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Honda CRF450X 2012

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Trail / Enduro / Racing / Desert Racing

2012 Honda CRF450X

449cc

4-stroke

269lb

Curb weight

37.9in

Seat height

12.4in

Front travel

5spd

Gearbox

2012 Honda CRF450X overview

Where it ridesRace-ready
  • Street
  • Trail
  • Woods
  • Rocks
  • Desert
  • Track

The 2012 Honda CRF450X is an off-road enduro and trail motorcycle with a liquid-cooled, 449 cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine, carburetor, SOHC valve train and five-speed transmission. Its aluminum perimeter frame carries a 47 mm inverted Showa cartridge fork with 12.4 in of travel and a Pro-Link Showa rear shock with 12.3 in. Seat height is 37.9 in, curb weight is 269 lb and fuel capacity is 1.9 gal. The engine produces 31.8 ft-lb of torque.

For this model year, Honda’s update is new graphics. Standard equipment includes a steering damper, LED taillight, USDA-qualified spark arrester and skid plate; it has electric and kick starting but no radiator fan. The CRF450X is off-road-only and is not street legal in the US.

Who it's for

This bike suits experienced off-road riders who want a large-displacement machine for trail riding, enduro events or desert racing. Its 449 cc engine, 269 lb curb weight and 37.9 in seat height call for confidence handling a tall, powerful dirt bike, especially on technical trails or at speed. The electric and kick starting options offer flexibility when restarting off-road. Its off-road-only setup makes it a poor fit for riders who need a street-legal motorcycle.

Quick facts

  • The 2012 Honda CRF450X has a 449cc carbureted 4-stroke engine, a 5-speed gearbox and electric and kick start.
  • The 2012 CRF450X weighs 269 lb ready to ride and has a 37.9 in seat height.
  • The 2012 CRF450X runs 80/100-21 front and 110/100-18 rear tires.
  • The 2012 CRF450X takes 0.71 US qt (0.67 L) of 10W-30 engine oil; change it every 600 mi or 6 months (REGULAR OFF-ROAD USE, NON-COMPETITION).
  • The 2012 CRF450X listed at $8,440 (US MSRP). It is not street legal in the US.

2012 Honda CRF450X specifications

Engine

Displacement
449cc
Stroke
4-stroke
Fuel system
Carburetor
Bore × stroke
96 × 62.1 mm
Compression
12.0:1
Torque
31.8 ft-lb
Cooling
Liquid
Configuration
Single-cylinder
Valve train
SOHC
Valves
4
Engine oil
0.71 US qt (0.67 L)
Oil type
10W-30
Gearbox oil
0.69 US qt (0.65 L)
Coolant
1.28 US qt (1.21 L)

Clutch

Type
Wet multiplate
Actuation
Cable
Assist
None (standard clutch)

Drivetrain

Starting
Electric and kick
Transmission
5-speed
Chain size
520
Chain links
114
Front sprocket
13T
Rear sprocket
51T

Dimensions

Seat height
37.9″
Ground clearance
13.6″
Wheelbase
58.3″
Width
32.3″
Height
50.1″
Length
85.8″
Curb weight
269 lb
Fuel capacity
1.9 gal

Price & warranty

Destination charge
$310
Colors
Red
Warranty
Emission control system warranty and noise control warranty (USA only)

Equipment

Spark arrester
Standard
Steering damper
Standard
LED taillight
Standard

Frame & steering

Frame material
Aluminum
Architecture
Perimeter
Rake
27.1°
Trail
4.53″

Suspension

Front
47mm inverted Showa cartridge fork
Front travel
12.4″
Rear
Pro-Link Showa single shock
Rear travel
12.3″

Wheels & tires

Front wheel
21″
Rear wheel
18″
Front tire
80/100-21 51M Dunlop D742FA
Rear tire
110/100-18 64M Dunlop D756

Brakes

Front disc
240 mm
Rear disc
240 mm

Stock features

Skid plate
Yes
Radiator fan
No
Street legal (US)
No

Battery / electrical

Battery
Yes
OEM battery
YTZ7S
Voltage
12V
Capacity
6 Ah

2012 Honda CRF450X maintenance

From the maker's manuals. Tap a row to see the manual page.

Service intervals

Change engine oil (first time)
After 100 mi or 1 month (REGULAR OFF-ROAD USE, NON-COMPETITION)
Change engine oil (first time)
After the first break-in ride (COMPETITION USE)
Change engine oil
Every 600 mi or 6 months (REGULAR OFF-ROAD USE, NON-COMPETITION)
Inspect engine oil
Every 2.5 hours (COMPETITION USE)
Change engine oil
Every 15 hours (COMPETITION USE)
Replace oil filter (first time)
After 100 mi or 1 month (REGULAR OFF-ROAD USE, NON-COMPETITION)
Replace oil filter (first time)
After the first break-in ride (COMPETITION USE)
Replace oil filter
Every 600 mi or 6 months (REGULAR OFF-ROAD USE, NON-COMPETITION)
Replace oil filter
Every 15 hours (COMPETITION USE)
Change gearbox oil (first time)
After 100 mi or 1 month (REGULAR OFF-ROAD USE, NON-COMPETITION)
Change gearbox oil
Every 600 mi or 6 months (REGULAR OFF-ROAD USE, NON-COMPETITION)
Inspect gearbox oil
Every 2.5 hours (COMPETITION USE)
Change gearbox oil
Every 15 hours (COMPETITION USE)
Clean air filter
Every 600 mi or 6 months (REGULAR OFF-ROAD USE, NON-COMPETITION)
Clean air filter
Every 2.5 hours (COMPETITION USE)
Clean air filter
Every moto (dusty riding conditions)
Inspect spark plug
Every 600 mi or 6 months (REGULAR OFF-ROAD USE, NON-COMPETITION)
Inspect spark plug
Every 2.5 hours (COMPETITION USE)
Replace piston and rings
Every 15 hours (COMPETITION USE)

