MotoSpecs

2012 Honda CRF450R Specifications

Cross / motocross • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2012 Honda CRF450R Overview

Honda CRF450R is a cross / motocross motorcycle, displacing 449 cc. Power comes from a Single cylinder, four-stroke engine running SOHC valve actuation, a compression ratio of 12.0:1. Bore and stroke come in at 96 x 62.1 mm. On the performance side, it delivers 4 Nm @ 5500 Revolutions of torque. On the road, the 2012 CRF450R tips the scales at 108.9 kg, carries a 5.68-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 953 mm and spans a 1,491 mm wheelbase. The full 2012 Honda CRF450R spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.

2012 Honda CRF450R compared with other bikes in the Cross / motocross category

We checked the recorded figures for the 2012 Honda CRF450R against up to 224 bikes in the Cross / motocross category in our database, counting each model once at the model year nearest to this one.

  • None of the other 58 bikes in the Cross / motocross category has a lower torque than the 4 Nm of the CRF450R.
  • With 449 cc, the CRF450R has the joint 46th largest engine displacement of 224 bikes in the Cross / motocross category, 61% above the category average of 279 cc.
  • Narrowing the field to the 33 models within five model years of it, the torque of 4 Nm is lower than that of 29 of the other 32.

Versus the 2011 model

The figures we track are unchanged from the 2011 model: wet weight, displacement and seat height all match.

2012 CRF450R - Pros & Cons

Strengths

  • Fuel injection: Fuel injection means consistent cold starts and clean throttle response without the fussiness of a carbureted setup.
  • Strong front braking: Stopping power up front is strong thanks to the single disc setup, with plenty of room to upgrade further with braided lines.

Considerations

  • Tall seat height: At 953 mm, shorter riders will likely be on tiptoes at a standstill - worth sitting on one before you buy.
  • Modest fuel capacity: Range between stops is limited by the 5.68-litre tank - plan fuel stops accordingly on longer routes.
  • Chain final drive upkeep: Budget time for routine chain maintenance - it's cheap to replace but needs consistent attention to avoid premature sprocket wear.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Fuelling & injector care

The fuel injection on the CRF450R needs little beyond good fuel and periodic use of an injector-cleaner additive - no jetting or float-bowl maintenance to worry about.

Valve clearance checks

With SOHC valve gear, the CRF450R needs periodic clearance checks; caught early they're a cheap adjustment, left unchecked they accelerate valve seat wear.

Brake disc and pad wear

Braking up front comes from single disc with twin-piston calipers - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.

Suspension condition on used examples

The CRF450R's suspension runs 48mm inverted KYB Air-Oil-Separate at the front. The rear uses Pro-Link KYB single shock with spring preload, rebound damping adjustability, and compression damping adjustment separated into low-speed and high-speed. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.

Final drive maintenance

The CRF450R uses chain final drive, which is cheap to replace but needs regular cleaning, lubrication and tension checks to get a full service life out of the sprockets.

Low-speed handling

108.9 kg keeps the CRF450R easy to move around in tight spaces, car parks and on the stand alike.

CRF450R - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

Before handing over money for a used 2012 Honda CRF450R with its 449 cc cross / motocross, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, drivetrain wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. This model runs chain final drive, so check chain slack and sprocket tooth profile specifically - a worn sprocket is a cheaper fix now than after it's chewed up the next chain. Now 14 years old, this cross / motocross is as likely to show age-related wear (perished rubber, seized fasteners, degraded seals) as mileage-related wear. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy CRF450R should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.

Oil and filter changes

Nothing protects the CRF450R's 449 cc single cylinder, four-stroke like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). With a 12.0:1 compression ratio, running the octane grade specified in the manual matters more than on a lower-compression engine. Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.

Fuel system care

Fuel injection on the CRF450R needs little attention beyond decent fuel and an occasional system-cleaner additive. Anything left standing for three months or more should have its fuel drained and replaced before it varnishes the injectors.

Valve clearance service

Valve clearances are easy to overlook on a used CRF450R since a bike out of spec doesn't always feel obviously wrong - but the wear it causes is real. Ask the seller for documentation before assuming it's been done.

