Who do I have to fornicate with to get this moto from Honda!

[trailrider383]

Originally Posted by SoilSampleDave

I avoid the quad people.
Seriously though, I would thought I would have seen where someone had slipped one of these in a 650R chassis.

The sprocket is centered on this engine so that wouldn't work on a motorcycle.

http://www.atvscene.com/atv_reviews/...est-and-review

EDIT: By the time I got the pic to work, two other replies about the same thing.

[jasonmt]

Originally Posted by Ned1

On topic, that is an amzing looking bike. I don't need all the rally body work for my purposes, but the bones of that machine hold huge potential.

I thought it was based on the CRF 450X with fuel injection rather than a carb so it's "bones" are that of a production CRF 450X (albeit race prepared ones)? I know I recognize the rear fender for sure:

[Foot dragger]

Originally Posted by xrcris

Tartin' up the ol' XR-L with that rally fairing would do me just fine though.....

Rally Fairing.........Im not sure of the fascination with having a Rally fairing,all that weight up on top,all those parts to break.
Mainly a poseur thing I guess? I know rally guys need em for all their equipment/lights/etc.
Not that many actual rally guys checking in on this thread I wouldnt think.

[Adv Grifter]

Originally Posted by elsalvadorklr

SNIP ... instead of praising honda for getting back in the dakar game after a very long haitus, and having close to 20 bikes actually finish the race, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand riders in the top 10 on a "new" rally bike that yes in typical honda fashin is over priced NOW....

we decide to go the childish route of japanese sucks euro is king
whatever...ps: I enjoyed the dakar, despite the crappy coverage, did you?

I agree 100%. Only the "fools" don't recognize what a GOOD thing it is to see the Japanese back in the Dakar. With the big factories back IN ... it means the event will continue on strong, more riders will be able to get involved ... and who knows? Maybe even coverage will get better?

The competition: (KTM, Husky, Husaberg, Sherco) will have to step up their game to continue their current dominance. Can they do it? I say YES! ... for a while, anyway.

In addition, this should result in more GREAT real world priced customer bikes that will "trickle down" with tech from the lessons learned at Dakar. KTM (and to some extent, BMW) have done this for us for years ... and BIG kudos to KTM for doing this and making the best street legal dirt bikes on the market. (fact)

Hopefully Honda, Yamaha and maybe Kawasaki will follow suit, bringing ALL NEW Dakar inspired street legal Dual Sports for the common "wanna be" Dakar customer.

To me that's a Win Win for everyone.

PS: for those who know their MC history, you'll know this is the 2nd time round on this trend ... in the 80's ALL the Japanese made Dakar replicas for the street. But NONE came to the USA. (remember: Suzuki DR Big, Yam. Tenere, Honda Africa Twin and XL's). Street legal versions sold in Europe for years. Popular for a while, then faded. We only ever got the
Transalp, BMW R80GS and XL Hondas. Only BMW used the "Dakar" moniker to help sell those bikes. (in the US)

For a first year effort Honda did well and had good riders. The Yam effort is spearheaded by Yamaha France, who've been in charge of Yam's Dakar efforts for 30 years. Both Yamaha and Honda will grow stronger in this event.

[xrcris]

Originally Posted by Foot dragger

Rally Fairing.........Im not sure of the fascination with having a Rally fairing,all that weight up on top,all those parts to break.
Mainly a poseur thing I guess? I know rally guys need em for all their equipment/lights/etc.
Not that many actual rally guys checking in on this thread I wouldnt think.

Poseur - shit talkin' from someone who rides a DR

Whats a lot of stuff to break? It's Honda, not a KTM.

It'd be nice to have some wind protection to make the freeway blasts a little more comfortable.