2021 Honda CRF450R Specifications

Cross / motocross • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2021 Honda CRF450R Overview

For 2021, Honda offers the CRF450R as a cross / motocross motorcycle with 449.7 cc on tap. The 2021 Honda CRF450R is built around a Single cylinder, four-stroke engine running Single Overhead Cams (SOHC) valve actuation, a compression ratio of 13.5:1. Internally, bore and stroke are 96 x 62.1 mm. Out on the road, the CRF450R delivers 48 Nm @ 7000 Revolutions of torque. Flat out, it's quoted at 170 km/h. In everyday use, the 2021 CRF450R tips the scales at 110.7 kg, carries a 6.43-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 965 mm and spans a 1481 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 12.1 kg heavier than the average cross / motocross motorcycle in our database. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 2021 Honda CRF450R spec sheet below.

2021 CRF450R - Pros & Cons

Strengths

  • Fuel injection: No choke, no jetting, no altitude compensation to think about - fuel injection just works across a wider range of conditions than carburetion.

Considerations

  • Tall seat height: A 965 mm seat puts flat-footing out of reach for a lot of riders - sit on it in person before committing.
  • Modest fuel capacity: A 6.43-litre tank keeps things light but means budgeting for more frequent fuel stops on any longer ride.
  • Chain final drive upkeep: A chain drivetrain is the most common setup in its class, but it's also the one that demands the most regular hands-on maintenance.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Fuelling & injector care

Fuelling on the CRF450R comes from fuel injection. Cold starts and throttle response stay consistent across altitude and temperature, the main practical edge over a carbureted equivalent.

Valve clearance checks

Valve clearances on Single Overhead Cams (SOHC)-equipped engines like the CRF450R's drift slowly with mileage rather than failing suddenly - sticking to the service interval keeps it a non-issue.

Brake disc and pad wear

Single disc. Hydraulic. Two-piston calipers. up front provides the primary stopping power; inspect disc thickness and pad wear at each tyre change to catch scoring before it becomes a rotor replacement.

Suspension condition on used examples

Suspension duties are handled by 49mm inverted Showa fork with rebound and compression damping adjustability up front and Pro-Link® Showa single shock with adjustable spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability at the rear. Weeping fork seals aren't a dealbreaker on a used bike, but they're a fair basis for negotiating price.

Final drive maintenance

Chain final drive on the CRF450R means routine lubing and tension checks are part of ownership - skip them and sprocket wear accelerates noticeably.

Frame & chassis check

The Aluminium twin tube chassis holds up well with normal use; on a used bike it's still worth checking the head-stock and swingarm pivot area for impact damage or corrosion.

Low-speed handling

The CRF450R's 110.7 kg kerb weight makes low-speed control noticeably less effort than on a heavier machine.

CRF450R - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

A pre-purchase check on the 2021 Honda CRF450R should cover the same ground every time: service history, chain and sprocket condition, and any oil seepage around the casings. Start it from cold if you can - a well-kept CRF450R settles to a smooth idle within seconds.

Oil and filter changes

Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for a CRF450R's engine - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. The sump holds 1.80 litres, so budget for that volume of quality motorcycle-specific engine oil. Use the viscosity grade the manual specifies, not whatever's on sale.

Fuel system care

Injector systems like the CRF450R's hold up well with basic care - decent fuel, an occasional cleaner additive, and draining old fuel before any layup longer than three months.

Valve clearance service

There's no reliable seat-of-the-pants way to tell if a CRF450R's valve clearances are in spec - a light top-end tick is the only real warning sign, and by then some wear has already happened. Service records are the only proof.

2021 Honda CRF450R - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2021 Honda CRF450R have?
The 2021 Honda CRF450R uses a Single cylinder, four-stroke engine with 449.7 cc of displacement.
What is the top speed of the 2021 Honda CRF450R?
The 2021 Honda CRF450R has a factory-quoted top speed of 170 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.
How much does the 2021 Honda CRF450R weigh?
The 2021 Honda CRF450R weighs 110.7 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2021 Honda CRF450R make?
The 2021 Honda CRF450R produces 48 Nm @ 7000 Revolutions of torque.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2021 Honda CRF450R?
The 2021 Honda CRF450R has a 6.43-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 107-128 km between stops.
Is the 2021 Honda CRF450R suitable for shorter riders?
The 2021 Honda CRF450R has a seat height of 965 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 2021 Honda CRF450R have?
The 2021 Honda CRF450R uses Single disc. Hydraulic. Two-piston calipers. at the front and Single disc. Hydraulic. Single-piston caliper. at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2021 Honda CRF450R use?
The front tyre size on the 2021 Honda CRF450R is 80/100-21.
How much oil does the 2021 Honda CRF450R take?
The 2021 Honda CRF450R takes 1.80 litres of engine oil at a full oil and filter change. Always verify against the dipstick or sight glass after filling.

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 published by manufacturer

Torque

48.0 Nm (4.9 kgf-m or 35.4 ft.lbs) @ 7000 Revolutions

Top Speed

170.0 km/h / 105.6 mph

Weight

110.7 kg / 244.0 lbs

Fuel Capacity

6.43 litres / 1.70 US gallons

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Full 2021 Honda CRF450R Specifications

Comments Model id: CRF450R
Colours Red
Ground Clearance (mm) 335 mm
Ground Clearance (in.) 13.2 inches
Seat Height 965 mm / 38.0 in.
Wheelbase 1481 mm / 58.3 in.
Height 1271 mm / 50.0 in.
Length 2191 mm / 86.3 in.
Width 827 mm / 32.6 in.
Oil Capacity (Quarts) 1.9 US quarts
Oil Capacity (l) 1.80 litres
Fuel Capacity 6.43 litres / 1.70 US gallons
Wet Weight 110.7 kg / 244.0 lbs
Top Speed 170.0 km/h / 105.6 mph
Max Torque 48.0 Nm (4.9 kgf-m or 35.4 ft.lbs) @ 7000 Revolutions
Fuel Control Single Overhead Cams (SOHC)
Engine Type Single cylinder, four-stroke
Displacement (ci) 27.44 cubic inches
Displacement (cc) 449.7 cc
Bore x Stroke (mm) 96.0 x 62.1 mm
Bore x Stroke (in,) 3.8 x 2.4 inches
Engine Detail 38mm intake valve, 31mm exhaust
Fuel System Injection. Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), 46mm downdraft throttle body Read
Compression Ratio 13.5:1
Ignition DC-CDI
Starter Kick
Valve System 4
Clutch Multi plate wet
Final Drive Chain   (final drive)
Gearbox 5-speed
Primary Drive #520 Chain; 13T/49T
Frame Type Aluminium twin tube
Suspension - Front 49mm inverted Showa fork with rebound and compression damping adjustability.
Suspension - Rear Pro-Link® Showa single shock with adjustable spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability.
Rake 27.2°
Trail 114 mm / 4.5 in.
Wheel Travel - Front 310 mm / 12.2 in.
Wheel Travel - Rear 315 mm / 12.4 in.
Brakes - Front Single disc. Hydraulic. Two-piston calipers.
Brakes - Rear Single disc. Hydraulic. Single-piston caliper.
Rims Dunlop MX3S tires
Tyres - Front 80/100-21

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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