Honda CRF 450 review: technical specifications and model rebrandings

Soft-enduro model Honda CRF450L

was presented on August 23, 2021, and official sales started on September 20 (model year - 2019). Unlike other budget models of the CRF series, the CRF450L model is built on the common base of the cross-country Honda CRF450R - frame, engine, suspension. The main changes affected the design, equipment (fully prepared for public roads - LED optics, turn signals, brake lights, mirrors, license plate mount), engine settings (it was seriously deformed and retuned to increase torque at the bottom), wheel sizes, settings suspension, fuel tank capacity and gearbox (6-speed).

the Honda CRF450L Rally was presented

, which is present in the junior line of Honda CRF250L, however, at the time of writing this review, it is not yet on sale.

The Honda CRF450L model is aimed at the markets of Japan, Europe, North America and Australia. The price of a new motorcycle is from $10,000.

At the end of 2021, Honda introduced the new 2021 CRF450L model. The motorcycle has received a new color scheme, optimization of the control unit (ECU) and fuel injection system, the front suspension has increased travel to 305 mm, and branded hand protection is now standard equipment. Starting this year, the model is available only in the North American market. The model also received a new name - Honda CRF450RL

.

Appearance

The Honda CRF 450 has few distinctive design features. The red frame color combined with light gray is typical for many cross bikes of this brand. A little black. The standard fender shape and stance is due to the fact that this bike is intended for competition, where design variations are not encouraged.

Of course, if you look at the (amateur) modifications, it is sometimes possible to mistake a bike for another model. At least if you look at the photo. However, a person well versed in the dynamics of cross-country equipment is unlikely to confuse this motorcycle with something else in action (if judging by the video from the competition).

Brief history of the model

• 2019 - start of production and sales of CRF450L.

Model

: Honda CRF450L (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
CRF450LK.

• 2020 - no significant changes.

Model

: Honda CRF450L (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
CRF450LL.

• 2021 - minor model changes. The motorcycle now has a new name - Honda CRF450RL
  .

Model

: Honda CRF450RL (North America).
Factory designation:
CRF450RLM.

Comfort

The car is convenient if you have already developed a habit of powerful cross-country vehicles. You should not think that the driving skill of some 85 cc classmate is sufficient to perfectly control such a car. It is better to gradually switch to more and more powerful models, then there will be no problems.

If you need a cross bike for all occasions, it is better to pay attention to less powerful models. Then both fuel consumption and risks will be lower. After all, this Honda is a sports car, and it belongs in motocross. The same can be said about other heavy-duty sport bikes.

Driving performance

Fuel consumption directly depends on the quality of the road surface. Depending on their driving style, users give different numbers. Average - 8 liters per 100 km (it is worth noting that the tank has the same volume).

Maximum speed

The maximum declared speed is 100 km/h.

According to user reviews, the bike is dynamic and accelerates quickly. This largely depends, of course, on the conditions of use.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h

To accelerate from 0 to 100 km, the developers voice a figure of 4.2 seconds .

Dimensions and weight

The dimensions are typical for the class: light weight, high ground clearance, small gas tank volume... It is worth noting the high seat height. People of short stature are unlikely to be suitable for this or other representatives of this class, which are distinguished by a significant value of this indicator. If the seat height were lower, this would inevitably lead to a deterioration in ride quality.

Dimensions:

• tank – 6.3 l;
• ground clearance - 328 mm;
• curb weight – 110 kg;
• height – 1274 mm;
• width – 827 mm;
• length – 2183 mm;
• seat height – 960 mm.

The dimensions and weight make this bike suitable for competition. The filling parameters also meet the standards. However, we cannot say that the design of this motorcycle is the best possible. This is not the limit of engineering development in this class.

Specifications

This technique is reliable, but like any other motocross bike, it will break down sooner or later. Spare parts are easy to obtain, so maintenance will not be expensive. At least, this or that review does not raise such a problem.

Yes, fuel consumption is significant here, but this is not a problem given the class. For road motorcycles this would be a significant disadvantage. Acceleration to 100, as well as the maximum speed, are significantly above average here. For many this will be enough. The technical characteristics are quite decent for this class of equipment and this price.

Honda CRF 450 L – first ride

The world has turned upside down! Honda, the most conservative company in terms of safety, said “enough!” The result: you can now buy a CRF 450 L with factory road approval and enjoy the ride both in the field and on the road.

Honda CRF 450L

This problem affects all Japanese manufacturers. If you want to go crazy off-road or ride an ATV, that's no problem, as long as you're riding in an enclosed area. There is no legal option for racing on asphalt.

Several years ago, Honda, which has its own subsidiary in Italy - HM Honda, was engaged in homologation of motorcycles and tried to circumvent the rules. The process was fiendishly time-consuming and expensive, so it's no surprise that customers chose competitors' motorcycles. In Europe they buy a Husqvarna, KTM, AJP, Beta or GasGas and legally hit the streets.

There is however one catch. The power of many of these machines was suppressed to 15 hp. With. For approval. However, it is enough to install the factory kit (supplied with the motorcycle) for the power to increase significantly. In theory, you lose the opportunity to legally ride such a motorcycle on the street, but in practice this is difficult to track by the police.

