The perfect dual-sport motorcycle combines exceptional off-road performance with street-legal features in a reliable, durable package. Honda's CRF450RL finds that balance, enabling riders to seamlessly transfer from singletrack to the highway. The Unicam® engine and premium, long-travel suspension combine to deliver confidence in a wide variety of terrain, and comfort is enhanced by technology designed to reduce sound and minimize vibration. Add it all up, and the CRF450RL puts the off-roader's once-standard pickup truck at risk of obsolescence.
HISTORY
Introduced for the 2019 model year, the CRF450L (as it was called at the time) was developed to be a street-legal version of the CRF450R motocrosser, incorporating elements necessary for legal, comfortable road use while retaining its off-road performance. For model-year 2021, the model got plastic handguards and a new name—CRF450RL—to emphasize its race-inspired heritage.
STYLING / DESIGN
With its CRF450R-inspired red bodywork and in-mold graphics, the CRF450RL's look is pure off-road, but that aesthetic is balanced by features designed for on-road legality and comfort. The compact LED lighting system includes a high-intensity headlight, maximizing riding time by offering excellent illumination with minimal weight. Rear-view mirrors are provided, as is a clear digital meter, a horn, a brake-light switch and flexible LED turn signals. The aluminum side-stand is convenient for trailside breaks but folds out of the way when it's time to get going.
The black 7/8-inch Renthal® handlebar is fitted with a red pad, and lightweight, protective hand guards shield against the elements and trailside vegetation. The locking cap on the 2.0-gallon titanium fuel tank (compared to 1.7 gallons for the CRF450R) features a cut-off valve to prevent fuel spillage when the bike is tipped over, and a compact electronic-component box is situated on the left side of the subframe.
ENGINE / DRIVETRAIN
The Honda CRF450RL is powered by a compact 449.7cc Unicam® engine, specifically engineered for trail-to-trail riding. The crank inertia (12% higher than that of the CRF450R) provides tractable power and resists stalling, making it easier to navigate challenging terrain. A primary damper mechanism reduces engine-torque fluctuations for a smooth ride.
The four-valve cylinder head features finger rocker arms on the inlet valves, optimizing layout and power characteristics for both on- and off-road use. The arms feature a DLC surface treatment to reduce friction, and the dedicated valve timing (10.0mm inlet-valve lift, 8.8mm exhaust-valve lift) makes for a smooth and predictable power delivery, ideal for technical riding. The valve springs have an oval cross section, and valve angle is 9° intake/10.5° exhaust.
Bore and stroke are unchanged from the CRF450R (96.0mm x 62.1mm), but the piston uses three rings instead of one for greater durability (as appropriate for the intended application). The compression ratio is 12.0:1 (compared to 13.5:1 for the CRF450R).
The airbox feeds the programmed fuel injection. The muffler features a three-chamber return structure, and it incorporates a catalyzer, spark arrestor and evaporative-control canister. The outer diameter of the exit pipe is 25.4mm.
The clutch features seven friction discs, and a 2mm clutch-plate thickness efficiently dissipates heat. The wide-ratio six-speed transmission adapts to the varied needs of dual-sport riding, with a tall sixth gear for comfortable highway cruising.
To maintain optimal engine temperature in demanding off-road conditions, the CRF450RL features large-capacity radiators with high heat-exchange efficiency, as well as an electric fan and thermostat control. The ECU is tuned with dedicated settings for off-road performance, and noise emissions are minimized with covers on the left and right crank cases. A powerful AC generator ensures reliable street-legal lighting. The lightweight lithium-ion battery has increased capacity compared to the CRF450R, providing ample power to support its electrical components in all conditions.
Durability and reliability are key in the CRF450RL's design. The endless sealed 520 chain is up to the elements encountered off-road, and it's protected by a plastic guard. The 13-tooth front sprocket and 51-tooth rear sprocket are made from a durable steel material, and both incorporate a special damper system for smooth, quiet operation.
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION
The Honda CRF450RL features an aluminum twin-spar frame designed for nimble yet stable handling on trails, ensuring confidence in technical sections while maintaining stability at higher speeds. The subframe is engineered for optimal rigidity, offering enough strength for the required lighting equipment and aluminum license-plate holder, while still contributing to the bike's light weight. The swingarm features urethane injection to reduce road noise, enhancing the comfortable overall ride.
Rake and trail are set at 28.5° and 4.8 inches (compared to 27.3º and 4.53 inches for the CRF450R), and the 58.9-inch wheelbase is .6 inches longer than that of the motocrosser, for greater stability off-road. Curb weight is 289 pounds (including all required fluids and a full tank of fuel), and seat height is 37.2 inches.
The 49mm inverted Showa coil-spring fork is adjustable for both rebound and compression damping, and it has been specially tuned for dual-sport riding. The Pro-Link® rear-suspension system uses a single Showa shock absorber that has off-road-specific settings and link ratio; the shock is adjustable for high- and low-speed compression, as well as preload.
Whereas the CRF450R uses a 19-inch rear wheel, the CRF450RL's is 18 inches, resulting in a taller sidewall that is more compliant over rocks and roots. (The front wheel is 21 inches.) The dual-sport bike also features a cush drive to absorb chain shock. The D.I.D rims are black, and the IRC GP tires strike a balance of on- and off-road performance.
Front-brake duties are handled by a two-piston hydraulic caliper with a 260mm petal-style rotor, for effective heat dissipation, power and feel. The single-piston rear caliper is matched with a 240mm petal-style disc.
The front-brake design comes from the CRF450R, but with a thicker rotor and a large-capacity reservoir for added fade resistance during long descents or on demanding trails.
