The new Honda CRF450R is fitted with new Kayaba PSF (Pneumatic Spring Fork, aka "air") forks. What's the advantage of air forks over traditional spring forks? Mainly less weight and easier adjustability. Since the springs are replaced by air, the forks are much lighter, at least two pounds, and there is also less unsprung weight. Changing "springs" is now as easy as using a bicycle pump. One pound is equivalent to one spring-rate level. Air forks aren't new but stiction has always been a problem with air forks due to tighter seals on the fork tubes themselves, but with today's new anti-stiction, fork-coating technology, the advantages of air forks can now be obtained. This is not the same air fork that was recently introduced on 2013 Kawasaki KX450F.
