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2011 Honda CRF450R First Ride Photo Gallery

Our pro tester had no complaints about balance, which was a major gripe in years past on the newest generation 450R.

We ride the new 2011 Honda CRF450R motocross bike at Jeremy McGrath's private ranch in Southern California. Read our impressions in the 2011 Honda CRF450R First Ride article.

If there’s one thing the Honda does it’s turn.

Honda hasn’t gotten everything it can out of the newest generation of CRF450R, which is why it made only small changes to the open-class motocross bike for 2011.

Only small changes grace the 2011 CRF450R, like a new linkage and revised exhaust muffler to help lower sound output.

Combining smooth, abundant power with a supple ride, comfortable ergonomics and light weight means the Honda is an easy machine to ride – something that can’t be said for all 450s.

Damon Huffman demonstrates the meaning of "flickability." The CRF has it in spades.

The compact and agile 450 is still as quick-handling as ever, but the front end also stays in control through faster, rougher sections of track.

The midrange power and torque stand out the most.

The 450R is already a solid package but was lacking a little refinement in the chassis.

Both of our testers felt comfortable with the Honda layout, despite being taller than 5'11"

A lighter fork cartridge cylinder and new damping settings give the CRF a more forgiving front end.

Honda also revised its Progressive Steering Damper with a 4mm larger piston.

We’re looking forward to seeing how the new Honda mill stacks up this shootout season, because “usable” is a word that quickly comes to mind.

Honda made big strides this year in toning down the exhaust output by installing a new muffler. The claimed decibel level is 94 dB.

Big Red installed a new delta linkage and a shorter pull rod to help lower the rear end and give the bike a neutral feel and better rear-wheel traction.

The shock has new internal settings to match the new linkage arrangement.

Clutch pull could be lighter, but the actuation is consistent and allows for easy slipping when pulling out of corners.

The midrange power and torque stands out the most, but a new 46mm throttle body is used in conjunction with updated EFI mapping which helps throttle response.

Our pro rider added four clicks of compression on the Kayaba fork, which was enough to satisfy him on bump absorption and jump landings.

Whether finding the tight inside line or railing the outside berm,
Honda has found a good mix in the handling department.

A new 46mm throttle body is used in conjunction with updated EFI mapping to help throttle response.

Honda claims the 450 is the lightest bike in the class this year by eight pounds.