For those who demand the absolute best when it comes to motocross performance, the premium CRF450RWE ("Works Edition") is based on the legendary CRF450R, but with a long list of elite-level upgrades based on the machines in the Team Honda HRC factory race shop. As is the case with the CRF450R, this model gets an updated ECU and suspension valving, for improved drivability and balance, respectively. The CRF450RWE is the clear benchmark with it comes to setting low lap times.
PREMIUM FEATURES
Compared to the CRF450R, the Works Edition version has several special components:
- Hinson clutch basket and cover
- Yoshimura full titanium exhaust
- Twin Air air filter
- Throttle Jockey Team Honda HRC graphics
- Throttle Jockey seat cover
- Red cylinder-head cover
- Hand-polished cylinder ports
- D.I.D DirtStar LT-X rims
- Titanium nitride-coated fork legs
- Titanium nitride-coated 18 mm shock shaft
- Special gold RK chain
- Black anodized triple clamps
- Renthal Kevlar grips
ENGINE / DRIVETRAIN
The CRF450RWE engine boasts exceptional bottom-end and midrange power, making for a linear delivery that is strong but manageable, even as the rider tires, while peak power is also very good.
Cylinder Head: As with the CRF450R, the design of the Unicam® cylinder head, with the decompressor system's counterweight on the left side of the camshaft, contributes to combustion stability in the extremely low rpm range and a strong-but-manageable power delivery in corner exits, as well as resistance to stalling. Like the Team Honda HRC factory race bikes, the cylinder-head cover is red in color, and it's produced in magnesium, with a thin-wall design for weight savings. The CRF450RWE also has a unique cylinder head with factory hand-polished ports for refined power characteristics. The exhaust port is centrally located, has an oval shape and is quite straight, optimizing exhaust efficiency and torque characteristics, for a linear delivery that continues into the high rpm range. A five-hole piston oil jet and dual 12 mm drum scavenge pump manage lubrication.
Intake: The CRF450RWE features a downdraft intake design that delivers strong, efficient power, and a large air boot (4.1 liters on the clean side of the air filter) achieves strong torque at low rpm. The bike also comes standard with a Twin Air air filter, which is accessed with the removal of a single side-panel bolt. The 60º fuel injector angle enables the spray to reach all the way to the back of the butterfly, thus cooling the upstream side of the intake path for maximum intake efficiency and torque feel.
Exhaust: The CRF450RWE boasts a lightweight full titanium Yoshimura exhaust system (header and muffler) that weighs just 7.15 pounds, and with the engine's centralized exhaust-port location, the exhaust header and muffler are positioned close to the vehicle's centerline for a slim profile, contributing to freedom of movement for the rider. Two resonators (one after the front U-bend and another at the upstream end of the muffler) boost power and reduce noise.
Clutch: The clutch is hydraulically actuated and has eight plates and a large volume for good durability with minimal slippage and light lever pull. The clutch basket and cover are from Hinson to mirror the components from the Team Honda HRC race bikes.
Electronics: A gear-position sensor allows the use of three specific ignition maps for first and second, third and fourth, and fifth gears. There are also options for Standard, Smooth and Aggressive ignition maps, selectable via a redesigned handlebar-mounted switch, enabling simple tuning depending on rider preference or course conditions.
In addition, Honda Selectable Torque Control offers three levels of intervention. HSTC monitors rpm spikes and responds by temporarily reducing torque by retarding ignition timing and controlling PGM-FI to aid rear traction. The three different modes differ in drive-management level, for differing riding conditions or rider preferences:
- Mode 1: The system intervenes most lightly and waits the longest to do so—useful for reducing wheel-spin and maintaining control in tight corners.
- Mode 2: A midpoint between modes 1 and 3 in terms of how quickly and assertively the system intervenes.
- Mode 3: The system intervenes most quickly and assertively, which helps in conditions that are slippery or muddy.
The handlebar-mounted switch allows selection between three modes, depending on conditions and rider preference. The HSTC system can also be switched off completely.
HRC Launch Control provides the best option for a strong start and also has three modes to choose from:
- Level 1: 9,500 rpm, for high-traction conditions and/or advanced riders
- Level 2: 8,500 rpm, for high-traction conditions and/or average riders
- Level 3: 8,250 rpm, for slippery conditions and/or novice riders
The Engine Mode Select Button (EMSB) alters the engine's characteristics and three maps are available to suit riding conditions or rider preference:
- Mode 1: Standard
- Mode 2: Smooth
- Mode 3: Aggressive
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION
The motorcycle's heavier components are positioned centrally and as low as possible for precise cornering without sacrificing high-speed tracking, in addition to minimal squat under acceleration and negligible pitching during hard braking.
Frame / Swingarm / Subframe: The frame features narrower main spars and features optimized reinforcement ribbing on the backside of the pivot plate, contributing to the low frame weight of just 18.5 pounds. The swingarm is narrow, providing good clearance in ruts, with rigidity tuned to maximize rear traction and cornering precision.
Suspension: Front suspension comprises a 49 mm inverted Showa® coil-spring fork with a gas-liquid separation structure. Compared to the CRF450R, the CRF450RWE's lower fork legs are coated in titanium nitride to minimize stiction and promote smooth action. The Pro-Link® rear-suspension system uses a Showa shock absorber with adjusters on the right side and an ultra-light steel shock spring. The link ratio is designed to minimize acceleration-triggered rear-end squat.
Wheels: The CRF450RWE has special D.I.D DirtStar LT-X rims that are even stouter than the standard D.I.D rims of the CRF450R. Petal-style brake rotors disperse heat, and a low-expansion front brake hose gives strong feel and consistent stopping power, while a special gold RK chain delivers power to the rear wheel. The CRF450R comes with Dunlop's excellent Geomax MX33 tires, generally considered to be the industry standard for soft to intermediate terrain. Developed with the help of top motocross pros, MX33s feature technologies that deliver superior grip, slide control, bump absorption and durability.
DESIGN
The CRF450RWE has slim bodywork, with a smooth junction of the radiator shroud and side panel, facilitating rider movement and cornering. Each radiator shroud is produced in a single piece instead of two separate parts. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) were used to design air-outlet vents in the shrouds. The radiator grills optimize the number of fins and their angle, maximizing cooling performance.
The seat base has rearward-facing tongues and front-located mounting tabs, easing installation, and using acceleration forces keep the seat securely in place. Compared to the CRF450R, the Works Edition version has a special Throttle Jockey gripper seat cover. The 1.7 gallon fuel tank is made of lightweight titanium.
Only 8 fasteners are used to secure all of the main bodywork components—both radiator shrouds, both side panels and the seat—and all of the bolts for the main bodywork parts have 8 mm heads, simplifying maintenance.
A single switch cluster addresses several functions: engine stop, ride-modes and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC). The starter and HRC launch control are on the right side of the Renthal® Fatbar® handlebar, which sports special Renthal dual-compound grips on the CRF450RWE. There are two locations for the handlebar clamp, and the clamp can be turned 180º; as a result, four different mounting positions are possible, through a range of 26 mm.
Rounding out the package are Throttle Jockey graphics, straight off the Team Honda HRC factory machines of Ken Roczen and Chase Sexton.
# # #
