QUICKSPIN I 2023 Honda CRF450R
P92
the fork settings have been tuned
to match. Honda techs say their
goal was to free up the function
of the bike while still letting the
suspension, engine, and frame
flex individually. Several engine
internals are a bit smaller, too,
with a narrower intake port, re-
duced throttle body, and a smaller
exhaust. Overall, the bike's been
touched up to be a smoother and
more refined package.
At first start, the new CRF
seems slightly easier on the ears
with the smaller exhaust, but per-
haps it's just that our '22 CRF450R
test bike needs new packing.
So far, we've ridden the new
Honda at, first, Cahuilla MX and
then at Glen Helen Raceway, two
popular (and fast) California ven-
ues, and I could quickly tell that
Honda did indeed hit its target.
The '23 is clearly better balanced
versus the '22 model. The updated
suspension isn't as pitchy or divey
and tends to stay up in the "good"
