Other Engines and spare parts Engine - HONDA CRF 450 R from the USA

Since the beginning of 2000, Honda developers began to gradually change the line of XR motorcycles to CRF . The new models are offered in three versions:

• Honda CRF450R - cross version . There are no mirrors, headlights, or minimal electrics.
• Honda CRF450F - motocross tires , retuned suspension and engine are features of hard-enduro.
• Honda CRF450X is a symbiosis of both models . It belongs to ENDURO, but has a full set of electrics, mirrors and head optics .

Honda CRF450R – cross.

Honda CRF450F – hard enduro.

Honda CRF450X with headlight.

In 2006, the line underwent rebranding, which is discussed below. The release of updated versions continues. Initially intended for domestic markets, the models can be seen at American and European Honda dealers.

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).

Enduro motorcycle from Honda

This short historical sketch gives us the necessary understanding of how off-road enthusiasts have patiently waited 15 years for a fully road-legal off-road motorcycle from a Japanese manufacturer. We're not saying that the XR, KLR, DR/Zs or WR/XT weren't good enough bikes, they're good enough in the world of dual-sport motorcycles as long as you don't talk about tight mountain trails.

honda crf 450l 2019

The fact that the CRF450L is based on the 2022 CRF450R is amazing in itself! Japanese manufacturers are very conservative, and if a bike falls into the line of approved motorcycles for additional access, then the whole point comes down to an incredible safety margin of the equipment and nothing more. The CRF-R and CRF-X, and now the RX, are competition machines designed with performance in mind. In the list of priorities in the production of these models, performance completely prevails over all other qualities. This is why service intervals have been significantly reduced. For all road models, including the XR650L, performance is still there, but safety and durability are prioritized. That's why Honda, and every other Japanese manufacturer, waited so long to make such a motorcycle.

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.

Honda CRF450L is ready for more

In addition to tuning spare parts, there are many spare parts unique to the CRF450L in the CRF line. To reduce the overall noise level of the motorcycle, Honda used a myriad of features to make the motorcycle more inconspicuous on the road. First of all, these are chain traps on the drive and driven sprocket, which remove noise from the chain. Protective engine covers are also used, which, in addition to protecting the engine, reduce noise from the operation of the engine internals. Finally, the swingarm is filled with urethane (something like rubber-plastic), which also reduces the overall noise from the motorcycle on the road.

Meanwhile, where any enduro bike can handle a bit of electrics and a little luggage, the CRF450L is ready for more. The aluminum yoke adds rigidity all the way to the rear fender, allowing the installation of a luggage rack for smaller loads. Also, a generator and a high-capacity lithium-ion battery are ready to provide operation of GPS navigation systems, additional lighting, chargers for your gadgets, heated pens, a coffee machine and a mini-fridge... Well, maybe we went too far with the refrigerator and coffee machine, but you understand us!

The Honda CRF450L's gas tank is made of titanium, as on the R and RX versions, but it has a volume of 7.5 liters, which will allow you to drive for quite a long time. We traveled about 160 kilometers during the day and only refueled our motorcycles at lunchtime. Even despite the annoying mistake (my motorcycle was not fully refueled in the morning and the fuel light came on after 19 kilometers of the trip), we added 2 liters of fuel and rode half the day without problems.

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.

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.

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.

Handling Honda CRF450L

Despite the modified front fork angles in the trailing arms, the Honda CRF450L retains a fantastic amount of the capabilities of the R version. In particular, when negotiating a downhill path with narrow sections and running zones, the motorcycle reacts immediately to changes in direction and steering around trees, rocky areas and tree roots. Small bends of the track, fast ascents and descents on this motorcycle are just the bomb! However, when you need to slow down and turn the bike 180 degrees, there is a feeling that it is much heavier than the R version, and other exclusively off-road motorcycles.

The Honda CRF450L is simply heavier on its own. It doesn't turn in slower, it just requires a little more effort from the rider than a bike without a registration plate. But the stability is much higher than that of the CRF450R, which in some cases is very mobile and sometimes even nervous. The Honda CRF450L Enduro is rock-solid on dirt roads and even on very flat dirt roads that would be difficult to hold on to on any other bike. It's worth noting that we didn't ride on the stock IRC GP21/22 tires. Instead, we went with the Dunlop 606, which has a slightly more aggressive tread but is still geared toward performance riding rather than just off-road.

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.

Honda CRF450RX

The Honda CRF450RX gives you maximum control, whether you're doing hard enduro on a specially groomed trail, climbing rocky terrain or racing through forest paths. It's based on Tim Gajser's MXGP champion CRF450R!

CHASSIS

Ultimate cross-country ability (Impeccable cross-country ability)

Like the CRF450R, the 450RX features a new lightweight aluminum chassis, making it more compact and ergonomic. While maintaining torsional rigidity, the new frame is 20% more flexible for greater confidence when handling bumps and cornering. The new chassis provides more grip than ever before. The fork travel is 310 mm, the ground clearance has been increased by 8 mm, and the dry weight has been reduced to 107.6 kg, which has significantly increased cross-country ability.

CONTROLLABILITY

Control at your fingertips

Reduced weight, better weight distribution and balance, a more comfortable riding position, precise hydraulic clutch and 3-level traction control (HSTC) are designed for masterful off-road driving, no matter what speed or what weather you're driving in. An electric starter solves the problem of easily starting the engine in any position of the motorcycle.

ENGINE AND ELECTRONICS

According to the laws of enduro

The new engine and chassis were created from scratch by HRC engineers and are superior to previous models in every way. The engine, which has retained the basic parameters of the CPG, has become more torquey and is tuned to deliver power at the bottom and middle of the speed range for overcoming obstacles and driving over uneven surfaces. Traction control (HSTC) will protect you from uncontrolled sliding, and launch control will ensure the perfect start from a standstill. The wide 18" rear wheel is shod with durable Dunlop Geomax tires.

DESIGN

To the race and to the walk

A lightweight 8-liter plastic tank, a wide Renthal Fatbar handlebar with a choice of installation in four positions (thanks to two pairs of holes in the upper crossbar), a more comfortable and narrow seat, as well as a side stand made of forged aluminum expand the scope of the motorcycle. 3 engine operating modes – “Standard”, “Smooth” and “Aggressive” to select power delivery depending on the riding style.

The seemingly insignificant changes add up to much better feedback between the driver and the motorcycle. Totally lighter, more torquey and perfectly controlled, the CRF450RX takes the technology HRC engineers developed for 2022 MXGP motocross world champion Tim Gajser and now makes it available to all Honda owners. Amateur or pro rider, everyone will appreciate the new RX!