2017 HONDA CRF450R
FIRST RIDE
P76
FRAMEWORK
This is the sixth generation
aluminum twin-spar frame from
Honda and is lighter with re-
vised geometry and is narrower
through the cross-section. While
the numbers aren't exact, the
overall changes to both the
frame and swingarm closely
resemble the geometry of the
2008 Honda CRF450R, which
many consider to be the best
version of the CRF450R to date.
This new frame has reduced
torsional stiffness by 6.8% while
lateral stiffness is unchanged.
The subframe now has extruded
gussets rather than forged, help-
ing to drop the weight by 20%.
The swingarm is shorter and
0.49 pounds lighter. Thanks to
changes with the intake tract,
the shock is now centered in
the swingarm. It was previously
offset to one side by 5mm.
The big news is the addition
of 49mm Showa spring forks
featuring A-Kit spec internals.
The disappearance of the air
fork isn't going to have any riders
lying on the couch of their psy-
chologist. Good riddance, most
will agree. The only real benefit
to the air fork was that it saved
weight over conventional spring
fork (not to mention eliminating
expensive springs). Honda kept
the weight of the 2017 Honda
CRF450R identical to the 2016
CRF450R by shaving weight in
the engine, frame, subframe,
swingarm and gas tank. The
shock is now mounted 39mm
lower in the chassis to allow the
downdraft air tract to pass above
the shock rather than around it.
To accomplish this the shock
clevis is shorter, the shock over-
all is shorter and it mounts 5mm
lower on the swingarm.
The new titanium gas tank
saves weight and helps to cen-
tralize mass. It holds the same
amount of fuel (1.6 gallons) as
last year. You can't see a lot of
the trick titanium tank because
there is a plastic protective piece
mostly covering it, but having
a titanium gas tank is a first on
a production bike. The plastic
is, yes, all new; the radiator
shrouds are longer to help draw
more air over the radiators, and
The Honda still has
manual kick starting
but for $650 more,
you can opt for
Honda's electric-
starting kit.
