When it comes to dirt bikes, American Honda certainly has a lot of new motorcycle model options with its expansive CRF lineup. From youth motorcycles (check out the Honda CRF250F, CRF125F, CRF110F, and CRF50F Preview) and dual sports (read/watch the Top 5 Features of the 2023 Honda CRF450RL) to racy, competition-spec off-road and motocross bikes, it’s a good time to ride Red. For ‘24, Honda’s versatile CRF450RX ($9,999) returns and here’s everything you need to know about it.
This motorcycle entered service in the Americas for the 2017 model year and received its last major overhaul for 2023. It follows along the lines of Honda’s CRF450R motocross racer. It’s powered by Honda’s 449cc single-overhead cam water-cooled single-cylinder engine with a four-valve cylinder head and a five-speed gearbox.
This engine makes 51 hp at the business end of that 18-inch rear wheel and it has 31 lb.-ft. of torque. It drinks from a 2.1-gallon fuel tank and with a full tank of gas, and weighs 251 pounds. It rolls on a 21-inch front wheel and 18-inch rear wheel, shod with Dunlop’s older-style Geomax AT81 tire. (Learn about the AT81 replacement during the Top 5 Features of Dunlop’s Geomax AT82 Rear Tire). It also has an aluminum kickstand which makes it easy for trail use.
The suspension has just over 12 inches of travel front and rear. We have compression and rebound damping up front—and out back there are high- and low-speed compression, rebound damping, and adjustable spring preload, with a linkage. This motorcycle comes with all the bells and whistles including traction control, adjustable engine power modes, and launch control. It also has push-button electric start.
We’ll see you in the next episode.