2011 Honda CRF450R Review

2011 Honda CRF450R
Honda CRF450R Wallpaper

The bike that Redefined the Open Class.

Long regarded as the bike of choice in the big-bore motocross division, the 2011 CRF450R incorporates improvements that will help this bike retain its premier standing. The prodigious powerband is now even stronger thanks to more low-end pull and midrange grunt along with enhanced throttle response via a new throttle body. Revised suspension linkage and settings yield improved control, increased ride plushness and enhanced rear-wheel traction. A new Honda Progressive Steering Damper (HPSD) produces even better tracking traits than before, and a new muffler meets the 94-decibel sound level required by some racing organizations in 2011. All this and more make the 2011 CRF450R a shoo-in to maintain its dominant role among open-class MX bikes.

Motocross is a battle, and you’d better bring your “A” game whenever you show up—either that, or be prepared to eat a bucketful of roost. But when you’re on a 2011 Honda CRF450R it’s everyone behind you who’ll be savoring that dirt-flavored banquet. Why? Because we’ve given the CRF450R some serious upgrades.

First, the 450 gets a new throttle body, new fuel injector, and new ECU mapping so the engine makes more low end and midrange torque, and also offers even better throttle response. The power is easier to control, but without any loss of top end—better than ever for intermediate and expert riders alike. And our chassis designers were just as busy, updating the CRF450R subframe and taking the opportunity to fine-tune the subframe's stiffness. A new rear shock link and lower shock mount for improved front/rear balance and better suspension action especially over square-edged bumps.

And finally, new 2011 AMA rules state that every MX bike will have to meet the new 94 decibel rule. Both our CRF450R and CRF250R do that easily, thanks to a new exhaust system that works in conjunction with the new FI settings. So while the other guys might just change a muffler, that’s just where we started. And the first time the gate drops, it’s gonna show.