New Chinese 450cc

[unit_mx]

i think the chinese really need to work more on thier branding and have maybe one or 2 majors brands instead of this individual buyer specified branding etc. would def help consumer confidence which IMO is the biggest hurdle for them.

+1 , bike manufacturers need a set image / logo instead of importers wacking different names and kits on a bike that has a million different names.

I like the sounds of this bike , sounds european - Odes MCF not some gay tittytwister , gunshot , slingshot , pro , expert , lame name. MCF sounds good like a proper bike and Odes sounds something along the lines of 'boutique' brands like Sherco , Vor etc

 

[jovian]

x 2 on the name, we have enough lame chinas already

 

[I_THUMP]

+1 , bike manufacturers need a set image / logo instead of importers wacking different names and kits on a bike that has a million different names.

I like the sounds of this bike , sounds european - Odes MCF not some gay tittytwister , gunshot , slingshot , pro , expert , lame name. MCF sounds good like a proper bike and Odes sounds something along the lines of 'boutique' brands like Sherco , Vor etc

The Odes name comes from the manufacturer in China (Shandong Odes) and Down Under Dirt Bikes have carried the name over (Odes Australia) and they are the sole distributor for this bike. They are confident in the brand name because they been very happy with their previous and current 4x4 bikes and they prove that by offering a 12 month parts and labour warranty with them which is just as good as most Jap bikes and better than any China built bike. They seem to be doing everything right so far by letting a few of the mags get their hands on it to do a review so we can get some independent feedback from reliable sources.

Over in China the Odes company has been around for about 12 years but have remained relatively small compared to most other companies. They only specialise in a few products like bikes and motors instead of having huge product line of anything and everything. One of their products is a 1000cc 4 stroke EFI motor so maybe in the future they will try the EFI on the 450cc

Its good to hear some positive comments about this bike rather than the usual ********. It would be great for the Jap companies to get some more competition because after looking over the new CRF450 (not the efi model) I wasnt very impressed with it.

 

[themountain]

...because after looking over the new CRF450 (not the efi model) I wasnt very impressed with it.

please ..give me a break!!...thats comparing apples with pears, man!!

 

[motorman]

please ..give me a break!!...thats comparing apples with pears, man!!

Hahahaha. Totally agree with you there mountain.

Maybe you should stop looking at them Thump and actually ride one. It will kill this bike in every way. Honda have been around just a few more years than than this company and are the biggest engine manufacturer in the world. Comparing Honda to that company is an absolute joke. I can grantee you will not see one of these in a Supercross main event for at least another 10 years if ever.

I really hope the bike is great as I have said, but the reality is that these things don't happen overnight.

Look at their Down Under Aussie Website:

Down Under Dirtbikes Homepage

Looks like it was designed in a sweat shop!! If they are the Australian Distributors and want this bike to have a good name, they need to really market it professional unlike a lot of other China brands. IF the product is good enough it will then sell itself.

You sound like you have your sales pitch down pat though Thump!!

 

[I_THUMP]

please ..give me a break!!...thats comparing apples with pears, man!!

This bike has to be compared to the Jap bikes because theres no point comparing it with anything less. If that is the type of market they are aiming this bike at then why wouldnt you be comparing them both side by side? You would be stupid not to!

Hahahaha. Totally agree with you there mountain.

Maybe you should stop looking at them Thump and actually ride one. It will kill this bike in every way. Honda have been around just a few more years than than this company and are the biggest engine manufacturer in the world. Comparing Honda to that company is an absolute joke. I can grantee you will not see one of these in a Supercross main event for at least another 10 years if ever.

I really hope the bike is great as I have said, but the reality is that these things don't happen overnight.


You sound like you have your sales pitch down pat though Thump!!

First of all I have ridden the new CRF450 just last week because I am currently looking to buy a new 450 although I think I have decided on the KTM530 instead .

I have said many times that I am sceptical about this bike and how could I not be considering Chinas track record with producing full size bikes and vertical motors. All im saying is that so far this company looks to be doing the right things in terms of design and testing. Apparently they have done over 40,000km of testing over the past 9 months and having independent testing and reviews by magazines such as ADB will be a step in the right direction.

