Honda CRF450R 2022: refinements to evolve in performance [PHOTO]

La Honda CRF450R for the 2022, considering the innovative developments from 2002 onwards and the definition of the 2021 model evolved following the developments from the winning CRF450RW in the 2019 and 2020 MXGP Championships, presents further advances related to engine and suspension.

The motorcycle

Given the innovations linked to the 2021 model, citing a lighter frame, the balance of the swingarm stiffness, a heart where the HRC experience emerges, the innovations in electronics and hydraulic clutch, therefore the innovations of the "RAZOR-SHARP CORNERING" concept with more consistent torque at low-medium speeds, therefore functional ergonomics and handling; the new 450 CRF2022R features further refinements such as a new Showa suspension setup to increase damping performance and an update to the control unit to accentuate the thrust of the engine.
The graphic design is entirely red, the essential and structured vision. The frame appears unchanged and the values ​​of the inclination of the steering head and the trail remain unchanged at 27,1°/114 millimetres. However, the internal adjustments of the fork and shock absorber change, in order to achieve greater balance.

2021 Honda CRF450R

Considering narrower side beams, the frame has been lightened by 700 g and the redefined subframe has allowed a saving of 320 g, a total of 910 g. Even considering unchanged torsional rigidity, lateral rigidity is reduced by 20%, accentuating cornering speed, traction and steering precision. Revised fork plates for greater flexibility and increased cornering speed. The aluminum swingarm with Pro-Link system is characterized by an optimized rigidity balance.
Developed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), considering the flow of air to the radiators, the shrouds are defined in a single piece with another opening underneath. The radiator grilles have also been optimized and the titanium fuel tank has been redefined with a capacity of 6,3 litres.
The standard Renthal Fatbar handlebar and upper triple clamp have two positions for the mounts, favoring forward and backward movement of 26 mm. By rotating the mounts 180 degrees, the handlebars can be repositioned another 10 mm, a total of four riding positions.
The saddle placed at a height of 965 mm it is less extended, lighter and 10 mm lower in the rear area and is easier to remove, according to the instructions. Maintenance has also been simplified with the reduction from 6 to 4 in the number of bolts on each side with 8 mm heads. The wheelbase reaches 1.481 mm and the ground clearance 336 mm.
Shown is a 2 mm Showa AF49 adjustable coil spring fork, defined by the official Showa unit used by the Honda teams present in the Japanese championship. Having stiffened the feet, the stroke has been increased by 5 mm obtaining a total excursion of 310 mm and the low speed blade assembly has also been modified to intensify the rigidity in compression and extension. The oil volume is limited to 8 cc, up to 380 cc with 13 adjustment positions for the return compared to 15. However, the same number of compression positions remain.

2021 Honda CRF450R

A new calibration for the Showa MKE AF2 shock absorber allows greater compression rigidity at low, medium and high speeds. There are now 11 rebound adjustment positions compared to the previous 8 and 6 for high and low speeds in compression compared to 12. The oil volume is greater by 1 cc, reaching 422 cc.
Moving on to the stopping system, there is a 260 mm wave front disc at the front and the braking caliper has two pistons of different diameters, 30 and 27 mm. The rear disc is 240 mm, with single-piston caliper.
The picture is completed with DID aluminum rims with black finish measuring 21" x 1.60 at the front and 19" x 2.15 at the rear. Paired with Dunlop MX33F/MX33 soft-terrain tires as standard. The weight without petrol amounts to 105,8 kg, while with a full tank it results in 110,6 kg.

21YM HONDA CRF450R

Technological solutions

The motorcycle is equipped with an engine map selection system Honda EMSB (Engine Mode Select Button), reconfiguring the delivery characteristics to the conditions of the track faced. A press of the relevant button with the bike stopped and at idle speed, for just under a second, allows the selection of the engine map. By pressing the button quickly, however, the integrated blue LED indicates the map in use with a number of flashes based on the mode and with each selection any choice is confirmed to the pilot with the number of flashes.
La map 1 Standard features a common combination of start and injection intervals for balanced delivery.
La map 2 Smooth, milder, offers a manageable and functional response on low-grip surfaces.
La map 3 Aggressive it is the most energetic of the three, combining responsive power and torque.
THEHRC setting tool then it allows different driving modes, ranging from a delicate accelerator response to a more aggressive one for expert drivers.

] 21YM HONDA CRF450R

Moving on to HSTC torque control, this works to mitigate rear wheel slip during acceleration, consequently maximizing traction. It works by delaying the ignition and refining the fuel injection upon detection of excessively sudden changes in the rotation speed, incompatible with effective progression.
There are three selectable levels:
Mode 1, a case in which the system intervenes little and after persistent slipping, such as when exiting slow curves when the rear wheel can hardly contain the force of the power supply in low gears;
Mode 2, an intermediate intervention between the other two more extreme modes on a dry track with grip and wet with mud;
Mode 3, a frequent and decisive intervention, in case of slippery surfaces, mud and slippery ground.
By holding down the HSTC button for half a second you can select the level, observing a flashing green LED light which indicates the mode based on the number of frequencies. The system can be deactivated and each time the engine is turned on again the pilot finds the last setting chosen, as remembered.

21YM HONDA CRF450R

On a single block on the left side are the launch control indicator, the EFI light, the EMSB mode button and the LED indicator with the HSTC button also integrated.
A solution is also highlighted HRC launch control, functional in the shooting phase. Also in this case there are three levels. Launch Control HRC is activated with the engine running by pressing the start button. An LED flashes once to indicate Level 1 selection; by pressing the start button again for at least half a second the LED flashes twice highlighting Level 2 and by repeating the procedure and seeing that the indicator flashes 3 times you identify Level 3.
Specifically:
Level 3: 8.250 rpm, muddy / beginner;
Level 2: 8.500 rpm, dry surface / amateur;
Level 1: 9.500 rpm, dry surface / expert driver.

2021 Honda CRF450R

Motor

The new Honda CRF450R is equipped with a powertrain Unicam 4-stroke single cylinder da 449,7 cc, liquid-cooled and with single-shaft distribution. A unit that has an associatedadvanced ECU mapping which facilitates accelerator control, refining delivery.
The updates on the 2021 model are crucial in the development of the new model. We mention the modification to the exhaust pipe, the repositioning of the manifold, the provision of two resonators to the silencer, an eight-plate clutch with hydraulic control, a recovery pump with two 12 mm gears and a 5-hole piston oil jet about lubrication.
An increase of up to 0,6 kW in maximum power above 5.000 rpm was highlighted, therefore a stronger torque at low speeds with the increase in the size of the air box from 1,8 liters to 4,1 liters on the " clean,” according to the information.

2021 Honda CRF450R

Photo: Honda Motor Europe Ltd. Italy