Honda intends to keep its CRF450RL dual sport in the lineup for 2022, offering customers a crack at the 2022 edition starting this May at $9,999. There are no major updates to the machine this time around, but that’s not such a bad thing considering Honda’s 2021 edition was a well-dialed machine overall.
Editor’s note: We’ve ridden Honda’s 450cc dual sport during the 2020 Honda CRF450L MC Commute Review and 2021 Honda CRF450RL MC Commute Review.
The fuel-injected 449cc Unicam single is perfectly capable of in-town rides and stretches on the freeway, topping out at about 90 mph in sixth gear. It’s even better suited for off-road rides, providing plenty of snap and power to make trail rides a blast.
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The mill sits comfortably inside a twin-spar aluminum frame, the same frame used on the CRF450X, Honda’s dedicated trail-buster. This design decision gives the dual sport some enhanced chops off-road. The Showa 49mm fork is rebound and compression damping adjustable and offers up to 12 inches of travel while the Pro-Link Showa setup out back is fully adjustable and offers 11.8 inches travel. There’s a double-piston caliper out front gripping a 260mm disc and a single-piston caliper squeezing a 240mm disc at the rear. In our experience, it’s a decent braking package for the multiple roles of the bike.
Some additional touches take the CRF450RL to a bit more refined place, including the LED headlight and taillight setup, the lightweight lithium-ion battery, titanium fuel tank, and bevy of sound-damping measures to ensure street legality. A set of factory hand guards will be fit on the 450RL standard as well. Though if you’re hoping for colorways, you’re in for a bit of a letdown as the bike will only be available in red.
2022 Honda CRF450RL Technical Specifications and Price
| Price: | $9,999 |
|---|---|
| Engine: | 449cc, OHC, liquid-cooled inline single-cylinder; 4-valve |
| Bore x Stroke: | 96.0 x 62.1mm |
| Compression Ratio: | 12.0:1 |
| Fuel Delivery: | PGM-FI w/ 46mm downdraft throttle body |
| Clutch: | Wet, multiplate |
| Transmission/Final Drive: | 6-speed/chain |
| Frame: | Twin-spar aluminum |
| Front Suspension: | Showa 49mm USD fork, compression and rebound damping adjustable; 12 in. travel |
| Rear Suspension: | Pro-Link Showa shock, fully adjustable; 11.8 in. travel |
| Front Brake: | 2-piston caliper, 260mm disc |
| Rear Brake: | 1-piston caliper, 240mm disc |
| Wheels, Front/Rear: | D.I.D DirtStar; 21.0 in. / 18.0 in. |
| Tires, Front/Rear: | IRC GP; 80/100-21 / 120/80-18 |
| Rake/Trail: | 28.5°/4.8 in. |
| Wheelbase: | 58.9 in. |
| Seat Height: | 37.2 in. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 2.0 gal. |
| Claimed Curb Weight: | 291 lb. |
| Warranty: | 12-month, transferable, unlimited-mileage limited warranty |
| Available: | May 2021 |
| Contact: | powersports.honda.com |
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com