Honda CRF series
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The Honda CRF series is a line of
four-stroke A four-stroke (also four-cycle) engine is an internal combustion (IC) engine in which the piston completes four separate strokes while turning the crankshaft. A stroke refers to the full travel of the piston along the cylinder, in either directio ...
motocross Motocross is a form of off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits. The sport evolved from motorcycle trials competitions held in the United Kingdom. History Motocross first evolved in Britain from motorcycle trials competi ...
, trail, and
dual sport A dual-sport motorcycle is a type of street-legal motorcycle that is designed for both on and off-road use. The terms ''all-road,'' ''on/off road,'' and ''dual-purpose'' are also used for this class of motorcycles. Dual-sports are equipped with ...
motorcycle A motorcycle (motorbike, bike, or trike (if three-wheeled)) is a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle steered by a handlebar. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long-distance travel, commuting, cruising ...
s manufactured and marketed by
Honda is a Japanese public multinational conglomerate manufacturer of automobiles, motorcycles, and power equipment, headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, reaching a product ...
. The CRF line was launched in 2000 as a successor to the Honda CR series. The full sized
motocross Motocross is a form of off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits. The sport evolved from motorcycle trials competitions held in the United Kingdom. History Motocross first evolved in Britain from motorcycle trials competi ...
bikes are equipped with liquid-cooled,
single cylinder A single-cylinder engine, sometimes called a thumper, is a piston engine with one cylinder. This engine is often used for motorcycles, motor scooters, go-karts, all-terrain vehicles, radio-controlled vehicles, portable tools and garden machinery ( ...
four-stroke engine A four-stroke (also four-cycle) engine is an internal combustion (IC) engine in which the piston completes four separate strokes while turning the crankshaft. A stroke refers to the full travel of the piston along the cylinder, in either directio ...
s that are available from to . They now have dual-sport motorcycles. The more trail friendly CRF's have simple
air-cooled engine Air-cooled engines rely on the circulation of air directly over heat dissipation fins or hot areas of the engine to cool them in order to keep the engine within operating temperatures. In all combustion engines, a great percentage of the heat ge ...
s, and are available from to . The
Honda CRF450R The Honda CRF450R is a four-stroke racing motocross motorcycle built by Honda Motor Company. It is the successor to the Honda CR250R two-stroke. The Honda CRF450X is the enduro version of the Honda CRF450R. Notable changes First generation ...
was the first in the series, followed by the CRF250R in 2004. Further down the line, the CRF450X and CRF250X bikes emerged, both designed for mostly off-road use. They are considered among the best motorcross bikes of their class, and have been a leading seller since their introduction. The CRF450R was CycleWorld's Best Motocrosser for a record eight consecutive years from 2002-2009.


Engine technology

The engines in these bikes use an
over-square In a reciprocating engine, reciprocating piston engine, the stroke ratio, defined by either bore/stroke ratio or stroke/bore ratio, is a term to describe the ratio between bore (engine), cylinder bore diameter and piston stroke (engine), stroke ...
design, which means that the diameter of the cylinder is larger than the stroke of the piston. This allows for higher engine speeds and a reduction of reciprocating mass for a given displacement. Another technology that is used is short piston skirts. The "skirt" area of the piston is the portion on the side of the piston which comes into contact with the cylinder wall and aids piston stability. While the introduction of the shorter skirt on the piston helps to reduce reciprocating mass, it also leads to more "rocking" of the piston, or minute unwanted rotation of the piston around the axis of its wrist pin. This leads to more frequent maintenance intervals for the pistons, piston rings, and cylinder walls.


Model overview


CRF-F

As of 2021, the CRF-F series includes the CRF50F, CRF110F, CRF125F, CRF125F (Big Wheel), CRF230F and CRF250F. For the 2019 Model year the CRF 110F, CRF125F, and CRF250F all come standard with electronic fuel injection. This improves cold weather starting and makes the bike easier to maintain because of the lack of a carburetor to clean. Simple, air-cooled 4-stroke motorcycles. Typically, these bikes come in low-power and confidence inspiring configurations for new market entrants. In all, Honda has made a CRF50F, CRF70F, CRF80F, CRF100F, CRF110F, CRF125F, CRF125FB, CRF150F, CRF230F, and a CRF250F. The CRF70F, CRF80F, CRF100F, CRF150F and the CRF230F have been discontinued. The 70 was replaced by the 110, the 80 and 100 were replaced by the 125, and the 150F does not have a replacement and the 230 was replaced by the 250F.


