2013 Honda CRF450R
When Honda was deciding on whose presence was needed to create a launch video of its revamped 2013 CRF 450 R, it didn’t have to look far.
Honda simply utilized its own talent from its World Motocross team, using riders Evgeny Bobryshev and Rui Gonçalves to promote the bike.
The World MX riders took some time from their busy MX1 World Championship schedules, and traveled to California piloted the 2013 model back-to-back with the current 2012 CRF450R. Joining the World MX riders were AMA Motocross legend Jeremy McGrath, and current AMA riders Justin Brayton and Justin Barcia.
Honda reports that in the intense heat the Honda World Motocross duo quickly got to grips with the new machine, which features Kayaba air-sprung forks, twin pipes and a brand new full mass-centralised chassis along with many other refinements, that enabled the riders to throw it around for some big whips at the picturesque American circuit.
Evgeny Bobryshev says: “For me the best improvement is the bike is easy in the tight turns. This is where I struggle the most and with the change in the chassis it was nicer to turn. I like the look of it too and I’m impressed with the overall feel of the bike.”
Bobryshev and Gonçalves spent a full day ripping around the track aboard the new machine as well as being interviewed on the handling of the new bike for the launch video. The riders, who were working in conjunction with Honda Europe and American Honda, were really excited to be involved with the showcasing of the new bike, which will be officially launched in Europe later in the year, Honda reports.
Rui Goncalves says: “The balance of the new bike is really good. Everything feels so low, which makes it easy to turn, with it being light and nimble. It’s almost like a 125 to ride but with the power of a fourstroke and straight out of the crate the suspension felt good too. It’s also nice to see the design changes made, as the bike looks good and Honda has taken another huge step forward in development of the CRF 450R machine.”
The promotional video is attached above, along with some promo pics that make for great wallpaper.
