Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) have announced a limited numbers CRF450RX Rally model will go on sale for competition use.

A hand-built Honda factory replica bike for the desert becomes a reality with the news of CRF450RX Rally bikes for privateers and privateer teams to race.

The customer bikes are very close to the factory machines ridden by Ricky Brabec, Adrien Van Beveren and the boys, will be available through the European Honda wing based in Italy, RedMoto (the team behind Steve Holcombe in the EnduroGP World Chamionship) are limited to 50 units we understand, at a cost of €28,000. 

About time many are shouting after the official HRC Monster Energy Honda Rally Team has ascended to be the dominant force in recent years at Dakar. With that the CRF450 Rally bike has been through the wash cycle to be hung out as the current best bike on the rally scene.

Naturally there’s a strong base of privateers wanting to get on the big red bikes at the races and the only surprise to us is that Honda hasn’t put out a produciton bike before now. Given the success and almost total domination of the customer KTM 450 Rally bike as the ‘go-to’ in paddocks around the world, demand is surely there.

Well, you can now, or at least just as soon as Honda announce when the CRF450RX Rally (not to be confused with the CRF450RX enduro model) is available for customers. A select few are being raced in the 2025 Dakar Rally including Rally 2 contender Romain Dumontier in teh HRC B team and Italian RS Moto Honda squad who are fielding American Jacob Argubright and Paulo Lucci (both pictured).

Honda CRF450RX Rally features:

• 6-speed transmission based on the CRF450RX to ensure the top speed required for rally riding
• Rally tower for optimal placement of navigation equipment while maintaining legroom visibility on the front side of the vehicle
• Exterior-integrated tank and rally seat that do not interfere with rider activity and help reduce rider fatigue during long rally raids
• Intake and exhaust systems that contribute to increased power output
• Air cleaner with integrated electrical box to prevent contamination under extreme conditions
• Toughened frame, swingarm, and other controls based on the CRF for rally use
• Suspension system is based on the CRF but specially set up for rally use
• Guards to protect important functional parts

Technical Details

Engine

Single cylinder, 450cc, liquid cooled, four-stroke (SOHC/UNI-CAM)

Gear Box 6-speed

Cooling Liquid cooled

Starter Electric starter

Chassis

Frame type Aluminium Twin Tube

Tank capacity (approx.) 36 L

2 front tanks with a pump (22L)

1 rear tank with a pump (14L)

Front brake disc diameter 300mm

Rear brake disc diameter 240mm

Rear subframe design is self-supporting plastic tank

More information: www.redmoto.it

Photo Credit: Honda + A.S.O | Antonin Vincent | DPPI