2019 Honda CRF450L: First Look – Honda has unveiled the motorcycles off-roaders have been waiting for from the Japanese manufacture for years (even decades)—a high-end, 450cc dual sport motorcycle with bloodline connected to its motocross cousins. The 2019 Honda CRF450L is here!
The street-legal CRF450L is based on the CRF450RX, which is, of course, based on the CRF450R motocrosser. It’s power by Honda’s 449.7cc Unicam engine, and features a 2.0-gallon titanium fuel tank, adjustable Showa suspension, aluminum frame and a six-speed wide-ratio transmission.
It is expected to arrive at dealerships in September with a $10,499 MSRP.
2019 Honda CRF450L: First Look
Here is what Honda has to say about the new CRF450L:
CRF450L Key Features
2019 Honda CRF450L
The trails are calling, and the all-new, road-legal CRF450L answers, expanding customers’ off-road possibilities by enabling access to the best riding trails on public lands, even when that means connecting them via asphalt roads. Based on the CRF450R, the durable CRF450L is a full-fledged off-road machine, but with street legality achieved via features like LED lighting, mirrors, and a dedicated exhaust system, making this bike equally at home in the woods, desert, or the roads in between.
- Lightweight, 2.0-gallon titanium fuel tank for long range
- Riding time maximized by lightweight, compact LED lighting system, featuring
headlight with high-intensity projection for illuminating broad area
- Rear-view mirrors
- Lightweight lithium-ion battery with increased capacity compared to CRF450R, to power electrical components
- Lightweight, compact digital meter with black characters on a white liquid-crystal background is easily legible while riding
Engine/Drivetrain
- 449.7cc Unicam engine specially tailored for trail-to-trail riding
- Finger rocker arm contributes to compact layout while using dedicated design to attain off-road-specific power characteristics. DLC surface treatment reduces friction
- Dedicated valve timing for smooth power delivery in technical riding
- High crank inertia (up 12% over CRF450R) for tractable power delivery in technical terrain
- 12.0:1 compression ratio
- New piston with three-ring design
- Wide-ratio six-speed transmission is ready for a wide variety of off-road terrain or road going
- Special clutch design enables light lever pull. Primary damper mechanism with friction springs suppresses engine torque fluctuations, ensuring smooth running
- Large-capacity radiators with high heat-exchange efficiency for strong performance in demanding off-road conditions
- Electric fan and thermostat control engine temperature in brutal conditions
- ECU with dedicated settings
- Noise emissions minimized via covers on the left and right crank cases
- Powerful AC generator for street-legal lighting
- Air cleaner box
- Dedicated single-muffler exhaust system provides great sound while meeting emissions requirements
Chassis/Suspension
- Aluminum twin-spar frame designed for nimble-yet-stable handling on trails
- Subframe designed to ensure optimum rigidity balance appropriate for carrying tools
- 49mm Showa fork with dedicated settings for trail-to-trail riding
- Shock based on that of the CRF450R but with dedicated settings and link ratio for off-road riding
- Front brake uses design from CRF450R, but with better fade resistance thanks to thicker discs and large-capacity reservoir
- Endless sealed chain withstands the elements
- Front and rear sprockets, produced in durable steel material, feature damper system for smooth, quiet running
- Urethane injection in swingarm to reduce road noise
- Fuel tank cap with a cut-off valve prevents fuel from flowing out of tank if the bike is on its side
- LED turn signals with flexible mounts for durability
- Easily accessible electronic component box on left side of the frame
- Black 7/8” Renthal handlebar with red pad
- Compact, lightweight handlebar switches
- In-mold graphics are resistant to peeling caused by washing or abrasion
- IRC GP-21F/GP-22R tires provide great balance of on- and off-road performance
- Black rims for strong presence
- Color: Red
- Target Price: $10,399
- Availability: September
2019 Honda CRF450L: First Look
| Model | CRF450L |
| ENGINE | |
| Type | 449.7cc liquid-cooled 10o single-cylinder four-stroke |
| Valve Train | Unicam® OHC, four-valve |
| Bore x Stroke | 96.0mm x 62.1mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12.0:1 |
| Induction | Programmed fuel-injection system (PGM-FI); 46mm throttle bore |
| Ignition | Full transistorized |
| Starter | Push-button electric starter |
| Transmission | Constant-mesh 6-speed return; manual |
| Clutch | Multiplate wet (6 springs) |
| Final Drive | #520 sealed chain |
| SUSPENSION | |
| Front | 49mm fully adjustable leading-axle inverted telescopic Showa coil-spring fork |
| Rear | Pro-Link system; fully adjustable Showa single shock |
| BRAKES | |
| Front | 2-piston caliper hydraulic; single 260mm disc |
| Rear | 1-piston caliper hydraulic; single 240mm disc |
| TIRES | |
| Front | IRC GP21 80/100-21 in. w/tube |
| Rear | IRC GP22 AT81 80/120-18 in. w/tube |
| MEASUREMENTS | |
| Rake (Caster Angle) | 28°20′ |
| Trail | 116mm (4.6 in.) |
| Length | 85.9 in. |
| Width | 32.6 in. |
| Height | 50.0 in. |
| Ground Clearance | 12.4 in. |
| Seat Height | 37.1 in. |
| Wheelbase | 58.9 in. |
| Fuel Capacity | 2.01 gal. |
| Color | Red |
| Curb Weight* | 289 lbs. |
Click here for more first looks and bike reviews.
