No images available
Tap to enlarge
2018 Honda CRF450RX Overview
Honda CRF450RX is an enduro / off-road motorcycle. Power comes from a Single cylinder, four-stroke engine running Single Overhead Cams (SOHC) valve actuation, a compression ratio of 13.5:1. Bore and stroke come in at 96 x 62 mm. On the road, the 2018 CRF450RX tips the scales at 116.6 kg, carries an 8.33-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 960 mm and spans a 1,476 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 53.2 kg lighter than the average enduro / off-road motorcycle in our database. The full 2018 Honda CRF450RX spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
2018 Honda CRF450RX compared with other bikes in the Enduro / Off-Road category
We checked the recorded figures for the 2018 Honda CRF450RX against up to 1146 bikes in the Enduro / Off-Road category in our database, counting each model once at the model year nearest to this one.
- Only 89 of the other 1145 bikes in the Enduro / Off-Road category have a taller seat height than the 960 mm of the CRF450RX.
- With 116.6 kg, the CRF450RX has the joint 166th lightest wet weight of 774 bikes in the Enduro / Off-Road category, 31% below the category average of 169.8 kg.
- Narrowing the field to the 509 models within five model years of it, the seat height of 960 mm is taller than that of 410 of the other 508.
Versus the 2017 model
Compared with the 2017 model, wet weight fell from 118.4 kg to 116.6 kg (-1.8 kg). Seat height is unchanged.
2018 CRF450RX - 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 960 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 8.33-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 CRF450RX 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 Single Overhead Cams (SOHC) valve gear, the CRF450RX 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 two-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 CRF450RX's suspension runs 49mm inverted Showa fork with rebound and compression damping adjustability at the front. The rear uses Pro-Link® Showa single shock with adjustable spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.
Final drive maintenance
The CRF450RX 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.
Frame & chassis check
Built around a Semi-double cradle, aluminium twin-spar, the CRF450RX's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.
Low-speed handling
116.6 kg keeps the CRF450RX easy to move around in tight spaces, car parks and on the stand alike.
CRF450RX - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
Before handing over money for a used 2018 Honda CRF450RX enduro / off-road, 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 8 years old, this enduro / off-road 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 CRF450RX should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.
Oil and filter changes
Nothing protects the CRF450RX's single cylinder, four-stroke engine like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). With a 13.5:1 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 CRF450RX 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 CRF450RX 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.
2018 Honda CRF450RX - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2018 Honda CRF450RX have?
The 2018 Honda CRF450RX is powered by a Single cylinder, four-stroke engine.
How much does the 2018 Honda CRF450RX weigh?
The 2018 Honda CRF450RX weighs 116.6 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2018 Honda CRF450RX?
The 2018 Honda CRF450RX has an 8.33-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 138-166 km between stops.
Is the 2018 Honda CRF450RX suitable for shorter riders?
The 2018 Honda CRF450RX has a seat height of 960 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 2018 Honda CRF450RX have?
The 2018 Honda CRF450RX uses single disc with two-piston calipers at the front and single disc at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2018 Honda CRF450RX use?
The 2018 Honda CRF450RX runs 90/90-21 front and 120/90-18 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
What fuel system does the 2018 Honda CRF450RX use?
The 2018 Honda CRF450RX uses Injection. Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), providing precise fuelling across the rev range and reliable cold-start behaviour.
Honda CRF450RX Spec Evolution
The Honda CRF450RX was produced across 7 model years (2017-2023). 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 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
| Wet Weight |
118.4 kg / 261.0 lbs |
116.6 kg / 257.0 lbs |
116.6 kg / 257.0 lbs |
115.7 kg / 255.0 lbs |
113.9 kg / 251.0 lbs |
113.9 kg / 251.0 lbs |
113.9 kg / 251.0 lbs |
| Engine Detail |
Titanium Intake Valves |
38mm intake valve, titanium; 31mm exhaust, steel |
38mm intake valve, titanium; 31mm exhaust, steel |
38mm intake valve, titanium; 31mm exhaust, steel |
38mm intake valve, titanium; 31mm exhaust, steel |
- |
- |
| Seat Height |
960 mm / 37.8 in. |
960 mm / 37.8 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 |
8.33 litres / 2.20 gallons |
8.33 litres / 2.20 gallons |
8.52 litres / 2.25 US gallons |
8.52 litres / 2.25 US gallons |
7.95 litres / 2.10 US gallons |
8.00 litres / 2.11 US gallons |
8.00 litres / 2.11 US gallons |
| Ground Clearance (mm) |
328 mm |
328 mm |
328 mm |
328 mm |
335 mm |
336 mm |
336 mm |
| Ground Clearance (in.) |
12.9 inches |
12.9 inches |
12.9 inches |
12.9 inches |
13.2 inches |
13.2 inches |
13.2 inches |
| Comments |
Model ID: CRF450RX. |
Model ID: CRF450RX. |
Model ID: CRF450RX. |
Titanium fuel tank. Model ID: CRF450RX. |
Model ID: CRF450RX. |
3 ride modes. Model ID: CRF450RX. |
Model ID: CRF450RX. |
| Bore x Stroke (mm) |
96.0 x 62.0 mm |
96.0 x 62.0 mm |
96.0 x 62.0 mm |
96.0 x 62.0 mm |
96.0 x 62.0 mm |
96.0 x 62.1 mm |
96.0 x 62.1 mm |
Key Specifications
Engine
Single cylinder, four-stroke
Weight
116.6 kg / 257.0 lbs
Fuel Capacity
8.33 litres / 2.20 gallons
Advertisement
Full 2018 Honda CRF450RX Specifications
Comments
Model ID: CRF450RX.
Colours
Red
Ground Clearance (in.)
12.9 inches
Ground Clearance (mm)
328 mm
Seat Height
960 mm / 37.8 in.
Wheelbase
1,476 mm / 58.1 in.
Fuel Capacity
8.33 litres / 2.20 gallons
Wet Weight
116.6 kg / 257.0 lbs
Engine Type
Single cylinder, four-stroke
Fuel Control
Single Overhead Cams (SOHC)
Bore x Stroke (in,)
3.8 x 2.4 inches
Bore x Stroke (mm)
96.0 x 62.0 mm
Engine Detail
38mm intake valve, titanium; 31mm exhaust, steel
Fuel System
Injection. Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI)
Compression Ratio
13.5:1
Fuel Reserve
1.60 litres / 0.42 gallons
Ignition
Full transistorized with electronic advance
Starter
Electric & kick
Valve System
4
Final Drive
Chain
Gearbox
5-speed
Primary Drive
#520 T-ring-sealed chain; 13T/51T
Frame Type
Semi-double cradle, aluminium twin-spar
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
116 mm / 4.6 in.
Wheel Travel - Front
305 mm / 12.0 in.
Wheel Travel - Rear
312 mm / 12.3 in.
Brakes - Front Diameter (in.)
10.2 inches
Brakes - Front Diameter (mm)
260 mm
Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.)
9.4 inches
Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm)
240 mm
Brakes - Front
Single disc. Two-piston calipers.
Brakes - Rear
Single disc
Rims
Dunlop Geomax tires
Tyres - Front
90/90-21
Tyres - Rear
120/90-18
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
Advertisement