Honda Announces 2018 CRF450R And 450RX Updates
Torrance, Calif. - Honda
revealed today that the
CRF450R gets even better for the 2018 model year, with electric
starting now standard. Designed following an "Absolute Holeshot"
philosophy that resulted in a downdraft-intake layout achieving
optimum power and centralized mass, the revolutionary motocross
model is the industry's top-selling 450cc motocrosser. The electric
starter that was previously offered as an accessory is now
standard, as is a lightweight lithium-ion battery, and the CRF450R
also gets updated suspension settings aimed at improving chassis
feel and overall action.
Today's 2018 model-year announcement also included the updated
CRF450RX closed-course off-road bike and returning CRF150R mini
motocrosser.
"It's been amazing to see the success of the CRF450R this year, and
we're even more excited about this model with the improvements
we've made for 2018," said Lee Edmunds, American Honda's Manager of
Motorcycle Marketing Communications. "In addition to the obvious
convenience, electric starting can save valuable seconds following
a mid-moto mistake, and with the use of a lithium-ion battery, we
can still achieve an extremely light weight. These changes make the
CRF450R more competitive than ever, and of course customers can
continue to count on Honda durability, quality, and
reliability."
CRF450R
The CRF450R's downdraft air-intake and fuel-injection
layout achieves a potent, broad spread of torque, but it also
allows for heavier components to be located as centrally and low as
possible so that all that power can be effectively utilized. In
addition, the vehicle packaging results in nimble cornering, while
updated suspension settings to the Showa® shock and 49mm
coil-spring fork improve handling. Corresponding with the addition
of an electric starter (powered by a lightweight lithium-ion
battery), the kick-start lever has been removed in order to shave
precious weight. An updated ECU setting means power delivery is
more useable than ever, and the big CRF still has great features
like a titanium fuel tank, engine-mode select button, and
wave-pattern 260mm front brake. Add it all together and you've got
a bike that delivers even better on its promise of the "Absolute
Holeshot."
Color: Red
Price: $9,149
Availability: July 2017
CRF450RX
Currently being campaigned in the GNCC series by JCR Honda's Trevor
Bollinger, the CRF450RX already came with electric starting, but
for 2018 the model gets a weight reduction with the removal of the
kick-start lever and the switch to a lighter-weight lithium-ion
battery. The model is based closely on the flagship CRF450R but
with off-road-focused updates like a larger 2.2-gallon fuel tank,
18-inch rear wheel, side stand, optimized ECU and suspension
settings, and more. When it comes to closed-course competition like
GNCC, hare scrambles, and Grand Prix racing, the CRF450RX
constitutes the ultimate off-road weapon.
Color: Red
Price: $9,249
Availability: August 2017
CRF150R / CRF150R Expert
As Amsoil Honda hotshot Carson Mumford demonstrates on the amateur
national circuit, where he regularly posts moto wins and podium
finishes, Honda's smallest motocross machine is more than
competitive against its competition, thanks to a Unicam®
four-stroke engine (based on the power plants of the larger Honda
motocrossers) that offers a spread of ample, useable power and
torque across the rev range. Suspension duties are handled by
Showa, with a 37mm inverted fork and Pro-Link® rear link system,
and new graphics for 2018 align the model with the CRF450R. In
addition to the standard version, Honda offers the CRF150R Expert,
which features larger wheels, a taller seat and a longer
swingarm.
Color: Red
Price:
CRF150R: $5,099
CRF150R Expert: $5,299
Availability: July 2017
Chaparral Motorsports is an authorized Honda dealer.
