Honda Introduces 2021 CRF450R, Designed For ‘Razor-Sharp Cornering’

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Honda says the updated 2021 CRF450R has improved power, handling, and consistency. (Photo courtesy of Honda.)

Honda’s 2021 CRF450R won’t handle like the 2020 model—and that’s by design. Despite the machine’s 2020 race success with Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen and Justin Brayton, Honda went back to the drawing board for 2021 to provide the CRF450R with more power (particularly on corner exits), improved handling, and more consistent lap times. Lee Edmunds, senior manager of powersports marketing at American Honda sums Honda’s intentions for the 2021 version: “With its emphasis on cornering performance, we’re confident that the all-new 2021 model will help Red Riders write their own names in the record books with dominant performances from gate drop to checkered flag.”

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Honda redesigned the 2021 CRF450’s chassis with a twin-spar aluminum frame that the company says reduces lateral rigidity for improved cornering performance and stability. (Photo courtesy of Honda.)

What’s New

Honda’s latest CRF450R is focused around a lighter, twin-spar aluminum frame and features changes, such as making the frame’s main spars narrower, reducing lateral rigidity by 20%. Honda says the chassis changes result in the 2021 CRF450R getting into, around, and out of corners faster. The 2021 CRF450R also boasts updates to the swingarm for improved rear traction. Changes to the Unicam engine—a 449-cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder four-stroke—include updates to the decompression system and intake and exhaust (including a switch from two mufflers to one) for improved low- and midrange-performance. Honda’s new hydraulic clutch is said to provide reduced slip and a lighter lever pull for more consistent performance. The design changes, which were based on lessons learned from Team Honda HRC’s AMA Supercross and Motocross efforts, should yield a machine that more consistently performs at a high level.

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Engine updates on the 2021 CRF450 focused on low- to midrange performance for better corner drive. (Photo courtesy of Honda.)

Additional Production Of 2020 CRF450R

If you’re in the market for a 2020 model, you are in luck, as Honda announced it has ordered a new production run and will continue to offer the 2020 CRF450R at a permanently reduced MSRP of $8,599. The 2021 CRF450R’s base MSRP is $9,599.

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You will find a large selection of new and used Honda motorsports vehicles for sale on MotorSportsUniverse.com, including a large selection of Honda motocross machines like the CRF450R.

Source: Honda