The Crossfire XZ450RR

Ankit Tuladhar

Published at : June 24, 2015

Updated at : June 27, 2016 00:00

When the crossfire XZ250RR won two seasons of Racemandu back to back, we had a lot of expectations from its bigger sibling, the XZ450 RR. The newer model has managed to match up to and even exceed the benchmark set by its smaller sibling. And just like the XZ250RR, the XZ450 RR also comes in two variants—the super motard and the dirt model.

Features

The new XZ450RR comes loaded with a host of goodies. The bike is equipped with a 449 cc liquid-cooled single cylinder engine packing 43 HP and a maximum torque of 42.5 Nm at 6500 rpm. The horsepower makes the bike lightning-quick and provides perfect rides on highways and off-roads .Twist the throttle and you’ll be leaving everyone else in the dust. But make sure to hold on tight before you do so; otherwise, the instant torque could throw you off the bike.

Performance

As I mentioned earlier, the 43 HP that the 449 cc engine produces is more than enough for the majority of us. The only thing limiting its performance is its five-speed gear box. This dirty monster could have been a perfect package for bike enthusiasts if only it had come equipped with a six-speed gearbox. The gear ratios are short; thus while it promises breathtaking acceleration, you will have to change gears frequently to keep it within its optimal power band. The five-speed gear box limits this bike to speeds of around 135Kmph.

Handling

The XZ450RR features a Fastace suspension system, which is superior to the one in the older XZ250RR. The suspensions have a wide range of adjustability so you can tune them to your comfort and style. Make sure you get them checked with the nearest professional, though, as the setting is crucial for a comfortable ride—and you don’t want to risk losing control. When you are ready with the new setup, give the bike a test whirl. The Fastace suspension, which offers excellent front-end feel, should inspire enough confidence in you to brake late while entering corners.

I did a test run on a bike that came with a host of accessories and equipped with bigger discs and stickier Bridgestone s20 tyres. There wasn’t much feel with the brake lever, but it did stop the bike on a dime. The combination of great front-end feel, great brakes and stickier tyres allowed me to brake really deep into corners and exit the corners at high speed.

Comfort

The XZ450RR provides a comfortable ride, and the upright riding position makes for an exceedingly ergonomic experience. The suspensions are robust enough to absorb the bumps on our roads. If I had to nitpick on an issue, it would have to be the seat, which seems a tad too narrow.

You won’t notice this much, but when you have been on the saddle for hours on end, you will start to feel the discomfort. My passenger didn’t have any problems with the seat, but did have issues with the exhaust’s heat, which was hard to bear during a long ride.

Verdict

I really enjoyed the time I spent on the bike. The 449 cc single cylinder means that it is going to heat up in stop-and-go traffic, which is quite normal because such kinds of rides put a strain on the engine. It did stall on me a few times, but there are many issues that could have led to this.

This Crossfire model is an attention-grabber—a head-turner for sure! If you want extra goodies, you can opt for your own custom-made motard, which comes with big brakes, tyres, different graphics, rims and so on. The bikes are available at the Bikers Nepal showroom. They are priced at Rs 850.000 and 800,000 for the motard and the dirt, respectively.

Ride safe! Happy Riding!

MODEL XZ450RR Motard/DIRT

Engine type Liquid-cooled, single cylinder,4 stroke,4 valves

Bore [mm] 96

Stroke [mm] 62.1

Displacement 449cc

Compression ratio 11.1

Horsepower 43 HP

Net maximum torque 42.5N.M/6500rpm

Fuel system Carburettor

Ignition DCDI

Starter Electric/Kick