2022 Honda CRF450 Quick Ride: Comparing the 2022 CRF450R to the 2025 CRF450R

After riding the all new 2025 CRF450R at Ironman last week I took a quick ride on my buddy Trevor's 2022 Honda CRF450R. I wanted to feel what stood out on the previous generation CRF450 compared to the all new CRF450R. The 22 CRF450R has a very powerful engine with a strong mid rpm surge. The handling is quick and agile with lots of track feedback on the dry hard pack Briarcliff C-track. While I did not get to ride the 2025 CRF450R on dry hard pack conditions at Ironman I did ride some of the GNCC loop to get a feel for the updated chassis and suspension and it was more compliant on the rain ruts and roots than expected. The 2025 CRF450R engine was smoother with a more refined overall feel and excellent connectivity from the throttle to rear wheel - better than the 22 CRF450R. My 2025 CRF450R should arrive soon. I am looking forward to riding it on more familiar tracks and trails here in Ohio and also doing lots of back to back rides to understand how the all new 2025 CRF450R stacks up against other new bikes! Stay tuned!
Here is my first ride on the 2025 CRF450R at Ironman.... • 2025 Honda CRF450R Fir...
Here is my 2025 CRF450R EFI Map check video....
• 2025 Honda CRF450R Fir...

[@johnkling3537]

Briarcliff does a great job on track grooming

[@mxengineer1]

Yes Briarcliff is a great faciltiy!

[@johnkling3537]

Wheelies 🚀 Thumper wheelies

[@mxengineer1]

Alawys!

[@amikhael5135]

So 4 years later they detune the motor, and made the frame feel more compliant for the average rider.....Wowwww that s crazy ! 🤣

[@mxengineer1]

Yes the throttle body was downsized (2mm I think) in 2023 along with revised head porting and targeting smoother power. The 25 CRF450R frame, triple clamps, fork outer tubes are all more rigid(!) however these changes seem to keep things more in line under load so the suspension works better...at least it felt pretty good to me when I rode some GNCC sections at Ironman raceway since the track was very soft. My new 2025 CRF450R should show up soon and then I can try it out on dry choppy hardpack terrain and see if stiffer is better!

[@RideFishHunt]

Every manufacturer is going for the smooth power now it seems like. The KTM group was ahead of the game, engine wise IMO.

[@mxengineer1]

Yes KTM has made smooth power in their 450's for a long time. I remember Motocross Action commenting about too smooth power on the all new 2007 KTM 450SXF...which was e-start only!

[@hondagreg1678]

For a big difference in chassis compliance try the CMT carbon fiber engine hangers - game changer!

[@mxengineer1]

I've ridden a 22 CRF450R with FCP engine mounts - little better but perhaps CMT carbon mounts are even better? My 2025 CRF450R should arrive soon - will you make carbon engine mounts for the updated chassis?

[@hondagreg1678]

Go online "CMT Compositi" I as turned on to them from Redmoto Honda - I have a Honda Redmoto CRF400RX engine kit plus a lot of other stuff like different cam and mapping to clean it all up - suspension all dialed but the engine hangers WOW big difference and you only snug them down lightly with blue lock tight. Amazing difference

[@hondagreg1678]

Go online "CMT COMPOSITI" - I was turned onto the from Honda Redmoto - I have the CRF400RX kit along with a different cam and mapping to match it all - the suspension is all setup - the carbon fiber engine hangers make HUGE difference!

[@NickW90]

@hondagrer1678 what did u notice with the carbon mounts. I wanted to buy some been couldn’t find a single review

[@hondagreg1678]

@NickW90 way more softer compliant ride and I am extremely picky bee riding and racing for 50 years moto and offroad - huge difference on all the chop and rocks and roots