Honda CRF450R

Honda dirt bikes are epitomized these days by the 2009 Honda CRF450R motocross racer. The flagship 4-stroke MX bike from Big Red has been at the forefront of competitive off-road racing since it was introduced in 2001. The Honda CRF450 has found success in multiple disciplines including motocross, supercross, flat track, hillclimbing and supermoto. 

Honda rocked the motocross world when they released the original CRF450R in the spring of 2002. Not only was it the bike to be riding on the track, it proved to be versatile enough for the rigors of the desert, forests and trails.

With its powerful 449cc Unicam racing engine, Honda’s fuel-injected CRF450R is known as one of the best all-around track machines. Honda pioneered the twin-spar aluminum chassis for dirt bikes in the late 1990s with the 2-stroke CR125R and CR250R bikes. When the motorcycle industry turned to Thumper technology, Honda was ready to make the switch and it keeps pushing the envelope with things like the Honda Progressive Steering Damper (HPSD). 

Honda Racing has always been considered a top tier factory ride for AMA Motocross and AMA Supercross Championships. Riders like Jeff Stanton, Johnny O’Mara, Ron Lechien, David Bailey, Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael and Ashley Fiolek have all used Honda motocross dirt bikes to win titles. Honda R&D has always taken what works on the professional equipment and worked it into production motorcycles for racing and OHV enthusiasts. 

American Honda sells a huge volume of motorcycles and the CRF450R is the biggest and baddest in a long line of dirt bike siblings. All the way down to the best-selling CRF50 for kids, Hondas are known for reliability, build quality and long-lasting re-sale value. These are some of the reasons why Honda motorcycles are always a top pick for privateer racers, not to mention the bikes always hold true to Honda’s company slogan – “Performance First.”

Honda CBR1000RR

The Honda CBR1000RR is the pinnacle of Honda’s open-class sport motorcycle development. Originally released as a 2004 model, the CBR 1000RR represents the current evolution from the CBR954RR, CBR929RR and CBR900RR sportbikes that came before it. 

The Honda CBR1000RR is a return to the type of philosophy that made the original CBR900RR so popular: Take the performance envelope and make it big, make it encompass more than just one aspect of the riding experience.

When first released the CBR1000 was known for its powerful engine, aggressive look and high-build quality. But unfortunately it came at a cost of additional weight. In its current iteration, the Honda CBR has slimmed down significantly and now benefits from numerous technical innovations derived from the Honda’s participation in the MotoGP world championship with the Honda RCV211 MotoGP motorcycle. Powering the motorcycle is a compact 999cc liquid-cooled Inline-Four that utilizes such technologies as Dual Stage Fuel-Injection (DSFI) and a low-slung MotoGP-style exhaust system. Other innovations on the CBR1000 include Honda’s proprietary Ignition Interrupt Control System and unique cam-assist slipper clutch system.
 
In the chassis department, Honda’s CBR1000RR superbike benefits from a unique frame casting process as used on the Honda CBR6000RR, which minimizes the individual number of pieces that make up its frame. The Honda CBR also uses an innovative Pro-Link rear suspension. A Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) provides additional rider control. For 2009 it is the first liter-class sportbike to offer Anti-lock brakes (ABS) as an option.