Bike set up

[Jason Proctor]

I just purchased a 2008 crf450r and was wondering if anyone has suggestions on how to set up my bike to me?  I am 5'11 and 218lbs.  Any suggestions would be helpful since I am new to the dirt bike world.

[mlatour]

The best starting point is buying a factory service manual.

It will have the baseline adjustments (carb, suspension etc.)

plus 95% of the answers for your likely future mechanical questions.

 

At 218lbs you may benefit from stiffer than stock springs,

setup also depends on what specific usage you'll be doing (trail, off-road, MX)

 

Be careful, a 450 is quite a handful for a beginner.

Edited June 4, 2018 by mlatour

[Motox367]

Change oil often on that . Crankcase and tranny are separate only hold like half of quart so change often. And keep air filter clean ?? very good bike take care of it and it will take care of you

[EmpireofDerp]

Congrats on the CRF450 for your first dirt bike, you've made an excellent choice. Obviously the first thing you wanna do is invest in a gopro and mounting for whoever will be following you around as you master your beginner bike..... so we can review the tape and make helpful riding technique suggestions!

[slideleft]

it's a 08 so take the suspension out step on a scale and go to your fav suspension shop and tell them how fast you really ride. Getting your suspension set up trumps all other mods. Grease it while it's apart.  With its age almost everything that moves needs service and you will never tune out worn or damaged parts inside the forks or shock.

[mlatour]

The Showa 47TC forks on that era Honda are somewhat known for ICS shaft seals and

lower cartridge seals wearing out and having internal leaks. (creates mushy dampening)

Edited June 4, 2018 by mlatour

[Jlash]

1 hour ago, HeavyRotation said:

Congrats on the CRF450 for your first dirt bike, you've made an excellent choice. Obviously the first thing you wanna do is invest in a gopro and mounting for whoever will be following you around as you master your beginner bike..... so we can review the tape and make helpful riding technique suggestions!

haha, i agree. his friends need to record the learning curve as a 450 first bike!!

[Red800rider]

I'm about same size, rookie MX on 06. Running 5.8 rear and .48 front springs @106 sag in soft stuff and @102 on SX

[willbilly]

Grate advice in the above posts. You are too heavy for the stock springs. I weigh the same as you and I am a vet intermediate. I run a .49 fork spring and a 5.9 shock spring. To mellow out the engine I run a 9 ounce flywheel weight. I went up one tooth on the rear sprocket to 13/49. You will love this bike.