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2021 Honda CRF450R Guide

2021 Honda CRF450R

2021 Honda CRF450R 2021 Honda CRF450R 2021 Honda CRF450R 2021 Honda CRF450R

2021 Honda CRF450R: LIGHTER. FASTER. AND RAZOR SHARP.

Introducing the 2021 Honda CRF450R…

The off-road category has seen exceptional growth in recent years, creating strong demand for 450cc motocross machines. And while many off-road riders demand the latest technology, a large number of customers also see value as a top priority, while still not willing to make a big sacrifice in terms of performance. By creating the all-new 2021 CRF450R and making an additional production run of 2020 units that will be available at a permanent price reduction, Honda looks to address the needs of both groups.

The same platform raced by Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen and Justin Brayton in the 2020 AMA Supercross series, the 2020 CRF450R features proven performance alongside electronic rider aids like Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), which maximizes rear-tire hookup to keep all of the Unicam® engine’s horsepower driving the bike and rider forward.

THE REDESIGNED 2021 CRF450R & CRF450RWE
How many corners are there on your favorite motocross or Supercross track? Because each one of those leads directly from the starting gate to the winner’s circle—at least when you’re riding a redesigned 2021 Honda CRF450R or CRF450RWE. New chassis. Major engine overhaul. New suspension. New bodywork. All with the goal of letting you rail through the corners with the most precision and power you’ve ever experienced. The engine’s power delivery starts off deep down for corner drive, and just keeps building until it’s at maximum roost. Forget about clutch fade, adjustment, or hand fatigue with the new hydraulic system. And lighter than ever, the CRF450R and CRF450RWE explode out of corners when it’s time to increase your lead.

And make no mistake: the CRF450RWE (WE for Works Edition) is more than just a standard bike with some special graphics. We’ve fine-tuned it with special touches like an exclusive Yoshimura exhaust, Twin Air filter, Throttle Jockey seat cover, Hinson clutch basket and cover, premium DID DirtStar LT-X rims, a red cylinder head cover, and hands-on touches like special cylinder-head porting. The second the start gate drops, you’ll know it was worth every penny.

 

IT’S YOUR TURN
Lighter. Much lighter. With a new HRC-honed chassis balance and suspension that deliver faster corner speeds to build quicker lap times lap, after lap. And an engine that drives you from nowhere to the red zone, with total control in your right hand.

LAUNCH. HOLESHOT. VICTORY.
Any rider will use an advantage. Why not have them all?
We’ve taken the CRF450R and upped the game. That’s what winning an MXGP world championship is all about. A completely new frame saves weight and features a factory-rider rigidity balance, with revised steering geometry and suspension that shred turns. The engine features a redesigned intake, cylinder head and exhaust system that deliver stronger mid-range power and low-rpm torque, with smooth throttle response. A revised decompression system and new hydraulic clutch add relentless tenacity. Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) offers 3 modes of power management for ultimate rear wheel traction, while HRC Launch Control owns the first 100 metres. And its new bodywork is slimmer, lighter and easier to move around. Seizing the holeshot and building your lead has never been easier. Neither has the win.

BUILT TO WIN
The difference lies in the detail.
Harder. Faster. Stronger. Win. Repeat.
Championships are not won by luck. They’re won by design. Ask HRC and Tim Gajser. So, we looked at every single part of the CRF450R and made it better, thanks to their efforts. For starters, it’s 2kg lighter, which you notice, instantly. We started with the chassis. Narrower main spars shave 700g and a new, simplified subframe saves 320g. Most importantly, what you feel has been upgraded; the rib positions behind the swingarm pivot points have been changed and with torsional rigidity maintained, lateral rigidity is reduced by 20% to increase corner speed, traction and steering accuracy. The aluminium swingarm has a rigidity balance tuned to match the frame, thanks to narrower arms. The Pro-Link ratio is also revised. Rake and trail are tighter for sharper steering and there’s more ground clearance. Showa’s 49mm USD coil spring fork has an extra 5mm stroke and the axle clamps’ rigidity increased, along with the top and bottom yokes. Larger main piston valving in the Showa rear shock give faster response and improved bump absorption. And the spring uses super-lightweight steel.

