Products 21 Jul 2010

First Look: 2011 Honda CRF450R and CRF250R

Honda has released details of its 2011 CRF450R and CRF250R motocross bikes.

Honda's 2011 model CRF450R has limited refinements for the new year.

Honda's 2011 model CRF450R has limited refinements for the new year.

Honda has released information on its 2011 model motocross bikes, the CRF450R and CRF250R four-strokes receiving limited refinements for the new year.

Long regarded as the bike of choice in the big-bore motocross division, the 2011 CRF450R incorporates improvements that will help this bike retain its premier standing.

The prodigious powerband is now even stronger thanks to more low-end pull and midrange grunt along with enhanced throttle response via a new 46mm throttle body.

Its front fork features a lighter cartridge cylinder and all-new valving for improved control and increased ride plushness. Revised suspension linkage and settings yield improved control, increased ride plushness and enhanced rear-wheel traction.

A new 24mm (up from 20mm) Honda Progressive Steering Damper (HPSD) produces even better tracking traits than before, and a new muffler meets the 94-decibel sound level required by some racing organizations in 2011.

All this and more make the 2011 CRF450R a favourite to maintain its dominant role among open-class motocross bikes.

Despite winning numerous comparison tests and awards in 2010, the CRF250R enters the new season sporting a number of improvements that will help it continue its winning ways.

A new Honda Progressive Steering Damper (HPSD) with a larger, 24mm damper piston aids tracking precision, and new suspension settings front and rear help give this stellar-handling machine even better chassis balance for 2011.

Revised fork valving offers improved balance and bottoming resistance, while a new shock valving helps deliver optimum chassis balance and improved suspension action.

Changes to engine tuning now give the CRF250R a stronger bottom-end and mid-range hit, and this model also features a new muffler that meets the 94-decibel sound level required by some racing organisations in 2011.

LIke its big brother, the 2011 model CRF250R has also received just minor changes.

LIke its big brother, the 2011 model CRF250R has also received just minor changes.

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