2026 Honda CRF450RL Review

The CRF450RL blends off-road grit with road-ready refinement, giving you the freedom to ride anywhere, anytime. Built on a platform similar to the CRF450R and fully street legal, it’s tough, agile, and engineered for real adventure—no matter where the map takes you.

Review – Key Features – Features & Benefits – Specifications

2026 Honda CRF450RL: RIDE ANYWHERE, ANYTIME.

Introducing the 2026 Honda CRF450RL…

The perfect dual-sport motorcycle combines exceptional off-road performance with street-legal features in a reliable, durable package. Honda’s CRF450RL finds that balance, enabling riders to seamlessly transfer from singletrack to the highway. The Unicam® engine and premium, long-travel suspension combine to deliver confidence in a wide variety of terrain, and comfort is enhanced by technology designed to reduce sound and minimize vibration. Add it all up, and the CRF450RL puts the off-roader’s once-standard pickup truck at risk of obsolescence.

Single track to city streets
The CRF450RL blends off-road grit with road-ready refinement, giving you the freedom to ride anywhere, anytime. Built on a platform similar to the CRF450R and fully street legal, it’s tough, agile, and engineered for real adventure—no matter where the map takes you.

2026 Honda CRF450RL Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features

• 450cc liquid-cooled Unicam single-cylinder engine
• Wide-ratio six-speed transmission
• 49mm Showa® spring fork
• Race-inspired graphics
• Fully street legal
• Engine Type
  450cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke
• Transmission
  Wide-ratio six-speed
• Front Suspension
  49.0mm leading-axle inverted telescopic Showa® fork; 12.0-inch travel
• Rear Suspension
  Pro-Link® Showa® single shock; 11.8-inch travel
• Front Tire
  IRC GP21 80/100-21
• Seat Height
  37.2 inches

450cc Unicam® engine
The Unicam® cylinder-head engine is a hybrid design based on our championship-winning CRF450R. It is lighter, has a lower center of gravity, and a higher compression ratio, all designed to improve the outright power and performance.

Street-legal and off-road capable
Street-legal in all 50 states, this motorcycle has a catalytic converter and can be ridden off-road almost anywhere. You can ride it on public lands, roads, and state and national parks. Plus, you won’t need to haul your bike to the trailhead.

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

Wide-ratio six-speed transmission
Similar to the 450X, the 450RL features a six-speed wide-ratio gearbox. This allows the low gear to be excellent in slow, tight situations and the high gear to be tall enough for highway riding to the next trailhead or gas stop.

HISTORY
Introduced for the 2019 model year, the CRF450L (as it was called at the time) was developed to be a street-legal version of the CRF450R motocrosser, incorporating elements necessary for legal, comfortable road use while retaining its off-road performance. For model-year 2021, the model got plastic handguards and a new name—CRF450RL—to emphasize its race-inspired heritage.

Updated Transalp and NC750X Lead Honda’s Product Announcement

• XL750 Transalp receives comfort- and convenience-focused changes for 2025
• Improved styling and handling for the NC750X DCT
• Also: Nine CRF Performance models confirmed for 2026 model year

American Honda today announced the return of two standout motorcycles for the 2025 model year: the XL750 Transalp and the NC750X DCT, both of which receive important updates. The ADV category is famously varied, and while these two models share a common class, they represent very different approaches to adventure.

Already popular after just one year on the U.S. market, the contemporary XL750 Transalp is a true adventure machine that is maneuverable and compact, ready to tackle dirt roads and backroads alike. It’s back for 2025 with revisions aimed at improving comfort and convenience, including better aerodynamics, lighting, instrumentation and suspension.

On the other end of the ADV spectrum is the NC750X DCT, long familiar with U.S. customers as an exceptionally comfortable commuter and weekend explorer—and improved for 2025 with refreshed styling, lighting, braking and more.

“The XL750 Transalp and NC750X DCT demonstrate Honda’s ability to appeal to the varying needs of powersports enthusiasts,” said Colin Miller, Manager of Public Relations at American Honda. “While both machines are midsize adventure bikes, each is developed with a different application in mind—and each is extremely effective in its particular realm. That Honda not only offers both options, but has also improved them both for 2025, is just the latest example of our commitment to meeting the demands of any customer.”

Also included in this announcement are nine dirt-focused models returning for the 2026 model year. In the race-winning CRF Performance family are the Baja-dominating CRF450X, the closed-course off-road CRF250RX and CRF450RX, and the CRF450RL dual-sport bike, as well as the motocross-focused CRF450R, CRF450RWE, CRF250R, CRF250RWE and CRF150R.

