Lifestyle

Honda’s Historic Motocrossers - Photo Gallery

Big Red’s baddest machines from its private museum

August 12, 2016

Honda has been a big player in Motocross and Supercross since the two disciplines' inceptions, here is a look at some standout models that we recently got a chance to drool over during the press unveiling for the 2017 Honda CRF450R and CRF450RX models at Honda's private museum in Torrance, CA.

1977 Honda RC500

This works Honda two-stroke was known as the Type 2 and was ridden by Marty Smith. In 1977 there were three engine displacements available including 400, 450, and 480cc. It was the precursor to the 1978 CR250.Blake Conner

1982 RC250 Ribi Front End

In the early 80s, Honda was constantly looking for any advantage it could find for better performance and was never afraid to try to achieve that goal through technology and engineering. This RC250 fitted with an alternative Ribi front end and Mach II rear linkage shows how far it was willing to go.Blake Conner

1982 Honda RC250

This is the bike that Donnie Hansen rode to the 1982 National Supercross Championship. It had a one-piece aluminum works airbox that also served as the subframe.Blake Conner

Bob “Hurricane” Hannah’s 1985 Works RC250

Up until 1985, manufacturers could run “works” MXers in the U.S. But that all changed in ’86 when new rules dictated the use of production-based bikes. Trick pieces included a carbon-fiber airbox, a lot of titanium and magnesium pieces, a cartridge fork, and electronically controlled power valve.Blake Conner

Johnny O’Mara’s 1986 Honda CR125

This bike was O’Mara’s Motocross Des Nations machine in 1986, on which he helped win the title for the U.S. alongside teammates David Bailey and Rick Johnson. All three riders were Honda mounted while Big Red funded the effort for the U.S. team to compete.Blake Conner

Jeremy McGrath’s 1995 Honda CR250

Although McGrath has always been known as the King of Supercross. With nine titles to his credit and 72 wins in the premier class, “Showtime” also won the ’95 outdoor 250 MX title aboard this CR250.Blake Conner

Ricky Carmichael’s 2004 Honda CR250R

This was the last year that Honda fielded a two-stroke for the official team. Carmichael may have failed to win the Supercross title that year, but he went on to blitz the Outdoor series, winning all 24 motos on his way to another title. It was the second time in his career that he pulled off the perfect season, and was largely responsible for him earning the nickname the G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time).Blake Conner

Davi Millsaps’ 2008 Honda CRF450R

This was the last of the carbureted bikes before Honda moved to EFI for the 2009 model year. It was at the time the lightest 450 four-stroke race bike that Honda had produced at 218 pounds.Blake Conner

2017 Honda CRF450RX

Off-road legend and 11-time Baja 1000 winner Johnny Campbell stands with the latest version of Honda’s CRF450R, the CRF450RX, a closed-course racer for GNCC and National Hare Scrambles.Blake Conner

2017 Honda CRF450R

For ’17 Honda has drastically revamped its 450 MXer. A new engine, chassis, and optional electric starting highlight what should prove to be the best CRF450R ever.Blake Conner