Honda’s Rare New Off-Road Moto Offers Much More Bang for Your Buck

The rugged CRF450RX Finke Limited Edition boasts considerably greater dirt-dominating power than the bump in price suggests.

Rear section of a red, white, and blue Honda dirt bike with HGS exhaust system and knobby rear tire.

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By Steve Mazzucchi

Published 2 hours ago

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When it comes to off-road exploits, Honda’s CRF450RX already offers plenty of boundary-free fun.

A new take on last year’s model pays tribute to an iconic Australian desert race with upgrades that outpunch the uptick in price.

Red, white, and blue Honda CRF dirt bike with knobby tires on a red stand in a white garage. — Only Australian buyers can get the Finke Edition, making it one of the rarer Honda off-road releases we’ve come across.

The fresh components and look make the new CRF450RX Finke Limited Edition treatment arguably the coolest yet.

The only catch is, you’ve got to actually be down under to get down with this bike.

Aussie-bound awesomeness

That’s right, this new CR450RX runs through Honda Australia, which sort of makes sense as it is inspired by the 50th running of the Tatts Finke Desert Race … and Honda’s success in it.

Billed as “Australia’s Greatest Desert Race,” the Baja 500-like extreme two-day off-road adventure involves bikes, cars and buggies round-tripping across roughly 286 miles of gnarly Northern Territory red dirt and sand.

Red, white, and blue Honda CRF 450RX dirt bike with IMS fuel tank and HGS exhaust system, parked on a red stand. — The Finke Edition adds over $3,500 AUD worth of upgrades for just $1,500 AUD over the base model’s price.

Honda says its bikes have 21 of the 50 two-wheeled editions (including the 2026 race), a feat the brand is celebrating with this new treatment, fitted with more than $3,500 AUD (roughly $2,470 USD) worth of endurance racing-inspired equipment.

Highlights include an HGS stainless steel exhaust system, an IMS 12-liter (8.2-gallon) fuel tank and a commemorative Finke 50th Anniversary SKDA graphics kit and seat cover package.

Close-up of a red, white, and blue Honda dirt bike fuel tank with IMS and VP Racing stickers and Renthal handlebar pad. — The Finke Edition’s IMS fuel tank holds 12 liters (3.2 gallons), 50 percent more than the standard tank.

The new exhaust system offers better exhaust gas flow and durability, while the new tank offers 50 percent more capacity, plus a new cap and fuel pump.

The whole kit is finished in Extreme Red, which, contrary to popular belief, is not Gatorade’s newest flavor.

Close-up of a silver HGS exhaust system with a carbon fiber tip on a red, white, and blue Honda dirt bike. — Honda specifies an HGS stainless steel exhaust on the Finke Edition, promising improved exhaust gas flow and greater durability over the stock unit.

As you might expect, the bike does come with a cost hike, with Honda Australia adding $1,500 AUD ($1,060 USD) to the price over the standard CRF450X.

But considering the promise of the upgraded components, the Finke Edition still sounds pretty bonza, eh mate?

Availability and pricing

The Honda CRF450RX Finke Edition hits the Australian market starting at $16,399 AUD (roughly $11,570 UAD).

Red, white, and blue Honda CRF dirt bike on a red and white stand with knobby tires.

Honda CRF450RX Finke Edition

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About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.