2026 Honda CRF450RL Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits

450cc Unicam® engine
The Unicam® cylinder-head engine is a hybrid design based on our championship-winning CRF450R. It is lighter, has a lower center of gravity, and a higher compression ratio, all designed to improve the outright power and performance.

Fuel injection
This bike’s proven fuel injection system offers excellent torque and spot-on metering and response, especially in the critical low-rpm range. It also automatically compensates for elevation and weather changes.

Titanium intake and exhaust valves
Lightweight titanium intake and exhaust valves permit smaller valve springs, reducing overall engine height.

Twin-spar chassis
Excellent handling results from the twin-spar aluminum frame, which is lightweight and rigid. The chassis geometry has been specifically chosen for its responsiveness and is wider than the standard MX frame to accommodate the six-speed transmission.

18-inch rear wheel
The 18-inch rear wheel provides an excellent range of tire options for both on- and off-road use.

IRC GP tires
The tires are designed to provide excellent traction for both on- and off-road use while featuring a long life span.

Low center of gravity
The Unicam® engine, compact in size, and Honda’s focus on center-of-mass engineering maintain a low center of gravity, resulting in a lighter-feeling bike that’s easier to handle.

Works-style front brake
Impressive stopping power results from a lightweight 260mm front disc and compact twin-piston front brake caliper, while anodized aluminum brake pistons minimize unsprung weight for improved handling and turning.

Works-style rear brake
The HRC works-type rear brake system uses a 240mm brake rotor with an integrated master cylinder and fluid reservoir. This setup increases durability by eliminating the need for a separate reservoir and hose.

Wide-ratio six-speed transmission
Similar to the 450X, the 450RL features a six-speed wide-ratio gearbox. This allows the low gear to be excellent in slow, tight situations and the high gear to be tall enough for highway riding to the next trailhead or gas stop.

Electric fan
This bike is designed for all terrains and has an electric fan to cool the engine.

Final-drive sprocket damper
These unique dampened drive sprockets, designed to keep your bike quieter without adding weight, are another example of this bike’s innovative engineering.

Inertia-tuned crank
The crank has 13% more inertia than the one used in the 450R, designed to smooth out the power delivery and increase user-friendliness in technical situations.

Lithium-ion battery
The battery is light, compact, and offers excellent performance. This is just another small part of why this bike performs so well.

Skid plate
The factory skid plate is light, yet it also offers the kind of engine and lower-frame protection that serious riders demand on a machine like this.

Large fuel tank
The premium resin tank can hold up to 2.0 gallons of gas. It is both lightweight and durable.

Works MX styling
The 450RL resembles our MX bikes, thanks to its similar smooth bodywork design, making it easy to move around. Additionally, the in-mold graphics not only look cool but are also durable.

Street-legal and off-road capable
Street-legal in all 50 states, this motorcycle has a catalytic converter and can be ridden off-road almost anywhere. You can ride it on public lands, roads, and state and national parks. Now there’s no need to haul your bike to the trailhead.

Factory handguards
Handguards come pre-installed from the factory, fully integrated, and color-matched to the bike. They attach to the control-lever pivots and are vented.

Fuel mileage meter
The fuel mileage meter displays current and average fuel mileage and consumption and can show measurements in miles or kilometers. It’s located in the same digital display area as the speedometer.

Gear-driven counterbalancer
The gear-driven counterbalancer serves a dual purpose: it reduces vibration and drives the water pump.

Sidestand
A sidestand may seem like no big thing, but look at this. Tucked up high and out of the way, this forged alloy piece is another example of how this bike gets it right.

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

LED lighting
This bike has all-LED lighting, including the headlight, which reduces weight on the front end. The lighting pattern is designed specifically for on- and off-road use. The rear fender includes an integrated LED taillight that is lightweight and compact.

STYLING / DESIGN
With its CRF450R-inspired red bodywork and in-mold graphics, the CRF450RL’s look is pure off-road, but that aesthetic is balanced by features designed for on-road legality and comfort. The compact LED lighting system includes a high-intensity headlight, maximizing riding time by offering excellent illumination with minimal weight. Rear-view mirrors are provided, as is a clear digital meter, a horn, a brake-light switch and flexible LED turn signals. The aluminum side-stand is convenient for trailside breaks but folds out of the way when it’s time to get going.

The black 7/8-inch Renthal® handlebar is fitted with a red pad, and lightweight, protective hand guards shield against the elements and trailside vegetation. The locking cap on the 2.0-gallon titanium fuel tank (compared to 1.7 gallons for the CRF450R) features a cut-off valve to prevent fuel spillage when the bike is tipped over, and a compact electronic-component box is situated on the left side of the subframe.

