Is your youngster ready to move up to the next level, where big-bike features like five-speed shifting with a manual clutch will help take them up to the next step of the off-road learning curve? Then check out the CRF80F, loaded with plenty of power, performance and Honda's legendary four-stroke reliability, making it the perfect tool for the young rider who'se ready to hone his or her off-road skills to a finner edge.

 

Introduction

For young riders ready to step up to a manual clutch machine, the CRF80F features Honda’s legendary reliability, big-bike styling, nimble handling and wonderfully balanced performance.

History

The CRF series, manufactured and marketed by Honda, was launched in 2002, both as a successor to the Honda XR series and a replacement for the two-stroke Honda CR series.

When thinking at a CRF machine, people usually imagine those full sized motocross bikes equipped with liquid-cooled, single-cylinder four-stroke engines that are available from 249cc to 449cc. But what’s so great about the CRF line-up is that there’s a model for each step along a young rider’s learning curve.

The Honda CRF80F was introduced in 2004 in order to signify that very same step and by being loaded with big-bike performance features, like a manual clutch and five-speed gearbox, it became the perfect machine for the rider that’s ready to move up to a serious off-road bike, but perhaps still too small for a CRF100F.

That doesn’t mean that the bike didn’t feature CRF-R inspired bodywork and graphics right from the beginning. It did and it quickly became a success between youngsters. The proof is that it is still being manufactured as the attractive and original machine designed to be bulletproof and to keep on going and going forever.

Competition

Yamaha claims that a ride on the PW80 will be enough for the small rider to convince itself (and probably its parents two) that no other machine will touch its heart and career so deeply.

Featuring 79cc of Yamaha two-stroke power, the PW sounds just like Chad Reed’s bike if you have a kid’s imagination, and the PW80 with its three-speed automatic transmission dishes out the king of power a kid can use.

A better competitor by featuring a six-speed transmission and a wider powerband is the Suzuki RM85, a bike loaded with technology derived from Suzuki’s championship-winning motocross bikes. The incredible performance is smooth delivered with loads of mid-range and lightweight handling in order to allow the beginner rider to adapt with speed and first places.

Another manufacturer that targets the young rider who had prepared for racing and developed the skills necessary to compete on real motocross tracks is Kawasaki offering the KX85. A budding racer’s dream, the KX85 is powered by a liquid-cooled, two-stroke, single-cylinder 84cc engine that churns out race-winning power, and is packed with high-tech features, such as an Electrofusion-coated cylinder with a narrow squish band and large volume combustion chamber to enhance top-end power.

The race seems to be dominated by Honda, followed by Suzuki and Kawasaki because the Yamaha features and automatic transmission which makes it almost too simple to ride and it doesn’t signify that same important step in a rider’s career.

Exterior

Small bikes have to look good as well and Honda knows how to make beginning riders desire to mark their evolution on such a motorcycle.

The use of durable body components makes life easier for the parent’s wallet because Junior won’t be going always on two wheels as some bumps may occasionally win the fight but at least he’ll now that once back on the CR-style seat, he will be accommodated properly.

The bike’s entire bodywork is inspired after the CRF-R’s and the graphics are also designed with the same idea: attractive CRF-R-inspired look.

By featuring unique body features and attractive look, the Honda CRF80F stands out as a cool looking machine ready to hit the track. Being not just a mini CRF, but a carefully designed individual project, this motocross machine imposes itself as being a top-quality product designed by the mostly appreciated manufacturer.

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Test Drive

Children riding the CRF80F have been giving me a good feedback related to the bike’s behavior on the track and mostly, anywhere there’s mud and jumps to help spread it all over the place.

I have noticed that all the benefits and big words surround the engine and transmission. The wide powerband allows the kids to enjoy all that great mid-range power while confidently opening the throttle, some of them for the very first time. The torque engine permits beginners to play with the gearbox, an element absent from their riding habits until the time they got up on the new Honda CRF80F. After getting used with the gear ratios and with the clutch-throttle balance, most of the small riders where soon trying to ride it flat out but although permissive and easy to accommodate with, the CRF keeps the best for when experience is gained and the reflexes are strongly developed. On their quick reach was the awesome throttle response provided by the 20mm piston-valve carburetor.

Crucial elements like the handlebars, seat and footpegs are positioned in an ingenious way which allows riders of different ages and statures to get on the machine if they are capable to handle a gearbox and willing to stand out on the race track. It results into a very comfortable motocrosser with excellent handling abilities in virtually any kind of situations encountered out in the mud.