Seeing what was happening in the market, the samurai at Honda said “enough”, and the result of their decision was the CRF 450 L - the first homologated hard enduro in the company's history. The motorcycle was based on the R crossover and shares 70% of its parts with it. This ensures that the machine performs well in the field. The remaining 30% consists of parts that adapt it to street driving: mirrors, meters, indicators, lamps, fan, larger radiator, sixth gear and slightly modified engine gears. As a result of these changes, Honda has added weight: the scale indicator now stops at 131 kg (for comparison, the CRF 450 R weighs 112.3 kg).

Honda CRF 450L

From asphalt to off-road. The steering wheel switches look like they were taken from a road car. How long will they survive on the cross? That's a good question!

Size doesn't matter. Thanks to rubber brackets, huge turn signals can easily withstand collisions with the ground. Checked!

LEDs only. Both lamps (front and rear) have LEDs instead of bulbs. The spotlight is amazingly effective.

A heavy dose of Relanium was applied to this Honda. The idea was to comply with the Euro 4 standard. At the same time, an attempt was made to obtain maximum torque in the lower rev range. The compression ratio was dropped, the camshafts were replaced, and the crankshaft weight was increased by 12%. The engine now runs virtually vibration-free and its performance is extremely smooth. Wild twisting into a turn and an explosion of power at high revs? Nothing like this! The light and precise clutch coupled with the easy-to-handle characteristics made the bike run meekly like a lamb, nimbly climbing ramps and negotiating slippery roads with ease.

The fun was only spoiled by the razor-thin, razor-sharp, dual-spindle IRC tire that easily clogs with dirt. I won’t get too dark: tires are the only thing I would exchange immediately after purchase.

What happened to the power? About 60 hp, which the crossover could boast, became... 25. Obviously, the lack of power was felt on asphalt sections, when the motorcycle easily accelerated to hundreds, but later it “took its breath away.” The sixth gear also helped little in achieving greater speed. However, 25 hp. was sufficient for light off-roading and gravel roads. It’s easier for the Americans, because less strict rules allow you to squeeze 40 hp out of a 450 liter CRF.

Honda wants to attract buyers with something else - rugged and crash-free design. According to the mechanics, the first serious inspection of the engine should be done only after 30,000 km! In the field, this range is impressive (competition enduros require service after just 15 hours of operation). Even changing the engine oil every 1000 km does not dampen my admiration. Travelers who quietly tried this car on will be disappointed. Well, you need to take a can of oil with you instead of just one pair of socks.

Power, come on! 25 hp not impressive on paper or in the field. However, this should be sufficient for an amateur.

Are we cutting costs? The plastic and sofa are the same as in the crossover. The slightly larger radiator has a fan.

The CRF 450 L is more than 8 mm longer than the crossover, resulting in a longer wheelbase and improved ride stability.

If you're wondering how to unlock this mot, let me tell you that it won't come cheap. First you need to delve into the intake system and timing. What did the Japanese mean when they said these words? The valve itself and the injector? This could not be squeezed out of them. Secondly, the engine management system needs to be replaced, and thirdly, the exhaust system needs to be changed.

Honda CRF 450L

During the presentation I liked the question about pendants. They were meant to be comfortable, which doesn't mean they would struggle off-road. Thus, Honda abandoned the air forks that were used in the older versions of the CRF because they were expensive and caused a lot of maintenance problems. Amateurs don't need this. The motorcycle has steel springs and spring preload adjustments and damped rebound. The back is also a classic. The central shock absorber is connected to the rocker by the Pro Link system and is fully adjustable. Compared to the CRF-450 Crossover, the CRF-450 L's hinges are softer and much more comfortable.

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What do the owners say?

They note that there are no particular differences relative to their rivals in the class. Not everyone likes the fact that there is a five-speed gearbox, believing that bikes with a six-speed gearbox are more convenient. Also, some would like to see an injector and a hydraulic clutch on the bike. Some would prefer better brakes, such as Bremb brakes.

According to the description of those who have owned the bike for a long time, the attachments here are not bad, but there are better ones in the class. But it, of course, is more expensive in itself, which makes the motorcycle as a whole more expensive. But the affordable price is the reason why many praise this model. About 150 thousand Russian rubles - that’s how much such a car costs on the secondary market.

IMPORTANT! Judging by the reviews, the resource has been here for about two to four years. That is, from 150 to 250 operating hours. That's how much the piston will last. Don’t think that this is a minus of this particular bike. Today this is, in principle, a common phenomenon, and it is worth keeping this in mind even when buying a new motorcycle, not to mention a used one.

Inexperienced bikers note that for that kind of money it would be possible to make a more comfortable and productive bike. In fact, the cost is explained by the fact that this is a serious, modern machine suitable for competitions, and not a training motocross bike for beginners. So the price-quality ratio is justified here.

The CRF 450 is a powerful off-road machine, or more precisely, a motocross machine. This is a bright representative of the class, which, however, sooner or later will get lost against the background of ever newer models. But even then, there will probably be people who want to buy a motorcycle on the secondary market.