VOL. 52 ISSUE 24 JUNE 16, 2015 P59
H
onda has unveiled the
new 2016 CRF450R.
Unlike many of the
Big H's competitors, Honda
feels only subtle changes are
required to keep the machine
at the pointy end. They're prob-
ably right, considering Honda
riders finished on the podium
at every round of the 2015 AMA
Supercross Championship and
were decimating the field in
the AMA 450cc Motocross
Championship until Eli Tomac
went 'A over T' and KO'd him-
self for the rest of the season.
Honda has given the new
CRF450R a 5mm longer fork
and given the rear suspension
a new link and spring to en-
hance stability over the rough
stuff. The chain roller has also
been reduced in diameter by
4mm to 34mm.
But the good news is you'll
be able to get your hands on
the 2016 model by July this
year for $8699. Honda is
clearly adopting the 'if it ain't
broke, don't fix it' mentality
with the new CRF450R.