Review of the Honda CRF 450 motorcycle (CRF450R, CRF450X, CRF450RX)

Honda CRF 450 Off-Road Motorcycle Series

appeared in November 2001 (model year 2002) with the motocross model
Honda CRF450R
, which was intended to replace the 2-stroke version of the Honda CR500 and offer the market a motorcycle more suitable for classic motocross (due to excess power, the CR500 was more suitable for desert racing).

In 2005, the CRF 450 line was replenished with the enduro modification Honda CRF450X

. Built on the frame and engine of the CRF450R, it differed from it in engine tuning (less boost, more low-end torque), suspension, exhaust system, headlight, electric starter, 18′ rear wheel and increased fuel tank capacity. This model was designed to replace the obsolete Honda XR400 and make a greater bias towards hard enduro. Unlike the CRF450R, the enduro version of the Honda CRF450X was not officially sold in the Japanese market.

In September 2008 (model year 2009), the Honda CRF450R undergoes its first major restyling. The motorcycle is equipped with a new engine, which now weighs almost 2 kg lighter. In addition, electronic fuel injection (PGM-FI), a new intake system and a new titanium exhaust have been implemented in place of the carburetor. The frame has become more rigid, the geometry of the chassis (in particular, the pendulum) has changed. The pendants have changed their settings.

By August 2012, Honda is again updating the cross-country modification of the Honda CRF450R, offering the market a new version for the 2013 model year. The motorcycle is equipped with a new generation frame and a dual exhaust system (to achieve optimal weight distribution of the motorcycle). The suspension has been changed and retuned - the front fork becomes pneumatic and reduces weight by 800 grams. Now the front suspension can be quickly and easily adjusted by changing the air pressure in it. New engine - increased valves, increased compression ratio, new injection system settings.

In September 2021 (model year 2017), the Honda CRF450R undergoes another restyling, receiving a new engine (increased valve lift, new valve springs, new combustion chamber shape, new oil pump system, increased intake valve diameter, increased compression ratio). New electronic systems: HRC Launch Control, Engine Mode Select Button (EMSB). New Showa front suspension. New rear suspension settings. In the same year, the enduro modification of the Honda CRF450X was seriously updated. It changes its name to Honda CRF450RX

and gets the same engine as the Honda CRF450R model. Both models are now unified with each other, and differ only in suspension settings/geometry, weight and dimensions, fuel tank capacity, gear ratio of the main pair and wheel size. The new Honda CRF450RX is also available in the Japanese domestic market.

In mid-2021, Honda announced updates to the CRF450R and CRF450RX for the 2020 model year. The main change was the use of the HSTC (Honda Selectable Torque Control) traction control system and a new front suspension (increased travel to 305 mm). The fuel injection system was also optimized (improving mixture formation at low speeds), the weight distribution of the motorcycle (by changing the position of the battery) and the suspension settings were further optimized to improve handling.

In July 2021, Honda introduced the new generation CRF450R and CRF450RX for the 2021 model year. The fuel injection system and engine tuning have undergone changes (optimization of operation at low and medium speeds), the cable clutch drive has been replaced by hydraulics, the number of clutch discs has been increased from 7 to 8, the front suspension travel has increased by 5 mm (to 310 mm), also Additional improvements have been made to weight and size parameters, ergonomics and ease of maintenance. The RX version now comes with hand protection as standard.

In August 2021, Honda also introduced a budget soft-enduro model - the Honda CRF450L.

Main competitors of the Honda CRF450R:

• Kawasaki KX450F
• Suzuki RM-Z450
• Yamaha YZ450F

Main competitors of Honda CRF450X/RX:

• Kawasaki KLX450R/KX450X
• Suzuki DR-Z400E / Suzuki RMX450
• Yamaha WR450
• Suzuki RMX450Z

Brief history of the model

• 2002 - start of production and sales of the Honda CRF450R.

Model

: Honda CRF450R (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
CRF450R2.

• 2003 - no significant changes.

Model

: Honda CRF450R (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
CRF450R3.

• 2004 - no significant changes.

Model

: Honda CRF450R (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
CRF450R4.

