2025 Honda CRF450R Preview

Honda has announced a major update to its CRF450R motocross machine for the 2025 model year, with sweeping changes to the chassis leading the list of updates. The new motorcycle will be available to consumers starting in August with a $9,699 MSRP.

“At Honda, the R&D processes of our production machines and our factory racebikes are closely intertwined,” said Colin Miller, assistant manager of public relations at American Honda, in a company statement. “Over the past year and a half, Team Honda HRC has dominated in AMA Supercross and AMA Pro Motocross, and the progress in that realm has both benefited from and contributed to the development of our production CRF Performance motocrossers.”

As mentioned, the chassis gets the bulk of the love in this update, with a main frame composed of 70 percent new components. This redesign promises improved torsional and lateral rigidity, better stability, and better composure in difficult track conditions. The subframe mounting point is changed as well to help optimize the transfer of energy from the rear to the front of the bike.

Related: 2025 Honda CRF450R Model Overview

The new frame is mated to improved suspension components, with a 49mm Showa coil-spring fork benefiting from new internals, which include updated Bending Control Valves, seats, oil, and springs. The Pro-Link rear suspension comes with a new linkage structure and a changed leverage ratio, all to promote better suspension performance in tough terrain and help to keep the machine more composed than before. Designers also made the shock easier to remove for maintenance, with Honda promising it will take just half the time to remove than the previous iteration.

The braking setup is altered too, with the front caliper packing a new piston and seal grooves along with fresh machined accents.

Of course, the engine gets some attention as well, with improved airflow coming from an updated airbox which helps to improve both top-end performance and throttle control. The header pipe is redesigned to be longer and straighter in order to boost low- and midrange power. The ECU is new also, with changes to the selectable maps derived from input taken from the HRC factory riders. The gear-position sensor allows riders to utilize three different ignition maps, Standard, Smooth, and Aggressive, all selected via a new handlebar-mounted switch gear. Launch Control, Selectable Traction Control, and Engine Mode Select all give riders even more customization control.

Then, to top it all off, designers gave the CRF450R a bit of a face-lift with new bodywork that aims to help improve contact points for the rider gripping the bike in competition. These revisions include a wider side-plate profile along with updated shrouds and side plates.