Exploring Honda's CRF450L Rally concept

Honda have been whetting the appetite of their off-road centric fanbase with a stunning new CRF450L Rally concept bike, first revealed at the Eicma show in Milan earlier this month, before being shipped to Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre for Motorcycle Live.

Despite obviously being one of Honda’s most popular bikes of the show, the Japanese firm remained incredibly tight-lipped about the project when quizzed at Eicma, revealing no details of the bike’s internals, or whether it is likely to appear as a new road-going rallying machine in the near future.

MORE FROM MCN

• Ride Romania by Monkey bike
• Subscribe to MCN
• Norton reveal stunning Superlight minitwin sportsbike
• #ride5000miles spotlight: Mike Britt
• Spotted: new Husqvarna retro in testing
• Stay safe riding through winter

Resident off-road expert and MCN Sports Editor, Michael Guy, took a look around the bike at Motorcycle Live and said: “Using what appears to be the same frame as both the CRF450R motocrosser and the CRF450L trail bike released earlier this year, the Rally concept features two fuel tanks offering a claimed capacity of 18-litres.

Slight road-bias

“If complete with the CRF450L motor, the Rally may struggle to be considered a viable long-distance competition machine though, due to service intervals of just 1000km (or around 600 miles). 

“Unlike their actual Dakar bike, which features two extra fuel tanks towards the rear, this machine has been given a handy tool box where one of the tanks would ordinarily sit. A low-slung Termignoni exhaust system retains some of the Dakar appeal, alongside a high front mudguard. 

“Alongside this, there appears to be space for a Sentinel system in the switch gear (a unit used to warn Dakar riders of potential dangers) and large TFT screen, which could also suggest a potential for rallying. However, mirrors, indicators and a horn would also suggest the potential for on-road use.”

MCN will bring you more information about the development of this bike as we get it.

Find a used motorbike for sale.