But the last two elements mentioned are strongly influenced by the suspension system featuring a Showa fork and a Pro-Link Showa single shock. This motorcycle is built to proudly exit any corner and head towards a big jump in complete comfort but, most of all, great handling so the kids were more than satisfied with the suspension and the overall sensations given by the 2008 motocross machine.

Being a small machine carrying sometimes even smaller riders, the Honda CRF doesn’t need to feature disc braking so the strong braking feel is in this case provided by front and rear drum brakes which don’t seem to neglect safety and fun.

Everything that the kids expected to encounter on the bike was there head to tow and they didn’t bother showing it: performance on a twist of the throttle, great handling in complete comfort and safety, but every single individual admitted that design and graphics were the first thing the caught its eyes.

Price

Children who are anxious to ride a top-quality motorcycle build by a manufacturer that contributed at writing history have a strong argument when negotiating with their parents. Being offered with an MSRP of only $2,099, the reliable package proves once again that good things don’t always come to an end so beautiful beginnings will be marked by the Honda CRF80F once again. The only problem now remaining is maintaining the balance between the track hours in the backyard and the time dedicated to doing the homework.

Conclusion

I believe that all the conclusion were very well drawn by the kids riding day-long on the Honda CRF80F but a nice ending won’t hurt anyone so I would like to express my own opinion on the new released product which, in fact, hasn’t even changed so much in its years of production.

I believe that by creating the CRF80F, Honda filled the gap between 50 and 100cc in order to add variety to its CRF line of motorcycles. The fact that it ended up ridden and enjoyed all over the world is just the story behind mostly every Honda motorcycle.

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SPECIFICATIONS

 

Engine and Transmission

Displacement: 80cc
Type: air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke
Bore and Stroke: 47.5mm x 45mm
Compression Ratio: 9.7:1
Valve Train: SOHC; two-valve
Induction: 20mm piston-valve carburetor
Ignition: CD
Transmission: five-speed
Final Drive: #420 chain; 14T/46T

Chassis and Dimensions

Front Suspensions: 27mm leading-axle Showa fork; 5.5 inches travel
Rear Suspension: Pro-Link Showa single shock; 4.3 inches travel
Front Brake: Drum
Rear Brake: Drum
Front Tires: 2.50-16
Rear Tires: 3.60-14
Wheelbase: 47.6 inches
Rake (Caster angle): 47.6 inches
Trail: 74mm (2.9 inches)
Seat Height: 28.9 inches
Ground Clearance 8.6 inches
Curb Weight: 163 pounds
Fuel Capacity: 1.3 gallons, including 0.3 gallons reserve

Other

Color: Red

Features

 

Engine/Drivetrain

-Durable, proven and simple 80cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine develops smooth, tractable power that’s ideal for beginners.
-Ultra-reliable CD ignition never needs maintenance.
-20mm carburetor for crisp throttle response.
-Closed crankcase vent system safeguards against engine oil contamination.
-Primary kickstarting for easy starts in any gears.
-Lightweight, upswept competition-type exhaust system utilizes a quiet, USDA-qualified muffler/spark arrester.
-Durable, smooth-shifting five-speed transmission.
-Heavy-duty clutch with smooth, progressive engagement.

Chassis/Suspension

-Lightweight high-tensile steel frame is rigid, durable and offers ideal geometry for recreational off-roading.
-Leading-axle 27mm Showa front fork offers 5.5 inches of compliant suspension travel.
-Pro-Link Rear Suspension.
-Heavy-duty Showa rear shock offers a smooth ride.
-Knobby tires offer excellent grip and long life.
-Lightweight screw-type drive chain adjusters for simple maintenance.
-Powerful, lightweight drum brakes.

Additional Features

-CRF-R-inspired graphics
-Engine design produces low emissions that meet both EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) off-road emissions standards.
-Keyed ignition switch provides added security.
-Durable body components.
-CR-style seat shape accommodates a broad range of rider sizes.
-Generous ground clearance and rugged skidplate for undercarriage protection.
-CR-shape handlebar enhances rider comfort.
-High-quality controls feature comfortable grips, dogleg levers and side-pull throttle just like those of the bigger CRFs.
-Cleated, folding, self-cleaning footpegs offer secure footing.
-Fork boots help protect stanchion tubes and fork seals.
-Silver-painted frame and footpegs.
-Durable steel sprockets.
-Washable, reusable foam air filter.
-Transferable six-month limited warranty; extended warranty available with a Honda Protection Plan.