2008 Honda CR450R

2008 Honda CRF450R: The Final Carburetted Evolution

The 2008 Honda CRF450R was an important refinement of the existing CRF platform rather than an all-new generation. Honda made around fifteen changes, but the basic 449.4 cc Unicam engine, aluminium frame and Keihin FCR carburettor remained familiar. Historically, however, the year is significant because it became the last carburetted CRF450R before Honda introduced an extensively redesigned fuel-injected machine for 2009.

The headline chassis change was Honda's new Progressive Steering Damper, or HPSD. Hidden behind the front number plate, the compact Showa unit increased damping as the handlebars moved farther away from centre. Honda also changed the triple-clamp offset from 24 mm to 22 mm and revised the Showa fork, including shorter fork tubes, a larger cartridge rod and updated internal components. Owners rebuilding the front end can check the MXOwners fork oil reference when working through suspension servicing.

Engine development was equally evolutionary. The 41 mm Keihin FCR remained, but Honda introduced a gear-position sensor and multi-map ignition system with different ignition curves for first gear, second gear and third through fifth. A tapered exhaust header and lighter counterbalancer components were also used to improve the character of the power delivery. The MXOwners carburettor reference is useful when maintaining or replacing ageing FCR components.

For modern owners, the 2008 model has become one of the notable carburetted CRF450Rs. It combines the mature version of Honda's original CRF450 engine architecture with conventional mechanical simplicity and no fuel-injection electronics. When restoring one, the MXOwners parts finder can help identify replacement components, while careful attention to valve clearances, separate engine and gearbox oils, the air filter and suspension servicing remains essential.