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The 2023 Honda CRF450RX appears similar to final 12 months’s mannequin, with solely a contact extra blue and a revised HRC shroud brand to distinguish between them to these with eye. Underneath the hood, nonetheless, there are various revisions to each the 2023 Honda CRF450R and, correspondingly, the CRF450RX.
Updates to each the body and engine go largely unnoticed till spending a while with the brand new machine. A 44mm throttle physique replaces the 46mm meeting discovered on the 2021 and 2022 fashions. New porting and a redesigned cam profile improve rideability. Even the engine hanger materials was modified from aluminum to metal for improved traction and really feel.
On this article we’ll dive into among the elements and items that make the CRF450RX so versatile for closed-course off-road racing.
Associated: 2023 Honda Trailbikes First Look

Visually gorgeous, the CRF450RX is visibly distinctive in comparison with its CRF450R brethren with the addition of a 2.1-gallon gasoline tank, 18-inch rear wheel, purple hand guards, and factory-installed kickstand. (Mark Kariya/)

Lurking deeper throughout the potent Honda, CRF450RX modifications embrace devoted ECU and suspension settings tailor-made to off-road circumstances. The identical hydraulic clutch is utilized on each the CRF450R and CRF450RX, whereas the CRF450X and CRF450RL are each cable actuated. (Mark Kariya/)

The two.1-gallon resin gasoline tank is modern for its capability, whereas the purple/white/blue accents on the radiator shrouds look clear and manufacturing unit. You can too catch a glimpse of the purple/blue/inexperienced handlebar-mounted electronics change right here. (Mark Kariya/)
Associated: 2021 Honda CRF450RX Dyno Check

The left-side-mounted electronics change performs a wide range of features. The bigger purple button is the kill change. Honda’s blue Engine Mode Choose Button (EMSB) is used to set the map to your most well-liked engine traits. The inexperienced button controls the Honda Selectable Torque Management (HSTC). As soon as working, pulling the clutch in and pushing the beginning button on the correct accesses the HRC Launch Management features… Received all that? (Mark Kariya/)

A fast tip: Whereas inventory bikes hardly ever include correct security wire as photographed, it’s all the time a good suggestion to wire up conventional glue-on grips. (Mark Kariya/)

Honda’s standard-equipment hand guards work fairly effectively. Using the clutch and entrance brake lever bolts, no handlebar house is impacted. If any CRF homeowners who run Renthal Twinwall handlebars are considering saving valuable bar house, the RX guards and accompanying bolt {hardware} match proper on the CRF250R and CRF450R fashions as effectively. (Mark Kariya/)
Associated: 2022 Honda CRF250RX Evaluation

New 12 months, new mannequin tag. For 2023, body rigidity has been optimized by growing the thickness of the aluminum materials in key locations, from 4mm to 6mm. Each the higher shock mount and materials on the joint the place the dual horizontal braces meet the downtube have been beefed up. (Mark Kariya/)

Metal engine hangers change the earlier fashions’ aluminum counterparts. The yellow choke knob doubles because the idle adjustment screw: Counterclockwise adjustment turns the idle up, clockwise drops the revs and lowers the idle. The battery is tucked neatly behind the black CRF brand’d plastic cowl as effectively. (Mark Kariya/)

Correct entrance brake disc safety, D.I.D DirtStar rims, and Dunlop Geomax AT81 tires on the 2023 Honda CRF450RX. The 4.8 Nm fork springs and RX-specific settings make for a extra compliant journey over the motocross-focused CRF450R. (Mark Kariya/)
Associated: Off-Highway Racebikes—Cole Martinez’s 2022 Honda CRF450RX

The 50 Nm shock spring and settings are a lot lighter than the usual CRF450R baselines. Even manufacturing unit Showa technicians mark baseline suspension settings with a Sharpie. #LearnFromThePros (Mark Kariya/)

