2020 Honda CRF450R

If a motocross bike were judged solely on its engine performance, the 2020 Honda CRF450R would stand head and shoulders above the rest. It has the most aggressive character and is the most free-revving of all six 450cc MXers, which includes the Kawasaki KX450, Yamaha YZ450F, Suzuki RM-Z450, KTM 450 SX-F, and Husqvarna FC 450. The rocket ship-like output on the track is evident on the dyno as well; the Unicam powerplant produces a best-in-class 53.3 hp at 9,800 rpm. Honda must have known that most mortals could benefit from some assistance in modulating the CRF450R’s output, so for 2020, Big Red added Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), which helps tame power delivery and makes it more manageable.

The Showa 49mm coil-spring fork and Showa shock are both performance-oriented, sensitive to changes, and difficult to set up; the suspension can take some time to dial in to the rider’s liking. The chassis provides razor-sharp handling that helps make it the sharpest-turning bike in the class, but that comes at the cost of straight-line stability. As a result, the CRF450R can be intimidating to ride when track conditions deteriorate.

The 2017 CRF450R enjoyed a complete overhaul. It looked and performed significantly different than the prior generation model. The engine's overall power output was increased, the suspension offered more comfort, and the chassis handled sharper than ever. It won Best Motocrosser in 2017 and again in 2018 with minor revisions.

2020 Honda CRF450R First Ride Review

2019 Honda CRF450R Dyno

2019 450cc Motocross Shootout

2019 Yamaha YZ450F

2019 Suzuki RM-Z450

2019 KTM 450 SX-F