• 2005 - appearance of the Honda CRF450X modification.

Model

: Honda CRF450R;
Honda CRF450X (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan). Factory designation:
CRF450R5; CRF450X5.

• 2006 - no significant changes.

Model

: Honda CRF450R;
Honda CRF450X (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan). Factory designation:
CRF450R6; CRF450X6.

• 2007 - no significant changes.

Model

: Honda CRF450R;
Honda CRF450X (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan). Factory designation:
CRF450R7; CRF450X7.

• 2008 - no significant changes.

Model

: Honda CRF450R;
Honda CRF450X (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan). Factory designation:
CRF450R8; CRF450X8.

• 2009 - restyling of the CRF450R model.

Model

: Honda CRF450R;
Honda CRF450X (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan). Factory designation:
CRF450R9; CRF450X9.

• 2010 - CRF450X temporarily discontinued.

Model

: Honda CRF450R (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan).
Factory designation:
CRF450RA.

• 2011 - no significant changes.

Model

: Honda CRF450R;
Honda CRF450X (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan). Factory designation:
CRF450RB; CRF450XB.

• 2012 - restyling of the CRF450R model.

Model

: Honda CRF450R;
Honda CRF450X (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan). Factory designation:
CRF450RC; CRF450XC.

• 2013 - no significant changes.

Model

: Honda CRF450R;
Honda CRF450X (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan). Factory designation:
CRF450RD; CRF450XD.

• 2014 - no significant changes.

Model

: Honda CRF450R;
Honda CRF450X (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan). Factory designation:
CRF450RE; CRF450XE.

• 2015 - no significant changes.

Model

: Honda CRF450R;
Honda CRF450X (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan). Factory designation:
CRF450RF; CRF450XF.

• 2016 - restyling of the CRF450R model.

Model

: Honda CRF450R;
Honda CRF450X (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan). Factory designation:
CRF450RG; CRF450XG.

• 2017 - appearance of the RX modification.

Model

: Honda CRF450R;
Honda CRF450X; Honda CRF450RX (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan). Factory designation:
CRF450RH; CRF450XH; CRF450RXH.

• 2018 - no significant changes.

Model

: Honda CRF450R;
Honda CRF450RX (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan). Factory designation:
CRF450RJ; CRF450RXJ.

• 2019 - no significant changes.

Model

: Honda CRF450R;
Honda CRF450RX (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan). Factory designation:
CRF450RK; CRF450RXK.

• 2020 - The model is equipped with the HSTC (Honda Selectable Torque Control) system and receives a number of small changes.

Model

: Honda CRF450R;
Honda CRF450RX (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan). Factory designation:
CRF450RL; CRF450RXL.

• 2021 - The model is equipped with a hydraulic clutch and undergoes some other changes.

Model

: Honda CRF450R;
Honda CRF450RX (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan). Factory designation:
CRF450RM; CRF450RXM.

• 2022 - no significant changes.

Model

: Honda CRF450R;
Honda CRF450RX (Europe, North America, Australia, Japan). Factory designation:
CRF450RN;
CRF450RXN.

2021 HONDA CRF 450

The Honda CRF450 is the benchmark motocross machine and has amassed an impressive collection of awards and titles over the years. Rather than rest on its laurels, Honda has gone back to the drawing board for the 2021 model year, infusing the iconic machine with updates aimed at improving power, handling and consistency, with an emphasis on "Razor Sharp Cornering." Building on lessons learned from Honda Racing Corporation's global racing program, including the efforts of the Honda HRC AMA Supercross and Motocross team, the 2021 CRF450 features engine updates targeting low-to-mid-level performance, a newly developed chassis with revised rigidity and a thinner body. . The combination results in a car that performs at a high level during a tough ride. Prices: $9599

A single bolt connects through the removable left side panel and the air filter snaps into place.

Beneath the 2021 CRF450's clothes, you can see a redesigned gas tank, frame, subframe, and swingarm.

Specifications

Technical characteristics of Honda CRF450:

Rebranding 2006

Taking into account the negative comments and opinions collected over several years, in 2006 the concern’s engineers reassembled the line in a new way.

