Motorcycle specifications HondaCRF 450 R 2023 Serious crampon damage

For 2023, the big CRF has decided to punish more seriously. The engine has been reworked to offer even more mid-range power. The chassis benefits from minor improvements, to change course even faster.

key features

Feedback from HRC riders in the MXGP World Championship, AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross has guided the development of the CRF 450 R 2023, resulting in a machine that's easier to ride, both over time and at speed.

In review, the rigidity of the frame has enabled us to increase the spring rate of the rear shock (as well as the damping force) for better control. Front tire grip is also improved, enabling the new CRF to ride more stable and turn faster thanks to better suspension response and shock absorption.

To ensure greater efficiency on corner entry and exit, the 2023 engine delivers much greater torque at low revs. Power is also higher at low revs, while being more progressive. The rear silencer is also more resistant.

The new design incorporates the latest evolution of the HRC logos, symbolizing the development of the activities of Honda's renowned racing department.

cycle

The CRF 450 R 2023 takes its handling even further, following the " Razor Sharp Cornering " philosophy adopted in 2021. The bike is more stable, turns more quickly and exits corners more vigorously.

Modifications to the rigidity of certain parts of the frame enable the suspension - whose settings have also been revised - to work more efficiently.

For example, the junction between the cradles and the frame is now 6 mm thick (previously 4 mm), while the upper shock absorber mount has also been increased in cross-section from 4 to 6 mm. With the same objective of optimizing front-end traction by acting on the balance of rigidities, the old aluminum cylinder-head mounts used on the 2022 version are replaced by steel elements.

To make the most of the frame's new characteristics, the Showa rear shock absorber's spring rate has been increased to 56 N/mm (previously 54 N/mm), the oil volume to 421 ^cm3 and the damping settings adapted accordingly, resulting in improved handling without a feeling of heaviness, particularly in ruts. 11 settings are available for rebound, compared with 6 for high and low speed compression. Oil volume is 421 ^cm3, and the aluminum swingarm is 585.2 mm long, combined with a Pro-Link variable gearing system.

Fully adjustable, the ø 49 mm Showa inverted fork with springs is modelled on the factory version used by Japanese MX championship racers. Travel is 310 mm, oil volume has been increased to 387 ^cm3 (from 380 previously) and the rider has 13 rebound and 15 compression adjustment options. Damping settings also evolve for optimum balance between front and rear.

Caster angle and drag are set at 27.7° / 113.9 mm, while the wheelbase is 1,481 mm. Ground clearance is 336 mm and dry weight is 105.8 kg (110.6 kg fully loaded), with a 49/51% weight distribution.

The Renthal Fatbar handlebar, fitted as standard, contributes to riding comfort thanks to its flexibility. The upper fork crown is designed to allow the handlebar mounts to be moved 26 mm forwards or backwards. When the mounts are rotated by 180°, the handlebar has an additional 10 mm of latitude, bringing to 4 the number of positions available to the rider.

As for braking, the front brake caliper uses two pistons, ø 27 and 30 mm, combined with a low-expansion hose to improve braking feel and maintain power at a constant level. This caliper acts on a ø 260 mm petal disc. At the rear, the ø 240 mm disc is slowed by a single-piston caliper.

The DID aluminum rims (1.60 x 21 at the front and 2.15 x 19 at the rear) are black anodized, while the rear unit is lighter and stronger than the part it replaces. Both are equipped with Dunlop MX33F/MX33 rubber.

For the 2023 model year, the CRF450R sports a new look, incorporating the new logo of the legendary HRC department, now in italics to underline the extension of its activities to the automotive sector.

engine

The objective in developing the CRF 450 R 2023'^s 449 cm3 4-valve Unicam single-cylinder engine was clear: more vigour at low revs, to enable the rider to exit corners significantly faster and harder. The maximum torque value remains the same as before, but the curve is strengthened by 10.7% from 5,000 rpm, allowing more frequent use of the higher gears and, consequently, less fatigue over the course of a race. Power distribution is also different, with a 5% reduction in maximum power at mid-range.

To achieve this result, the intake pipe is longer (a solution already adopted on the factory CRF 450 RW) and the intake ducts are narrower, leading to increased gas flow. Another direct legacy of the HRC is a ø 44 mm throttle body (reduced by 2 mm) for smoother power delivery at low revs.

Last but not least, the new valve timing and valve springs were also adopted following recommendations from HRC factory riders and based on their own machines.

The heat-treated aluminum exhaust silencer is designed to fit snugly into the rider's boot. To guarantee its resistance to deformation, impact tests were carried out with a 2.2 kg mass thrown from a distance of 60 cm. After 5 impacts, deformation proved to be minor compared to the 2022 model component. A significant improvement, especially as it is achieved without any additional weight.

Bore and stroke dimensions remain fixed at 96 x 62.1 mm, with a volumetric ratio of 13.5 to 1. The adoption of a sensor on the gearbox selector allows the use of 3 specific ignition maps depending on the gear engaged (first and second, third and fourth, fifth). The 8-disc hydraulic clutch provides both precise control over time - since the shift clearance remains constant whatever the conditions of use - and excellent feel at the lever in difficult shifts. Slippage is also limited.

Reliability has always been an important factor in the success of the CRF 450 R. A 5-nozzle oil jet cools the piston, while a double oil pump ensures optimum lubrication.

electronics

Introduced in 2020, the HSTC torque control system minimizes rear-wheel grip losses (synonymous with lost time) by optimizing grip and traction. With no need for a speed sensor on the wheel, this system maintains full sensitivity to the throttle while managing power. Its effectiveness comes from precise intervention in ignition timing and fuel injection when abnormal variations in engine speed are detected.

The three available modes intervene on the steering according to the following conditions:

In Mode 1, the system intervenes only very lightly and after a certain delay, which is ideal for limiting wheel spin and maintaining control in tight bends.

Mode 3 is the one in which the system intervenes fastest and most strongly. This mode is particularly useful in muddy or slippery conditions.

Finally, Mode 2 naturally offers an intermediary between Modes 1 and 3 in terms of speed and force of intervention.

From 2021, the CRF 450 R has benefited from a significant improvement in handlebar control. The start-assist indicator, fuel-injection indicator, riding mode selector and LED are positioned to the left of the handlebars, together with the HSTC control.

Holding down the HSTC button for 0.5 seconds causes the system to switch from one mode to another, under the control of an indicator light (green LED): one flash for mode 1, two flashes for mode 2 and three flashes for mode 3.

The HSTC system can also be completely deactivated. When the engine is restarted, the system automatically returns to the last selected mode.

The HRC-developed "Launch Control" start-assist system allows riders to choose from three start modes:

- Mode 3 / 8,250 rpm, particularly suitable for beginners and/or muddy conditions
- Mode 2 / 8,500 rpm, for advanced riders and dry conditions
- Mode 1 / 9,500 rpm, for expert riders and dry terrain

Activating the Launch Control system is as simple as activating the clutch and pressing the starter button. A purple LED flashes once to indicate that Mode 1 is active. If the starter button is pressed a second time for 0.5 seconds or more, the LED will flash twice to indicate that Mode 2 is engaged. Press again and the LED will indicate that Mode 3 has been selected.

Last but not least, the EMSB (Engine Mode Select Button) map selector lets you adjust engine characteristics. 3 mappings are available to suit rider preferences and riding conditions: Mode 1 (Standard), Mode 2 (Gentle) and Mode 3 (Aggressive). A blue LED informs the rider of the selected mode. Note that the "Gentle" and "Aggressive" mappings have been optimized to allow additional settings (softer or more explosive) via the HRC tuning tool.

News and media credits: Honda