Honda’s 2027 CRF450R Gets a New Engine and Chassis, Plus an HRC Works Edition

Honda has rebuilt its flagship motocross bike. American Honda's May 28, 2026 off-road announcement called the 2027 CRF450R its most comprehensive update in over a decade, with a new engine, updated chassis, revised intake, exhaust and suspension, and less weight, developed with input from Honda's factory racing team. The redesign carries over to the CRF450RX and a new CRF450R HRC Works Edition.

The short version

• CRF450R: redesigned engine, chassis, intake, exhaust and suspension; lighter overall. $10,099, planned for July.
• CRF450RX: the cross-country version of the redesign. $10,399, planned for August.
• CRF450R HRC Works Edition: an upgraded-component version of the new 450R. $12,999, planned for October.
• Returning, not redesigned: CRF450X ($9,999) and street-legal CRF450RL ($10,199), both planned for October.
• 250s: targeted suspension and intake/exhaust updates for the CRF250R, CRF250RX and CRF250R Works Edition.

What's new on the CRF450R

Honda lists a comprehensive overhaul:

1. All-new engine with redesigned intake and exhaust
2. Updated chassis
3. Revised suspension for more consistency
4. Lighter overall construction

Honda says the goal is "stronger, more controllable power, enhanced stability and improved rider connection across a wide range of track conditions." The May release doesn't give horsepower or weight figures, so the size of the gains is still unpublished.

The Works Edition

The CRF450R HRC Works Edition builds on the redesigned 450R with what Honda calls exclusive high-end components and direct input from its factory racing programs. It's a premium production model, not the factory team's race bike. At $12,999, it's $2,900 more than the standard 450R.

CRF450RX, X and RL

The CRF450RX, Honda's cross-country racer, shares the redesign at $10,399.

The CRF450X desert racer and the street-legal CRF450RL dual sport are listed as returning models. Honda's release doesn't say they got the full redesign, so don't assume the new engine and chassis are on them. Only the RL is street legal; the R, RX, X and Works Edition are off-road and competition bikes.

The 250s

The CRF250R ($8,599, July), CRF250RX ($8,899, August) and CRF250R HRC Works Edition ($11,199, November) get targeted updates: suspension revisions and intake and exhaust changes for regulatory compliance. That's a smaller change than the 450's overhaul.

Availability

Honda's months were plans when announced in May. By now, the 450R and RX may be in some dealers, and the Works Edition was planned for October. Check local stock rather than relying on the release dates.

For off-road and race bikes, standard street policies usually don't apply. Ask about off-road coverage, and check how the policy treats organized racing.

What we don't know

• Power and weight figures for the new 450
• Dealer stock in your area
• Independent testing

Bottom line

The 2027 Honda CRF450R gets a new engine, chassis, intake, exhaust and suspension, plus less weight, for $10,099. The redesign extends to the CRF450RX ($10,399) and the new HRC Works Edition ($12,999), while the X and RL return largely as before.