Look at their Down Under Aussie Website:

Down Under Dirtbikes Homepage

Looks like it was designed in a sweat shop!! If they are the Australian Distributors and want this bike to have a good name, they need to really market it professional unlike a lot of other China brands. IF the product is good enough it will then sell itself.

You said it yourself "IF the product is good enough it will then sell itself’’. So IF that is the case then they shouldn’t need a flashy website with all bells and whistles to try to help sell their bikes. Have you had a look at their other products and seen the type of customers they have been catering for? They sell 4x4 quad bikes to farmers so I don’t think a farmer would really care about how good the website looks. Atomik may have a nice colourful site that may look proffesional but they are far far from it .

To me it looks as if they are trying to market it profesionally by giving the bike to magazines like ADB to test ride and write up a review. Also giving the bike to Ryan Appes to do 100ft jumps is a good move but I wanna see the video of that.

Only time will tell

 

[unit_mx]

Hahahaha. Totally agree with you there mountain.

Maybe you should stop looking at them Thump and actually ride one. It will kill this bike in every way. Honda have been around just a few more years than than this company and are the biggest engine manufacturer in the world. Comparing Honda to that company is an absolute joke. I can grantee you will not see one of these in a Supercross main event for at least another 10 years if ever.

I really hope the bike is great as I have said, but the reality is that these things don't happen overnight.

Look at their Down Under Aussie Website:

Down Under Dirtbikes Homepage

Looks like it was designed in a sweat shop!! If they are the Australian Distributors and want this bike to have a good name, they need to really market it professional unlike a lot of other China brands. IF the product is good enough it will then sell itself.

You sound like you have your sales pitch down pat though Thump!!

Have some confidence mate. Here's an Aussie bloke not some TNC having a real go at taking on a huge Transnational corporation such as Honda. Only in Australia does this happen and you denying the bike even the chance to be remotley successfull seem's abit skewed.

Give the guy ago , He's trying and doing all the things to make it successfull.

The guy obviously inst focused on marketing yet which is a good thing as most of the $$$$ is going into R&D and getting **** sorted rather than posting up trivial add campaigns like ummmmmmmm say Motovert. It appears he wants to sort things out before he starts shifting units , is this not the honest thing to do?

Im not impressed with honda's line up either , though in saying that im no honda fan. Actually preety bitter against honda against their decision to demise production of the 2 stroke which showed absolutley no consideration for ALL of their markets. No shame though , honda haven't made a decent 2 stroke since the red devil days.

Im not putting any money on a odes turning up to the super x anytime soon , but wouldnt it be awsome to see a bike thats affordable , Designed and developed by an Australian and an underdog take the checkers. Wishfull thinking but having confidence in a product is a start towards that goal.

Im not laying down no sales pitch , I have absolutley no idea of who Aussie dirt bikes is but I like what his doing.

 

[motorman]

Fair call mate. Just sounded like you where another person that based a bike and motor by looking at it and not riding it. Good luck with the KTM. Great bikes till they break. Parts are ridiculously expensive. Just go the CR500 and be done with it!! hahaha.

A flashy site will help business. It's a good indicator of the professionalism of a company. I wasn't referring specifically to those Atmoic POS. There are a few other China makes I class as being quite good for the money. There are many China bikes that give mags a test bike. It's not a first.

There current target market is a huge pitfall. What's a farmer going to do with a China 450 MX bike?? lol.

They are definately doing the right things and putting their product to the test. Really would like to see proof of Appes jump. Would be cool to see!!

As you said, time will tell.

 

[grant878]

I would like to ride one.Not sure if I could bring myself to buy one though.

 

[unit_mx]

There current target market is a huge pitfall. What's a farmer going to do with a China 450 MX bike?? lol.

Ahahahaha , thats preety good ay

 

[motorman]

Have some confidence mate. Here's an Aussie bloke not some TNC having a real go at taking on a huge Transnational corporation such as Honda. Only in Australia does this happen and you denying the bike even the chance to be remotley successfull seem's abit skewed.

Give the guy ago , He's trying and doing all the things to make it successfull.

