Dirt Bikes

2026 Honda CRF450X First Look

This headlight-equipped off-road-only dirt bike from Honda has existed for over two decades now.

Updated: May 31, 2025

Honda’s CRF450X has been around since 2005 and has earned a reputation for being an excellent trail bike that’s also very capable of success in competition, as evidenced by it being the winningest motorcycle in the Baja 1000 with 17 victories. This machine last saw a major overhaul in 2019, added hand guards in 2021, and has enjoyed graphic revisions in that time, and returns unchanged for 2026 (both mechanically and cosmetically).

With no differences over last year, Honda’s CRF450X continues to boast 50-state year-round off-road-legal status and California green-sticker eligibility for MY26.Honda

Powered by a fuel-injected liquid-cooled SOHC four-stroke 450cc single-cylinder engine, the CRF450X is good for41.1 hp and 30.2 lb.-ft. of torque at the rear wheel, as measured by our in-house Dynojet 250i dynamometer. It’s built around an aluminum twin-spar frame, and depends on a Showa 49mm coil-spring fork and Showa shock for suspension duties. The Japanese manufacturer says its headlight-equipped off-road-only 450cc dirt bike weighs 275 pounds with its 2-gallon fuel tank filled.

Honda continues to rely on Renthal’s 7/8-inch-diameter 971-bend handlebar and Dunlop’s Geomax MX52 tires for its CRF450X.Honda

The 2026 Honda CRF450X doesn’t see a price increase over last year’s model, so it still retails for $9999. This desert-dominating off-road motorcycle from Big Red will be available in August 2025.

2026 Honda CRF450X Specs

MSRP:	$9999
Engine:	SOHC, liquid-cooled single-cylinder; 4 valves/cyl.
Displacement:	450cc
Bore x Stroke:	96.0 x 62.1mm
Compression Ratio:	12.1:1
Transmission/Final Drive:	6-speed/chain
Fuel System:	EFI w/ 46mm throttle body
Clutch:	Wet, multiplate; cable actuation
Frame:	Aluminum twin-spar
Front Suspension:	Showa 49mm coil-spring fork, compression damping and rebound damping adjustable; 12.0 in. travel
Rear Suspension:	Showa shock, spring preload, high/low-speed compression damping, and rebound damping adjustable; 11.8 in. travel
Front Brake:	Nissin 2-piston caliper, 260mm disc
Rear Brake:	Nissin 1-piston caliper, 240mm disc
Tires, Front/Rear:	Dunlop Geomax MX52; 80/100-21 / 110/100-18
Rake/Trail:	27.6°/4.6 in.
Wheelbase:	58.7 in.
Ground Clearance:	13.1 in.
Claimed Seat Height:	37.9 in.
Fuel Capacity:	2.0 gal.
Claimed Wet Weight:	275 lb.
Availability:	August 2025
Contact:	powersports.honda.com