Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), with assembly and European distribution handled by RedMoto, is preparing the 2027 CRF 450RX Rally for release after the first customer version made its debut in 2026.

Developed by HRC and based on experience from international rally raid racing, including Dakar, the CRF 450RX Rally sits as a very exclusive customer rally bike aimed at professional riders and serious privateers looking for a machine much closer to a factory rally bike than a converted enduro.

Production will again be limited to 50 units for 2027, with the first bikes due to reach customers from June 2026.

The 2026 model already proved its point at Dakar with 14 bikes starting, 12 reaching the finish, second and third in Rally2, three bikes inside the top five of the class and Preston Campbell finishing inside the overall top 10.

Technical highlights

Frame, stability and fuel capacity

The CRF 450RX Rally uses an aluminium twin-spar frame, developed to give the bike stability at speed while keeping enough agility for rough rally terrain, including rocky sections where precision matters.

Fuel capacity is 36 litres in total, split across three tanks: two at the front and one at the rear. The 14-litre rear tank is mounted on rubber supports to help reduce inertia and make the bike feel lighter and more controlled when riding.

Carbon fibre navigation tower

The navigation tower is made from carbon fibre, a key detail because it sits high and far from the bike’s centre of mass. Keeping weight down in that area helps preserve handling, while the structure is designed to resist impacts in a crash.

The roadbook angle is manually adjustable, allowing riders to set the cockpit to their preference. The tower subframe is also independent from the main frame, making it quicker to remove the whole structure during race repairs or maintenance.

Narrow seat and improved rider contact area

The tanks are made from a combination of high-strength nylon and polyethylene, designed to keep dimensions under control while still maximising fuel capacity.

The rear tank also plays a structural role, adding rigidity to the rear subframe area and helping stability. Around the rider contact area, both front and rear tanks have been slimmed down to bring the riding position closer to the official CRF Rally bikes, giving the rider more freedom to move and more control standing or seated.

Carbon fibre skid plate

The bike uses a high-strength carbon fibre skid plate to protect the exposed lower section of the 22-litre front tank, as well as the frame, engine cases and exhaust header.

The front section has a “sled” profile, designed to absorb and spread impacts when hitting obstacles without hurting handling. On the left side, there is also a tool storage area for carrying basic equipment during long rally stages.

Suspension

The suspension package uses race-derived components with dedicated hydraulic damping settings and springs developed for rally use.

At the front, the CRF 450RX Rally runs a 49mm Showa fork with titanium-coated tubes, aimed at reducing friction and improving smoothness, sensitivity and control.

At the rear, the shock uses a larger 18mm piston rod with titanium coating, again designed to reduce internal resistance and improve response under heavy loads. The setup follows the same direction as Honda’s factory-derived models, including the CRF450R Works Edition.

The triple clamps have been developed by HRC together with XTRIG and are machined from billet. A dedicated steering damper is fitted as standard, an important part of the package for high-speed rally riding and rough terrain where front-end stability matters.

Brakes

The braking system includes a larger 300mm front disc, designed to offer stronger braking power, better modulation and more control in demanding conditions.

At the rear, the disc has increased thickness to improve resistance under heavy use and help with heat dissipation, aiming for more consistent performance during long or hard stages.

Heavy-duty wheels

The wheels have been developed by HAAN, using CNC-machined billet hubs, with rims and spokes supplied by Takasago Excel.

Cush drives are integrated to help absorb bigger impacts and smooth out the harshness from rough terrain. The goal is better comfort and less rider fatigue when the bike is being pushed through long rally stages.

Engine

The engine has been developed by HRC specifically for rally use. Honda quotes around 58 horsepower, with the aim of balancing performance and reliability.

A six-speed gearbox with dedicated ratios is used to suit the wide range of speeds and conditions found in rally raid. The bike also gets a larger additional radiator designed to improve oil cooling and help keep performance and reliability stable in extreme conditions.

Works exhaust

The titanium Akrapovič silencer is the same unit used on the official CRF Rally machine.

The header and link pipe are made directly by HRC in steel, prioritising reliability in extreme conditions and optimised gas flow to improve engine response across the rev range.

Additional parts

The 2027 CRF 450RX Rally comes as standard with a Renthal handlebar, Acerbis handguards, the same-style front fender as the official CRF Rally bike, larger steel footpegs and an LED lighting system.

Availability

The 2027 Honda CRF 450RX Rally will be available from June 2026, with customer deliveries scheduled between June and September. Production is limited to 50 units.

The price is €31,140 excluding VAT, ex-works, and remains unchanged from the previous version.

Pre-orders are already open through RedMoto. Customers need to download the dedicated form from the RedMoto website and send it by email, with allocation priority based on the completed request process.

For riders looking to race major international rallies, including Dakar, HRC has appointed RS Moto and HT Rally Raid as specialist support structures able to provide technical assistance, spare parts and help with sporting, administrative and logistics procedures.

More information: www.redmoto.it