The guy obviously inst focused on marketing yet which is a good thing as most of the $$$$ is going into R&D and getting **** sorted rather than posting up trivial add campaigns like ummmmmmmm say Motovert. It appears he wants to sort things out before he starts shifting units , is this not the honest thing to do?

Im not impressed with honda's line up either , though in saying that im no honda fan. Actually preety bitter against honda against their decision to demise production of the 2 stroke which showed absolutley no consideration for ALL of their markets. No shame though , honda haven't made a decent 2 stroke since the red devil days.

Im not putting any money on a odes turning up to the super x anytime soon , but wouldnt it be awsome to see a bike thats affordable , Designed and developed by an Australian and an underdog take the checkers. Wishfull thinking but having confidence in a product is a start towards that goal.

Im not laying down no sales pitch , I have absolutley no idea of who Aussie dirt bikes is but I like what his doing.

If your not down with Honda's lineup, why ride a CRF50? Seriously if you dislike the company don't buy their products. I hate people that bag Honda's yet ride a CRF50. Go buy your favorite brands POS 50 then.

Motovert have the product's to back up there campaigns and have proven themselves over numerous years. The also do some R&D and listen to peoples feedback. Besides the fact the hold the World Distance Record on a mini among other accolades. If I was looking at a bike and was a relative newbie, logged onto down unders website, I would instantly write them off because if there website looks as dodgy as all hell, why wouldn't the company be the same? This is just feedback.

There will be no 2 strokes in 5-10 years time full stop. Get used to it. At least Honda are trying to help reduce emissions and are making a step in the greener direction. I'm as shattered as anyone that they ceased production, but it was only a matter of time.

I'm more than willing to give the guy a go and his products. Hell I thought Motovert's would have been a China POS when I started out until I threw a leg over one and was very pleasantly surprised. Would love to try this bike. I just don't like people making out that it is the bee's knees when it hasn't proven itself yet.

Just noticed too, it has a wide range gearbox not a short?? So it's an MX bike with an enduro styled gearbox?? Weird.

 

[jovian]

if crf450's are so un impressive, every other manufacturer made a huge mistake copying them hahahaha

 

[I_THUMP]

if crf450's are so un impressive, every other manufacturer made a huge mistake copying them hahahaha

The CRF450 is a great bike overall and it has a tested and proven motor which is why they would be an ideal choice to copy. I just didnt like the overall feel of the bike and I didnt find it very comfortable compared to some of the other 450s and the main one I am comparing the bike to is the KTM because that has impressed me the most.

Some things I didnt like about the CRF was the heavy cable type clutch which feels like they did back in the 90s so they really need to update to a hydraulic system. The brakes dont feel anywhere near as good as the KTM so ill take the Brembo brakes any day over any of the Jap brake setups. Another thing I really didnt like about the Honda was the frame. I didnt notice until seeing them all lined up in the showroom but the welds on the sides of the frames didnt look as neat as they should be. Maybe im just being picky but I have seen neater looking welds on some Atomik frames . I dont expect every weld on every frame to be identical but when you see matchstick size holes in some of the welds it doesnt look good. I should have got a pic of it.

From a new bike buyers perspective the Honda doesnt give enough for its price. Its about $400 more than the KTM and has much less to offer. Apart from the KTM being better overall in handling and performance it also comes with a 6 month parts and labour warranty compared to Honda's 3 month parts only warranty. For the price of the CRF450 I can get a KTM530 so it looks like im gonna have to get my ass back on an orange bike again


Oh I cant forget to mention that the KTM comes standard with black rims and all bikes should have black rims as standard

 

[motorman]

The CRF450 is a great bike overall and it has a tested and proven motor which is why they would be an ideal choice to copy. I just didnt like the overall feel of the bike and I didnt find it very comfortable compared to some of the other 450s and the main one I am comparing the bike to is the KTM because that has impressed me the most.

Some things I didnt like about the CRF was the heavy cable type clutch which feels like they did back in the 90s so they really need to update to a hydraulic system. The brakes dont feel anywhere near as good as the KTM so ill take the Brembo brakes any day over any of the Jap brake setups. Another thing I really didnt like about the Honda was the frame. I didnt notice until seeing them all lined up in the showroom but the welds on the sides of the frames didnt look as neat as they should be. Maybe im just being picky but I have seen neater looking welds on some Atomik frames . I dont expect every weld on every frame to be identical but when you see matchstick size holes in some of the welds it doesnt look good. I should have got a pic of it.

