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/1370554
P74 RIDE REVIEW I 2021 HONDA CRF450RX Chassis and suspension-wise, the faster you go, the better the CRF450RX behaves. Only on the biggest downhill bumps (and Glen Helen gets a lot of them), does the suspension feel even close to maxing out. It has compliance for the most part, but soft it is not. You can feel it's edge on the sharpest of bumps on the circuit and the a-hole rocks that creep up. But its harder attitude is nice when you're blitzing across sand whoops and staying aggressive for a pass on the MX track. Just send it, as they say, and the bike seems to enjoy it best. It really shines on West Coast-style off-road. WORCS, NGPC, NHHA, BITD, and a plethora of AMA District events held in places with few trees and lots of speed. It was made for this. There's a reason both the SLR Honda and JCR Honda teams pilot these things for these events (mixing in an CRF450X when the six-speed comes calling). I'm repeating myself but this is also my favorite Honda 450 motocross bike, even though it's not actually a motocross bike. I can put a gallon of fuel in it, and despite the tank feeling a bit awkward, the rest of the bike motos just fine. The somewhat mellower ECU mapping and suspension settings make it much easier to manage all day and it seems to not get as picky with setup as the "R" versions do. Plus, it comes with all the benefits of the R updates, and the added convenience of hand guards, a kickstand (throw your track stand away and rock the kickstand, nerds!) and a large assortment of 18-inch off-road rear tires to choose from. The bottom line, this bike makes a mean racer. But a woods weapon in stock trim, it is not. So, buy it for ripping starts and racing for a long time. That's what it's made to do. Do it. CN 2021 HONDA CRF450RX ($9899) ENGINE 4-stroke, single VALVETRAIN Unicam, OHC, 4-valve BORE X STROKE 96.0 x 62.1mm COMPRESSION RATIO 13.5:1 INDUCTION SYSTEM Programmed fuel injection (PGM-F1); 46mm throttle body IGNITION Full transistorized STARTING SYSTEM Electric TRANSMISSION Constant-mesh 5-speed CLUTCH Multiplate wet, hydraulically actuated FINAL DRIVE #520 sealed chain; 13T/50T FRAME Aluminum twin-spar FRONT SUSPENSION Showa, 49mm, telescopic fork, fully adjustable REAR SUSPENSION Showa, single-shock Pro Link, fully adjustable FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL 12.2 in. REAR-WHEEL TRVEL 12.3 in. FRONT BRAKE Single 260mm disc, w/2-piston caliper REAR BRAKE Single 240mm disc, w/1-piston caliper FRONT TIRE Dunlop Geomax AT81 90/90-21 in. REAR TIRE Dunlop Geomax AT81 120/90-18 in. RAKE/TRAIL 27°7' / 4.48 in. GROUND CLEARANCE 13.2 in. SEAT HEIGHT 50.5 in. WHEELBASE 58.3 in. FUEL CAPACITY 2.1 gal. WEIGHT (CURB, CLAIMED) 251 lbs. SPECIFICATIONS