Celebrating five decades of elite motocross heritage, Honda today unveiled the 2023 Honda CRF450R in a special ’50th Anniversary Edition’ alongside the entire new range.

Introduced 50 years after the debut of the 1973 CR250M Elsinore – Honda’s original motocross machine – the 2023 CRF450R receives key engine updates and chassis revisions targeted at enhancing corner-exit acceleration and improving handling.

For 2023, the CRF450R’s technical updates include a narrower intake-port shape and longer intake funnel, revised cam profile and smaller throttle body diameter, resulting in smooth power delivery and increased torque, improving acceleration out of corners.

The frame’s rigidity has been optimised by increasing material thickness in strategic locations and the use of steel engine mounts (replacing aluminum) helps improve front-end traction. A higher-rate shock spring and revised fork settings complement the rigidity-optimised frame without introducing harshness. To enhance strength and reduce noise, the muffler body is constructed from heat-treated aluminum and a new inner-pipe design is used.

For 2023, Honda also offers a 50th Anniversary Edition of the model, featuring a livery reminiscent of the legendary 1980s CRs that ruled American motocross and supercross. Easily recognisable to fans of that era, this version features a blue seat cover, white number plates, gold rims, gold handlebar, grey-metallic triple clamp and special graphics.

There will once again be a CRF450RWE (Works Edition), including a stainless-steel Yoshimura exhaust, hand-polished cylinder ports, Hinson clutch basket and cover, Throttle Jockey seat cover and graphics, D.I.D DirtStar LT-X rims and DM2 gold chain, coated fork tubes, fork legs and shock 18mm shock shaft, grey metallic triple clamps, Renthal Kevlar grips and dedicated ignition mapping.

Interestingly, the CRF450R-S has been upgraded in order with the latest generation and is based upon the current 2022 model CRF450R. Australian availability isn’t expected.

Honda has also uncovered the 2023 Honda CRF250R. Noted for its exceptional handling thanks in part to a narrow layout and low weight, strong acceleration achieved through notable torque and low- to mid-range power and endurance over race distance, the current platform was used by Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence to capture this year’s 250SX East championship.