CRF-R

As of 2017, the CRF-R series includes the CRF150R, CRF250R, and CRF450R. These liquid-cooled four-stroke machines were designed to be utilized purely for closed-course
motorcross Motocross is a form of off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits. The sport evolved from motorcycle trials competitions held in the United Kingdom. History Motocross first evolved in Britain from motorcycle trials competiti ...
racing. The CRF-R lineup lacks any extra accessories; like lights and electric start (Although offered as an option on the 2017 CRF-450R).


CRF-450R notable changes


CRF-RX

As of 2018, the CRF-RX series includes the CRF250RX and CRF450RX. This machine was built as a CRF-450R that was optimized for hare scramble, hard enduro, GNCC style racing. Essentially the same as the CRF-450R except offered as standard equipment an electric start, larger fuel tank, and an 18-inch rear wheel. This bike is to bridge the gap between the more mild X-model and the closed-course race style R model. (First model year: 2017)


CRF-X

As of 2014, the CRF-X series includes the CRF250X and the CRF450X. These bikes have electric start, but are still considered race bikes, albeit for off-road rather than motocross. Differences from the R models include lighting, electric start, suspension settings, engine and exhaust tuning for more low-end torque, larger fuel tanks, and a more rugged widespread ratio transmission. Robby Bell won the
San Felipe 250 The SCORE San Felipe 250 is a 250-mile Mexican off-road motorsport race that takes place near San Felipe on the Baja California Peninsula. It was first held in 1982 and is sanctioned by SCORE International. The 2016 edition was the 30th anniversa ...
in 2006, 2007 and 2008.


CRF-L

As of 2012, the CRF-L series includes the CRF150L, CRF190L, CRF250L/CRF300L, CRF450RL and the CRF1100L ''Africa Twin''.


CRF230L

In 2008, the CRF230L was introduced as an entry-level
dual sport A dual-sport motorcycle is a type of street-legal motorcycle that is designed for both on and off-road use. The terms ''all-road,'' ''on/off road,'' and ''dual-purpose'' are also used for this class of motorcycles. Dual-sports are equipped with ...
and was street legal from the factory, but still retained a dirt-oriented design. All have full lighting and electric starters. They have a different frame and engine from Honda's other CRF formats, and most other components are not shared with the other CRF(non-street-legal) motorcycles. These different components meet emissions and government road regulations. Outside of the United States, the CRF230L was marketed as the XR230L. It was discontinued in 2009.


CRF250L/CRF300L

In April 2012, the completely redesigned dual-purpose CRF250L was launched in Japan. It shares a liquid-cooled 249 cc 4-stroke DOHC single-cylinder EFI engine with the CBR250R. It is manufactured in Thailand. The stroked-up CRF300L was introduced in November 2020.


CRF150L

In November 2017, the ''150 cc'' model called CRF150L was launched in Indonesia. It shares an air-cooled 149 cc 4-stroke SOHC single-cylinder EFI engine with the Verza. It is manufactured by Astra Honda Motor.


CRF-M

In 2008, the CRF230L was the first to offer a
supermoto Supermoto is a form of motorcycle racing held on race tracks that alternate between three kinds of track surfaces: the hard packed dirt of flat track, the irregular jumps and obstacles of motocross, and the paved tarmac of road racing. Supermo ...
version of the original
dual sport A dual-sport motorcycle is a type of street-legal motorcycle that is designed for both on and off-road use. The terms ''all-road,'' ''on/off road,'' and ''dual-purpose'' are also used for this class of motorcycles. Dual-sports are equipped with ...
, which had several mechanical and cosmetic differences including: * Black body panels, frame, and wheels * 17 inch front and rear wheels * Aluminum handlebar In April 2013, exactly one year after the initial launch of the CRF250L, Honda announced plans to sell a
supermoto Supermoto is a form of motorcycle racing held on race tracks that alternate between three kinds of track surfaces: the hard packed dirt of flat track, the irregular jumps and obstacles of motocross, and the paved tarmac of road racing. Supermo ...
version of their dual-purpose motorcycle in Europe. The CRF250M is based on the popular dual-purpose CRF250L, with revised suspension, uprated front brake and 17-inch wheels with wider road tyres. The CRF250M adds another A2 licence-friendly machine to Honda's line-up.


CRF Rally

The CRF 250 Rally and 300 Rally are the more road oriented versions of the CRF 250L and 300L. The top differentiators are the larger fuel tanks, more fairing and different headlights. 300 Rally tank is 5 litre larger (12.8L vs 7.8L) and it has LED headlight integrated in a sizeable windshield, versus classic halogen bulb on 300L and no windshield.


See also

* Honda Motorcycle Database * Honda Dual-Purpose Models * XR Series * CR Series


References

{{Honda CRF Off-road motorcycles Motorcycles introduced in 2000