Stronger. Smoother. Even more unstoppable.
There’s more power from 5,000rpm up. And for a stronger, smoother low-rpm torque feel, the airbox is larger with tool-free access to the filter. It feeds a redesigned throttle body, which optimises intake efficiency. A steeper injector angle sprays fuel all the way back to the butterfly, improving throttle feel. And the decompression system is new; its counter-weight moves from the right of the camshaft to the left, giving more stable operation at low rpm with increased stall-resistance. Twin exhaust ports use an ovalized exit and a new single downpipe and muffler saves 1.24kg. The clutch has an extra plate and is hydraulic, improving both control and feel at the lever (it’s 10% lighter) as well as delivering consistent lever clearance when things get hot. Really hot. Saving precious grams are a new magnesium cylinder head cover and smaller, lighter fuel pump.

 

2021 Honda CRF450R Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features
  • Single-Muffler Exhaust
  • Hydraulic Clutch Actuation
  • Central-Port Cylinder Head
  • 8-Plate Clutch
  • Narrow-Spar Frame
  • 12.2 inches Front Suspension Travel
  • MX33 Tires
  • Curb Weight: 244 pounds

 

Engine / Drivetrain

  • 449cc single-cylinder engine with Unicam cylinder head, downdraft intake tract, electronic fuel injection and electric start offers “Absolute Holeshot” performance.
  • Honda Selectable Torque Control with three levels of intervention. HSTC monitors rpm spikes and responds by temporarily reducing torque to aid rear traction. A handlebar-mounted switch allows selection between three modes, depending on conditions and rider preference.
  • Ignition mapping with riding modes in Standard, Smooth and Aggressive options, selectable via a separate handlebar-mounted switch, enables simple tuning depending on rider preference or course conditions.
  • Selectable HRC launch control provides a steady stream of torque for excellent performance on race starts.
  • Electric starter (powered by a lightweight lithium-ion battery).
  • Shift sensor allows a dedicated ignition map for each gear, enabling optimum running.

Chassis / Suspension

  • Twin-spar aluminum frame engineered to offer strong handling performance for track riding.
  • Chassis layout allows heavier components to be located as centrally and low as possible for nimble handling and feel.
  • Front-brake caliper uses a pair of pistons (30 mm and 27 mm) for optimal braking performance on a 260 mm rotor with a petal pattern to best dissipate heat.
  • Showa® shock and 49 mm coil-spring fork.
  • Front brake hose resists expansion for precise, consistent braking feel.
  • Top triple clamp has two handlebar-clamp locations for moving the handlebar back and forth by 26 mm. With reversible handlebar clamp enabling an additional 10 mm of adjustment from the base position, there are a total of four different handlebar positions.
  • Black Renthal® Fatbar® handlebar encourages active riding position, while also contributing to light steering feel.
  • Footpegs shed mud and give the rider great feel and confidence in all riding conditions.
  • Lightweight, compact 1.66 gallon titanium fuel tank keeps weight to a minimum.
  • Black D.I.D rims deliver a strong presence on and off the track.
  • Minimization of lines and gaps in the plastic panels results in a smooth surface, facilitating riding-position changes.
  • In-mold graphics are durable and resistant to peeling caused by washing or abrasion.
  • Available only through Honda dealers, Dunlop Geomax MX3S tires provide superior bump absorption and excellent grip.

Rear brake-pad material yields both performance and durability.

 

 

2021 Honda CRF450R Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits

HANDLING
LIGHTER, NARROWER FRAME
Great handling starts with a superior frame, and we’ve made some big changes to our 2021 CRF450R’s chassis. First, it’s lighter—over a pound and a half lighter. By making the frame’s main spars narrower, we saved weight, but more important we made the chassis more responsive by reducing lateral rigidity 20 percent. The result is a bike that gets into, around, and out of corners faster.

