Despite being easy to ride in a variety of terrain, Hondaâ??s 450 is often criticized for not being â??fastâ?? enough. Honda answers with a unique solution, fitting a button on the right-hand side of the Renthal handlebar (971-bend) allowing the rider to switch between three engine power maps, on the fly, while riding.

Those seeking a hard-hitting powerband will appreciate the â??aggressiveâ?? setting. By pressing the button once, the sequence of the blue flashes imparts which mode the engine is currently operating. One flash is â??standardâ??. Two flashes indicate the â??smoothâ?? setting (for use on slick surfaces or those that seek a less punchy spread of power), and three flashes the advanced setting.

The system is easy to use and a difference can be felt in each mode, however the change isnâ??t as drastic as the plastic coupler set-up employed by the green and yellow brands. The â??softâ?? setting makes the powerband feel similar to the â??14 and â??13 machine with the â??standardâ?? set-up giving added response/bark on the throttle. Overall itâ??s a worthwhile feature and one that will be appreciated by riders that encounter different terrain during the course of a moto or trail ride.

Specification :

Engine: 449cc liquid-cooled four-stroke Single, SOHC, Four-valves
Bore x Stroke: 96.0 x 62.1mm
Compression Ratio: 12.5:1
Fuel Delivery: Fuel-injection
Clutch: Wet multi-plate, cable actuation
Transmission: Five-speed
Final Drive Gearing: 13/48
Front Suspension: KYB 48mm Pneumatic Spring Fork, high/low-speed compression and rebound damping adjustment; 12.2 in. travel
Rear Suspension: Pro-Link equipped KYB, low-speed and step-less high-speed compression damping, with rebound damping and adjustable spring preload; 12.4 in. travel
Front Brake: 260mm disc, double-piston caliper
Rear Brake: 240mm disc, single-piston caliper
Handlebar: Renthal 971-bend
Tires: Dunlop Geomax MX52 80/100-21, 120/90-19
Curb Weight: 243 lbs. (ready to ride)
Wheelbase: 58.7 in.
Length: 86.0 in.
Width: 32.7 in.
Ground Clearance: 13.0 in.
Seat Height: 37.5 in.
Fuel Capacity: 1.7 gal.