Thread: Honda CRF450R Bike

Honda's CRF450R was launched in 2002, it immediately became the most popular off-road bike among the masses, thanks to its on track proficiency and versatility. The Aagship CRF has received many tweaks in the past to make it more user friendly. For the new model year, Honda decided to better the best by giving it a complete makeover for 2009. According to the design brief, the main objective was to reduce the size and make it agile like the smaller 250cc bikes.

Honda engineers achieved this by making both the engine as well as the frame smaller. The new engine employs a shorter connecting rod that enables a larger volume for the cylinder head, yet being shorter and allowing for higher combustion efficiency. The aluminium cylinder head is fitted on to the engine case with through bolts that replace studs. This facilitates the removal of the cylinder with the engine still mounted on the chassis. A new forged slipper-piston design incorporates a thinner crown and has low friction treatment to rev right up to 11,450rpm. The max power output is 57PS@S500rpm.



The fifth generation aluminium frame incorporates a forged steering head and is considerably lighter than the one it replaces. The steering head has been moved closer to the rider bringing in the front wheel closer to the centre of the bike. The swingarm is 15mm longer now, aiding better traction, but is slimmer with some weight shaved off. A smaller removable subframe has fewer cross members and has been redesigned for easier air filter maintenance that will be appreciated by riders on track. The bike also gets Kayaba front forks that are adjustable for both compres¬sion and rebound. The rear gets a four-way adjustable 50mm monoshock with an interesting looking 'pancake' reservoir.