NARROWER SWINGARM
Designed in conjunction with the new frame, by using narrower main members (just like the frame uses narrower main spars), we’ve matched the swingarm’s lateral rigidity to the rest of the chassis. What you get is a balanced, fully integrated approach to frame stiffness, letting you get around corners faster and with better feel.

LIGHTER SUBFRAME
We totally redesigned the rear subframe to make it nearly three-quarters of a pound lighter, and along the way simplified its construction too.

NEW BATTERY BOX
Three key features changed here: The battery box is lower, for an improved center of gravity. Second, it’s also easier to service. And third, it’s now water-tight, so there’s nothing to worry about when racing in wet conditions.

FRONT SUSPENSION
We’ve increased the front suspension’s stroke by 5mm for 2021, for better handling and rider comfort. Also, we redesigned the axle holding fixtures at the bottom of each fork leg—that increases rigidity, and enhances steering precision and suspension performance.

NEW TRIPLE CLAMPS
The CRF450R is a perfectly matched package. With the frame and swingarm featuring a retuned lateral stiffness, and the fork legs featuring a new, stiffer axle fixture, we joined the two with new upper and lower triple clamps. Working in concert, they help improve and balance total rigidity, responsiveness and turning performance.

REAR SUSPENSION
The 2021 CRF450R’s new frame design gave us the opportunity to fit a new rear shock. We’ve optimized its shape to match the frame, and gave it new settings to work with the new chassis. The shocks valving resets faster for better response. In addition, we’ve fit a new steel spring that’s way lighter, cutting weight without cutting performance.

SHOWA SPRING FORK
The 49mm Showa fork features a conventional spring design that helps increase the CRF450R’s front-suspension precision, handling and feel. The spring rate provides better bottoming resistance and improved handling.

NEW EXHAUST PIPE
Along with the single-muffler exhaust, naturally we gave the 2021 CRF450R a new single-pipe header. We’ve completely changed the routing too, bringing it 74mm closer to the center of the bike. It’s lighter, and helps improve weight distribution.

NEW SINGLE-MUFFLER EXHAUST
Changing the muffler’s construction to a pressed-alloy design let us reshape it too, for better rider ergonomics and lighter weight. How much lighter? More than two and a half pounds!

ENGINEERING
NEW HYDRAULIC CLUTCH
This is huge news for the 2021 CRF450R. Out with the old cable-actuated clutch, and in with the first hydraulically actuated clutch we’ve offered outside of our works bikes. Made by Nissin, it’s the same design as in our Grand Prix MX machines, and performs better than third-party conversions. You get a clutch-lever pull that’s ten percent lighter at its peak, even though it’s paired with a new, stronger 8-plate clutch. Plus, you’ll never have to worry about making a clutch-cable adjustment, even during the longest events.

NEW CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
While the new hydraulic clutch is getting all the attention, we’ve made even more improvement with the parts that do the work: the clutch assembly itself. Say good-bye to clutch fade—we’ve upped the number of clutch plates from seven to eight, to improve durability and hookup. That means 85 percent less slip at peak horsepower, and 27 percent more total torque transmission through the clutch pack. Even the spring is stronger, but thanks to the hydraulic actuation, clutch-lever pull is lighter than ever.

HRC LAUNCH CONTROL
We’re talking about a special ECU program here: push the button to select the mode, hold the throttle open, release the clutch, and the CRF450R will do the rest, launching you into the first turn with a big advantage. It turns your bike into a holeshot-seeking machine!

Honda SELECTABLE TORQUE CONTROL (HSTC)
Notice that button on the handlebar by the clutch perch? The CRF450R and CRF450RWE get our Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC). You can choose from one of three settings to perfectly dial your bike in depending on how much traction is available.

ENGINE MODE SELECT BUTTON
This simple handlebar-mounted button lets you dial in engine power delivery character with a push of your thumb. Choose between Standard, Smooth and Aggressive, depending on track conditions.