2012 Honda CRF450R - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2012 Honda CRF450R have?
The 2012 Honda CRF450R uses a Single cylinder, four-stroke engine with 449 cc of displacement.
How much does the 2012 Honda CRF450R weigh?
The 2012 Honda CRF450R weighs 108.9 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much torque does the 2012 Honda CRF450R produce?
The 2012 Honda CRF450R produces 4 Nm @ 5500 Revolutions of torque.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2012 Honda CRF450R?
The 2012 Honda CRF450R has a 5.68-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 94-113 km between stops.
Is the 2012 Honda CRF450R suitable for shorter riders?
The 2012 Honda CRF450R has a seat height of 953 mm. This is towards the tall end of the spectrum and will require most riders under 175 cm to tiptoe at stops.
What brakes does the 2012 Honda CRF450R have?
The 2012 Honda CRF450R uses single disc with twin-piston calipers at the front and single disc at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2012 Honda CRF450R use?
The 2012 Honda CRF450R runs 2.50-12 front and 3.00-12 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.

Honda CRF450R Spec Evolution

The Honda CRF450R was produced across 21 model years (2002-2023). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.

Specification 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Wet Weight - - - - - - - 106.5 kg / 234.8 lbs 108.0 kg / 238.0 lbs 108.9 kg / 240.0 lbs 111.0 kg / 244.7 lbs 111.0 kg / 244.7 lbs 111.0 kg / 244.7 lbs 111.0 kg / 244.7 lbs 110.2 kg / 243.0 lbs 110.2 kg / 243.0 lbs 110.2 kg / 243.0 lbs 112.0 kg / 247.0 lbs 110.7 kg / 244.0 lbs 110.7 kg / 244.0 lbs 111.1 kg / 245.0 lbs
Dry Weight 102 kg / 224.9 lbs 103.1 kg / 227.3 lbs 99.1 kg / 218.5 lbs 99.1 kg / 218.5 lbs 99.1 kg / 218.5 lbs 108 kg / 238.0 lbs 109 kg / 240.3 lbs - - 88 kg / 194.0 lbs - - - - - - - - - 105.8 kg / 233.2 lbs 105.8 kg / 233.2 lbs
Engine Detail - - - - - - - - - Unicam&reg, four-valve; 36mm intake, titanium; 30mm exhaust, steel - - - - - 38mm intake valve, titanium; 31mm exhaust, steel 38mm intake valve, titanium; 31mm exhaust, steel 38mm intake valve, 31mm exhaust 38mm intake valve, 31mm exhaust 38mm intake valve, 31mm exhaust 38mm intake valve, 31mm exhaust
Engine Type Single cylinder, four-stroke Single cylinder, four-stroke Single cylinder, four-stroke Single cylinder, four-stroke Single cylinder Single cylinder Single cylinder Single cylinder, four-stroke Single cylinder, four-stroke Single cylinder, four-stroke Single cylinder, four-stroke Single cylinder, four-stroke Single cylinder, four-stroke Single cylinder, four-stroke Single cylinder, four-stroke Single cylinder, four-stroke Single cylinder, four-stroke Single cylinder, four-stroke Single cylinder, four-stroke Single cylinder, four-stroke Single cylinder, four-stroke
Seat Height 726 mm / 28.6 in. 953 mm / 37.5 in. 955 mm / 37.6 in. 955 mm / 37.6 in. 955 mm / 37.6 in. 955 mm / 37.6 in. 955 mm / 37.6 in. 955 mm / 37.6 in. 955 mm / 37.6 in. 953 mm / 37.5 in. 953 mm / 37.5 in. 953 mm / 37.5 in. 953 mm / 37.5 in. 953 mm / 37.5 in. 953 mm / 37.5 in. 953 mm / 37.5 in. 960 mm / 37.8 in. 960 mm / 37.8 in. 965 mm / 38.0 in. 965 mm / 38.0 in. 965 mm / 38.0 in.
Fuel Capacity 9.10 litres / 2.40 gallons 7.40 litres / 1.96 gallons 7.19 litres / 1.90 gallons 7.19 litres / 1.90 gallons 7.19 litres / 1.90 gallons 7.19 litres / 1.90 gallons 7.20 litres / 1.90 gallons 5.67 litres / 1.50 gallons 5.68 litres / 1.50 gallons 5.68 litres / 1.50 gallons 6.40 litres / 1.69 gallons 6.40 litres / 1.69 gallons 6.40 litres / 1.69 gallons 6.40 litres / 1.69 gallons 6.43 litres / 1.70 gallons 6.43 litres / 1.70 gallons 6.43 litres / 1.70 US gallons 6.43 litres / 1.70 US gallons 6.43 litres / 1.70 US gallons 6.30 litres / 1.66 US gallons 6.30 litres / 1.66 US gallons
Oil Capacity (Quarts) - - - - - - - - - - 0.12 quarts 0.12 quarts 0.12 quarts 0.12 quarts 0.12 quarts 0.12 quarts 1.9 US quarts 1.9 US quarts 1.9 US quarts 1.9 US quarts 1.9 US quarts
Ground Clearance (mm) 330 mm - 340 mm 340 mm 340 mm 340 mm 340 mm 333 mm 333 mm 330 mm 330 mm 330 mm 330 mm 330 mm 330 mm 330 mm 330 mm 330 mm 335 mm 336 mm 336 mm

