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2020 Honda CRF450L [Model Overview]

2020 Honda CRF450L

The 2020 Honda CRF450L: Fearsome Fun On- And Off-Road!

The CRF450L first rolled onto the scene in 2019 as a bold dual-sport machine that could furiously tear up the trails and perform admirably on the asphalt too: a true dual-sport motorcycle that takes the best DNA from Honda’s off-road-only CRF450R and blends it with road-going sensibilities. The result is a comfortable, durable, and incredibly versatile motorcycle.

Powered by a potent 449cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine capable of delivering 41.7 horsepower and 23.6 lb-ft of peak torque, the CRF450L has all the hallmarks of an off-road only motorcycle, but thanks to the addition of a few key pieces, it’s actually 100% street legal in all 50 states.

These additions include a modern catalytic converter, LED lighting, comprehensive instrumentation, and everything needed for street-legal fun. To make things even better, Honda has given the CRF450L a fuel-injection, an electric starter, a titanium fuel tank, and tough Showa suspension.

If you’re looking for trail to trail adventuring, traveling from dirt track to asphalt and back without the need of a trailer, the CRF450L is the ultimate dual-sport machine. For 2020, the Honda CRF450L’s sole update is the addition of new and improved graphics.

On this page: we’ve curated specs, features, news, photos/videos, etc. so you can read up on the new Honda CRF450L in one place.

2020 Honda CRF450L


Model Overview

General Info

  • Price: $ 10,399 / £9 469
  • Key Features:
    • Fuel injection
    • LED lights
    • Titanium fuel tank

Key Specs

  • Engine type: 449cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine
  • Power: 41.7 horsepower
  • Wet weight: 289 lbs
  • Seat height: 37.1 Inch

Key Competitors

2020 Honda CRF450L


2020 Honda CRF450L Specifications

From Honda

ENGINE

Engine 449cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke
Power 41.7 Horsepower
Bore x Stroke 96mm x 62.1mm
Compression Ratio 12.0:1
Fuel System Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), 46mm downdraft throttle body
Starter Electric
Lubrication

DRIVETRAIN

Clutch Wet multiplate
Transmission Wide-ratio 6-speed
Final Drive #520 Chain; 13T/51T

CHASSIS

Suspension Front 49mm leading-axle inverted telescopic Showa coil-spring fork with rebound and compression damping adjustability
Suspension Rear Pro-Link Showa single shock with adjustable spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability
Brakes Front Single 260mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Brakes Rear Single 240mm disc
Tires Front IRC GP21 80/100-21
Tires Rear IRC GP22 120/80-18
Fuel Tank Capacity 7.6 L (2.01 US gal.)
Color Red

ELECTRICAL

Ignition Digital CDI
Spark Plugs
Headlight LED
Tail Light LED

DIMENSIONS

Overall Length
Overall Width
Overall Height
Wheelbase 1500 mm (58.9 in.)
Ground Clearance 315 mm (12.4 in.)
Seat Height 940 mm (37.1 in.)
Curb Weight 130 kg (289 lb.)

WARRANTY

Warranty 12-month Transferable, unlimited-mileage limited warranty
Extension Extended coverage available with a HondaCare Protection Plan®

2020 Honda CRF450L


2020 Honda CRF450L Features

FULLY STREET LEGAL

The CRF450L is equipped with a catalytic converter and is fully street legal in all 50 states. That means you can ride it wherever it’s legal to operate a motor vehicle—in state and national parks, on the road, on public lands. Plus, you don’t need to haul your bike to the trailhead in a truck or on a trailer. Best of all, it makes finding gas a breeze.

ELECTRIC START

An electric start system ensures trouble-free starting in all conditions. The electric starter also drives the clutch side of the crankshaft to provide superior lubrication to starter gears while producing a narrow engine with a short, strong crank.

449cc UNICAM® ENGINE

Honda’s Unicam® cylinder heads combine the best of single- and double-overhead-cam designs. The configuration contributes to a compact engine that saves weight over a comparable dual-overhead-camshaft motor and also permits a narrow included valve angle. This flattens the combustion chamber to facilitate ignition flame propagation, allowing a high compression ratio. Since less space is taken up in the cylinder head, the camshaft sits lower in the head for a more compact engine and a lower center of gravity.

FUEL INJECTION

The CRF450L features our proven fuel-injection system. It’s part of the reason the CRF450L offers such excellent torque and spot-on metering and response, especially in the critical low-rpm range. It also automatically compensates for elevation and weather changes.

TITANIUM INTAKE AND EXHAUST VALVES

Lightweight titanium intake and exhaust valves permit use of smaller valve springs, reducing overall engine height.

