MXA’S 2006 HONDA CRF100 TEST
BASIC INFORMATION:
Retail Price: $2319.00
Standard/Automatic: Standard (five-speed)
Two-stroke/Four-stroke: Four-stroke
CRF100 PURPOSE
This bike was built with junior in mind. While it’s more complicated to shift with its five-speed, clutch-activated transmission, the engine affords easy riding without stalling. This is not a race bike. The CRF100 is geared towards first-time riders or girls ages 12 and older.
CRF100 STRENGTHS
Transmission: The CRF100 hits its intended audience. The engine is reliable (it’s a Honda, after all), and it’s amazingly easy to ride. In fact, even riders who had little grasp of the concept of shifting rarely stalled the bike. Although the transmission has both strengths and weaknesses, in this case the huge gap between first and second works as a benefit to new riders. Test riders could practically idle the bike in first gear and it still breathed life.
Suspension: The suspension was plush and felt up to the slow speed tasks the bike was intended for. The forks and shock were set up for a rider in the 130-pound range, so heavier adults and paperweight kids will need to adjust the settings. This bike was not designed to hit 80-foot doubles or trounce a whoop section, but on a trail ride or tame motocross track, the suspension will do just fine.
Handling: Along with good suspension comes good handling. The CRF100 turns effortlessly.
Ergonomics: The ergos were comfortable, centering test riders right in the middle of the bike. The bike doesn’t have a hug-the-gas tank feel, nor does it have the dropped-back chopper feel. All test riders, of all skill levels, felt at home sitting in nearly every position on the seat. The seat height is 31 inches, perfect for anyone in Junior High. Taller riders will want to invest in taller handlebars, allowing for more leg room.
Sound: With the onslaught of noise ordinances that crack down on sound levels omitted by dirt bikes, Honda made sure that you could do a neutral drop on a crowded sidewalk in the middle of New York City and not be given a second look. If mom and dad are worried about disturbing the neighbors, no need to fret. The CRF100 makes little more noise than a common moped.
CRF100 WEAKNESSES
Gear ratios: The transmission is the downside for riders who are past the beginner phase of riding. Once you’ve nailed down the basic skills, you might as well forget about using first gear, since the gap between first and second is ridiculously far apart.
Shifting: Trying to click through the gears while the bike is under load (heavy acceleration) is difficult. The CRF didn’t want to shift up, so advanced test riders had to back off the throttle slightly before grabbing the next gear.
Brakes: Drum brakes are archaic, even on bikes designed for first-time riders. Honda needs to jump on the disc brake bandwagon to allow young Jimmy to stop quicker so he doesn’t drive his bike into a lake. For someone who has never ridden before, the slow actuation of the drum brakes isn’t overbearing, but if you drag your brakes for more than five seconds, say goodbye to stopping power. If it came down to a choice between brakes that didn’t grab immediately and brakes that had a consistent feel, we’d pick the latter of the two options.
Starting: There’s a secret way of starting that’s unique to every bike. It’s almost like a secret handshake that only you and the bike share. With that said, the CRF100 didn’t want to be part of the club of secret hand shakers. We kicked. We used the choke. We found where the key was. We kicked some more. After a few minutes of sweating, the Honda revealed itself to us. Don’t forget to turn on the key, turn on the gas, put the choke on halfway and kick it. If we had our choice, we’d outfit the bike with an electric start. The bike would be heavier, but how beneficial would it be for Junior to start the bike with the press of a button?
WHAT DO WE THINK?
Honda has a winner in the CRF100. It’s certainly not perfect, but it’s just right for a beginning rider, mom, sis or the back of the motorhome.
For more 2006 Bike Tests go to Top Ten Stories
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