ASK THE MXPERTS: (10/26/09)
Dear MXA,
I’m confused. It seems that MXA used to praise Honda CRF450 forks, but then suddenly you have badmouthed them over the last two years. Have you guys changed or have the forks changed?
Honda’s Showa forks have constantly changed over the last decade. For years, and by that we mean since 1987, Honda had absolutely atrocious forks. They could have patented the phrase “midstroke harshness” because their Showa forks defined all that was negative about the term. Many riders switched to Yamaha, Kawasaki or KTM just to get away from Honda’s forks. But, Honda’s 2002 suspension was the best CR suspension up to this point (albeit seven years ago). It got better with each passing year and by 2007 it was at its best (although a little soft). Unfortunately, in 2008 Honda returned to the old midstroke harshness. Then, realizing the mistake they made Honda went way too soft on the 2009 CRF450. We have liked Honda forks in the past, and are sure that we will like them in the future…we just don’t like them as they are currently configured.
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