COMPACT FUEL PUMP
No detail is too small for our engineers—especially if they can make it smaller and lighter. That’s what they did to the 2021 CRF450R’s fuel pump. Why carry around any extra weight when you don’t have too? While they were at it, they reduced the number of attaching fasteners from six to four.

NEW RADIATOR SHROUDS
Using computer-aided Computational Fluid Dynamics, we’ve fine-tuned the CRF450R’s radiator shrouds to increase cooling. They’re now a one-piece design, but more important, better cooling equals more consistent power, longer into a race, especially when you’re really on the gas and working the engine hard.

REAR BRAKE PADS
Brakes are for more than just stopping: they help you set up the bike in turns and jumps. Which is why we pay so much attention to detail like brake pads. They’re designed to last longer and give you more stopping power—a real win/win to help you win.

260mm FRONT BRAKE
The CRF450R’s large front-brake disc measures a whopping 260mm. You get great brake feel and a pattern that cuts down on weight. Front and rear brake-disc guards are part of the package too.

TITANIUM FUEL TANK
Grams and performance count, and the CRF450R uses a titanium fuel tank. Light and strong, it maintains the same capacity as our previous plastic unit, while freeing up more space and helping to centralize fuel mass.

CONVENIENCE
NEW AIRBOX AND FILTER
Along with the new air filter, the airbox shape helps deliver more torque. You can access the airbox through the left number plate. And because the new filter has no rubber gasket where it interfaces with the intake boot, cleaning and servicing the filter is faster and less messy than ever.

ELECTRIC STARTER
Kickstarting? Maybe if you’re riding in the vintage class, but not here. By ditching the kickstarter entirely, our engineers can make the CRF450R lighter. Electric starters and lithium-ion batteries are so light now and so good that putting them on a bike like this is a win/win combination. And winning is what a CRF450R is all about.

NEW SWITCH ASSEMBLY
Check out the controls on the new 2021 CRF450R. We’ve made them lighter, and more intuitive. Controls used to be your bike’s shifter, clutch, and brakes. Now you have things like launch assist, selectable power modes, and more. We believe they should be easy to use, and we’ve just made them easier.

PERFORMANCE
EXCLUSIVE WORKS EDITION
Homologated for racing and available in limited numbers, the CRF450RWE Works Edition includes all the big improvements of this year’s CRF450R plus a special hand-ported cylinder head; Hinson clutch basket and cover; Twin Air filter, Throttle Jockey graphics and seat cover; upgraded DID DirtStar LT-X rims; an exclusive Yoshimura exhaust system including a titanium header; titanium nitride-coated lower fork legs and shock shaft; revalved suspension; an RK gold chain; special ECU settings; and black triple clamps.

449cc UNICAM ENGINE
Honda’s Unicam cylinder heads combine the best of single- and double-overhead-cam designs. The configuration contributes to a compact engine that saves weight over a comparable dual-overhead-camshaft motor and also permits a narrow included valve angle. This flattens the combustion chamber to facilitate ignition flame propagation, allowing a high compression ratio. Since less space is taken up in the cylinder head, the camshaft sits lower in the head for a more compact engine and a lower center of gravity.

REVISED DECOMPRESSION SYSTEM
You can’t see this unless you take the engine apart, but you’ll notice it on the track. Our engineers redesigned the auto decompression hardware, and also moved it from the right side of the cam to the left. The result is less stalling at extreme low RPM (think deep into a turn without downshifting) as well as better rideability.

NEW CYLINDER HEAD
The 2021 CRF450R gets a whole new cylinder head this year. Its biggest feature: an oval-shaped centralized exhaust port. Together with the new single-muffler exhaust, it boosts power from 5000 rpm up, and increases exhaust efficiency.

TITANIUM INTAKE VALVES
Lightweight titanium intake valves cut down on reciprocating mass and permit the use of smaller valve springs, reducing overall engine height.

