Motorcycle specifications HondaCRF 450 R 2016 Motivated by the compèt' program

The flagship of Honda's Cross range announces a Kayaba PSF2 Ø 48 mm oleo-pneumatic fork, which has been revised in terms of dimensions, fork leg stiffness, damping control and adjustment range.
At the rear, the Kayaba monoshock also benefits from new damping coefficients and additional settings. Subtle geometry changes echo the increased suspension performance to optimize dynamic behavior, stability and rideability. All these developments are driven by HRC's racing program.

after redefining the standards of front-end behavior and perception, the Kayaba PSF2 Ø 48 mm air fork benefits from several evolutions to optimize dynamic behavior, stability and suspension tuning between front and rear.

the travels remain the same, but the fork arms are now longer, with stiffer bushes. Original compression and rebound damping settings are now firmer to maintain the best possible control at the end of the stroke, while adjustment possibilities are optimized.

working in conjunction with a Pro-Link system with a modified gear ratio, the rear shock absorber offers improved rebound characteristics between the middle and end of its stroke. It also features an extended adjustment range.

suspension upgrades and the desire to improve handling, stability and ease of use for the rider have led to subtle changes to the steering geometry. Other improvements concern the design of the footrests and the final drive chain.

the 2015 CRF 450 R stood out for its more accessible power delivery, improved traction at low revs and higher max.gimes and higher maximum power thanks to modifications suggested by Team HRC to the cylinder head, exhaust system and PGM-FI dual fuel injection. This same 2015 version also received the EMSB handlebar-mounted control system, offering the rider a choice of 3 engine mappings: Standard, Soft or Dynamic. For 2016, the motorization remains unchanged.

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weighing just 9.35 kg, the 6th-generation double-beam aluminum frame was designed from the outset around the Kayaba PSF oleoopneumatic Kayaba PSF2s 48mm fork, which outperforms traditional spring-loaded forks and offers a real advantage in terms of front-end grip and liveliness in bends.

in fact, the PSF2s offered real advantages, particularly in the transition phases between compression and rebound. Today, in order to improve dynamic behavior, front/rear balance and stability, each of the left and right arms has been lengthened by 5 mm without affecting travel (310 mm). The rigidity of the fork legs has been stepped up under the upper fork crown by increasing the diameter of the tubes from 53.5 to 54 mm.

for greater control when landing from a jump or under heavy braking, the damping force setting has been increased in both compression and rebound, while the number of possible settings has been increased from 4 to 8 notches. All settings are now accessible directly from the top of the fork tubes, with high/low speed compression on the left and high/low speed rebound on the right of each cap. Preload is adjustable via a Schrader-type air valve.

at the rear, the KYB shock absorber boasts significantly reduced compression, while rebound is increased and the Pro-Link system's gear ratio is also modified. Shock travel is now 133.5 mm for 315 mm wheel travel. Compression (high/low speed) and rebound adjustments are concentrated on the reservoir for easier access.

changes to fork length and Pro-Link gear ratio have led to subtle modifications to steering geometry. As a result, the caster angle has increased from 27°07' to 27°15', while drag has increased from 1 mm to 117 mm. All-up weight remains unchanged at 110.6 kg.

a careful arrangement of equipment around the frame also contributes to the centralization of weight: all electrical components - electronic control unit, condenser, regulator and wiring harness - are concentrated around the injector body.

the design of the 2016 CRF 450 R continues the principle of building a machine around the rider and his needs. In other words, ergonomics are at the heart of the CRF 450 R's layout. Radiator scoops, side covers, the ultra-light saddle and fuel tank all feature a continuity of form that gives the rider considerable freedom of movement and fluidity.

the CRF's markings and graphic details reflect the colors of the factory machines. Black radiator grilles are used for hard-to-reach areas, while the simplified design of the fuel supply (6.3-liter tank capacity) facilitates maintenance and cleaning.

finally, slight improvements to the footrests and their supports make it much more difficult to lock them in the upright position when mud accumulates.

on the braking front, the Ø 260 mm "lace" front disc facilitates heat dissipation and enhances the power generated by the action of the double-piston caliper. At the rear, the system is completed by a Ø 240 mm disc with a single-piston caliper. The front fork and disc protectors remain white, while the rear protectors are black.

the aluminum rims are fitted with Dunlop MX52F/MX52 rubber, 80/100-21 for the front and 100/90-19 for the rear.

made of aluminum, the rims (21 x 1.60 for the front, 19 x 2.15 rear) feature special spokes to reduce unsprung weight, and are fitted with Dunlop MX52F/MX52 tires.

engine

the 2016 version of the CRF 450 R uses exactly the same engine as the 2015 model. The close attention paid to this engine by HRC last year resulted in improved power and torque values at low revs, a more precise power curve and a more efficient engine.a more linear power curve at mid-range, and increased maximum power at higher maximum revs.

the characteristic dimensions of the water-cooled 4-stroke single-cylinder remain fixed at 96 x 62.1 mm, with 36 mm inlet and 31 mm exhaust valves. The volumetric ratio is still 12.5:1, for a power output of 53.7 bhp at 9,000 rpm and a torque value of 5 mkg at 7,000 rpm.

what makes the CRF 450 R engine so usable and efficient is not just the way it delivers power and torque. The Engine Mode Select Button (EMSB) makes an already highly available engine even more accessible. This system is an undeniable plus for enthusiasts: rather than making adjustments during the week in the hope that they will prove correct at the weekend, the rider simply has to stop, let the engine idle and press the button for a second to select the engine mapping of his choice. Depending on the number of flashes seen on the light-emitting diode integrated into the handlebar control, the rider can immediately see which map is currently selected. If a new map is selected, the choice is immediately confirmed by the same means.

in detail, Mode 1 uses a "standard" match between ignition and injection curves to deliver balanced power and torque characteristics. Mode 2 has been designed for low-grip conditions - mud, for example - and favours throttle control and fine feedback to enable the rider to make the most of the available grip. Last but not least, Mode 3, more specifically designed for sandy conditions, makes the engine more responsive and more aggressive at the revs. Modes 2 and 3 can be reprogrammed using the box and software developed by HRC.

various maintenance kits will be available as options for this 2016 model year.

News and media credits: Honda