Winter test HONDA CRF450L

Any test of a new bike is a voyage of discovery, though I do sense this three-month appreciation of Honda’s CRF450L dual-purpose bike might at times feel like as demanding as a round-the-world yacht race. Given that I’m going to ride it both on and off-road, I’m fully expecting the bike will face numerous challenges. As no doubt, will its rider.

The man test was evident when I set off on the very first ride on the 25bhp, single-cylinder machine. Ahead of me was what I perceived would be a dull and arduous 100-odd mile run home from Honda’s HQ in Corby down to the Cotswolds. The expectation came on the back of a relatively quick and pleasantly comfortable ride up to the Midlands on my X-ADV maxi-scooter. With nothing like that bike’s weather protection, plush seat or decent tank range to ease the burden, however, I was sure that going home wouldn’t be anywhere near as straightforward. With wet roads and plenty of rain in the cold air to soak and chill their surfaces even more, I was clearly about to suffer for my art.