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Honda Canada's 2021 Dirt Bike Lineup Includes Hot New 450s

Jul. 29 2020 News By Centennial Auto-Sport & Tire

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You started on a 50, graduated through a 110 and a 125 and a 250. Now your dirt bike wishlist includes something a bit, shall we say, brawnier? For 2021, Honda's CRF dirt bike lineup includes thoroughly reworked 450s plus a new member to the Canadian CRF family: the CRF450RWE.

CRF450R

Aside from wheels and engine, the 2021 Honda CRF450R is new in every way. There's a new frame and swingarm, a reworked suspension, significant weight savings, a bigger clutch, and a tidier seat. The CRF450R has always been a class-leading motocrosser, but that didn't stop Honda from launching a new version in 2017, improving the CRF450R in 2018 (electric start, for example), adding a new cylinder head for more power and torque in 2019, and adding Honda Selectable Torque Control in 2020. For 2021, the CRF450R gets even more serious about cornering, low-end torque, lighter clutch lever action, and new plastics.

CRF450RX

Like the CRF450R, the 2021 CRF450RX is new everywhere save for the engine and wheels. The CRF450RX is differentiated from the R, with which it's closely related, by being spectacularly well suited to going beyond the motocross track to the cross-country trails. For 2021, Honda wanted to make absolutely sure the competition-ready CRF450RX is the ultimate off-road weapon. So it's lighter, it has more ground clearance, there's more low and mid-range torque, a lighter clutch, standard brush guards, and a suspension setup aimed at providing greater cornering ability. It's a typically obsessive maneuver by Honda: go over every nook and cranny to create an even more capable bike.

CRF450RWE

When you hear WE in Honda's language, you hear Works Edition. This is the 2021 Honda CRF450R, with all of the accompanying improvements, along with the extras demanded by Team Honda HRC factory race shop. 

  • Hand-ported cylinder head
  • Hinson clutch basket and clutch voer
  • Twin Air filter
  • Throttle Jockey graphics and seat cover
  • Upgraded DID rims
  • Yoshimura exhaust
  • Titanium nitride-coated lower fork legs and shock shaft
  • Special ECU settings

CRF450RL

The 450s have always been Honda's weaponized dirt bikes. L simply means you're allowed to hit the road, as well. "Dual sport" almost sounds too casual for this truly street-legal dirt bike, a CRF450R that's made socially acceptable with a headlight, turn signals, mirrors, and a license plate. Throw in a 6-speed transmission, an engine tuned for broader use, added piston rings for greater durability, and new hand guards for 2021.