I like it too, it's not bad looking, it will be reliable, it's not expensive. I don't want one though, it's not for me or what I do. I agree with the above too mostly, although I don't see it as a big deal over the standard model. Whether or not it's the perfect bike to bring women into ADV riding or if the industry needs them badly is not something I've considered when thinking about possible future bikes for myself but it would be good for that I guess.
I think they should probably have called it something other than "rally" though, I think it waters down the meaning of it.
Yes some are intimidated by large bikes and some can't afford them...although they are selling in quite some numbers.

Mumbo, you really need to learn how to do quotes. So simple, hit the quote box and go from there. Makes reading your posts MUCH easier.

According to latest news from big OEM's, Women are now on the radar. Better late than never. But may be too late now ... OEM's are in a bit of a panic at this point ... plus, the Chinese are coming fast. :help smilie:
The Tide has shifted here in USA regards BIG ADV bikes. (mostly BMW GS's)
Many riders now going smaller, lighter. Older riders especially are now looking at smaller, lighter bikes if doing more off road.

I thought I was doing ? I deleted the end quote box when I was deleting some text on my earlier posts that cocked it up a bit I realised afterwards.

Yeah ..one more and I'll have fifty posts in seven & a half years...I suppose I should be an expert

Yea ... we're all experts here! Welcome aboard and hope you can post more. HUBB needs more activity and intelligent comments about bikes out there.

My vote is for a CRF450 Rally. Having ridden a hopped up CRF250 Rally prototype with improved suspension, it needs more power! Keeping it no more than another 10 pounds would be fantastic - a great off-road and travel bike.

Note that I'm a big fan of small bikes for off-road, but for a bike to do both off-road and travel well you either need a very light 250 with a powerful engine, or a lazier=longer-lasting 450, and I definitely vote for the 450 version.

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Ahaaa....!!!


Loving this thread cus it compounds my decision to build me a CRF500L and yes I have upgraded both ends of the suspension and will be increasing the fuel capacity.
Intended use of bike..?? Lots of off-roading and some overlanding/travel, i'll start a thread at some point.

Yes for sure but lets hope if they do bring out a CRF450 "Rally" it comes out in the form of a CRF450 "L" and stays cheap and cheerful with the long service intervals and reliability etc. There will be a wait for it though even if it does happen. Honda are now thinking of building a mid range Africa twin apparently, maybe a 650, although they say they are not working on it yet :

Honda Africa Twin 'little brother' on the way | MCN

That's something they would probably release before thinking of any 450 "Rally" I think....Maybe when or if they do build a 450 they could call it the CRF450 "Africa" and consider over landing as a design priority rather than "Rally replica" ? But it's doubtful, marketing men and stylists will have the final say probably...I love the "rally" styling but the bike many of us are looking for would also have the stuff people do after purchase when doing their "overlanding" conversions designed in. It's a thing many love doing and rightly so and it's amazing what some people achieve with their conversions but it can also be a pain when such things as a bigger or extra fuel tanks or whatever just aren't available or there are big compromises in fitting them such as using up airbox space etc. Nowadays there are also so many insurance implications when modifying from stock too and allsorts of regulations regarding fuel tanks in Europe. It's always going to be about cost though, or styling and competing with other manufactures on price, weight, performance etc. and it's a niche market. It's a bit unbelievable that some bikes come without even a stone guard on the radiator or oil cooler though, and even worse when (BMW) fitting one can affect warranty because of reduced cooling of the oil filter ! WTF? Intended use? Build it with one then! (I've got a BMW btw.). Some are having a good go though, there are some amazing bikes available. I'm looking for a change of bike in the not too distant future and at the moment (while we wait for Honda and their 450) I can't stop myself from having the Husky 701 Enduro at the top of my list. It's approx. 145kg dry (CRF250 Rally is 157kg "Kerb") 74hp good service intervals of 6000 miles, a 13ltr tank and good economy, the build quality looks good, its got a map for crappy fuel and it's well suspended with white power both ends. Yes the seat is apparently torture and a bigger tank would be really nice as it would be if some of the extra crash n bash protection was factory fitted but I think it's very nearly there. It's about £10,000 cheaper than a GS1200 ADV. and about £3000 more expensive than the CRF250L Rally. So pricing is not crazy I guess, it's crept up £300 for 2018 but hey.......Any thoughts ??
I've never owned a Husky or a KTM, Jap. stuff is hard to beat in some areas but I think Euro stuff has come a long way...hasn't it?