Motorcycle specifications HondaCRF 450 R 2022 Drawing on experience

2021 brought a good list of improvements for the CRF 4 and a half. Let's take a closer look at what we've been working on for 2022.
To start with, 2 kg have been saved on the frame and rear loop, and work has been carried out on the balance between frame and swingarm stiffness, new geometry (more responsive), increased ground clearance and suspension changes, all aimed at making the bike more efficient in the corners.

feedback from Tim Gajser's winning season had also been used to intervene on various points in order to limit rider fatigue and thus enable professionals and amateurs of all levels to improve their performance lap after lap.

the engine also benefited from HRC's experience, focusing on low- and mid-range torque values. At the same time, the decompressor has been relocated, the airbox volume increased and the throttle body redesigned, as have the exhaust ducts. The manifold is also new, while a single silencer replaces the dual system used up to now. Finally, a hydraulically-operated clutch provides smoother lever action and reduces rider fatigue.

weight savings were concentrated on the fuel pump (more compact) and the magnesium cylinder-head cover, while the new, lighter and thinner plastics on the bodywork make it easier for the rider to move around. The seat was also smaller and lower at the rear.

It was on this basis that the CRF 450 R 2022 was developed and optimized, particularly in terms of ignition and internal suspension components.

cycle

for 2022, the main evolution concerns the internal settings of Showa suspension components, with the aim of optimizing the tuning between the front and rear of the machine. To achieve this, engineers have tightened the compression settings of both fork and shock absorber components.

fully adjustable, the Showa 49 mm inverted fork with springs is simply a version equipped with the Showa factory kit supplied to official Japanese MX Championship teams. For 2021, this fork has had its travel increased by 5 mm (to 310 mm) and the rigidity of the axle mounts reinforced. For 2022, the characteristics of the low-speed valves have been recalculated to generate a firmer response in both compression and rebound. Oil volume has been reduced by 8^cm3 to 380^cm3, and the rider now has 13 rebound adjustment options (vs. 15 previously) versus 15 compression options (unchanged).

the Showa rear shock also benefits from a complete redefinition of its hydraulic characteristics at low and high speeds, for firmer compression settings. 11 settings are available for rebound (8 in 2021) versus 6 for high and low speed compression (12 in 2021). Finally, oil volume has been increased by 1^cm3 to 422^cm3.

the 7th-generationdouble-beam aluminum frame equipping the CRF 450 R had been revised in 2019 and again in 2020 at the instigation of HRC to improve its cornering performance. This same element is used on the CRF 2022.

Thanks to narrower beams, this aluminum frame boasts a total weight of 8.4 kg, down 700g on 2019, while the rear buckle has also dropped 320g. Dynamic characteristics have also been reworked for 2020: while torsional rigidity has remained unchanged, lateral rigidity has been reduced by 20% to increase cornering speed, traction and ease of turning. The distribution of rigidity zones on the aluminum swingarm has been adapted accordingly, with narrower spars and less width at the frame anchoring point. The gear ratio of the Pro-Link system has also been modified.

at the front, the flexibility of the upper and lower tees has been precisely calculated to enhance steering responsiveness and feedback.

easy to remove and reinstall, the saddle is shorter, lighter and 10 mm lower at the rear, making it easier for the rider to move around, while maintenance is simplified by the fact that the cladding elements are fastened by just 4 screws on each side.

caster angle and drag are set at 27.1° / 114 mm, while the wheelbase is 1,481 mm. Ground clearance is 336 mm and dry weight is 105.8 kg.

the Renthal Fatbar handlebars, fitted as standard, contribute to riding comfort thanks to their flexibility. The upper fork crown is designed to allow the handlebar mounts to be moved 26 mm forwards or backwards. When the mounts are rotated by 180°, the handlebar has an additional 10 mm of latitude, bringing to 4 the number of positions available to the rider.

as for braking, the front brake caliper uses two pistons, ø 27 and 30 mm, combined with a low-expansion hose to improve braking feel and maintain power at a constant level. This caliper acts on a ø 260 mm petal disc. At the rear, the ø 240 mm disc is slowed by a single-piston caliper.

the DID aluminum rims (1.60 x 21 at the front and 2.15 x 19 at the rear) are black anodized, and the rear unit is lighter and stronger than the part it replaces. Both are fitted with Dunlop MX33F/MX33 rubber.

motorization

the mechanical aspects of the CRF 450 R engine for the 2022 model year remain unchanged. However, its electronic control unit has been given special attention, with new maps offering more linear throttle control and, consequently, more power.

the increase in power and torque recorded in 2019 on the 449^cm34-valve Unicam single-cylinder was significant (+ 1.8 kW at 9,500 rpm and + 2 Nm at 7500 rpm), while in 2020 the engine-makers' efforts were focused on refining and optimizing the electronic fuel injection system, as well as on the adoption of two devices, one an HRC-based starting aid and the other a torque control system (HSTC).