ENGINE / DRIVETRAIN
The Honda CRF450RL is powered by a compact 449.7cc Unicam® engine, specifically engineered for trail-to-trail riding. The crank inertia (12% higher than that of the CRF450R) provides tractable power and resists stalling, making it easier to navigate challenging terrain. A primary damper mechanism reduces engine-torque fluctuations for a smooth ride.

The four-valve cylinder head features finger rocker arms on the inlet valves, optimizing layout and power characteristics for both on- and off-road use. The arms feature a DLC surface treatment to reduce friction, and the dedicated valve timing (10.0mm inlet-valve lift, 8.8mm exhaust-valve lift) makes for a smooth and predictable power delivery, ideal for technical riding. The valve springs have an oval cross section, and valve angle is 9° intake/10.5° exhaust.

Bore and stroke are unchanged from the CRF450R (96.0mm x 62.1mm), but the piston uses three rings instead of one for greater durability (as appropriate for the intended application). The compression ratio is 12.0:1 (compared to 13.5:1 for the CRF450R).

The airbox feeds the programmed fuel injection. The muffler features a three-chamber return structure, and it incorporates a catalyzer, spark arrestor and evaporative-control canister. The outer diameter of the exit pipe is 25.4mm.

The clutch features seven friction discs, and a 2mm clutch-plate thickness efficiently dissipates heat. The wide-ratio six-speed transmission adapts to the varied needs of dual-sport riding, with a tall sixth gear for comfortable highway cruising.

To maintain optimal engine temperature in demanding off-road conditions, the CRF450RL features large-capacity radiators with high heat-exchange efficiency, as well as an electric fan and thermostat control. The ECU is tuned with dedicated settings for off-road performance, and noise emissions are minimized with covers on the left and right crank cases. A powerful AC generator ensures reliable street-legal lighting. The lightweight lithium-ion battery has increased capacity compared to the CRF450R, providing ample power to support its electrical components in all conditions.

Durability and reliability are key in the CRF450RL’s design. The endless sealed 520 chain is up to the elements encountered off-road, and it’s protected by a plastic guard. The 13-tooth front sprocket and 51-tooth rear sprocket are made from a durable steel material, and both incorporate a special damper system for smooth, quiet operation.

CHASSIS / SUSPENSION
The Honda CRF450RL features an aluminum twin-spar frame designed for nimble yet stable handling on trails, ensuring confidence in technical sections while maintaining stability at higher speeds. The subframe is engineered for optimal rigidity, offering enough strength for the required lighting equipment and aluminum license-plate holder, while still contributing to the bike’s light weight. The swingarm features urethane injection to reduce road noise, enhancing the comfortable overall ride.

Rake and trail are set at 28.5° and 4.8 inches (compared to 27.3º and 4.53 inches for the CRF450R), and the 58.9-inch wheelbase is .6 inches longer than that of the motocrosser, for greater stability off-road. Curb weight is 289 pounds (including all required fluids and a full tank of fuel), and seat height is 37.2 inches.

The 49mm inverted Showa coil-spring fork is adjustable for both rebound and compression damping, and it has been specially tuned for dual-sport riding. The Pro-Link® rear-suspension system uses a single Showa shock absorber that has off-road-specific settings and link ratio; the shock is adjustable for high- and low-speed compression, as well as preload.

Whereas the CRF450R uses a 19-inch rear wheel, the CRF450RL’s is 18 inches, resulting in a taller sidewall that is more compliant over rocks and roots. (The front wheel is 21 inches.) The dual-sport bike also features a cush drive to absorb chain shock. The D.I.D rims are black, and the IRC GP tires strike a balance of on- and off-road performance.

Front-brake duties are handled by a two-piston hydraulic caliper with a 260mm petal-style rotor, for effective heat dissipation, power and feel. The single-piston rear caliper is matched with a 240mm petal-style disc.

The front-brake design comes from the CRF450R, but with a thicker rotor and a large-capacity reservoir for added fade resistance during long descents or on demanding trails.

2026 Honda CRF450RL – Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $10,099 USD
Canada MSRP Price: $ See Dealer CDN (includes Freight, PDI and Fees)
Europe/UK MSRP Price: £ See Dealer for Pricing in GBP (On The Road inc 20% Vat)

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

Specifications subject to change

2026 Honda CRF450RL – Totalmotorcycle.com Canada Specifications/Technical Details

TBA

2026 Honda CRF450RL – Totalmotorcycle.com Europe Specifications/Technical Details

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

Posted on Thursday, July 31st, 2025 by Michael Le Pard