2019 Honda CRF450L First Look | All-New Dual Sport Motorcycle
Those of us at Ultimate Motorcycling, along with everyone else who loves riding in the dirt, have been hectoring the Japanese manufacturers to build a high-performance dual-sport motorcycle. Those demands have gone unheeded until now.
The 2019 Honda CRF450L looks to be exactly what the editors ordered. Let’s take a look at this all-new model that is based on the all-new Honda CRF450X dirt bike, which itself is based on the latest Honda CRF450R motocrosser!
2. The 2019 Honda CRF450L’s chassis and motor are slightly modified versions of the new CRF450R motocross racer. We’re used to seeing compromised frame and suspension, in addition to a motor that is either outdated or vaguely related to the top performers off-road. In the case of the CRF450L, Honda didn’t cut corners and went straight to the same parts bin used by the racing motorcycles.
3. Many of the changes to make the CRF450L are replicated transformation of the CRF450R the CRF450X. Check out our 2019 Honda CRF450X First Look story to find out how the motorcycle differs from the full-on racers—the differences are fewer than you would expect. You still get high-end adjustable Showa suspension, an aluminum frame, and the potent Unicam powerplant.
5. Although the CRF450L won’t have the power of the uncorked CRF450R, it does have the motor architecture. We will have an immediate interest in seeing what sort of personalization we can do to get the motor to perform to our liking. We can’t predict how the CRF450L motor will run, and we have high expectations based on Honda’s engineering reputation, but more power will always be welcome.
7. Be patient—the 2019 Honda CRF450L won’t be available until September. Also, the flagship Japanese dual-sporter has a five-figure price tag. The MSRP is $10,399.
2019 Honda CRF450L Specs
ENGINE
- Motor: Four-stroke single
- Displacement: 450cc
- Bore x stroke: 96.0mm x 62.1mm
- Compression ratio: 12.0:1
- Fuel system: EFI w/ 46mm throttle body
- Starting: Electric
- Transmission: Constant-mesh 6-speed
- Final drive: 520 chain
CHASSIS
- Frame: Aluminum twin-spar
- Front suspension; travel: Fully adjustable 49mm inverted Showa coil-spring forks; 12.0 inches
- Rear suspension; travel: Fully adjustable linkage-assisted Showa shock; 12.4 inches
- Front tire: 80/100-21; IRC GP21
- Rear tire: 120/80-18; IRC GP22
- Front brake: 260mm disc w/ two-piston caliper
- Rear brake: 240mm disc w/ single-piston caliper
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 58.9 inches
- Rake: 28.2 degrees
- Trail: 4.6 inches
- Seat height: 37.1 inches
- Ground clearance: 12.4 inches
- Fuel capacity: 2.0 gallons
- Curb weight: 289 pounds
2019 Honda CRF450L Color:
- Red
2019 Honda CRF450L Price:
- $10,399 MSRP
- Availability: September 2018