SHOOTOUT I 2023 450cc MOTOCROSS SHOOTOUT
P92
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No one wants to say it, but
one of these bikes must be
picked last. And while it takes
the cake by far in the looks de-
partment, the Honda CRF450R
finds itself at the back of the
pack in this year's shootout.
Let's start with the good. We
already mentioned the looks,
especially its 50th-anniversary
edition version. This package
is $300 more than the standard
R model but includes the gold
wheels, blue seat cover, and
special edition graphics. The
classic retro theme tugs our nos
-
talgic heartstrings in all the right
ways. At $9599, the standard
CRF450R, along with the KX450,
is the most affordable (not in
-
cluding the $8999 Suzuki).
The '23's motor is an im-
provement from '22. Overall,
Honda has refined this engine
package to be smoother and
more rideable in all areas of the
power curve. The three map set-
tings are noticeably different.
The faster riders favored the
standard and aggressive maps
(one and three), while the nov-
ice riders favored the smoother
map two. Traction control is
available on the Honda but is
a hit-or-miss regarding rider
preference.
The overall rider cockpit is
slim and comfortable. Just
what you'd expect from a
Honda. In fact, all our riders
picked the CRF as having one of
the best-fitting cockpits. Sitting,
>>SIXTH PLACE
HONDA
CRF450R
