2016 Honda CRF450X
Based on the older CRF450R motocrosser, the 2016 Honda CRF450X has an off-road racing pedigree of its own. A strong choice for more open terrain where riders can take advantage of its horsepower, the CRF450X is equipped with Honda’s Progressive Steering Damper to make it work better at the high speeds it’s capable of hitting.
Of course, a sixth speed would be nice, rather than the five ratios it has, but the wide powerband of the Unicam motor does make it work. We can, and will, complain about the lack of fuel injection, but Honda makes the Keihin 40mm flat-slide carb (which uses a Throttle Position Sensor) work extremely well.
Other than wide swings in altitude, you’re most likely to notice the lack of EFI when starting up in the morning—you have to fish for the carb-mounted choke knob. Electric starting helps, obviously. The Honda CRF450X gets 47mm inverted Showa cartridge forks that are fully adjustable and have over a foot of travel, along with a Showa shock with linkage that has 12.3 inches of travel. Adjustability for the shock is good, with high-and low-speed compression damping adjustment, along with rebound damping and spring preload. It’s not light at 269 pounds with the small sub-two-gallon tank full, so plan your turns wisely.
2016 Honda CRF450X Specs:
- Engine Type: 449cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke
- Bore and Stroke: 96.0mm x 62.0mm
- Compression ratio: 12.0:1
- Valve Train: Unicam, four-valve; 35mm intake valve; 30mm exhaust valve
- Induction: Keihin 40mm flat-slide carburetor with Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)
- Ignition: CD with electronic advance and lighting coil
- Starting: Electric and kick
- Transmission: Wide-ratio five-speed
- Final Drive: #520 T-ring-sealed chain; 13T/51T
- Front suspension: 47mm inverted Showa cartridge fork with 16-position rebound and 16-position compression damping adjustability; 12.4 inches travel
- Rear suspension: Pro-Link Showa single shock with adjustable spring preload, 17-position rebound damping adjustability, and compression damping adjustment separated into low-speed (13 positions) and high-speed (3.5 turns); 12.3 inches travel
- Front brakes: Single 240mm disc with twin-piston caliper
- Rear brakes: Single 240mm disc
- Front tire: 80/100-21
- Rear tire: 110/100-18
- Wheelbase: 58.3 inches
- Rake: 27.2 degrees
- Trail: 4.3 inches
- Seat Height: 37.9 inches
- Ground Clearance: 13.6 inches
- Fuel Capacity: 1.9 gallons, including 0.4 gal reserve
- Color: Red
- Curb Weight: 269 pounds
- 2016 Honda CRF450X MSRP: $8440