Words: Caleb Tennant

Anticipation is high for the 2025 Honda CRF450R, which boasts extensive upgrades off the back of the immense success that the Lawrence brothers are currently achieving in the sport. Last week, MotoOnline visited Ironman Raceway for the official press introduction to conduct this Tested review.

From the moment I got on the bike, it felt remarkably easy to handle for a 450. On top of that, it offered a great overall feel, balance, and a smooth progression throughout the power range.

During the media presentation the night before, we heard from Honda’s head technicians in Japan, alongside Lars Lindstrom and Hunter Lawrence, detailing the 2025 model’s changes. It was fascinating to learn how they incorporated feedback from their factory race team, test riders, and media to address issues with the previous model, integrating opinions from a number of different sources into refining the production bike for 2025. Detailed has a full technical rundown.

Image: Align Media.

While testing the 2025 CRF450R, I was mindful of these improvements and the challenges they aimed to resolve. I found that they had addressed those issues, resulting in an amazing bike.

A major focus and change for the new model was the chassis and frame set-up, with the frame now consisting of 70 percent new components. While the previous model excelled in turns, it often felt too rigid and struggled with stability and predictability over bumps and other obstacles, affecting rider comfort. The new frame, though more rigid in many aspects, significantly improved stability. I felt the bike was very planted on bumps and during late braking, maintaining control without losing its renowned turning capability.

Even with the more rigid frame, I found the bike easy to position where I wanted in the corners. It felt stable when braking hard, as well as when scrubbing and pushing through jumps. The bike was extremely comfortable overall, and other test riders at various levels agreed.

I thought the stock suspension felt extremely plush and consistent throughout the stroke. At only 150 pounds, I still found it a bit soft, especially on the big jumps and harsh transitions at Ironman. I stiffened the forks by two clicks and slightly lowered the sag, which helped keep the front-end higher. For a bigger rider, some simple clicker adjustments, it can be easily tuned to suit different riders and styles. It was impressive to have stock suspension that felt as plush as it did.

Image: Align Media.

The power curve of the bike was solid. Honda made changes to the exhaust, resulting in a smoother and more controlled feel from bottom-to-mid power. They also updated the airbox to align more closely with what they use on their race team bikes.

450s already have so much power, so it’s crucial to have controllable delivery throughout the range to ensure the bike is predictable. When cruising around the track, I found the bike incredibly easy to ride, but when I wanted to push it and get the most out of it, there was always more than enough power without ever feeling the need for more.

Honda has also made changes to the ECU for 2025, introducing options to switch between the smooth map, neutral map, and aggressive map. These settings cater to different riding styles as well as various track layouts and surfaces.

For 2025, Honda has introduced a new look that I’m definitely a fan of. One feature I really appreciated is the added grip on the rear side plastics and the way it’s designed. It allows you to lock your legs in securely, especially during braking, making you feel at one with the motorcycle.

Image: Align Media.

Another issue with the previous model CRF450R was the front brake fading over time and in certain conditions. For 2025, Honda addressed this problem by leveraging insights from their race team factory bikes and data, effectively eliminating brake fade. I found the brakes to be sharp, predictable, and smooth.

They put significant effort into improving the forks and introducing new components to both the front and rear suspension. Their aim was to achieve smoother and more progressive suspension performance overall. I loved the stock suspension, which made me feel comfortable pushing the limits. It gave me a lot of confidence that the bike could match my capabilities, no matter what I demanded from it.

A significant change was the new linkage, which greatly improved how planted the motorcycle felt in corners and when accelerating out of them, even on surfaces with chatter. The rear wheel stayed firmly planted, giving me the confidence to push the bike to its limits. I didn’t notice any areas where the bike felt off balance – it all worked together seamlessly.

Honda clearly focused on addressing previous issues with this new model and they did a remarkable job. It’s an incredible bike to ride and I believe riders at any level would appreciate this new 2025 model CRF450R. Its strong foundation makes it easy to tweak and adjust for individual preferences.

Specifications

Engine type: 450cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke
Bore/stroke: 96.0mm x 62.1mm
Compression ratio: 13.5:1
Transmission: Close-ratio five-speed
Starter: Electric
Clutch: Nissin hydraulic
Traction control: Yes
Launch control: Yes
Front suspension: 49mm Showa spring fork
Rear suspension: Pro-Link Showa shock
Front brake: Nissin single 260mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Rear brake: Nissin single 240mm disc
Tires: Dunlop MX33
Weight: 249 pounds (wet)
Price: $9699 MSRP
Availability: August 2024
Further information: powersports.honda.com