Proto Honda 450

I think he put too much into his thought process and that's the scary part. The guy is so far detached from common sense and reality I swear he must be profeshenal125's long lost twin brother. 

I hate single radiators. I had to Buy a replacement for My 99 cr 125 and it was expensive.

Seeking down votes, please, go your hardest !!!

Those cases look production built 

Technical offensive at HRC: New Honda CRF 450 celebrates MXGP debut

I think it looks good… better than the 80’s inspired one. 

Wonder why the left outer engine case is so big and what's going on inside there? 

Looks like the stator, the starter clutch and gears, and hydraulic clutch mechanisms. 

Big departure from the norm, looks over engineered to me. Ha. Time will tell.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19AVeN2KNE/?mibextid=wwXIfr


 

https://youtu.be/evxfh4XJrl4?si=I-LNEtIGaLWsgfPI

That's the way the Kawi and KTM both are.

Remember, the only reason all the starter clutch and gears are where they are on the Honda is that in 2017 when first offered on this engine, electric start was an optional accessory upgrade to the standard kickstart.

That makes sense. I’m surprised they hung on to that layout this long. 

Just looks like the hydraulic clutch slave is closer to the drive chain but haven't seen a really good pic of it to honestly judge?

I think I've said it before - but I reckon HRC have  an Old Welder (like me), with a basic machine, to do their Works bike frames.

I've TIG welded for now, 52 years. I started at 13 - hey, my Grand Nephews, started at 12 - they have spent so much time in Unka Bears workshop / garage, that they will far surpass me by the time they are around 15, I reckon. They are, amazing - who said Kids don't want  to make 'Things' anymore?

I've now got quite bad eye sight, 'The Shakes' ( early Parkinson's  - though I've had the 'early' part now for a few years, and seem to be fending it off, so far) and a shedload of permanent injuries that make things, shall we say, fun and games.

But, Bloody Hell, there's some very 'cobby' welds on nearly every Works Honda MXer I ever see pictures of. 

Having said that, I so often see welds by those that have all the settings 'just so' to have W i l d l  y  spaced, even 'scallops / dimes' that fail because there are just, seemingly, laid down to be 'pretty'.......sometimes, it can be advisable / be a Good idea,  to turn off a (fair ) few 'settings', and learn how to do the work, manually, is my belief.

By the way, this week I had a Drongo ask me to run welds along the (casting?) line on the side of his Ducati 450s swingarm, when he gets it. He wants a "Works Honda Coke Bottle look". I, being the (non) gentleman that I am, told him to GAGF'd....... 😁🤬

I really love seeing prototypes out at MXGP. It reminds us that MXGP is actually prototype racing like MotoGP is. Hopefully we'll start seeing more manufacturers bringing out full blown prototypes to the races. I think it helps build hype around the next year model coming out as well. Lets people who are wanting to grab a new one foam at the mouth, while those who wanna sit a year set their sights on the last generation. 

Honda shot itself in the foot.  Now, nobody wants to buy the 2025 or 2026 models.  Anyway, it seems like the 2025 CRF450WRE's are already out of stock here in SoCal anyway.

I'm surprised no one has said it: 

I think you meant this 😉

(CR electric prototype in the works since 2017)

I'm surprised nobody has said it...

After nearly a quarter of a century of modern four stroke mx bikes, it appears a manufacturer may have meaningfully tried to slim one down at the radiators. If that's really the case, bravo Honda!

People do often react in a negative way to the new bikes, as a general rule. That being said, I don't remember anyone saying anything negative about the '21 Honda. Those things look amazing. I hated the '20. The '25 got some negative feedback and I can understand why, but it's still a great-looking bike, in my opinion. The "27" is nice too but I still think it's a bit of a downgrade to the '25 on looks. But it seems as though it mechanically is a big change, whereas the '25 was more of a refresh. 

Looks like Fernandez went back to the current bike for Sunday at Lommel 

All that effort to flatten out the seat to tank interface on production bikes and they had a bulge to the top because it doesn't have enough capacity to safely do a moto, albeit in extreme conditions. The YZ125s in @Brent  postings had the capacity adds lower. I guess even the fuel pumps isn't reasonable to do similar on the Honda. 

Theyre running an oil cooler behind the right radiator now which wasnt there before.