When it comes to motorcycle racing in Baja, "dominant" doesn't quite do justice to Honda's record. Twenty-two of the last 23 victories in the legendary Baja 1000 have gone to Honda, including SLR Honda's convincing 2019 win, and 13 of those belong to the CRF450X. Not only does it rule desert racing, but the CRF450X is a great trail bike, thanks in part to its 50-state year-round off-road-legal status. With off-road appropriate features like a side stand, 18-inch rear wheel, headlight, sealed chain and six-speed transmission, it's ready for desert expanses or tight woods.
Sharing similar styling updates as its CRF Performance Line counterparts, the 2021 CRF450X features all-new graphics and handguards.
Key Features
- Lightweight, protective handguards defend against shrubbery when riding down tight trails or wood sections
- Lightweight, 2.0 gallon titanium fuel tank offers good range for long, enjoyable rides
- Aluminum side stand facilitates trailside stops
- 18-inch rear wheel enables tall tire sidewall for optimum traction in technical conditions
- Lightweight, compact digital meter with black characters on a white liquid-crystal background is easily legible while riding
- Off-road-ready, emissions-compliant muffler with spark arrestor
- Endless sealed chain withstands the elements
- Lightweight, compact halogen headlight and LED taillight extend riding time
Engine/Drivetrain
- 449.7cc Unicam® engine specially tailored for off-road riding
- Finger rocker arm contributes to compact layout, while its dedicated design attains off-road-appropriate power characteristics. DLC surface treatment reduces friction
- Dedicated valve timing for smooth power delivery in technical riding
- High crank inertia (up 12% over CRF450R) for tractable power delivery in technical terrain
- 12.0:1 compression ratio
- Piston with three-ring design
- Wide-ratio six-speed transmission is ready for a wide variety of off-road terrain. Construction from high-strength material ensures durability in demanding conditions
- Special clutch design enables light lever pull. Primary damper mechanism with friction springs suppresses engine torque fluctuations for smooth running
- Large-capacity radiators with high heat-exchange efficiency for strong performance in demanding off-road conditions
- ECU with dedicated settings
- Specially developed exhaust system with optimized pipe length and diameter for excellent responsiveness at low rpm
Chassis/Suspension
- Aluminum twin-spar frame designed for nimble yet stable handling on trails
- 49 mm Showa fork with dedicated settings for challenging terrain
- CRF450R-inspired front brake but with dedicated master cylinder and hose for off-road-appropriate braking performance
- Lightweight lithium-ion battery with increased capacity compared to CRF450R, to power lighting
- Front and rear sprockets feature damper system for smooth, quiet running
- Fuel-tank cap with cut-off valve prevents fuel from flowing out of tank if the bike is on its side
- Easily accessible electronic component box on left side of frame
- Gray metallic Renthal handlebar with red pad
- Compact, lightweight handlebar switches
- In-mold graphics last long and are resistant to peeling caused by washing or abrasion
- Fork protectors are shaped to prevent damage in off-road riding
- Dunlop MX52 tires provide excellent traction and feel in wide range of conditions
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