HANDLING
We’ve increased the front suspension’s stroke by 5mm for 2021, for better handling and rider comfort. Also, we redesigned the axle holding fixtures at the bottom of each fork leg—that increases rigidity, and enhances steering precision and suspension performance.
SHOWA SPRING FORK
The 49mm Showa fork features a conventional spring design that helps increase the CRF450R’s front-suspension precision, handling and feel. The spring rate provides better bottoming resistance and improved handling.
LIGHTER AND NARROWER
Great handling starts with a superior frame and we’ve made some big changes to our 2021 CRF450R’s chassis. First, it’s lighter—about 1 kilogram lighter. By making the frame’s main spars narrower, we saved weight, but more importantly, we made the chassis more responsive by reducing lateral rigidity 20 percent. The result is a bike that gets into, around, and out of corners faster. Body work is slimmer, with less and we reduced the total number of pieces and fasteners needed to remove the body panels so maintenance just got easier too. We totally redesigned the rear subframe to make it nearly half a kilo lighter and along the way simplified its construction too.
NEW LIGHTER SWINGARM
The swingarm is narrower, designed in conjunction with the new frame, by using narrower main members (just like the frame uses narrower main spars), we’ve matched the swingarm’s lateral rigidity to the rest of the chassis. The titanium fuel tank is also light and strong and it maintains the same capacity as our previous plastic unit, while freeing up more space and helping to centralize fuel mass.
NEW BATTERY BOX
Three key features changed here: The battery box is lower, for an improved centre of gravity. Second, it’s also easier to service. Third, it’s now water-tight, so there's nothing to worry about when racing in wet conditions.
NEW SINGLE-MUFFLER EXHAUST
Changing the muffler’s construction to a pressed-alloy design let us reshape it too, its lighter and offers better rider ergonomics. Along with the single-muffler exhaust, naturally we gave the 2021 CRF450R a new single-pipe header. We’ve completely changed the routing too, bringing it 74mm closer to the centre of the bike. It’s lighter, and helps improve weight distribution. The new air filter and new airbox shape helps deliver more torque. You can access the airbox through the left number plate. And because the new filter has no rubber gasket where it interfaces with the intake boot, cleaning and servicing the filter is faster and less messy than ever.
NEW TRIPPLE CLAMPS
The CRF450R is a perfectly matched package. With the frame and swingarm featuring a re-tuned lateral stiffness and the fork legs featuring a new, stiffer axle fixture, we joined the two with new upper and lower triple clamps. Working in concert, they help improve and balance total rigidity, responsiveness and turning performance.
REAR SUSPENSION
The 2021 CRF450R’s new frame design gave us the opportunity to fit a new rear shock. We’ve optimized its shape to match the frame, and gave it new settings to work with the new chassis. The shocks valving resets faster for better response. In addition, we’ve fit a new steel spring that’s way lighter, cutting weight without cutting performance.