From a new bike buyers perspective the Honda doesnt give enough for its price. Its about $400 more than the KTM and has much less to offer. Apart from the KTM being better overall in handling and performance it also comes with a 6 month parts and labour warranty compared to Honda's 3 month parts only warranty. For the price of the CRF450 I can get a KTM530 so it looks like im gonna have to get my ass back on an orange bike again


Oh I cant forget to mention that the KTM comes standard with black rims and all bikes should have black rims as standard

I have no idea where your shopping Thump. I can get a CRF450 for 4 grand cheaper than a KTM530..... Spend that on a pipe and a few other things and it will go just as hard.

Unless your a big bloke, they are a pig of a thing through the tight stuff in the bush. I think we need to go for a ride one day and I will show you what I mean on my 250 when it get's tight.

Back on topic, I'm just about to read the ADB article on the bike. Mate said it's just an impression thing and they haven't actually road tested it but will find out soon enough. He reckons they were inpressed so might be a winner!! Just a bit iffy about that gearbox setup.

 

[I_THUMP]

I have no idea where your shopping Thump. I can get a CRF450 for 4 grand cheaper than a KTM530..... Spend that on a pipe and a few other things and it will go just as hard.

Unless your a big bloke, they are a pig of a thing through the tight stuff in the bush. I think we need to go for a ride one day and I will show you what I mean on my 250 when it get's tight.

Back on topic, I'm just about to read the ADB article on the bike. Mate said it's just an impression thing and they haven't actually road tested it but will find out soon enough. He reckons they were inpressed so might be a winner!! Just a bit iffy about that gearbox setup.

I should have mentioned I am talking about the road registered versions. The CRF feels much heavier and feels taller than the KTM which is actually a lighter bike.

Oh and the KTM530 is ony $400 more than the KTM450. Its the same weight and everything so they only diff is the bore x stroke.

 

[jovian]

i agree on certain aspects about crf's but the honda frame changed the game for jap dirt bikes. would be cool if the odes took into account CRF improvements like triple clamp offset, air box design etc

 

[motorman]

I should have mentioned I am talking about the road registered versions. The CRF feels much heavier and feels taller than the KTM which is actually a lighter bike.

Oh and the KTM530 is ony $400 more than the KTM450. Its the same weight and everything so they only diff is the bore x stroke.

Height can be adjusted on bikes. The CRF450X is over 5kg lighter than the KTM530. The KTM450 is about the same in weight. They are both great bikes to ride and you can't really go wrong on either. I just hate the cost of parts for the KTM. Even an oil filter is literally twice as much as Honda!! Should come hit some trails up one day on your toy when you get it.

Who would buy a KTM450 when for $400 extra you could go the 530? That's a bit weird. lol.

Looks like ADB are liking the bike. I'm now even more curios about it!! lol. Surely someone can russle up a mini riders test bike from them?

 

[roost666]

Another thing I really didnt like about the Honda was the frame. I didnt notice until seeing them all lined up in the showroom but the welds on the sides of the frames didnt look as neat as they should be.

Ya thump my 09 crf250 has a few messy welds that i have noticed but only on the part that comes of the swinga that holds the chain guard on

 

[I_THUMP]

The CRF450X is over 5kg lighter than the KTM530. The KTM450 is about the same in weight. They are both great bikes to ride and you can't really go wrong on either.

Who would buy a KTM450 when for $400 extra you could go the 530? That's a bit weird. lol.

Looks like ADB are liking the bike. I'm now even more curios about it!! lol. Surely someone can russle up a mini riders test bike from them?

I dont know where you are getting your specs from coz the KTM450 and 530 are the same weight and they are lighter than the CRF.


Is there much about the MCF in the ADB mag?

 

[I_THUMP]

Ya thump my 09 crf250 has a few messy welds that i have noticed but only on the part that comes of the swinga that holds the chain guard on

Hahaha, I will try and get back to that shop soon and get a photo of the welds im talking about.