2017 Honda CRF450RX - FIRST LOOK

While unveiling the brand-new 2017 CRF450R motocrosser to the motorcycle media gathered at Honda's private museum in Torrance, CA, Honda surprised us when off-road legend Johnny Campbell rode a brand-new model called the CRF450RX into the presentation area. Like many such models from KTM, Husqvarna, and recently Yamaha, the RX is designed for closed-course off-road competition like our GNCC, and National Hare Scrambles series.

The CRF450RX is essentially the same motorcycle as the R with a few additional changes made for off-road competition. Key alterations include an 18-inch rear wheel/tire combination, a one-tooth larger rear sprocket for a lower final-drive ratio, off-road specific Dunlop Geomax AT81 tires, revised suspension damping front and rear, and a lighter spring on the shock.

The engine is identical to the new mill housed in the CRF450R, with a finger rocker arm for increased valve lift, new piston, larger intake valves, and narrower included valve angle, but has revised engine mapping tuned for off-road riding. Whereas electric starting is a $650 option on the MXer, it comes standard on the RX, albeit with a heavy Grom-derived AGM (absorbent glass mat) battery. Fuel capacity has been increased from 1.6 to 2.2 gallons, but gone is the R’s trick titanium fuel tank replaced by a molded plastic unit. A forged aluminum sidestand is also fitted as standard.

As with the R model, we don’t expect the RX to arrive in dealerships until the end of October, when it will join the new CRF450R, and continuing CRF450X on the showroom floor.