The 2009 model is ready to dominate the battlefield once again with a new fuel injection system, more speed, more control, more reliability, more power and more performance. The only thing there's less of is weight, making it the lightest and most manoeuvrable machine in its class!
Features and Benefits
Additional features
- Unique lightweight and compact Honda Progressive Steering Damper (HPSD) developed by Team Honda for improved cornering ability and reduced rider fatigue. HPSD features a compact and rugged hydraulic damper attached between the steering head and the lower triple-clamp to augment more aggressive steering characteristics and assist straight-line handling. The damper’s progressive damping action smoothly increases with handlebar deflection, which produces very natural steering characteristics and feel.
- Rider ergonomics are optimised by adapting the handlebar, seat and footpeg height to place the rider’s legs at the narrowest cross-section of the frame for improved comfort and handling feel.
- Brake pedal and shift lever designed to complement the riding position. Brake pedal features optimised ratio to match integrated rear-brake master cylinder design.
- Wide, cleated stainless steel foot pegs are self-cleaning, corrosion-resistant, provide excellent grip and fold for extra ground clearance.
- Rear brake pedal and shift lever made of lightweight aluminium.
- Adjustable front brake lever for maximum control.
- Quick-adjust clutch perch for easy cable adjustment.
- Aluminium Renthal 971 bend handlebar rubber mounted to reduce rider fatigue and improve comfort.
- Handlebar holders provide two different mounting positions to match rider preference.
- Front disc brake cover helps protect rotor and caliper from damage.
- Removable rear sub-frame allows easy maintenance.
- Washable, two-stage foam air filter for optimal engine protection and easy maintenance.
- Re-packable titanium silencer for maximum performance and minimal noise.
- Comfortable, durable controls and high-quality fasteners.
- Stainless steel clutch cable for long-life operation.
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Engine/Drivetrain
Faster lap times
Testing on a sandy, supercross-style circuit revealed a lap time that's a scorching 2 seconds faster than that delivered by the 2008 model. As well as that all-important weight reduction (a full 1.8 kg!), the engine has been reengineered for easier riding, quicker response, better cornering and smoother power delivery. Every single component has been revised for the ultimate mass centralisation. Dimensions are changed for better traction out of the corners matched by faster acceleration. Even starting time is faster by 0.1 seconds from 0-10m, and 0.2 seconds from 0-50m.
Better jumping performance
The new CRF450R is slimmer, lighter and smoother, with a lower centre of gravity making control in the air easier. Aerodynamics have been honed for bullet-like projection through the air. Improved mass centralisation and lighter weight minimise inertia feel for a sensation of accomplished control and expert handling. Torque feeling is improved everywhere and overall performance is fast, slick and exhilarating. This latest evolution is set to fly the CRF flag high at the pinnacle of motocross achievement, the peak of joy giving aerobatic performance. Weekend warriors and factory pros alike - get ready to test your limits and bring even the toughest competition to its knees.
- Powerful advanced 4-stroke 4-valve Unicam engine churns out 41.5kW of power at 8,500rpm and 50.3Nm of torque at 7,000rpm. Power is produced across a broader rpm-band for smoother, easier operation.
- Liquid-cooled 449cc Unicam engine pumps out nearly 92.4kW per litre while retaining its legendary simplicity and dependability.
- Innovative Unicam valve train provides both the lightweight of a compact single-cam drive and an optimum combustion chamber shape for maximum power at all engine speeds.
- Unicam valve train features a single carburised camshaft directly actuating two 36mm titanium intake valves. The new cam link type decompressor executes valve-lifting by causing the plunger that is built into the camshaft to push the rocker arm on one side. This contributes to the overall compactness and lightweight of the design by integrating decompressor and camshaft weight.
- Lightweight titanium intake valves permit use of smaller valve springs and reduce overall engine height. Intake valve design has been revised for better mass centralization.
- Forged slipper piston is lighter than conventional designs, for quick-revving response while maintaining excellent cylinder sealing and high-rpm power.
- Lightweight Ni-SiC cylinder lining ensures cooler and quieter operation for extended engine life.
- Auto decompression and hot restart system make starting easy in all conditions.
- Twin-sump lubrication system separates oil supply to crankshaft, piston and valve train from clutch and transmission. This ensures a steady supply of cool oil to the clutch, eliminates clutch and transmission material contamination of the engine oil, and reduces the amount of circulating oil along with the oil pump size.
- New exhaust layout achieves lower weight and maximum mass centralisation.
