Joe Byrd’s Honda TRX450R Race Quad
- Updated: November 20, 2006
Future pro, Aaron Meyer got his chance to ride a pro-level championship winning mount early when Joe Byrd allowed him to put his ’06 450R through the paces. Joe Byrd’s compound in Union City, Tennessee is impressive to say the least. But as far as I’m concerned what’s more impressive is his 2006 season! Joe finished the GNC Series with three wins, five 2nd place finishes and two 3rds. That equates to more trips to the podium than any other pro this season.
2006 was one of the best years for the fans but one of the hardest for the riders because five pro riders won overalls. With this, even with Joe’s consistent finishes – winning a championship wasn’t easy. In the end, Byrd used his talent and his many years of experience to to tactfully finish on top. Equally as important to his success was the 2006 Honda TRX450R that Joe used to destroy the competition. And that’s what we’re going to take a look at today.
One of the things that stood out to Aaron was the ergonomics of Joe’s machine. He liked how easy the machine was to throw around both in the air and on the ground.
Rolling it out
I tagged along with ATV Scene to do a piece on the Jeremiah Jones Fund Raiser School held at Joe’s place. While we were there we somehow talked Joe into allowing me to take a ride on his championship-winning factory Honda.
Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to ride many pro and pro-am level quads but the chance to ride the Byrd-machine certainly topped my list. After Joe’s mechanic prepped the the mighty R for me I began to push it out of his first class race shop.
As I rolled it out and walked along side of it I realized I was seconds away from riding what I consider the best working and fastest race quad in the world! When the quad poked out from the indoors and out of the shadows the sunlight glared on the candy apple red plastic. It was then when it hit me. I couldn’t believe it. The privilege that Joe just gave me was overwhelming. Would the quad perform as incredible as it looked? Oh no, what if I wad it up! I quickly put that thought right out of my mind as I pulled my goggles over my helmet and prepared to start my dream quad.
Joe’s championship-winning machine utilizes Pro Armor nerfs with full nets and IMS pegs with heel guards.
The dream ride
With one hard kick, the DASA engine fired and the Yoshimura exhaust let out a crisp growl. I clicked it into gear and rode off to the track. The first thing that I noticed was how crisp the throttle response was. I took the first few laps real easy to get familiar with the quad. After that it was on. Let’s see how this thing really goes. I thought to myself as I ripped it loose on my third lap.
I instantly noticed that I had plenty of room in the saddle to move around and I was able to quickly put the quad where I wanted at anytime. I also noticed that the quad had plenty of room to float underneath me while it did it’s thing. The next thing I noticed was how the Walsh front end performed. The steering and handling were pristine and the mighty Honda went exactly where I aimed it.
As for the power, you better know what you’re doing when you nail the throttle. The power that Joe’s DASA engine makes is absolutely mind-boggling. Let’s put it this way, you better have it pointed exactly where you want to go when you let it rip. Man this thing is awesome. I said to myself.
Custom Axis shocks combined with the Walsh Savior swing arm made Joe’s insane track feel as smooth as ice. The rear end combination swallowed up every drain rut, hole, whoop and square edge bump like they were small snacks. I was fascinated with how well this set up worked! I was able to go much faster than I thought I would. If I were riding one of my old quads I would have been thrown off more than once.
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|---|---|---|
| Walsh Race Craft and Custom Axis set Joe Byrd up with one of the finest suspension systems imaginable. While both ends were virtually flawless, Aaron felt the Walsh Axis rear end was pure magic. | ||
A Precision Racing steering stabilizer comes in real handy at the ballistic speeds Joe Byrd’s machine is capable of reaching.One of the more technical sections on Joe’s track had a double/double right out of a corner. As I got used to my dream quad I decided to go for it. I especially wanted to try this technical double/double because I remember how hard it was to clear on my quad.
With the champ’s 450R, I felt and looked like a pro. After landing the first double I planted the front end on the ground, made the turn and nailed it. The power rolled on smooth and precise. I made the very technical second 60ft double with ease on the first attempt.
Although the quad was wicked fast, I had no problem coming into the whooped out corners with the Streamline brake system. The brakes worked like no other brakes I’ve experienced. With a slight grip on the front breaks I was able to lock up the front wheels, which almost threw me over the bars at first. I realized that all I needed was a slight tap to bring me to cornering speed.
With instant throttle response and a seamless power delivery, launching the professor’s 450R into orbit was an easily achievable thrill. The Walsh front end did its duty just as well as the Streamline brakes. It floated through the nasty braking bumps and whooped-out berms nicely — allowing me to quickly smash the throttle again and maintain speed. And once more, the Custom Axis shock combined with the Walsh swing arm had the rear floating through the rough stuff like a trophy truck. It’s all about getting to the next turn as fast as possible and Joe’s set up does this perfectly.
Meanwhile after roosting out of the turns like Joe himself, I took note of the traction I was getting from the Kenda tires. They seemed to hook up on the hard packed areas and dug through the power-sapping sections too.
I didn’t want the moment to end. I just kept putting lap after lap in, concentrating on making each lap better than the last. After much of this, Joe had to come out and yank me off. Sorry, Joe, I couldn’t help myself.
Using a Yoshimura exhaust, Dasa’s Dan Lamey knows how to extract a ton of usable power out of the Honda 450R. Hinson clutch components help Joe regulate the machine’s power output.
Summing it up
Joe Byrd’s Factory Honda TRX450R is a masterpiece. The DASA power is out of this world! I can now see how Joe grabbed so many holeshots this year. The Walsh/Custom Axis suspension is a notch above top notch. And the overall package is even better than I thought it would be.
Thank You Joe!
I know how priceless this quad must be to Joe. After a dozen years of racing professional, he realized his goal of winning a pro national championship on this very ATV. For him to trust me enough to ride it is incredible and I sincerely thank him for the opportunity.
Joe Byrd’s Championship Winning 450R
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Motor
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|---|---|
| Motor Mods | Dasa |
| Displacement | 450cc |
| Bore and Stroke | Stock |
| Carburation | Stock |
| Starting | kick |
| Transmission/oil | Stock/Motul |
| Fuel tank | IMS |
| Fuel | VP |
| Exhaust System | Yoshimura |
| Aixbox/Filter | Stock/UNI |
| Clutch | Stock with Hinson components |
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CHASSIS
|
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|---|---|
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Frame
|
Stock |
| A arms | Walsh Race Craft +2.5 |
| Ball Joints | Walsh Race Craft |
| Hubs | HardKor |
| Swingarm | Walsh Race Craft 19.5 inch |
| Axle | RPM Dominator |
| Steering Stablizer | Precision |
|
SUSPENSION
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|
|---|---|
| Front Shocks | AXIS 10.5in travel |
| Rear Shock | AXIS10.5in travel |
| Linkage | Walsh Race Craft |
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BRAKES
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|
|---|---|
| Pads | Streamline |
| Lines | Streamline |
| Rotors | Streamline |
| Fluid | Motul |
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WHEELS/TIRES
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|
|---|---|
| Wheels | Douglas |
| Tires | Kenda |
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CONTROLS
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|---|---|
| Handlebars | TAG |
| Hand Guards | PowerMadd |
| Pegs | IMS |
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PROTECTIVE
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|---|---|
| Bumper | Pro Armor Pro MX |
| Nerf Bars | Pro Armor |
| Heel Guards | IMS |
