American Honda Announces 2011 Off-Road ATVs and Dirt Bikes

Jul. 22, 2010 By Story by Staff, Photography Courtesy of American Honda
American Honda recently announced its off-road dirt bike and ATV models for 2011 to dealers. On the dirt bike side, the models include the motocross-focused CRF450R and CRF250R, the CRF70F and CRF50F off-road motorcycles. For ATVs, Honda announced a few changes on in the FourTrax Rancher ATV line, as well as sport-minded ATV offering, the TRX250X.

“Honda is ramping up its release of 2011 models,” said Powersports Press Manager Bill Savino. “We’re proud to unveil our newest race bikes, the CRF450R and CRF250R motocrossers, plus a wide assortment of Honda off-road machines that have remained extremely popular with recreational riders over the years. With these models for 2011 and more to follow, this is certainly going to be a great year for riding enthusiasts.”

The 2011 Honda CRF450R received a few updates.

Honda CRF450R
For 2011, the big-bore Honda CRF450R features some updates. Among the changes are some modifications to the engine’s powerband to increase low-end pull,0 midrange power, and improve throttle response with a new throttle body. Honda also revised the suspension linkage and settings to improve handling, comfort and rear-wheel traction. Honda also included a Progressive Steering Damper (HPSD) with a larger damper piston (24mm versus 20mm) to improve tracking. To help reduce sound levels to 94 decibels (which is required by some racing organizations in 2011), the 2011 CRF450R will be equipped with a newly designed muffler. 

MSRP $8,199
Available in Red beginning October 2010

Honda CRF250R
Much like the CRF450R, the CRF250R has some improved and enhanced features for 2011. Similar to the CRF450R, the 250 will be upgraded with a Honda Progressive Steering Damper (HPSD) with a larger, 24mm damper piston to improve tracking. To further improve its handling, the CRF250R will feature and new suspension settings both front and rear. Also similar to the updates on the 450, the CRF250R also has updates to its powerband to provide a stronger bottom-end and midrange hit, and a new muffler will reduce its sound output to 94 dB.

MSRP $7,199
Available in Red beginning October 2010

Honda CRF70F & CRF50F
Honda’s dirt bike models focused on entry-level riders, the CRF70F and CRF50F, return for 2011. The CRF70F boasts features such as an automatic clutch, low seat height for smaller riders, and a three-speed transmission. It is powered by a 72cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine. For more than 40 years the CRF50F has been in the Honda lineup. The beginner bike tips the scales at only 110 pounds. It is powered by a 49cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine. It also features a low seat height (lower than the 70F), automatic clutch, three-speed transmission and an inverted fork.

CRF50F MSRP $1,499
CRF70F $1,899
Available in Red beginning October 2010

The FourTrax ATV lineup returns for 2011.

FourTrax Rancher
The Honda FourTrax Rancher line of full-sized machines returns for 2011. Each ATV in the lineup, which is built in Honda’s Timmonsville, SC, plant, is powered by a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 420cc engine with electric starting. Honda then offers a number of different platforms depending upon your needs and preferences.

The base model two-wheel drive FourTrax Rancher comes with an automatic clutch and manual-shift five-speed transmission with reverse. The FourTrax Rancher ES offers more features, as it is equipped with an Electric Shift Program (ESP) that shifts with the touch of a handlebar-mounted button. The addition of the four-wheel-drive option is found in the manual-shift FourTrax Rancher 4x4 and the ESP-equipped FourTrax Rancher 4x4 ES. Each comes with Honda’s TraxLok 4WD/2WD selector.

The top-tier models in the FourTrax Rancher lineup are the automatic-transmission 4x4 FourTrax Rancher AT and FourTrax Rancher AT with Electric Power Steering. Both of these models feature five-speed auto-shifting or push-button ESP shifting, plus four-wheel disc brakes and independent rear suspension. Two-wheel drive models are available in Red and Olive and will be in dealerships in early 2011. The 4x4 models are available in Red, Olive and Camo and should hit dealerships in December 2010. 2011 pricing has yet to be set.

The sporty Honda TRX250X returns for 2011.

Honda TRX250X
Honda will again offer an ATV model in the sport category with its TRX250X, which touts a number of features such as electric starting and Honda’s SportClutch that enables the rider to experience manual clutch actuation with the advantage of no stalling. Honda says this designs “makes it easy to enjoy the plentiful power on tap and the five-speed transmission plus reverse for day-long adventuring.”
 
-MSRP TBD
-Available in Red and Black beginning September 2010


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