- Gear-driven balancer reduces vibration while also driving the water pump.
- Eight-plate clutch provides ample surface area to handle the engine’s massive torque, while carefully matched clutch springs provide a light feel at the lever.
- Entire engine assembly weighs only 27.1kg, 1.8kg less than that powering the 2008 model.
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Chassis/Suspension
- Low mass centralisation gives a highly controlled ride feel and makes jumping and maneuvering in the air easier.
- Compact and slim chassis cross-section combines with new ergonomics for a smoother, easier ride. The area between seat and fuel tank is flat, and the fuel tank cap size reduced, making it easier for the rider to move along the seat.
- New rear frame design incorporates easier underseat access to air filter.
- Front and rear wheels feature HRC Works-type aluminium spoke nipples for reduced unsprung weight.
- Front wheel features new stiffer axle collar, providing excellent rigidity.
- Rear axle wall thickness is reduced (from 2.5 to 2.2 mm) to save 38g of weight, while axle collar is strengthened for better rigidity.
- Lightweight, and compliant 48mm inverted fork. Front fork outer-tubes receive Kashima coating for low-friction operation. Fork offers 310mm of suspension stroke, and 16-step rebound and 18-step compression damping adjustability.
- New, fully adjustable rear damper with 320mm of wheel travel, 18-step low-speed and 1.5-turn high-speed compression and 20-step rebound damping.
- Model Year: 2009
- Large 50mm-diameter rear damper cushion provides consistent performance under demanding riding conditions.
- Compact dual-piston front brake calliper designed for lightweight.
- HRC Works-type rear brake system integrates the rear master cylinder and fluid reservoir, eliminating conventional external reservoir and hose.
- Link-type front brake master cylinder provides strong braking control in combination with a lightweight brake rotor.
- Large, Works-style 240mm front and rear disc brake rotors.
- Frame design allows large air intake ducts in the side covers, enabling significant airflow in the mid and upper-rpm ranges.
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Specifications
| Engine |
| Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled 4-stroke, 4-valve SOHC single Unicam engine for its legendary simplicity and dependability |
| Displacement |
449cc |
| Bore and Stroke |
96 × 62.1mm |
| Compression Ratio |
12:01 Better acceleration and torque |
| Carburetion |
PGM-FI electronic fuel injection Better running, efficient, adapt to environment |
| Ignition |
Full transistor with digital ignition |
| Max Power Output |
41.5kW / 8,500RPM (95/1/EC) Power is produced across a broader rpm-band for smoother, easier operation |
| Max Torque |
50.3Nm / 7,000RPM (95/1/EC) Power is produced across a broader rpm-band for smoother, easier operation |
| |
| Transmission |
| Starter |
Primary kick |
| Gearbox |
5 speed Eight plate clutch designed to handle the engine's massive torque, matched clutch springs provide a light weight feel |
| Final Drive |
#520 roller chain |
| |
| Wheels, Suspension and Brakes |
| Suspension Front |
48mm inverted leading-axle twin-chamber cartridge-type telescopic fork with 16-step adjustable compression and 18-step rebound damping; 273mm suspension travel. New KYB rear damper and bigger KYB front fork give better stroke feel, action & control for a plush overall feel and improved bump feel. Larger damper cushion provides consistent performance under demanding riding conditions |
| Suspension Rear |
Pro-Link with damper, adjustable low-speed (18-step) and high-speed (1.5-turn)compression and 20-step rebound damping; 310mm axle travel New KYB rear damper and bigger KYB front fork give better stroke feel, action & control for a plush overall feel and improved bump feel. Larger damper cushion provides consistent performance under demanding riding conditions |
| Brakes Front |
Aluminium rim/wire spoke Wheels feature HRC works-type alloy spoke nipples for reduced unsprung weight. |
| Brakes Rear |
Aluminium rim/wire spoke |
| Tyres Front |
21 x 1.60 |
| Tyres Rear |
19 x 2.15 |
| |
| Dimensions and Weight |
| Wheelbase |
1,493mm New dimensions with centre of gravity moved lower. Compact and slim chassis for smoother & easier handling |
| Trail |
115.6mm |
| Seat Height |
957mm |
| Ground Clearance |
336mm |
| Kerb Weight |
106.9kg (includes all standard equipment, required fluids and a full tank of fuel – ready to ride) |
| Fuel Capacity |
5.7 litres |
| Dimensions |
2,193 x 827 x 1,278mm |
| RRP |
All specifications are provisional and subject to change without notice CRF450R 09 |
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