Bikes: 2017 Honda CRF450RX

A couple of months ago when the 2017 Honda CRF450R motocrosser was first revealed, Honda Australia Brand Manager Glyn Griffiths told Transmoto that its enduro cousin, “The RX will not be coming to Australia” and that “it was not designed for our market and not able to be ADR’d”. Information released by Honda today, however, suggests that they’ve had a change of heart, with today’s PR confirming that the 2017 CRF450RX will find its way to Australian shores after all this coming March.
So what is this all-new CRF450RX. It is basically an enduro-ized CRF450R. It gets an 18-inch rear wheel, electric start, larger fuel tank, and different suspension and ECU settings.
Here is what Honda Australia’s press release had to say today:

Due to such high demand and excitement Honda Motorcycles Australia are now able to access the CRF450RX to bring into the country.
After the anticipated Australian unveiling of the CRF450R at the Moto Expo in Melbourne, MX fans around Australia were in a frenzy and many had one burning question on their lips; “What about the RX?” Originally made for the AMA in the United States, this race spec bike was destined to by-pass Australia and only the CRF450R would be made available. In a bid to please Honda fans, Honda Motorcycles Australia have been able to secure the RX model as well for delivery in March next year.

The 2017 CRF450RX is based on the all-new 2017 CRF450R but with some slight tweaks; including enduro-spec suspension, PGM-FI and EMSB mapping plus a larger fuel tank, an 18-inch rear wheel, sidestand and electric start will be standard. This model will be Honda’s first completely new 450cc motocrosser in eight years and can be picked up for $12,698, compared to $11,999 for the CRF450R.