Born in Baja. Built for everywhere else. The CRF450X delivers championship-level off-road performance with trail-tuned precision and proven durability. With its six-speed gearbox, 18-inch rear wheel, and California Green-Sticker compliance, it’s ready for everything from desert races to tight singletrack. If the trail doesn’t quit, neither will you.
Review – Key Features – Features & Benefits – Specifications
2026 Honda CRF450X: OFF-ROAD DOMINATION.
Introducing the 2026 Honda CRF450X…
Developed for trail enthusiasts and competitive racers alike, Honda’s CRF450X is the perfect machine for off-road adventures. The winningest bike ever in the Baja 1000 (17 victories, including SLR Honda’s victory in the 2024 edition), this versatile machine is also right at home in regional off-road parks. The bike’s 50-state off-road legal status and renowned reliability combines with trail-ready features like an 18-inch rear wheel, sealed chain, headlight, side stand, and a six-speed transmission to make it the ultimate all-around dirt bike.
Six gears. One mission: off-road dominance
Born in Baja. Built for everywhere else. The CRF450X delivers championship-level off-road performance with trail-tuned precision and proven durability. With its six-speed gearbox, 18-inch rear wheel, and California Green-Sticker compliance, it’s ready for everything from desert races to tight singletrack. If the trail doesn’t quit, neither will you.
2026 Honda CRF450X Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features
- 450cc liquid-cooled Unicam single-cylinder engine
- Wide-ratio six-speed transmission
- 49mm Showa® inverted spring fork
- Factory handguards
- Complete lighting package
- Engine Type
450cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke - Transmission
Wide-ratio six-speed - Front Suspension
49.0mm inverted Showa® fork; 12.0-inch travel - Rear Suspension
Pro-Link® Showa® single shock; 11.8-inch travel - Seat Height
37.9 inches - Curb Weight
275 pounds (ready to ride)
450cc Unicam® engine
Honda’s Unicam® design creates a compact engine that saves weight. The included valve angle flattens the combustion chamber for easier ignition while the camshaft sits lower, making it more compact and lowering the center of gravity.
Wide-ratio six-speed transmission
Having six speeds in the transmission, as opposed to a typical five on an MX bike, provides more versatility. This bike can handle everything from east-coast rock crawling to wide-open Baja blasts.
Twin-spar chassis
The motorcycle has a lightweight, stiff, twin-spar aluminum chassis with excellent handling. It is wider than the standard MX frame to fit the six-speed transmission.
18-inch rear wheel
The 18-inch rear wheel provides a great selection of off-road tires, and the black DID rims add to the aesthetic appeal.
HISTORY
First introduced for the 2005 model year, the CRF450X continued Honda’s proud pedigree of large-displacement off-road machines, including legendary machines like the XR600R and the XR650R. Based loosely on the CRF450R motocross platform, the original “X” was nonetheless developed specifically for off-road use. Updates for 2008 included the addition of a Honda Progressive Steering Damper, as well as the switch to a smaller fuel tank. A complete overhaul took place for 2019, including the adoption of fuel injection, updated bodywork and a new chassis.
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 CRF450X Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits
450cc Unicam® engine
Honda’s Unicam® design creates a compact engine that saves weight. The included valve angle flattens the combustion chamber for easier ignition while the camshaft sits lower, making it more compact and lowering the center of gravity.
Fuel injection
Our proven fuel injection system provides excellent torque, spot-on metering, and response, especially in the critical low-rpm range. Additionally, it automatically compensates for changes in elevation and weather.
Titanium intake and exhaust valves
Lightweight titanium intake and exhaust valves permit smaller valve springs, reducing overall engine height.
Twin-spar chassis
A lightweight, stiff, twin-spar aluminum chassis provides excellent handling while being wider than the standard MX frame to fit the six-speed transmission.
Dunlop MX52 tires
Dunlop’s MX52 tires provide excellent traction across various terrains and conditions, making them critical for on- and off-road bikes.
Low center of gravity
The Unicam® engine’s compact design and our center-of-mass engineering reduce the bike’s weight and improve handling.
