2009 Honda CRF450R Preview

Introduction

2009 Honda CRF450R

Here’s the indisputable truth: Honda’s CRF450R is a proven winner. Since its first appearance in late 2001, the CRF450R has done plenty of winning in professional Supercross and Motocross competition. Weekend warriors also consider the CRF450R a big-time winner, whether it’s racing at the local level or simply enjoying an afternoon’s track outing aboard this remarkable 450. All of which points to a machine that’s as versatile as it is victorious. Just as impressive, beginning with its debut the CRF450R has been repeatedly judged as best-in-class by the guys who test them all. Every year the CRF450R collects rave reviews, 10-best honors and front-of-the-pack titles from enthusiast publications.

With such an enviable level of success plus the nonstop refinement that has followed the CRF450R since its beginnings, it would be natural to assume that quantum leaps in improvement with new versions might be impossible, right? Well, it takes only one look at the 2009 CRF450R to flush that theory down the drain. Now in the all-new and lighter CRF450R, witness an unprecedented level of design synergy as a brand-new engine, developed concurrently with an entirely new rolling chassis, deliver 450-class-leading power along with CRF250R-like handling. Toss the strategic addition of EFI into the mix—in a configuration that brings benefits related not only to fuel metering but also to the size and placement of vital chassis components—and it all adds up to an unprecedented combination of power, suspension and handling that together bring a genuine revolution to the premier motocross class.

Honda CRF450R History

Competition

Honda may have done the big step of fuel injecting their CRF450R, but, for certain, it isn’t the only one in its class that undergoes such an important change. The 2009 Suzuki RM-Z450 features a GSX-R derived fuel-injection system that radically upgrades the 449cc four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine so Honda is in for some stiff competition.

2009 Yamaha YZ450F

Because fuel injection starts making the cards in motocross, machines such as the Yamaha YZ450F and Kawasaki KX450F seem a little overdue and they actually are until their manufacturers do the fuel injection move.

2009 Kawasaki KX450F

Exterior

2009 Honda CRF450R

Apart from technically upgrading the new CRF450R, Honda also adds a distinctive note in what concerns the visual appearance. As a result, the 2009 model year is compact and yet aggressive, light and yet very powerful, standing out from the crowd with its Red and White color combination.

Like on all motocross bikes out there, the Honda CRF450R features a high mounted, aggressive styled front fender matched only by the number plate and mudguards. The side plates became skinnier, revealing more and more of the twin-spar aluminum frame, but still allowing enough room for the new graphics. Furthermore, the side plates stretch all the way to the rear fender creating a unified look, mostly with the help of colors because the front fender, side plates and seat are red while the rear fender and side number plates are white for 2009.

You’ll have a hard time spotting that brand new silencer as it is significantly shorter than on the 2008 model year and mounted well under the right number plate. Yet from that side, the 2009 CRF450R offers a great look of its new waved rotors that are seriously protected from mud.

Although the biggest change that this model year features (fuel injection) can’t be spotted when simply looking at the bike, that 450cc motor placed underneath the gas tank (which is already positioned well into the frame. I don’t know how they managed that, but it’s great) helps at making a very good impression of what we’ll be experiencing once this baby is available for test riding.

 1  2 3 4

Next page