Chad Reed will debut the 2013 model Honda CRF450R in Australia at Phillip Island on Saturday. Image: Simon Cudby.

Honda’s 2013 CRF450R will be debuted by multi-time supercross and motocross champion Chad Reed while the 2013 CRF250R will be debuted by Carlton Dry Thor Honda Racing’s Gavin Faith at round two of the Australian Supercross Championships at Phillip Island on 27 October.

Amid the fever of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, Honda is thrilled to have such prominent riders on board the brand new Motocross machines. The weekend will host the official launch of the CRF450R and CRF250R which will be available in Honda dealerships nationally in mid-November.

Reed, who will be landing in Australia in a few days, will compete in the remaining three rounds of the Australian Supercross Championships for his team TwoTwo Motorsports. He will use the opportunity to develop his team’s new CRF450R race machine in preparation for the Monster Energy American Supercross opener in January.

“It’s a win-win for me – I get to race at home, launch the awesome new 2013 Honda CRF450R, test and develop the bike against guys I consider world-class competitors, catch up with my friends and family and spend some time with the guys in the MotoGP paddock as well,” explained Reed.

Faith was a dominant force in round one of the supercross series in Dubbo in mid-October becoming the first to receive the Triple Challenge bonus after he qualified first, won his race and the Pro Lites final.

The US rider is excited to be training and testing the Honda 2013 CRF250R ahead of round two this weekend at Phillip Island.

“We got some new engines following Dubbo as well as the new 2013 model Honda which is just an amazing bike,” said Faith. “This is the first time I have been given the chance to debut a new bike and to do it alongside Chad Reed, who will be debuting the new CRF450R, is unbelievable.”

The 2013 CRF450R will take competition to new heights thanks to major enhancements including a refined engine, a brand new frame and an overall lighter weight. For 2013 the CRF250R boasts modifications and improvements to the powerplant and suspension.