NEW FUEL INJECTOR BODY POSITION
We’ve changed the angle where the fuel-injector fits into the CRF450R’s intake tract. By steepening the angle from 30 to 60 degrees, the injector now sprays fuel all the way back to the throttle butterfly. The engine gets a cooler, denser fuel charge for more power and better torque. It’s little details like this that put the CRF450R up front.

DOWNDRAFT FUEL INJECTION
The CRF450R features a downdraft intake tract and FI body to help increase both power and fuel-metering precision. It’s part of the reason the CRF450R offers such explosive power and massive torque, especially out of the starting gate and in the critical first 100 feet of the race to the first turn.

DOUBLE-SPRAY INJECTOR SETTINGS
The CRF450R’s fuel-injection system sprays twice per intake cycle. That helps increase fuel atomization without adding the weight or complexity of a second injector. The better fuel atomization means more power in the midrange and on overrev—you’ll feel it the first time you race.

DUNLOP MX33 TIRES
These are the skins of choice for serious MX racers right now, so naturally, we fit the best to the 2021 CRF450R. The Dunlops hook up in a wide variety of conditions, and help you put the CRF450R’s improved cornering performance to the ground.

CYLINDER HEAD LAYOUT
The CRF450R uses our latest finger-follower rocker design. The Unicam cylinder head remains one of the most efficient in the MX world, giving you the design and performance of a double-overhead-cam layout but the compactness of a single-overhead-cam design.

13.5:1 COMPRESSION RATIO
Honda engineering at its best: The CRF450R’s cylinder head features a highly refined combustion-chamber shape and generous squish area, allowing an impressive 13.5:1 compression ratio for superior efficiency and power.

SKID PLATE
A factory skid plate is light and offers the engine and lower-frame protection that a racer demands.

COMFORT
NEW, SLIM BODYWORK
We’ve slimmed down the CRF450R’s bodywork, and reduced the total number of pieces. It makes it a lot easier to move around on the new bike, and that maximizes your riding freedom. While we were at it, we reduced the total number of fasteners needed to remove the body panels—maintenance off the bike just got easier too.

FRESH NEW STYLING
A bike the works as well as the 2021 CRF450R should look just as good, right? That’s why we freshened up the overall graphics package. Plus, our “in mold” graphics help keep your bike looking good. We think the only thing that could make it look better is a big ol’ First Place trophy sitting on the seat. We did our part—the trophy is up to you.

RENTHAL “FATBAR”
The aluminum Renthal Fatbar features a bend that’s even better than the legendary Honda “CR” bar. It’s the new standard of excellence—you’re gonna love it! In addition, the CRF450RWE gets special Renthal grips.

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

NEW SEAT
Sometimes you need to think out of the box—that’s what we did with the new CRF450R’s seat. We moved the attaching bolts from the rear to the front, and the tongue from the front to the rear. The result? When it’s time for service, removing and installing your new CRF450R’s seat is easier than ever.

FLAT SEAT/TANK JUNCTION
The CRF450R features a flat seat/tank junction, including a titanium fuel tank. The superior ergonomics make it easier to move forward and back on the bike, increasing your control.

NEW CABLE ROUTING
You may not notice it at first, but re-routing the CRF450R’s throttle cables and new hydraulic clutch line let our engineers shave almost half a pound off the bike. Light is always right!

 

 

 