In 2021, taking advantage of the experience gained on Tim Gajser's factory bike, efforts focused on weight reduction and optimizing low- and mid-range behavior, in particular to improve cornering performance.

the result is a significant increase in power (+0.6kW) below 5,000 rpm, accompanied by a renewed sense of torque at low revs. This is due in particular to the increase in airbox volume, from 1.8 to 4.1 litres on the "clean" side. This air filter box (accessible by removing a simple screw) feeds a 46 mm lighter injection body, which optimizes intake efficiency by making greater use of the volume of mixture remaining in the intake ducts.

the injector angle has been increased from 30° to 60°, vaporizing fuel right up to the throttle valve for more efficient intake, better cooling of the gaseous charge and improved throttle response. The decompression system has been changed on the 2021 model, with a centrifugal system moved from the right to the left of the camshaft for more stable operation at low revs.

Also in 2021, the biggest change affecting the engine concerned the 2 exhaust pipes which, as on the last-generation CBR 1000 RR-R Fireblade, adopt an oval rather than round shape, for the benefit of efficiency. The 2-in-1-in-2 exhaust system has been replaced by a single-muffler unit, resulting in a weight saving of 1.24 kg (from 5.08 to 3.84 kg). Finally, the deep-drawn silencer features 2 resonators, limiting noise while enhancing power.

another technology extrapolated from the World Champion motorcycle is the hydraulically-operated clutch, which improves both control - since clearance remains constant whatever the conditions of use - and lever feel, with 10% less effort required. Clutch capacity has been increased by 27% thanks to the adoption of an additional disc (from 7 to 8) and a friction spring to enhance longevity and power transmission efficiency. As a result, slippage has been reduced by 85% in the area of maximum power.

bore and stroke dimensions remain fixed at 96 x 62.1 mm, with a volumetric ratio of 13.5 to 1. The adoption of a sensor on the gearbox selector allows the use of 3 specific ignition maps depending on the gear engaged (first and second, third and fourth, fifth).

reliability has always been an important factor in the CRF 450 R's success. In 2019, a 5-nozzle oil jet replaces the previous 4-nozzle component to cool the piston, while the oil pump, which previously used a single ø 16 mm suction nozzle, uses 2 ø 12 mm elements since the 2021 model, synonymous with greater capacity.

electronics

introduced in 2020, the HSTC remains unchanged for 2022. This torque control system minimizes rear-wheel grip loss (synonymous with lost time) by optimizing grip and traction. With no need for a speed sensor on the wheel, this system maintains full sensitivity to the throttle while managing power. Its effectiveness comes from precise intervention in ignition timing and fuel injection when abnormal variations in engine speed are detected.

the three available modes intervene on the steering according to the following conditions:

-in Mode 1, the system intervenes only very lightly and after a certain delay, which is ideal for limiting wheel spin and maintaining control in tight bends.

-mode 3 is the one in which the system intervenes fastest and most strongly. This mode is particularly useful in muddy or slippery conditions.

-finally, Mode 2 naturally offers an intermediary between Modes 1 and 3 in terms of speed and force of intervention.

from 2021, the CRF 450 R has benefited from a significant improvement in handlebar control. The start-assist indicator, fuel-injection indicator, riding mode selector and LED are positioned on the left of the handlebars, now combined with the HSTC control.

holding down the HSTC button for 0.5 seconds enables the system to switch from one mode to another under the control of an indicator light (green LED): one flash for mode 1, two flashes for mode 2 and three flashes for mode 3.

the HSTC system can also be completely deactivated. When the engine is restarted, the system automatically returns to the last selected mode.

the HRC-developed "Launch Control" start-assist system allows riders to choose from three start modes:

- Mode 3 / 8,250 rpm, particularly suitable for beginners and/or muddy conditions

- Mode 2 / 8,500 rpm, for advanced riders and dry conditions

- Mode 1 / 9,500 rpm, for expert riders and dry terrain

activating the Launch Control system is as simple as activating the clutch and pressing the starter button. A purple LED flashes once to indicate that Mode 1 is active. If the starter button is pressed a second time for 0.5 seconds or more, the LED will flash twice to indicate that Mode 2 is engaged. Press again and the LED will indicate that Mode 3 has been selected.

last but not least, the EMSB (Engine Mode Select Button) map selector lets you adjust engine characteristics. 3 mappings are available to suit rider preferences and riding conditions: Mode 1 (Standard), Mode 2 (Gentle) and Mode 3 (Aggressive). A blue LED informs the rider of the selected mode. Note that the "Gentle" and "Aggressive" mappings have been optimized to allow additional settings (softer or more explosive) via the HRC tuning system.

News and media credits: Honda