Honda’s CRF450R motocross bike is getting a retro makeover for 2025, as revealed by new design renderings that show what the next version of the machine will look like. The official launch of the next generation CRF450 shouldn’t be too far away and the new drawings show a bike that takes inspiration from the HRC team’s latest racing models in the MXGP MX1 class, with a fairing that takes inspiration from the 1980s.
Given the competitive nature of motocross bike development, styling usually takes a back seat as the priority goes to anything that can make them faster on the track. But with the same look since 2021, Honda has clearly decided to give the CRF450R a makeover for the 2025 model year.
While the front mudguard, fork guards and number frame appear to be components inherited from the 2024 version, the fairing behind them has been reworked. The most obvious change is the new angular side panels surrounding the radiators, which take on a simpler form with two stacked air vents. It’s a look that has a touch of the CR500 and CR250 of the mid to late 1980s and continues in a straight line that is drawn under the seat and at the rear.
In mechanical terms, it looks like Honda is opting for an evolution rather than a revolution, with no obvious changes to the SOHC Unicam engine or exhaust, and with a swingarm and rear suspension linkage that are inherited from the 2024 bike. However, the main frame has been redesigned, with an additional bracket welded to the top of the bar on each side, apparently to provide an additional mounting point for the seat subframe. This will certainly have an impact on the balance of rigidity of the frame in general and, again, the latest factory race bikes have also adopted a similar design, albeit with a much more hand-crafted look to the extra bracket.
With the 2025 motocross launch season already in full swing, it’s unlikely to be long before Honda makes an official announcement about the next generation CRF450R, as well as the 2025 version of the CRF250R, although the latter isn’t due to receive the same mechanical and styling tweaks until the 2026 model year.