Sprot Trax 450R

[sirhk100]

The frame looks familiar but like all of the new quads I don't like the plastics... Banshee and 88-89250R are still the best plastics to date in my opinion. (I'll put one of those next to my 700CC atk with the paddle when I'm rich!!!)

http://powersports.honda.com/images/model/c028_029_030_031_photos_all/atvs/2004/Sportrax_450R/LargeHoriz/Sportrax_450R_large_04.jpg

http://powersports.honda.com/images/model/c028_029_030_031_photos_all/atvs/2004/Sportrax_450R/LargeHoriz/Sportrax_450R_large_01.jpg

http://powersports.honda.com/images/model/c028_029_030_031_photos_all/atvs/2004/Sportrax_450R/LargeHoriz/Sportrax_450R_large_02.jpg

[sirhk100]

Video...

http://events.reflectsystems.com/clients/honda/20030910/rsmakestream.asp?id=4&type=1&speed=300

[JeffS]

AWESOME !!

How about a link to the site that had those pics... and some specs ?

Thanks.

...

[sirhk100]

http://powersports.honda.com/preview/prevTRX450R.html

[Brice]

i dunno but im not that impressed....

[sirhk100]

None of the big companies are gonna throw out a race quality quad. Do you expect them too? Cannondale is the only one that offered one and it was in the $12K range. I'll take that motor and frame platform to start off with and build on over the Yamaha anyday!!! The plastics must go though!!!

[ACID_RAIN28]

What do you mean no race quality factory quad? THe YFZ 450 is just that, a Racer out of the box! The same for the TRX 450.

[sirhk100]

What I'm saying is from the factory it still would greatly benefit from a host of bolt ones like wider arms, wider axle, tuned shocks, maybe a longer swingarm depending on race conditions, etc...

That's like saying my '03CRF450 is a race bike outta the box. Sure it's the best bike I've ever owned but there's a host of changes I would make to set it up if I used it for more then just a casual play bike.

In my opinion this is the closest production quad for racing but the price tag reflects it... (closed coarse)

http://www.atvquadracing.it/cannondale/cannondale.jpg

I think this is an example of a full race quad, Sundahl's Banshees... (desert)

http://www.off-road.com/atv/images/sundahl1.jpg

[ACID_RAIN28]

I see what you are saying. What has taken a rise in the ATV racing though is the stock class, where these bike will be able to race in. Most of the big names run in the stock class now.

[JrSyko]

Does anybody race the Connondale out in the desert? I didn't even know they made a quad...

[SDranger]

They don't..........anymore, lol

I don't think anybody could race one for long without any spares and such.

Anybody heard whats goin on with thier motorsports division???

[sirhk100]

Yeah, they actually did decent but right now I can't for the life of me remember who was on it. Cannondale had a full factory program for quad riders before the motorsports went under. The quads actually carried the motorsports division, it was the bikes that sent them under. I don't understand why though, I put over 8 hours seat time on the bikes and they were a blast to ride. They were priced right and everything, they just never recouped from the major bad press the first 2 year models got. The 3rd and 4th year models were COMPLETELY different bikes to ride due to a totally revamped computer system for the fuel injection.

[sirhk100]

Parts are available still. ATK bought up all the inventory, fixtures, and designs and is rumored to start up production on them again...

http://www.cannondaler.com/albums/album61/ngr04.jpg

[JeffS]

Hmmmm... It just needs a green hat...

http://powersports.honda.com/images/model/c028_029_030_031_photos_all/atvs/2004/Sportrax_450R/Medium/Sportrax_450R_medium_06.jpg
http://www.twinkle.com.hk/souvenir/product/su0050.jpg

http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Jerry Zaiden]

It does not even have an electric start! I think that is an awesome aspect to the Yamaha. Maybe not for racing but I like it. I am glad that i bought the Yamaha. But either way you will be happy. The Honda does look nice.

[ACID_RAIN28]

I am not likeing the 450 TRX the more I look at it, I think I am getting the Yamaha.

[JeffS]

It also looks a lot like the new Arctic Cat ...
http://www.arctic-cat.com/atvs/index.asp
http://www.arctic-cat.com/atvs/lineups/2004/images/lineup_pics/A2004DVI2AUSR.jpg ...

But the powerplant is way different.

