The DS 450 shows on their website at $8000.
I wonder if it's Transport Canada approved for sale here?

Front drive kicks in when/if rear loses traction.

Buddy of mine had some sort of 2WD bicycle. Said it worked well for sand and snow but the materials used were a bit of a let down, so it didn't last long.

 

The sales reps certainly weren't showing any street legal versions at the show I attended...

 

EPA approved and the whole ball of wax.

CHRISTINI AWD 450DS - Christini Technologies, Inc.

 

Christini Dual sport

 

I contacted Christini re DS for Canada:
"Unfortunately our DS is not certified for street use in Canada. It is only 49 state legal here in the US."

 

indeed!

 

Yes, unfortunately for now the DD is not transport Canada certified but we are working on that and hope to have it taken care of soon. We are also working on EFI for our 450 motors.

The 450 is modeled off of the Honda 450X in both motor and chassis. The chassis of course has been manufactured with the AWD system incorporated into it. And any aftermarket part that will bolt onto the 450X will bolt on to it. The motor utilizes essentially the same bottom end as a Honda 450X right down to the high end Japanese bearings. The top end uses a different cam design but does come with SS valves. Many of the motor parts can be interchanged with Honda parts.

The 2-strokes use the same frame minus the cradle and are powered by the newest GasGas EC motor and components including ignition module, hydraulic clutch and electric start. It uses Marzocchi twin chamber forks. Comes with a Fox shock and a complete FMF exhaust. They are assembled from the frame up in Philadelphia.

 

I still have mixed feelings about EFI for a DS, not sold on it. I'd rather have a carbed engine when I'm out in the middle of nowhere. I realize there is the upside of better fuel control with elevation changes.

On a strictly street machine, OK.

 

EDIT: Oh jeeze! I missed the second page of posts, including the one from the horses mouth. From the sound of it, it the 450 motor probably is better than the Honda factory version.
Mr. CHRISTINI: is it a CRF450X type two ring piston, or a TRX450 type three ring?

Yep, it is a genuine GasGas engine.

It's just the GasGas engine. The chassis is pure Christini, for good or bad I don't know.

As mentioned above, the four stroke is essentially a Chinese clone of a Honda CRF450X, from what I've read. I'm personally not particularly fond of the real Honda version, so I can't say I think a Chinese copy is appealing. Though for all I know, it may be better than the real thing. It does make the bike hit an incredibly low (relative) price point though.

The bikes are definitely cool. Obvious benefits in the right conditions.

 

Oh, one more thing. For the first time in a long time, we have viable dirt bikes from a US based company! At very competetive prices. That is very awesome. Very awesome.

When come the 1wd versions?