Rumors that the bikes of the new “bottling” will become much more expensive have not been confirmed. The concern's marketing department froze the price. Authorized Hobda dealers around the world began to offer new models at the prices of old ones.

In 2006 in the lineup:

1. The engine was moved . 5 mm down, 5 mm forward. The result is increased maneuverability.
2. The radiator was moved . 5 mm down. The result is a lower overall center of gravity without reducing ground clearance, resulting in better handling.
3. Reduced exhaust pipe noise. According to the new rules of Japanese law, it should not exceed 96 dB.

   The mufflers are raised high to the seat and covered with plastic covers.

4. The front fork cups were replaced, as well as the front wheel hub . The result is that the motorcycle has become lighter. The consequences have become a whole range of qualities on which comfort when moving depends.
5. We used new material for the intake valve seat, carburetor needle, and water pump impeller . The result is an increase in the service life of the corresponding units, and as a result, an extension of the overall service life of the model.
6. Separate adjustments have been made to the suspension components , which generally affect driving comfort.

Flaws

The Honda CRF-450 is definitely suitable for experienced pilots, and beginners will be crazy about it. However, beginner riders will still be more suited to a more modest bike, for example, the Honda CRF-250.

Of course, after the announcement of the reassembly of the line, many users expected the inclusion of features that had proven themselves on equipment from other brands. But, as you know, Honda has never pursued new products, focusing on safety and cost . Therefore, many users, speaking about the disadvantages, describe the disadvantages of all enduro equipment.

• Honda CRF450 requires some riding experience . But any off-road, hard or light, will require advanced control skills from the pilot, and the brand is no exception.
• Fuel reserve is small . The developers are positioning the bike primarily as a sports equipment, not a road bike. Due to the forced engine and cross-country settings, the bike needs to be serviced more often than a regular one . Well, with frequent maintenance, refilling is just part of the process...

A rather serious disadvantage is the carburetor, not the injector . But converting to an injector will require rebuilding the bike, while a new needle will allow the carburetor to last longer. But among cross-country and enduro fans there is a large caste of people who only recognize the carburetor.

Advantages

The motorcycle will most likely appeal to those riders who like to combine motorsports disciplines such as motocross and classic enduro.

Just like the disadvantages, the advantages of the model are often the advantages of the brand. In addition to the additions used during rebranding, users note:

• good handling;
• reliability;

As well as a large number of both components and tuning opportunities .
Moreover, in some cases, the concern contributes to the latter by releasing for sale a small number of models converted at the factory.

Reviews

Reviews about Honda CRF450X:

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CRF450X versus its other competitors: WR450 almost everything is the same, in small details the Yamaha has a normal minicomputer (the Honda has an odometer in miles), the steering wheel is more expensive, crankcase protection is included in the base, the suspension in the base is softer (the Honda has a rather stiff suspension in the base, on rider is 80-90 kilograms), after 12 years the Yamaha got an injector, there are the same number of spare parts, the prevalence is identical, there is a lot of tuning // but there is an extremely subjective opinion about the less reliability of the Yamaha, they say someone somewhere once killed the wr engine , but cfr didn’t kill. EXC450-530 KTM advantage - 6 gears, the presence of an injector after 12 years, a lot of convenient little things in the base, such as a hydraulic clutch, Brembov brakes, a transparent large tank, more expensive attachments // but the Honda will be more reliable, cheaper, spare parts and a lot more available for the Honda tuning for reasonable money, the Honda has an aluminum frame, unlike the steel KTM, the Honda loses less in price KLX450 RMX450 are less widespread - so I don’t know much, I think the differences are minimal, but there are disadvantages of being less widespread TE450-511 Husqvarna little is known to me - not I rolled, but I saw her standing in the forest a couple of times, with the words, “We’ve done it, damn it! The wiring has come off, it won’t start, there’s no kick, just one small wiring and that’s it!”

