list of engine upgrades make the 2012 CRF 250r more powerful than last years model and a very nice handling bike.
SPECS: Model: 2012 CRF250R Engine: Liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke Displacement: 249.4cc Bore and Stroke: 76.8mm x 53.8mm Compression Ratio: 13.2:1 Induction : Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), 46mm throttle body Ignition: Full transistor with electronic advance Transmission: Close-ratio five-speed Valve Train: Unicam, four-valve; 30.5mm intake, titanium; 25mm exhaust, steel Final Drive: #520 Chain; 13T/49T Suspension Front: 48mm inverted Showa cartridge fork with 16-position rebound and 16-position compression damping adjustability; 12.2 inches travel Suspension Rear: Pro-Link Showa single shock with spring preload, 17-position rebound damping adjustability, and compression-damping adjustment separated into low-speed (13 positions) and high-speed (3.5 turns); 12.3 inches travel Brakes Front: Single 240mm disc with twin-piston caliper Brakes Rear: Single 240mm disc Tyres Front: Dunlop MX51 80/100-21 Tyres Rear: Dunlop MX51 100/90-19 Wheelbase: 58.6 inches Rake Castor Angle: 27° 23' Trail: 118mm (4.6 inches) Seat Height: 37.4 inches Ground Clearance: 12.7 inches Curb Weight: 229 pounds (Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and a full tank of fuel-ready to ride) Fuel Capacity: 1.5 gallons Color: Red A true Baja winning champion - the CRF 450X is basically a motocrosser that's been fine tuned and tweaked to rip up trails and desert. The steering damper and electric start help make life easier for any rider mounting one of these machines.
SPECS: Model: 2012 CRF450X Engine: 449cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke Bore and Stroke: 96mm x 62mm Compression Ratio: 12.0:1 Induction: Keihin 40mm flat-slide carburetor with Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) Ignition: CD with electronic advance and lighting coil Valve Train: Unicam, four-valve, 35mm intake valve, 30mm exhaust valve Starting: Electric and Kick Transmission: Wide-ratio five-speed Final Drive: #520 T-ring-sealed chain; 13T/51T Front Suspension: 47mm inverted Showa cartridge fork with 16-position rebound and 16-position compression-damping adjustability; 12.4-inches travel Rear Suspension: Pro-Link Showa single shock with adjustable spring-preload, 17-position rebound-damping adjustability, and compression-damping adjustment separated into low-speed (13 positions) and high-speed (3.5 turns); 12.4 inches travel Front Brakes: Single-disc with twin-piston caliper Rear Brake: Single 240mm disc Front Tire: 80/100-21 Rear Tire: 100/100-18 Rake: 27.35° (Caster Angle) Trail: 117mm (4.6 inches) Wheelbase: 58.2 inches Seat Height: 37.9 inches Ground Clearance: 13.6 inches Curb Weight: 269 pounds (includes all standard equipment, required fluids and a full tank of fuel-ready to ride) Fuel Capacity: 1.9 gallons Available Colors: Red The CRF 230f is a mellow trail bike designed to be low maintenance and fun. Not a lot has changed on these recently. This is a great all-rounder that you can share amongst the family.
SPECS: Model: 2012 CRF230F Engine: 223cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke Bore and Stroke: 65.5mm x 66.2mm Compression Ratio: 9.0:1 Induction: 26mm piston-valve carburetor Ignition: CD Valve Train: SOHC; two-valve Transmission: 6-speed Final Drive: #520 O-ring-sealed chain; 13T/50T Suspension Front: 37mm leading-axle Showa® fork; 9.5 inches travel Suspension Rear: Pro-Link Showa single shock with spring-preload adjustability; 9.0 inches travel Brakes Front: Single 240mm disc Brakes Rear: Drum Tyres Front: 80/100-21 Tyres Rear: 100/100-18 Wheelbase: 54.1 inches Rake Castor Angle: 27.3° Trail: 112mm (4.4 inches) Seat Height: 34.1 inches Ground Clearance: 11.7 inches Curb Weight: 249 pounds (Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and a full tank of fuel-ready to ride) Fuel Capacity: 1.9 gallons, including 0.4-gallon reserve Color: Red
Finally Honda have made some changes to their popular four stroke kids sized motocrosser. A new carby, some engine refinements and modified valving on the front and rear suspension, along with some fresh graphics give the '12 CRF 150r a much welcomed upgrade.
SPECS: Model: 2012 - CRF150R Engine: 149cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder Unicam four stroke Bore and Stroke: 66mm x 43.7mm Compression Ratio: 11.7:1 Valve Train: Unicam, four-valve; 26mm intake, steel; 22.5mm exhaust, steel Induction: Keihin 32mm flat slide with throttle position sensor (TPS) Ignition: Solid-state CD with electronic advance Transmission: Close-ratio five speed Final Drive: #420 chain; 15T/50T Front Suspension:: 37mm fully adjustable leading-axle inverted Showa cartridge fork; 10.8 inches travel Rear Suspension: Pro-Link fully adjustable Showa single shock; 10.7 inches travel Front Brake: Single 220mm disc Rear Brake: Single 190mm disc Front Tire: 70/100-17 Rear Tire: 90/100-14 Rake: 27°02' (Caster Angle) Trail: 78mm (3.07 inches) Wheelbase: 49.6 inches Seat Height: 32.8 inches Ground Clearance: 11.9 inches Curb Weight 183 pounds (Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel—ready to ride.) Fuel Capacity: 1.14 gallons Available Colors: Red If you are interested in the full range of Honda Dirt Bikes then check out powersports.honda.com. What Do You Think About Honda Dirt Bikes?
Have you ever owned a Honda? Maybe a vintage Honda? Tell us what you think of the four stroke range. Do you wish Honda still made two strokes? Do you know of any design faults or problems with particular models? Maybe you have a mechanical tip to share...
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In 1972 Honda created a frenzy by releasing a weapon of a motocross bike that had everyone diving into their pockets to buy one. The CR250 Elsinore Honda dirt bike was like no other around. Honda was leading the way... 
Grab yourself a copy of The Dirt Bike Garage Manual. A "how to" book and a must-have for developing riders.
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