QUICKSPIN I 2021 Honda CRF450RL
P108
Honestly, the Honda 450L's
scale-tipping at 290-plus pounds
doesn't deal-breaker-bother us
until we ride it back-to-back with
lighter machines in ultra-soft sand
or tight, steep, rocky technical
trails. And we sort of like having a
bike with some mass when we're
crunching chunky miles, but our
hands hated the beatings, and
the random pop-stalls made us
trail angry too often. Plus, we're
talking under 100-mile range on a
stock two-gallon tank here. That's
just under our safe trail party
threshold.
scale-tipping at 290-plus pounds
until we ride it back-to-back with
lighter machines in ultra-soft sand
trails. And we sort of like having a
bike with some mass when we're
crunching chunky miles, but our
trail angry too often. Plus, we're
talking under 100-mile range on a
stock two-gallon tank here. That's
For 2021 (and 2022), Honda
has equipped its 450 dual-sport
with fantastic and simple hand
guards, optimized the ECU set-
tings to improve the low-end
power delivery, and given it an R
in its name. Also, they've lowered
the price!? What? Yes. It's now
$400 less than a 2019 CRF450L
at $9999. (Honda has since an-
nounced the 2022 CRF450RL,
and it is identical to the '21 model,
including the $9999 MSRP.)
On-paper, this is a winning
update that should elevate the
Honda in our books. We're only
(Above) The best turn
signals in off-road are now
complimented by some
excellent, simple hand
coverage. We tested these
hand deflectors on the
CRF450RX in race (crash)
conditions and they are just
about perfect. (Above right)
The stock Honda IRC tires
are okay for getting around,
but we generally require
a much more substantial
tread. The Kenda Parker DT
is proven as a durable dual-
sport roller that has some
serious mileage capabilities.
They worked great for us
in Nevada, again, even ran
"backwards" as shown on
the front.
