Rally-spec CRF 450RX now available to privateers
As more Filipino riders enjoy off-road and adventure bike riding, companies are beginning to land their best off-the-pavement machines into the country, including ATVs and other power sports products to the delight of the riding community.
This enthusiasm has also broadened renewed interest in rally racing, like the Dakar Rally. Finally, the Japanese have something for those who can afford a genuine rally bike.
Just recently, Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has announced that the rally-spec CRF 450RX will become available to privateers, with only 50 examples to be made.
“Dakar-spec”
The CRF 450RX Rally is “virtually identical” to the 450cc factory bike ridden by Tosha Schareina behind this year’s Dakar champion and KTM rider, Daniel Sanders. This includes 450cc thumper capable of launching the bike up to 160 km/h, titanium exhaust from Akrapovic, CNC parts and many more.
However, unlike the real HRC factory rally bike, this “customer version” CRF 450RX has a chassis that was borrowed from the CRF 450R motocross bike with a fuel tank as subframe.
With a total of 3 fuel tanks (which can be switched by the rider), this CRF 450RX Rally can carry up to 36 liters of gasoline – greater than the fuel capacity of the largest adventure bikes available in the market today.
The suspension system is also top-notch from Showa, Haan hubs, Excel rims, full carbon fiber sump guard/skid plate, Renthal handlebar, Acerbis handguards, full-LED lighting, and full carbon tower setup.
Likely not in the Philippines
As mentioned above, HRC plans to make the CRF 450RX Rally only on a limited run, with availability limited to European customers through its exclusive partner, RedMoto of Italy.
The next question will be “how much?” Well, to give you an idea, KTM’s 2025 Rally Replica, which is limited to 100 units only, had an SRP of GBP 36,299 (UK), or roughly PHP 2,690,000 (PH taxes and other duties not included). As for the HRC unit, the price is estimated to fetch between EUR 35,000 to EUR 40,000 – or roughly PHP 2,200,000 to PHP 2,500,000.
