QUICKSPIN I 2023 Honda CRF250 RX / CRF450 RX
P80
the standard 1.7-gallon tanks on
the R models, but if you're already
riding with a desert tank, this
will feel thin. The tank is hardly
noticeable when standing, and
cornering feels like riding a stock
Yamaha. No biggie. The gain of
extra mileage makes it a win in
our book. Add on the kickstand,
rear wheel and handguards, and
suddenly the $300 price bump
seems like a killer deal (stan
-
dard CRF450R MSRP is $9599,
CRF450RX
is $9899).
For reference, just adding an
IMS 2.6-gallon tank to a new
CRF450R, for example, will set
you back $392.
So why would you pick one
of these bikes? This is Honda's
bid in the cross-country racing
segment, competing with KTM's
popular XC line, Yamaha's FX
models and Husqvarna's FX cross-
country bikes. Honda still offers
the CRF450X, more on that later,
but the RX splits the difference
between MX and off-road. Woods
racers, grand-prix racers, weekend
riders, or even someone who fre
-
quents the moto track once every
other month will
likely lean more
towards the RX than the regular R.
As we mentioned earlier, getting
the handguards, tank, suspension
and wheel straight from the dealer
is looking like a better deal than
buying an R and slapping those
pieces on individually.
Overall, these RX models are
solid contenders with true Honda
racing in their bloodlines. They're
based almost entirely on the R
model but fill the void for riders
who aren't solely riding the mo
-
tocross track like Chase Sexton
or
Jett Lawrence. A bigger tank,
more compliant suspension, a
kickstand and an 18-inch rear
wheel might be the prescription
to scratch your off-road itch.
CN
