CRF450RL

better than a motocrosser with a license plate

2023 Honda CRF450RL

For 2023 the Honda CRF450RL returns unchanged for 2023. Hovering just under $10K this bike fits a niche of it’s own. Not the high performance dual sport at the level of the KTM, Husky or Beta, but significantly better power to weight than light weight budget dual sports like the KLR, or 300Rally. Better at off road work than midsized adventure motorcycles of a similar price point, which are really not suited to the tightest off road single track terrain. So if you find you need more power than the light weight dual sports can muster and more dirt riding ability than the mid sized adventure bikes have to offer, the 450RL might just be the best value on the street right now.

FULLY STREET LEGAL & OFF-ROAD CAPABLE

The CRF450RL is equipped with a catalytic converter and is fully street legal in all 50 states—and off-road capable just about anywhere on the planet. That means you can ride it wherever it’s legal to operate a motor vehicle—in state and national parks, on the road, on public lands.

ELECTRIC START

An electric start system ensures trouble-free starting in all conditions. The electric starter also drives the clutch side of the crankshaft to provide superior lubrication to starter gears while producing a narrow engine with a short, strong crank.

450cc UNICAM® ENGINE

The CRF450RL’s Unicam cylinder-head combines the best of single- and double-overhead-cam designs,
and shares its DNA with our championship-winning CRF450R. The configuration saves weight compared to a dual-overhead-camshaft motor, and the camshaft sits lower in the head for a more compact engine and a lower center of gravity. You also get a narrow included valve angle that flattens the combustion chamber

for better ignition flame propagation and a high compression ratio.

WIDE-RATIO SIX-SPEED TRANSMISSION

Like our CRF450X, the CRF450RL rocks a wide-ratio six-speed gearbox. That gives you a low gear perfect for tight, slow situations, and a top gear that’s tall enough for highway riding to the next gas stop or trailhead.

FACTORY HAND GUARDS

The 2023 CRF450RL comes with hand guards installed right from the factory. They’re fully integrated, too, not like some aftermarket add-ons. They attach right to the control-lever pivots, are color-matched to your new bike, and are even vented.

BLACK DID RIMS

They may not help you go faster, but the sweet black DID DirtStar rims sure look good.

IRC GP TIRES

The CRF450RL’s tires give you good off-road traction and on-road life. Tires are always a critical part of any on/off-road bike, and we’ve hooked you up with some great ones here.

FUEL MILEAGE METER

An important feature for planning gas stops and calculating your bike’s range under varying conditions, the Fuel Mileage Meter shows current fuel mileage and average fuel mileage as well as fuel consumption. Displays in either miles or kilometers, and applies to both the A and B tripmeters. The Fuel Mileage Meter is in the same digital instrument display as the speedometer, odometer, tripmeters and digital clock.

LED HEADLIGHT

The CRF450RL features an all-LED lighting package, including the headlight. That’s a big deal, because it takes a lot of weight off the front end. And the lighting pattern is also specially designed for both on- and off-road situations.

LITHIUM-ION BATTERY

Light, compact, and offering excellent performance—just like the CRF450RL itself! Conventional batteries are heavy, but not this premium piece. It’s all part of why your CRF450RL performs as well as it does.

FINAL-DRIVE SPROCKET DAMPER

Designed to keep your bike quieter while not adding any weight, these unique drive sprockets are just another example of the CRF450RL’s innovative engineering.

ELECTRIC FAN

The CRF450RL is a “ride anywhere” type of bike, and because conditions vary so widely, we’ve equipped it with a light electric fan for the radiator. Rock crawling or riding on a hot Arizona single-track, it helps keep your engine running cool.

Long Service Intervals

Specifications

Front Brake Single 260mm disc with twin-piston caliper

Rear Brake Single 240mm disc

Front Tire IRC GP21; 80/100-21

Rear Tire IRC GP22; 120/80-18

Rake 28.5°

Trail 4.8 inches

Wheelbase 58.9 inches

Seat Height 37.2 inches

Ground Clearance 12.6 inches

Fuel Capacity 2.0 gallons

Curb Weight 291 pounds

MSRP $9,999

Engine 450cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder, Unicam® OHC; four valves per cylinder

Horsepower 41.7 hp Torque 23.6 ft/lb

Bore and Stroke 96.0mm x 62.1mm

Compression Ratio 12.0:1

INDUCTION Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), 46mm downdraft throttle body

Transmission Wide-ratio six-speed

Final Drive #520 Chain; 13T/51T

Front Suspension 49mm leading-axle inverted telescopic Showa coil-spring fork with rebound- and compression-damping adjustability; 12.0-inch travel

Rear Suspension Pro-Link Showa single shock with spring preload, rebound- and compression-damping adjustability; 11.8-inch travel

Compared with it’s racing siblings, the 450RL has more flywheel, less compression, a longer wheelbase, and longer service intervals. As a result this bike delivers strong smooth power, that gets great traction, has fully adjustable suspension, and cush drive to smooth out it’s road manners. In all a well rounded package that finds a niche of it’s own.

Is it just what you’re looking for?

That will depend on your definition of adventure…but this bike just might surprise you.