Key Specifications

Engine

Single cylinder, four-stroke

Power

Not recorded

Torque

4.00 Nm (0.4 kgf-m or 3.0 ft.lbs) @ 5500 Revolutions

Top Speed

Not recorded

Weight

108.9 kg / 240.0 lbs

Fuel Capacity

5.68 litres / 1.50 gallons

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Full 2012 Honda CRF450R Specifications

Comments French brand.
Colours Red
Ground Clearance (in.) 13.0 inches
Ground Clearance (mm) 330 mm
Seat Height 953 mm / 37.5 in.
Wheelbase 1,491 mm / 58.7 in.
Height 1,150 mm / 45.3 in.
Length 1,810 mm / 71.3 in.
Width 685 mm / 27.0 in.
Dry Weight 88 kg / 194.0 lbs
Fuel Capacity 5.68 litres / 1.50 gallons
Wet Weight 108.9 kg / 240.0 lbs
Max Torque 4.00 Nm (0.4 kgf-m or 3.0 ft.lbs) @ 5500 Revolutions
Power-to-Weight Ratio 0.0472 HP/kg
Displacement (cc) 449.00 cc
Displacement (ci) 27.40 cubic inches
Engine Type Single cylinder, four-stroke
Fuel Control SOHC
Bore x Stroke (in,) 3.8 x 2.4 inches
Bore x Stroke (mm) 96.0 x 62.1 mm
Engine Detail Unicam®, four-valve; 36mm intake, titanium; 30mm exhaust, steel
Fuel System Injection. Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), 46mm throttle body
Compression Ratio 12.0:1
Emissions Meets current CARB and EPA standards.
Ignition Full transistor with electronic advance
Starter Electric & kick
Valve System 4
Final Drive Chain
Gearbox 5-speed
Primary Drive #520 Chain; 13T/48T
Suspension - Front 48mm inverted KYB Air-Oil-Separate (AOS) with rebound and compression-damping adjustability
Suspension - Rear Pro-Link KYB single shock with spring preload, rebound damping adjustability, and compression damping adjustment separated into low-speed and high-speed
Rake 27.0°
Seat Dual
Trail 116 mm / 4.6 in.
Wheel Travel - Front 310 mm / 12.2 in.
Wheel Travel - Rear 315 mm / 12.4 in.
Brakes - Front Diameter (in.) 9.4 inches
Brakes - Front Diameter (mm) 240 mm
Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.) 9.4 inches
Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm) 240 mm
Brakes - Front Single disc. Twin-piston calipers
Brakes - Rear Single disc
Tyres - Front 2.50-12
Tyres - Rear 3.00-12

Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis. Spot an error? Let us know.

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