WIDE-RATIO SIX-SPEED TRANSMISSION

Like our CRF450X, the CRF450L rocks a wide-ratio six-speed gearbox. That gives you a low gear perfect for tight, slow situations, and a top gear that’s tall enough for highway riding to the next gas stop or trailhead.

DUAL RADIATORS

The CRF450L’s dual radiators feature a refined core area for superior heat dissipation compared with conventional dual-radiator designs. A coolant recovery tank is located in front of the engine between the frame downtubes for improved center of mass, and the tank is protected by a plastic skid plate.

ELECTRIC FAN

The CRF450L is a “ride anywhere” type of bike, and because conditions vary so widely, we’ve equipped it with a light electric fan for the radiator. Rock crawling or riding on a hot Arizona single-track, it helps keep your engine running cool.

FINAL-DRIVE SPROCKET DAMPER

Designed to keep your bike quieter while not adding any weight, these unique drive sprockets are just another example of the CRF450L’s innovative engineering.

INERTIA-TUNED CRANK

Last year we redesigned the CRF450L’s crank to have 13 percent more inertia than the CRF450R. Why? To smooth out power delivery and make the engine more user-friendly in tight, technical situations.

LED HEADLIGHT

The CRF450L features an all-LED lighting package, including the headlight. That’s a big deal, because it takes a lot of weight off the front end. And the lighting pattern is also specially designed for both on- and off-road situations.

LED TAILLIGHT

The LED taillight is integrated into the rear fender. It’s light, compact and rigid.

LITHIUM-ION BATTERY

Light, compact, and offering excellent performance—just like the CRF450L itself! Conventional batteries are heavy, but not this premium piece. It’s all part of why your new CRF450L performs as well as it does.

SKID PLATE

The CRF450L’s factory skid plate is light, yet also offers the engine and lower-frame protection serious riders demand on a machine like this.

TITANIUM FUEL TANK

Holding 2.01 gallons, the CRF450L’s premium titanium tank is light and tough.

18-INCH REAR WHEEL

The CRF450L’s 18-inch rear wheel gives you an excellent choice of on/off-road tires.

IRC GP TIRES

The CRF450L’s tires give you good off-road traction and on-road life. Tires are always a critical part of any on/off-road bike, and we’ve hooked you up with some great ones here.

LOW CENTER OF GRAVITY

The compact Unicam® engine and Honda’s famous concentration on center-of-mass engineering help keep the CRF450L’s center of gravity low. That means the bike feels lighter, and it helps handling too.

TWIN-SPAR CHASSIS

This is the same design as our latest CRF450X uses, and that’s a really big deal. It means the CRF450L is a true off-road bike, and not some compromise. The twin-spar aluminum frame is both light and stiff, and provides the basis for the CRF450L’s excellent handling. The chassis geometry is specially selected for responsiveness, and also is wider than the standard MX frame to accommodate the six-speed transmission.

WORKS-STYLE FRONT BRAKE

Compact twin-piston front brake caliper, anodized-aluminum brake pistons and lightweight 260mm front disc offer great stopping power while minimizing unsprung weight for improved turning and handling.

WORKS-STYLE REAR BRAKE

HRC works-type rear brake system uses a 240mm brake rotor combined with an integrated rear master-cylinder and fluid reservoir, a set-up that eliminates the separate reservoir and hose.

BLACK RIMS

They may not help you go faster, but the sweet black DID DirtStar rims sure look good.

FUEL MILEAGE METER

An important feature for planning gas stops and calculating your bike’s range under varying conditions, the Fuel Mileage Meter shows current fuel mileage and average fuel mileage as well as fuel consumption. Displays in either miles or kilometers, and applies to both the A and B tripmeters. The Fuel Mileage Meter is in the same digital instrument display as the speedometer, odometer, tripmeters and digital clock.

GEAR-DRIVEN COUNTERBALANCER

The Gear-Driven Counterbalancer reduces vibration and drives the water pump. Eight clutch plates provide the surface area necessary to handle the engine’s massive torque, while carefully matched clutch springs provide a light feel at the lever.

SIDESTAND

Hey, a sidestand may seem like no big thing, but take a look at the one the CRF450L uses. Tucked up high and out of the way, this forged alloy piece is just another example of how the CRF450L gets it right.

SUPERIOR ERGONOMICS

Placing the rider’s legs at the narrowest part of the frame helps improve comfort and handling.

WORKS MX STYLING

Having a hard time spotting the differences between our factory MX bikes and the CRF450L? You’re excused. The “L” looks like our MX bikes because it’s derived from them—the smooth bodywork makes it easy to move around, and the updated for 2020 in-mold graphics not only look cool but are durable, too.


2020 Honda CRF450L Photos


2020 Honda CRF450L Videos