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/1495339
COMPARISON I 2023 HONDA CRF450X & CRF450RX P94 little stiff for trails, a little soft for motocross, but just about right for GP tracks and aggressive off-road play riding. If it's not right for you, however, chances are good you will find a happy setup, since the RX and the X, for that matter, have fully adjustable suspensions. Compared to the X, the RX feels more agile and lighter, which are significant bonuses, and you can hit the jumps with more confidence thanks to its beefier suspension. The RX has an excellent clutch, solid brakes and a five-speed trans - mission that is well-mated to the bike's power delivery. >> Hitting Their Mark We wouldn't say one bike is better than the other, but they both fulfill their job titles exceptionally well. If you're looking for an easy-to-ride trail bike that can tackle just about anything you put in its way, the CRF450X is an excellent choice. And you know what the X can do in Baja. It's a honey of a bike that is easy to ride and is a ton of fun on the trail for both lesser and more experienced off-road riders, but here's the catch: if you can deal with its 275 pounds. The CRF450RX, on the other hand, just wants to go, go, go! Twist the throttle for the first time and you'll understand. Without ques - tion, the RX is aimed at the more experienced off-roader whose only interest is racing and getting to the checkered flag first, which this motorcycle is undoubtedly capable of doing on the more wide-open tracks, such as WORCS and NGPC racing. And if you like to dabble in motocross, go for it. The RX won't disappoint here, either. CN HONDA CRF450X ($9799) HONDA CRF450RX ($9899) ENGINE TYPE: Single Cylinder 4-Stroke Single Cylinder 4-Stroke DISPLACEMENT: 449cc 449cc COOLING SYSTEM: Liquid Liquid BORE X STROKE: 96.0 x 62.1mm 96.0 x 62.1mm COMPRESSION RATIO: 12.0:1 13.5:1 VALVETRAIN: Unicam SOHC; 4 valves Unicam SOHC; 4 valves INDUCTION: PGM-FI, 46mm downdraft PGM-FI; 44mm downdraft throttle body throttle body STARTING SYSTEM: Electric Electric CLUTCH: Cable actuated Hydraulically actuated TRANSMISSION: Wide Ratio 6-speed Close Ratio 5-speed FINAL DRIVE: #520 chain; 13T/51T #520 chain; 13T/50T FRONT SUSPENSION: 49mm Showa 49mm Showa coil-spring fork with coil-spring fork with rebound- and 13-position rebound and 15-position compression-damping adjustability compression-damping adjustability REAR SUSPENSION: Pro-Link Showa Pro-Link Showa single shock with single shock with adjustable spring- adjustable spring preload, 11-position preload, rebound- and compression- rebound, and six-position high- and low- damping adjustability speed compression-damping adjustability FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL: 12.0 in. 12.2 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL: 11.8 in. 12.4 in. FRONT BRAKE: Single 260mm disc with Single 260mm disc with 2-piston caliper 2-piston caliper REAR BRAKE: Single 240mm disc Single 240mm disc FRONT TIRE: Dunlop MX52 80/100-21 Dunlop Geomax AT81 90/90-21 REAR TIRE: Dunlop MX52 110/100-18 Dunlop Geomax AT81 120/90-18 FRAME: Aluminum, Twin-Spar Aluminum, Twin-Spar RAKE / TRAIL: 27.6° / 5.6 in. 27.1° / 4.5 in. WHEELBASE: 58.7 in. 58.1 in. SEAT HEIGHT: 37.9 in. 38.0 in. GROUND CLEARANCE: 13.1 in. 13.2 in. WEIGHT (CURB): 275 lbs. 251 lbs. FUEL CAPACITY: 2.0 gal. 2.1 gal. RIDER AIDS: None Launch Assist, Traction Control POWER MODES: None Selectable power modes HAND GUARDS: Yes Yes SKID PLATE: Yes Yes SIDESTAND: Yes Yes S P E C I F I C AT I O N S