VOLUME 62 ISSUE 48 DECEMBER 2, 2025 P81
T
he 2026 Honda CRF450R
returns as it was in 2025. No
changes for this model year,
not even the graphics or the price
tag. This is still the same base
platform used by both Hunter and
Jett Lawrence on the factory Honda
HRC Progressive team, so it's a safe
argument to say the bike didn't need
changes anyway. We long-hauled
our 2025 model after living with it
for the year and were eager to throw
a leg over a brand-new 2026.
Honda went all-in in 2025 with a
new CRF450R and a new CRF250R.
Well, 70 percent new. The main
changes came in the way of a
reinforced frame near the steering
stem and down tubes. This was a
direct takeaway from the HRC race
team, who spent most of the 2024
season gusseting their frames in the
same manner. For 2025, the stiffer
areas came standard. The bike also
received new bodywork, a new air
intake, a more convenient shock
removal, a longer header pipe, and
a new ECU, with the overall goal of
smoothing out the power.
Most of the engine internals
were untouched, a la the 70 percent
change rather than the full 100.
HONDA
CRF450R