2021 Honda CRF450R – Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $9599 USD
Canada MSRP Price: $10,799 CDN
Europe/UK MSRP Price: £ GBP (On The Road inc 20% Vat)
ENGINE
Type 449.7cc liquid-cooled 10º single-cylinder four-stroke
Valve Train Unicam® OHC, four-valve; 38mm intake, titanium; 31mm exhaust, steel
Bore x Stroke 96.0mm x 62.1mm
Compression Ratio 13.5:1
Induction Programmed fuel-injection system (PGM-FI); 46mm throttle bore
Ignition Full transistorized
Starter Push-button electric starter
Transmission Constant-mesh 5-speed; manual
Clutch Multiplate wet, hydraulically actuated (6 springs, 8 plates)
Final Drive #520 chain; 13T/49T
SUSPENSION
Front 49mm fully adjustable leading-axle inverted telescopic Showa coil-spring fork w/ 12.2 in. travel
Rear Pro-Link system; fully adjustable Showa single shock w/ 12.4 in. wheel travel
BRAKES
Front 2-piston caliper (30mm, 27mm) hydraulic; single 260mm disc
Rear 1-piston caliper hydraulic; single 240mm disc
TIRES
Front Dunlop Geomax MX33 80/100-21 w/ tube
Rear Dunlop Geomax MX33 120/80-19 w/ tube
MEASUREMENTS
Rake (Caster Angle) 27°7’
Trail 114mm
Length 85.9 in.
Width 32.6 in.
Height 49.9 in.
Ground Clearance  13.2 in.
Seat Height 38.0 in
Wheelbase 58.3 in.
Fuel Capacity 1.7gal
Color Red
Curb Weight* 244 lbs.

*Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel—ready to ride
Specifications subject to change

 

 

2021 Honda CRF450R – Totalmotorcycle.com Canada Specifications/Technical Details

Engine & Drivetrain
Engine type Liquid-cooled single-cylinder 4-stroke
Displacement 449.8 cc
Bore & stroke 96 mm x 62.1 mm
Compression ratio 13.5:1
Valve train Unicam, 4 valves
Fuel delivery PGM-FI electronic fuel injection with 46 mm throttle body
Transmission Close-ratio, five speed
Final drive #520 sealed chain; 13T/49T
Chassis & Suspension
Front suspension Showa 49 mm telescopic inverted coil spring with rebound and compression damping adjustability. 310 mm (12.2 in ) travel.
Rear suspension Pro-Link® Showa single shock with adjustable spring preload, rebound damping adjustability, and compression damping adjustment separated into low-speed and high-speed; 315 mm (12.4 inches) travel
Dimensions & Additional Information
Tires Front: 80/100-21
Rear: 120/80-19
Brakes Front: 260 mm disc with dual-piston caliper
Rear: 240 mm disc
Ground clearance 336 mm (13.2 in.)
Seat height 965 mm (38 in.)
Wheelbase 1,481 mm (58.3 in.)
Curb weight 111 kg (244 lb.) including required fluids and full tank of gas—ready to ride
Fuel capacity 6.3 litres
Colour Extreme Red
Warranty No warrranty

 

 

2021 Honda CRF450R – Totalmotorcycle.com European Specifications/Technical Details

Engine
Bore × Stroke (mm) 96.0mm x 62.1mm
Carburation CDI Electronic Fuel injection
Compression Ratio 13.5 : 1
Engine Displacement (cc) 449.7cc
Engine Type Liquid-cooled 4-stroke single cylinder uni-cam
Starter Electric
Oil Capacity (Litres) 1.25 Litres
Wheels
Brakes Front Single 260mm disk
Brakes Rear Single 240mm disk
Suspension Front Showa 49mm USD fork
Suspension Rear Showa monoshock using Honda Pro-Link
Tyres Front Dunlop MX33F
Tyre Size Front 80/100-21-51M
Tyre Size Rear 120/80-19-63M
Tyres Rear Dunlop MX33
Wheels Front Aluminium spoke
Wheels Rear Aluminium spoke
Dimensions and Weights
Caster Angle 27.1°
Dimensions (L×W×H) (mm) 2,183mm x 827mm x 1,267mm
Frame type Aluminium twin tube
Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres) 6.3 litres
Ground Clearance (mm) 336mm
Kerb Weight (kg) 110.6kg
Seat Height (mm) 965mm
Trail (mm) 114mm
Wheelbase (mm) 1,481mm
Transmission
Clutch Wet type multi-plate
Final Drive Chain
Transmission Type Constant mesh

 

 

Manufacturer Specifications and appearance are subject to change without prior notice on Total Motorcycle (TMW).

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