RESOURCE CRF450X piston = 150-250 motorcycle hours = 7,500-15,000 km = 2 - 4 years (although the instructions do not say this, this is from the experience of both me and others, for example, my stock piston took five years, although rarely driving) oil = 15 hours = 750 km = 2-3 weeks and look at the valves, although they should be adjusted to replace the piston and approx. and the carb needs to be adjusted a couple of times a season, when you drown, it gets dirty. Clean the air vent more often along with changing the oil.

150 operating hours on an R-ke in a supermoto, normal flight, oil change (300V), valve adjustment, 30 operating hours.

In the forest and in the sand, the enduro 450 is wildly heavy! Yes, it really takes a lot of effort to move them. This is noticeable at low speeds. the only way is to look for high-speed places) 250 4T is a rather dull entertainment, like riding a bicycle, it seems to roll, it seems to be enough, the speed seems to be the same, but there is little fire, the eyes don’t light up) and the 250 4T has a worse resource, in particular the Honda 250x There are problems with the valves, but as for 450wr versus 450crfx - they have the same weight, but 250wr is rotten and sad) in terms of weight, the only solution is 2T! )) according to the myths about valves, it’s not true, everything is perfect, at least with my model. I haven't heard any problems from others either. I heard about replacing valves after 100-150 mph at 250 mph.

Dimensions and weight

Attempts to lighten and accelerate the motorcycle as much as possible have led to the fact that the dry weight of the models is not much higher than the weight of the average pit bike - 116 kg.

The equipped motorcycle (filled with all fluids) weighs 123 kg.

The side stand adds a couple of kilograms to the weight. Whoever fights for lightness can take it off.

Before describing the external parameters, it is worth recalling that enduro has a high seating position by definition. This affects both ground clearance and the rider's riding position.

The motorcycle has:

• in length - 2180 mm ;
• width - 780 mm (including protruding mirrors on X versions - 820 mm );
• height - 1275 mm , seat - 863 mm .

Wheelbase and ground clearance are 1490 and 340 mm, respectively.

Who is it suitable for?

Despite the initial positioning of the bikes only for Japanese markets, tall European users note that it is quite comfortable to sit and ride. The steering wheel does not touch the steering wheel; it reaches extreme positions without problems.

This powerful cross bike leaves a lot of positive emotions after the first ride.

As a result of the 2006 redesign, versions of subsequent years of production have no height/weight restrictions .

Beyond electronics

In addition to the electronics, the updates affected the mechanical component of the model , including the installation of a heavier flywheel and a new cylinder head, which made it possible to move the exhaust system to the right side. The collector chamber has become shorter, but gas is now released through pipes of larger diameter. The gears in the transmission are made of more durable material, and the pistons have also become more wear-resistant. Finally, the position of the clutch cable has been changed so that it runs further away from the engine itself. As before, the bike starts easily from kickstarter.

Results

The 2021 Honda CRF450X enduro motorcycle turned out to be very successful. The engine has a large reserve of power, and at the same time it is very easy to handle thanks to good traction from the bottom and linear distribution. The suspension is soft and comfortable straight from the factory, and the chassis responds well to rider inputs while remaining stable at high speeds. Good ergonomics make the CRF450X a very pleasant ride. Honda has done a great job producing an off-road motorcycle that has a fun personality, good power and easy handling.

Economy

To sell the 2021 Honda CRF450WE Roczen Edition for significantly more than the 2021 Honda CRF450, Honda's marketers had to bring in some extra glitz and glamour. The list includes HRC team graphics (with Ken Roczen's #94), black anodized triple clamps, gold plated fork cups, new seat cover, DID LTX rims, gold RK chain, Renthal FatBars and Renthal grips. Add in new ECU software, a Yoshimura exhaust, titanium nitride-coated suspension components and tweaked valve seats for a cost premium.

The problem isn't that the limited edition Honda CRF450 isn't worth the money, it's where exactly you would spend your money. What if you want Excel A60 drives? Xtrig crossbars? Other graphics? Seat cover without knurling? FMF exhaust?

The Honda CRF450 Roczen Edition is a vanity motorcycle for the general buyer. From an experienced rider's perspective, buying a stock version and customizing the bike yourself is a more efficient approach to building the perfect motocross bike.