Works-style front brake
Increased stopping power and handling are thanks to the compact twin-piston front brake caliper, anodized aluminum brake pistons, and lightweight 260mm front disc that minimize unsprung weight.
Works-style rear brake
An HRC works-style rear brake system uses a 240mm brake rotor that integrates with the rear master cylinder and fluid reservoir, eliminating the need for a separate reservoir and hose.
18-inch rear wheel
The 18-inch rear wheel provides a great selection of off-road tires, and the black DID rims add to the aesthetic appeal.
Wide-ratio six-speed transmission
Having six speeds in the transmission, as opposed to a typical five on an MX bike, provides more versatility. This bike can handle everything from East Coast rock crawling to wide-open Baja blasts.
Tuned-weight crank
The bike has a unique crankshaft that differs from our MX and dual-sport models. The crankshaft’s weight and inertial characteristics play a big role in power delivery.
Dual radiators
The dual radiators feature a refined core for superior heat dissipation. At the same time, the coolant recovery tank is in front of the engine between the frame downtubes for an improved center of gravity.
Oversized fuel tank
We gave the X model a larger, 2.0-gallon resin fuel tank. This will allow for fewer fuel stops, which can save valuable time over the course of a long ride or race.
Skid plate
The factory skid plate is light, yet it also offers the engine and lower-frame protection that serious riders demand on a machine like this.
Factory handguards
Designed exclusively for off-road riders and manufactured to Honda standards, these guards protect against rocks, branches, thorns, and brushes while giving the bike a polished look.
Works MX styling
If the X-model graphics remind you of our MX bikes, that’s because they’re derived from them. The smooth bodywork makes it easy to move around, while the in-mold graphics are durable, too.
Gear-driver counterbalancer
The gear-driven counterbalancer reduces vibration and drives the water pump.
California Green-Sticker compliant
California riders can ride this bike off-road year-round in any open OHV area since it is Green-Sticker compliant.
Superior ergonomics
Placing the rider’s legs at the narrowest part of the frame helps improve comfort and handling.
Sidestand
A sidestand may seem insignificant, but this forged alloy piece is an exceptional example of this bike’s attention to detail.
Fuel mileage meter
The fuel mileage meter is a key feature that displays current and average fuel mileage and fuel consumption and can show data in miles or kilometers. It’s in the same digital display as the speedometer, odometer, tripmeter, and clock.
Electric start
The electric start system ensures trouble-free starting. It drives the clutch side of the crankshaft, providing superior lubrication to starter gears while allowing a narrow engine with a short, strong crank.
Lighting package
It has a complete lighting package (headlight and taillight) for improved visibility in low-light conditions.
STYLING / DESIGN
The CRF450X is pure off-road, and it looks the part, with a design that reflects the style of its CRF450R motocross cousin, but with rugged touches that are appropriate for the trail. The lightweight 2.0-gallon fuel tank features a cap with a cut-off valve, minimizing spillage when the bike is tipped over. Fork guards fend off damage from rocks and bushes, and long-lasting in-mold graphics resist peeling or fading. A gray-metallic Renthal® handlebar is standard, as is a red crossbar pad.
The model has features designed for durability, comfort and performance on long, challenging rides, including lightweight plastic handguards to shield against trailside brush and shrubs, an aluminum side stand that simplifies trailside breaks but folds out of the way when not in use, and a halogen headlight and LED taillight for night riding. A lightweight lithium-ion battery offers increased capacity over the CRF450R, in order to power the lighting, and an easily accessible electronic-component box on the left side of the frame is convenient for maintenance. The digital meter features a clear, compact design with legible black characters on a white LCD background ensuring readability in varying conditions.
ENGINE / DRIVETRAIN
The CRF450X’s 449.7cc Unicam® engine has bore and stroke measurements of 96.0mm and 62.1mm, respectively, and finger-follower rocker arms on the inlet valves contribute to the compact layout. Tuned for off-road-appropriate power characteristics, the engine features a DLC surface treatment on the rocker arms, minimizing friction. The dedicated valve timing ensures smooth power delivery, particularly in technical riding conditions, while the engine’s high crank inertia maximizes control in challenging terrain. With a 12.0:1 compression ratio and a three-ring piston design, the power plant is built for durability and reliability.
