2018 Honda CRF450R. Electric Start + Ken Roczen #94

It looks like the new CRF450R is already on sale in the USA, which means it will likely be another 6 months before the 2018 model makes its way over to Thailand, where I am currently living. It will be the first motocross bike that Honda have produced that is electric start. At the track we all know this is bliss. No more difficult hot or cold starts- it's always one or the other and no more 'getting tired' trying to kick start it 30 times- yes I know I need to adjust my valves!

But is an all electric bike as good as they say?

If we look over the specifications and features of the bike, it is clear to see it's a beast and a lot better than older models.

Downdraft Fuel Injection is perhaps the biggest ad best improvement.

Part of an entire engine overhaul last year, Honda gave the CRF450R a new downdraft intake tract and FI body to help increase both power and fuel-metering precision. It’s part of the reason the CRF450R offers such explosive power and massive torque, especially out of the starting gate and in the critical first 100 feet of the race to the first turn.

Every ride wants that instant power but there is a compromise. The full redesign and new lithium-ion battery that starts everything means the kick-start is no longer there.

For most racers and riders this forgotten kick-start will never be missed- but for riders like me and other enduro/free riders this can be a huge problem.

My concern comes with the battery- if it dies- then what? You have no back up. I took a previous trip with 6 MX riders, one of the riders rode an electric start KTM and guess what- it broke down. The rider stalled multiples times over rough terrain and drained the battery. We had to ride down the mountain and call for a recovery vehicle to drive up and assist- Not too good for a new 2016 bike!
At least with a kick-starter you can just keep kicking.

That said, I would still consider trading in my older CRF for this brand new model lol.

The last known update on Ken Roczen, #94 450cc, lead rider, after his injury was this:

During our time at the 2017 Phoenix SX this past weekend, we asked Team Honda HRC team manager Dan Betley what will happen with the 94 bike and when Roczen is expected to ride again. Betley, who made the push for Roczen to ride red, stated that no fill-in rider will take the spot anytime soon and that the priority for the team is Roczen return to full health, no matter the length it will take. This plan for the long-term suits both the rider and team, as they are currently in the first term of a three-year contract.

There is a wide theory in the pit area that Roczen will miss the remainder of the 2017 season, which would include defending his 450 title in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, which Betley neither confirmed nor denied when asked. Considering the severity of the injury and the recovery that can be required for dislocations to the wrist and elbow, it would not be a surprise if Roczen’s return to racing occurred in 2018.

If you missed the story and injury, here it is how it all started.

News source: www.motocross.transworld.net/news/ken-roczen-injury-update-june-20th-2017/#5ZSjUixG1dSfIXoi.97