DIRT NEWS
HONDA REVEALS 2021 CRF450R AND RX
I
f anything, 2021 is looking to be the year of
the motocross and cross-country motorcycle
with Honda’s announcement of the all-new
CRF450R and RX – we covered Kawasaki’s XC
models in the last issue.
While the engine and wheels remain from the
2020 models, Honda has replaced and upgraded
everything else on the CRF450 models for the
new year. The new frame and swingarm, plus
changes to geometry and suspension, save
weight and improve cornering performance.
Overall the new CRF450R is 2kg lighter than
the outgoing model while the new frame and
swingarm’s rigidity balance, combined with
tighter chassis geometry, heightened ground
clearance and suspension changes, are all targeted
at creating optimal cornering performance.
While the engine itself is still Honda’s tried
and true Unicam 449cc unit, it receives intake/
exhaust upgrades, new decompression system
plus single exhaust muffler to boost and
smoothen low-mid-range driveability.
In fact, the decompressor has been completely
relocated, airbox volume is up, with the throttle
body redesigned and exhaust ports re-shaped.
The exhaust downpipe is also new and a single
muffler replaces the heavy dual mufflers of the
old bike.
94 KIWI RIDER