Honda announce limited-run CRF450RX Rally in full HRC factory trim available for customer purchase

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has revealed a full-fat rally bike for the privateer market for the first time ever.

• Related: Honda CRF300 Rally review

Called the CRF450RX Rally, the 138kg homologated racer is available to European customers exclusively through Italian company RedMoto (the firm behind Steve Holcombe in the EnduroGP World Championship), limited to just 50 units, with pricing available on request only.

The new bike is virtually identical to the factory 450 that Tosha Schareina piloted to second place at the 2025 Dakar Rally. The same machine also took the third and fourth spots, ridden by Adrien Van Beveren and Ricky Brabec, respectively.

In terms of motor, there’s 57.2 bhp on tap, allowing for a 100mph top speed, thanks to revised ratios in the CRF’s six-speed gearbox. As well as being longer-legged, the engine gets increased cooling capabilities, sporting an oil cooler and enlarged radiator.

HRC have also specced a titanium silencer courtesy of Akrapovic, paired to a steel downpipe running along the lower frame craddle. 

It takes aim at Austria’s dominance in the privateer rally scene, with KTM’s £36,299 450RFR (and Husqvarna / GasGas equivalents) being, until now, the only purpose-built rally mount available to competitors who lack factory backing.

Unlike KTM’s offering, Honda’s take doesn’t boast a rally-specific chassis but instead builds on a motocross-derived unit borrowed from the CRF450R. The subframe has been replaced by a load-bearing high-strength nylon and polyethylene fuel tank; however, the mainframe remains unaltered.

Speaking of fuel, the CRF gets three tanks in total, which can be drained in order of rider preference to suit terrain via bar-mounted switchgear. These add up to 36 litres of volume in total, with the rear carrying 14 litres and the low-slung twin saddlebag-style front tanks holding 11 litres apiece.

As you’d expect, the suspension is all rather trick, with HRC having come up with bespoke spring and hydraulic damping rates to deal with the extra weight and higher-speed impacts likely to be experienced in rallying.

Upfront, Showa forks offer 310mm travel and are equipped with oversized titanium stanchions coated in low-friction Kashima. Meanwhile, the Showa shock absorber, delivering 315mm travel, has a titanium-coated piston rod, just like the CRF450R Works Edition.

Haan provides the hubs, which are specially developed for the task and CNC-machined from aluminium, while the rims are made by Takasago Excel.

The back wheel also features a cush drive, to reduce drivetrain wear and alleviate rider fatigue. Mounted to the wheels are beefed-up brake discs (front 300mm / rear 240mm) – again to deal with higher stresses and dissipate heat more effectively.

In place to stave off any knocks the the bikes underside is a full coverage carbon fibre sump guard, complete with an incorporates a tool compartment.  

The Rally is equipped with Renthal handlebars, Acerbis full-wrap handguards, a front fender identical to the works CRF Rally, oversized footpegs, and a full LED lighting system.  

To aid navigation and protect the rider from the elements, the Rally gets a full carbon tower set-up, complete with separate subframe for easy disassembly.   

As on the CRF450R Works Edition, the combination of stiffness and strength has been optimized using components jointly developed by XTRIG and Honda. The bike is also equipped with a steering damper.

Find out more via RedMoto’s website now.