A Renthal Fatbar 839-bend handlebar graces the CRF450RX and a number of bar mount areas present 26mm of cockpit adjustment to accommodate riders of all sizes. Attention-grabbing to notice the usual fork top placement: Operating the fork flush yields extra stability, whereas nearer to 5mm makes the RX much more nimble. This center setting labored effectively for the tight and technical circumstances we encountered at Honda’s off-road introduction. (Mark Kariya/)

Proper-side magnificence shot. The aluminum muffler is quieter resulting from a redesigned inside pipe (core), and a change of fabric (A6061-T6) to the muffler physique will increase power over the 2021 and 2022 mannequin design. (Mark Kariya/)
Associated: 2022 Honda CRF250RX Dyno Check

Shut-up of the redesigned, extra sturdy muffler and modern purple Honda bodywork. (Mark Kariya/)

Most Honda grime bike clutch covers don’t look this clear for lengthy. Additionally, the externally seen engine oil sight glass is a marked enchancment over dipstick designs of outdated. (Mark Kariya/)

A 50-tooth rear sprocket comes normal on the CRF450RX, whereas the CRF450R will get spec’d with a 49-tooth. A standard modification is to run longer chain/taller gearing combos for extra size and chassis stability. The usual axle place is sort of ahead, particularly in comparison with that of the CRF450X. (Mark Kariya/)

Honda’s CRF450RX makes use of the identical highly effective entrance brake because the CRF450R. The 30mm/27mm piston design was a works-bike unique only some years in the past. (Mark Kariya/)

A 260mm entrance brake rotor actually stops the light-weight CRF450RX in a rush. Honda has all the time had nice brakes, with strong modulation and an correct really feel. 2023 brings extra of the identical for potential Crimson Riders. (Mark Kariya/)

This 240mm rear rotor should’ve had a while on it earlier than photographs?! Solely factor lacking from entrance to again off-road safety is a plastic rear rotor guard. Fortunately, the mounting tabs to put in one stay on the rear brake hanger, and former models match proper on with the two-bolt design. (Mark Kariya/)

A correct kickstand makes the CRF450RX off-road prepared. For racers needing to take away it for various causes, the CRF450R footpeg bracket is a direct match. Each bikes make the most of the identical footpegs. The step bracket half quantity is 50611-MEN-B10. (Mark Kariya/)

Commonplace gear skid plates and metal head pipes are all the time a good suggestion for closed-course off-road racing fashions. (Mark Kariya/)

Black D.I.D DirtStar rim holding the 18-inch Dunlop Geomax AT81 rear tire. (Mark Kariya/)
2023 Honda CRF450RX Specs
MSRP: |
$9,899 |
Engine: |
SOHC, liquid-cooled single-cylinder; 4 valves/cyl. |
Displacement: |
449cc |
Bore x Stroke: |
96.0 x 62.1mm |
Compression Ratio: |
13.5:1 |
Transmission/Remaining Drive: |
5-speed/chain |
Gas System: |
EFI w/ 44mm throttle physique |
Clutch: |
Moist, multiplate; hydraulic actuation |
Body: |
Aluminum twin-spar |
Entrance Suspension: |
Showa 49mm coil-spring fork, compression damping and rebound damping adjustable; 12.2 in. journey |
Rear Suspension: |
Showa shock, spring preload, excessive/low-speed compression damping, and rebound damping adjustable; 12.4 in. journey |
Entrance Brake: |
Nissin 2-piston caliper, 260mm disc |
Rear Brake: |
Nissin 1-piston caliper, 240mm disc |
Tires, Entrance/Rear: |
Dunlop Geomax AT81; 90/90-21 / 120/90-18 |
Rake/Path: |
27.1°/4.5 in. |
Wheelbase: |
58.1 in. |
Floor Clearance: |
13.2 in. |
Claimed Seat Top: |
38.0 in. |
Gas Capability: |
2.1 gal. |
Claimed Moist Weight: |
251 lb. |
Availability: |
Now |
Contact: |
powersports.honda.com |
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