Details about Honda's recently revealed 2018 CRF range confirm electric start as standard on the CRF450R and weight-saving changes to the CRF450RX.
CRF450R
Electric start was offered as an option on the 2017 model and Honda claims it was such a big hit that this year it’s standard equipment. They’ve also decided to ditch the kickstarter entirely to save weight. A new lithium-ion battery helps keep things light.
Besides the addition of electric start as standard, the 2018 model is largely unchanged from 2017.
Features Include:
Downdraft Fuel Injection system
Part of an entire engine overhaul last year, Honda gave the CRF450R a new downdraft intake tract and FI body to help increase both power and fuel-metering precision.
Cylinder Head Layout
The CRF450R uses our latest finger-follower rocker design. The Unicam cylinder head remains the most efficient in the MX world, giving you the design and performance of a double-overhead-cam layout but the compactness of a single-overhead-cam design.
13.5:1 Compression Ratio
By revising the CRF450R’s squish area last year, they helped boost the bikes compression to 13.5:1. That means improved combustion efficiency for more power.
2018 Honda CRF450R
Showa® Spring Fork
The 49mm Showa® fork features a conventional spring design that helps increase the CRF450R’s front-suspension precision, handling and feel. For 2018 they’ve revised the spring rate for better bottoming resistance and improved handling.
Next-Generation Aluminum Frame
The CRF450R’s Next-Gen twin spar aluminum frame positions the rear shock’s mounting point lower, opening up the airbox area and contributing to a lower center-of-gravity for more holeshots. The frame geometry also helps improve traction, feeling and steering precision.
Twin-Muffler Exhaust System
The CRF450R’s dual exhaust system is light, compact, and positioned close and low in the frame to take weight off the rear end and bring more mass to the bike’s center for improved handling. It also allows for more air flow, and that equals added horsepower.
Electric-Start
Standard for 2018 and they’ve ditched the kickstarter entirely to save weight.
260mm Front Brake
The CRF450R’s large front-brake disc measures an impressive 260mm.
Titanium Fuel Tank
The 2018 CRF450R uses a titanium fuel tank. Light and strong, it’s also thinner than the previous plastic unit, while maintaining the same capacity, freeing up more space and helping to centralise fuel mass.
Engine Mode Select Button
This simple handlebar-mounted button lets you dial in engine power delivery character with a push of your thumb. Choose between Standard, Smooth and Aggressive, depending on track conditions.
CRF450RX
2018 model-year announcement also included the updated CRF450RX closed-course off-road bike and returning CRF150R mini motocrosser.
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 fuel tank, 18-inch rear wheel, side stand, optimised ECU and suspension settings, and more.
2018 Honda CRF450RX