Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1292986
2021 HONDA CRF450R R I D E R E V I E W P98 trusty map one. With the previous generation Honda, I found that map two (smooth) was my sweet spot as it calmed down the powerband's vicious Tyson-like punch. For the new 2021, my favored map two just wasn't enough for the horsepower- eating hills of Glen Helen. Map three, on the other hand, was too much for my liking. The standard map one provided the right amount of power and rideability that allowed me to find the edge of fast and com- fortable control. Moving on to the HSTC. I'm personally a fan of traction control on these modern-day 450s. Admit- tedly some of it might be a mental game, but the idea that the bike is working with you to not step out of line gives me that much more of an edge on the track. I didn't find the HSTC system necessary during my initial loamy laps at the Glen but turned it on as the track wore out and roughened up. I deemed it especially useful in off-camber turns or areas that were overly wet or dried out. Riders looking for any extra advantage will find solace in the HSTC package. It isn't easy to pick apart the new Honda CRF450R. After clocking in some serious hours on the previ- ous generation, it's safe to say the new '21 makes up for everything the '20 lacked. Think of it as a refined engine package in an all- new chassis. User-friendly chassis, plush suspension and streamlined electronics are all paired with a strong powerplant that will undoubt- edly make the 2021 CRF450R a title contender in this year's 450 shootout. CN 2021 HONDA CRF 450R ($9599) ENGINE 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, single DISPLACEMENT 449.7cc VALVETRAIN: Unicam OHC, 4-valve, 38mm intake, titanium; 31mm exhaust, steel BORE X STROKE 96.0 x 62.1mm COMPRESSION RATIO 13.5:1 INDUCTION Programmed fuel-injection system (PGM-FI); 46mm throttle body IGNITION DCDI, fully transistorized RIDER AIDS Selectable traction control (HSTC), HRC Launch Control ENGINE CONTROL Selectable engine modes STARTING SYSTEM Push-button, electric TRANSMISSION 5-speed, constant mesh CLUTCH Multiplate wet, hydraulically actuated (6 springs, 8 plates) FINAL DRIVE #520 chain; 13T/49T FRAME Aluminum, twin-spar FRONT SUSPENSION 49mm fully adjustable leading-axle inverted telescopic Showa coil- spring fork REAR SUSPENSION Pro-Link system; fully adjustable Showa single shock FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL 12.2 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL 12.4 in. FRONT BRAKE 2-piston caliper, single 260mm disc REAR BRAKE 1-piston caliper, single 240mm disc FRONT TIRE Dunlop Geomax MX33 80/100-21 in. REAR TIRE Dunlop Geomax MX33 120/80-19 in. RAKE 27°7" TRAIL 114mm GROUND CLEARANCE 13.2 in. SEAT HEIGHT 38.0 in. WHEELBASE 58.3 in. FUEL CAPACITY 1.7 gal. WEIGHT (CURB, CLAIMED) 244 lbs. S P E C I F I C AT I O N S