HONDA CRF450

Background:

Honda’s CRF was launched in 2000 to replace the successful CR range. Initially only available as motocross machines with liquid-cooled single-cylinder 4-stroke engines ranging from 149cc to 449cc, the range was soon expanded to encompass dual-sport machines, more suitable for mixed road and off-road use. These machines came with air-cooled engines from 50cc to 250cc.

The CRF is considered among the very best motocross machines in its class and has sold very strongly since its release, whether for competition, trail riding or mixed use.

The bike:

As a sport, Super Motard is relatively little-known in the UK but is hugely popular on the Continent. While motocross originated here in the late 1950s as scrambling, Super Motard - the rallycross of the two-wheeled world - was created in France (as the name would suggest).

As a result, this Honda CRF is something of a rarity in the UK, as a purpose-built Super Motard race machine, easily identifiable by the presence of racing slicks, rather than knobbly off-road or motocross tyres, to allow for the mixed tarmac and loose surface nature of Super Motard events.

Built with the very best of everything, this big stroker is on the button and ready to leap into action. It comes fitted with a full titanium Akrapovic exhaust system (which has been stickered as an Arrow for sponsorship reasons), Marchesini wheels worth €2,400, an upgraded Nishi brake master cylinder worth €280 and is supplied with a brand-new but unfitted Honda engine revision kit, valued at €1,000.

The engine has extremely low hours on it and – like the rest of the package – should give many more hours of thumping service.

Summary:

A rarity on the UK-market, this pristine Honda is absolutely ready to go and in the right hands it should be a potent package.

Location: Italy

Seller: Trade

Photos: Professional