My wifes new bike...

[6 Riders]

OK, so since my wife, kids and I have started riding....a little over 6 years ago......we have gone through and/or own quiet a few bikes. Let's see, we started with a CRF50, added (pulled out of mothball) an XR 75 (back in mothball now) and my 94 KDX 200, Wife got an XR 100. She quickley moved up to a CRF 150F. We then added a CRF 70 and then a CR85 (after the oldest boy ruined said XR 100, by riding it to death). Soon the #2 boy got a KX 65. I then added a 95 KDX 200 to the stable. My wife, having trouble keeping up with me and the oldest boy, just upgraded from the CRF150F to a CRF150RB.

What a bike this thing is! The power delivery is incredible! Threw a side stand (which is to short), some jetting and work on the accelerator pump.....she was off and riding.
We did one ride up at the "local" trail area, I made her ride a very whooped out section for HRS to get used to the bike.....she did great on this. Went for a "quick" trail ride at the end of our day and sure enough....my wife was riding faster....it wasn't the power, it was the suspension!

[sarrant]

They look like great bikes performance wise, but I'm scared to death of the maintenance on the Honda R series 4-strokes, especially the little one for a wife-bike. According to the manual, there's bucket-shim style valve clearance to set every 15 hours, replace rings and piston pin every 15 hrs (lot bigger job on a 4-stroke). I've also seen the results of not keeping up with that. The headwork is super pricey. Then there's that piston, with about 1/2" of skirt.

It looks like a great racebike, but for trail use, it just seems like I'd spend as much time in the shop as she'd spend on the bike.

[gsa102]

That is a great bike!

I bought a CRF150RB this spring for my boy coming off a KX 65. Yes, they really do run! No, don't be scared about the 4t Maintenance. My buddy has been riding and racing CRF's for years with minimal maintenance required. His rules are 1) clean the air filter very often, and 2) change the oil and filter regularly. The air filter is crucial to long valve life, keep a clean spare. And I think I pay $16 for the Honda oil and filter from the dealer. I think he changes piston and valves about every other year, which is what we should be doing on any bike with that kind of use.

And they are LOUD!. I bought a CRF250x muffler I want to rework to fit the 150. It has the same bends and brackets, just needs the pipe shortened, if I ever find time to do it.

[sarrant]

Well. My statements on the maintenance on the 150 were just pulled from the schedule in the owner's manual.

As for the bigger race CRFs, that's where my fears are rooted. I've known a zillion people who have had those. Very popular bikes. Probably half of them with 450s have stuffed valves at some point. That's my worry on the smaller model.

[6 Riders]

Well, as a race bike, yes they require a lot of maint. I doubt that my wife will be bouncing this thing off of the Rev Limiter very often, IF ever. That should relieve some worry about the valves and such. Clean filters and oil/filter changes often should keep it running for a couple years. Just like a 2t "race" bike, if you don't race it and do the basic maintenance, they run a lot longer than 15 hours before needing the "major" maintenance like pistons.
Also, the first time that I have to take the head off, it WILL get a good set of valves installed, probably KWs or some sort of stainless and a good set of seats and guides also.