[Brice]

from just an overall scan of it it looks like a 400ex with new plastics(but of course it has engine and suspension) another thing to think about is that the yamaha has a full inch more travel in the front in stock form (9.1''). but i dunno

[Kbach66]

Too bad in reality the YFZ only pulls about 7.75" in the front (claimed 9.1") and 9.5" in the rear (claimed 10.1"

[ACID_RAIN28]

You are absolutly right about the 400ex with plastics. Talked to one of the factory riders this last week, and he said that they won't get their bikes till DECEMBER. The bike in the pics is just a prototype to make the public think honda is still in the game, just a 400ex with the 450 motor stuck in it. Honda still dosen't even know what kind of linkage they want to use in the swing arm yet.

[Kbach66]

Actually, that's not a 400ex with a 450 motor. It's a pre-production level 450R
And which "factory riders" did you talk with? Tim Farr is the only "factory rider", if you talk to him again, tell him I said Hi...and that I have incriminating pictures of him in Japan during Halloween.
Also, there's no way production schedules could be kept if something as big as the linkage wasn't set.....where do you come up with this stuff? Internet forums?!?!?!

[Jerry Zaiden]

"Too bad in reality the YFZ only pulls about 7.75" in the front (claimed 9.1") and 9.5" in the rear (claimed 10.1")"

I just cycled the front end on the YFZ and my tape says 8.5. Now I did not smash the bump stop on the shock all the way but I would say that the YFZ will get the 9.1. Where did you hear 7.75"?

[sirhk100]

LOL, I DON'T BELIVE IT!!! I CALL BS ON THAT!!! Prove it, where's the tape!!!

Sorry just wanped to act like I was on another forum!!! http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/tongue.gif http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Kbach66]

Jerry, the method we use to measure travel is to compress the bumpstop 50% depending on what type of bumpstop it is. As for the 8.5 on yours....probably true, I've heard they range as much as an inch....guess we got a friday shock from the plant!!
Oh....and I didn't hear it, I measured it....we've got two YFZ's

[ACID_RAIN28]

No I didn't hear it from a "internet forum" I work for Mark Leager, you know, Leager's Inc Tim Farr used to be one of his riders, and his Leager 250R is what the YFZ is molded after. And actually you can make the entire bike with out the linkage on a production level the only thing that will change with the linkage variable is the shock.
As for the pre-production 450R, that is the discription I was looking for, it is so close to a 400ex with a 450 motor in it, that was the best way I could think of to describe it.

[desertratt]

that would be about what i would say about it. its a detuned 450 motor in a 400 ex frame. vary few up dates. aluminum sub frame, resy shocks, new stile aluminum swing arm, kick start only, some 250r and 400ex after market parts bolt right up. it is comfertable to sit on. dont know how it runs, i didnt get to ride it.

[Kbach66]

Dude, I was joking about the 'internet forum' thing....if people believed all the stuff in forums then you'd have to belive TRX450 was a reaction to the YFZ and desinged/built in 6 months when in reality it has been in the development stages for years.

About the 'factory riderS' comment. I was joking about the fact that it's only one factory rider.....Tim, which we almost lost to Suzuki.

As for the linkage ratios not being set....maybe in a aftermarket product aplication can shock stroke/valving/etc. be determined at the last minute. But in the OEM world, that kind of stuff is set in stone months before production is started due to tooling, production schedules, durability testing requirements, etc. At least thats the way it's done at Honda R&D's motorcycle division, where I work. The auto side is years ahead.

[ACID_RAIN28]

I thought you were joking, just wasn't sure. From what we understand Honda hasn't decide if they want to use and existing linkage or do a new one. Existing ones such as the cr500 linkage which as you should know is superior are already in production, but I am not sure what the hold up is exactally, only that it will be late december early Jan for the public to buy one.

[JeffS]

Seems like everyone wants in on the 450's... I haven't even heard of these guys... has anyone ?
Gas Gas 450 ATV (http://www.gasgasmotorcycles.com/Quads/quad_2003_wild_450.html)
http://www.gasgasmotorcycles.com/Quads/pictures/03q450.jpg

With Öhlins shocks, the specs actually look pretty good and only a little heavy at 363lbs.

[empire231]

i've heard of them, cant remember where though. I think the did some dirtbike stuff too

[desertratt]

they make bth quads and dirt bikes. they have a few differnt models. the 300 quad is based off the 250r honda. they are made in spain. whats cool is over there they are street leagal.

[ACID_RAIN28]

There are a buch of European companys that make quads, they have to say the least, interesting Ideas.

This one company called the ERASER uses a front end like a VW but backwards.

[tedmales]

gas gas makes trials bikes

[ACID_RAIN28]

Tim Farr is the only factory red ATV rider with the TRX 450. He and it will debut at the upcoming Baja 1000 in Nov.