To handle everything from tight, technical trails to high-speed fire roads, the model features a wide-ratio, six-speed transmission that is produced from high-strength materials for resilience in demanding conditions. A special clutch design enables a light lever pull, while a primary-damper mechanism with friction springs helps suppress engine-torque fluctuations, for smooth running. Large-capacity radiators offer superior heat-exchange efficiency, keeping the engine cool in demanding off-road scenarios. The ECU is programmed with settings tailored to off-road riding, and the specially designed exhaust system, with an optimized pipe length and diameter, ensures excellent responsiveness at low rpm. An off-road-ready, emissions-compliant muffler with a USFS-approved spark arrestor makes the CRF450X 50-state off-road legal.
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION
The light, strong aluminum twin-spar frame was designed for both nimble handling and stable control across a variety of off-road terrain. The 49mm inverted Showa inverted fork has 12.0 inches of travel and is specifically tuned for challenging trails. The Pro-Link® rear-suspension system has a single Showa shock absorber and delivers 11.8 inches of travel.
Front-brake duties are handled by a two-piston caliper and a 260mm petal-style rotor, while a single-piston rear caliper works a 240mm petal-style rotor. In both cases, the braking is powerful enough to ensure good stopping performance from high speeds, but also controlled enough to deliver the precise feel needed when navigating technical trails.
An endless sealed chain is used to withstand sustained abuse in the toughest elements, and the front and rear sprockets both feature dampers that minimize noise and ensure smooth running. Dunlop MX52 tires are mounted front and rear and are suitable for a wide variety of terrain types, while the 18-inch rear wheel allows for a tall tire sidewall to optimize traction in technical conditions.
2026 Honda CRF450X – Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $9999 USD
Canada MSRP Price: $ TBA CDN (includes Freight, PDI and Fees)
Europe/UK MSRP Price: £ See Dealer for Pricing in GBP (On The Road inc 20% Vat)
| Model | CRF450X |
| ENGINE | |
| Type | 449.7cc liquid-cooled 10º single-cylinder four-stroke |
| Valve Train | Unicam® OHC, four-valve |
| Bore x Stroke | 96.0mm x 62.1mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12.1:1 |
| Induction | Programmed fuel-injection system (PGM-FI); 46mm throttle body |
| Ignition | DC-CDI |
| Starter | Push-button electric starter |
| Transmission | 6-speed wide ratio; manual |
| Clutch | Multiplate wet (6 springs) |
| Final Drive | #520 sealed chain; 13T/51T |
| SUSPENSION | |
| Front | 49mm fully adjustable leading-axle inverted telescopic Showa coil-spring fork w/ 12.0 in. travel |
| Rear | Pro-Link system; fully adjustable Showa single shock w/ 11.8 in. wheel travel |
| BRAKES | |
| Front | Single 2-piston hydraulic caliper w/ 260mm disc |
| Rear | Single 1-piston hydraulic caliper w/ 240mm disc |
| TIRES | |
| Front | Dunlop Geomax MX52 80/100-21 w/ tube |
| Rear | Dunlop Geomax MX52 110/100-18 w/ tube |
| MEASUREMENTS | |
| Rake (Caster Angle) | 27.6º |
| Trail | 4.7 in. (118mm) |
| Length | 86.3 in. |
| Width | 33.3 in. |
| Height | 50.3 in. |
| Ground Clearance | 13.1 in. |
| Seat Height | 37.9 in. |
| Wheelbase | 58.7 in. |
| Fuel Capacity | 2.0 gal. |
| Curb Weight* | 275 lbs. |
| OTHER | |
| Color | Red |
*Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel—ready to ride
Specifications subject to change
2026 Honda CRF450X – Totalmotorcycle.com Canada Specifications/Technical Details
TBA
2026 Honda CRF450X – Totalmotorcycle.com Europe Specifications/Technical Details
NA
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
