LET’S REDEFINE DUAL-PURPOSE
Making the CRF450R tamed for the road. The CRF450L looks like the CRF450R for a reason. It is a CRF450R. Same aluminium beam frame, 449cc Unicam engine and Showa suspension. We’ve turned it into a total trail machine with more bottom-end torque, a six-speed gearbox, full road legality and sharp LED lighting package. And it’s manufactured with the high-quality engineering Honda is famous for.
THE BALANCE OF POWER
The CRF450L’s electric-start, 449cc four-valve Unicam engine delivers a smooth spread of torque from low rpm up, helping the rear tyre hook up no matter the ground conditions. Developed in conjunction with the CRF450RX enduro machine it uniquely features a heavier crank mass and compression ratio of 12.0:1. The piston uses 3 rings for long-term durability and the ACG has been uprated to provide electrical power for the lights and maintain battery charge during lower-speed running.
AGILITY PLUS STABILITY EQUALS CONFIDENCE
Off-road performance with on-road manners. A tuned rigidity balance between the CRF450L’s aluminium frame and swingarm provides strength, stability and also feel. The 49mm Showa USD fork and Pro-Link rear suspension are fully adjustable with spring and damping rates specifically revised for use on the trail. An 18-inch rear wheel–with cush drive to protect the gearbox and chain–opens up tyre choice while the 260mm wave-pattern front disc and twin-piston calliper, matched by a 140mm rear disc and single-piston calliper serve up sensitive, but powerful stopping ability.
Torque versus power
Away from the MX track too much peak power saps precious energy. On the trail torque that finds drive is what matters and the CRF450L makes a strong, fluid 32Nm balanced by power of 18kW, making life easy for its rider, not harder.