Spark plug

Spark plug
NGK IFR8H11
Plug gap
0.039 – 0.043 in (1.0 – 1.1 mm)
Spark plug (alternative)
DENSO VK24PRZ11
Spark plug (optional)
NGK IFR9H11
Spark plug (optional, alternative)
DENSO VK27PRZ11

Torque specs

Oil drain bolt
12 ft‑lb (16 N·m, 1.6 kgf·m)
Oil filter cover bolts
7.4 ft‑lb (10 N·m, 1.0 kgf·m)
Gearbox oil drain plug
12 ft‑lb (16 N·m, 1.6 kgf·m)
Front axle nut
65 ft‑lb (88 N·m, 9.0 kgf·m)
Front axle pinch bolts
15 ft‑lb (20 N·m, 2.0 kgf·m)
Rear axle nut
94 ft‑lb (128 N·m, 13.1 kgf·m)
Upper triple clamp bolts
16 ft‑lb (22 N·m, 2.2 kgf·m)
Lower triple clamp bolts
15 ft‑lb (20 N·m, 2.0 kgf·m)
Steering stem nut
80 ft‑lb (108 N·m, 11.0 kgf·m)
Handlebar clamp bolts
16 ft‑lb (22 N·m, 2.2 kgf·m)
Front brake caliper mounting bolts
22 ft‑lb (30 N·m, 3.1 kgf·m)
Front brake disc nuts
12 ft‑lb (16 N·m, 1.6 kgf·m)
Rear brake disc nuts
12 ft‑lb (16 N·m, 1.6 kgf·m)
Rear sprocket nuts
24 ft‑lb (32 N·m, 3.3 kgf·m)
Front sprocket bolt
23 ft‑lb (31 N·m, 3.2 kgf·m)
Chain adjuster locknut
20 ft‑lb (27 N·m, 2.8 kgf·m)
Coolant drain bolt
7.4 ft‑lb (10 N·m, 1.0 kgf·m)

Parts that fit the 2012 Honda CRF450X

Exact parts for this bike. Tap one to see every store selling it, cheapest first.

Maintenance

Oil, filters, spark plug, battery, brakes and drive parts you replace as you ride.

Tires

Stock sizes, from the maker's manual.

Prices include shipping where the store lists it and were checked Nov 1, 2026. A store that doesn't list its shipping is placed as if it charged what the other stores do. Prices change, so confirm at the store before you buy.

2012 Honda CRF450X vs 2011

New for 2012: New graphics. None of the specs below changed from the 2011 model.

Spec20112012Changed
Displacement449ccSame
Curb weight269 lbSame
Seat height37.9 inSame
Front travel12.4 inSame
Fuel1.9 galSame
Gearbox5-speedSame
Front tire80/100-21Same
Rear tire110/100-18Same

Honda CRF450X FAQ

  1. What engine does the 2012 Honda CRF450X have?

    It has a liquid-cooled, 449 cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine with a carburetor, SOHC valve train and four valves.

  2. What engine oil does the 2012 Honda CRF450X use?

    It uses 10W-30 engine oil, with a capacity of 0.7 US qt (0.67 L).

  3. How tall is the seat on the 2012 Honda CRF450X?

    The seat height is 37.9 in.

  4. How much does the 2012 Honda CRF450X weigh?

    Its curb weight is 269 lb.

  5. How much suspension travel does the 2012 Honda CRF450X have?

    It has 12.4 in of front travel and 12.3 in of rear travel.

  6. How big is the fuel tank on the 2012 Honda CRF450X?

    The fuel capacity is 1.9 gal.

  7. Is the 2012 Honda CRF450X street legal?

    It is not street legal in the US.

  8. What was the MSRP of the 2012 Honda CRF450X?

    The MSRP was $8,440, plus a $310 destination charge.

  9. What size tires does the 2012 Honda CRF450X use?

    80/100-21 front and 110/100-18 rear.

  10. What spark plug does the 2012 Honda CRF450X take?

    NGK IFR8H11 (or DENSO VK24PRZ11), gapped 0.039 – 0.043 in (1.0 – 1.1 mm).

  11. What chain and sprockets does the 2012 Honda CRF450X use?

    A 520 chain with 114 links on a 13-tooth front and 51-tooth rear sprocket.

  12. Is the 2012 Honda CRF450X different from the 2011 model?

    Yes. New for 2012: New graphics. None of the main specs changed from the 2011 model.

Other Honda CRF450X model years

Specs from Honda's owner's manual and Honda's website. Updated .