Honda’s CR and CRF motocross bikes run from the 1973 CR250M Elsinore, Honda’s first motocrosser, to today’s four-stroke CRF450R and CRF250R. The two-stroke CRs (80, 125, 250 and the 450, 480 and 500 open bikes) were built through 2007, and the four-stroke CRFs took over starting with the 2002 CRF450R. Below is my visual video history of every model and year, plus a model-by-model list, a milestone table and quick ways to tell the years apart.
This is a visual history of Honda’s CR and CRF motocross machines from 1973 through 2021. This video shows all the CR80R, CR85R, CR150R, CR125R, CR250R, CR450R, CR480R, CR500R, CRF250R, and CRF450R models.
Every Honda CR and CRF motocross model, 1973–2021
Here’s the whole family in one place, with the years each model line was sold in the U.S. If you want the year-by-year detail on a single model, follow the link.
- CR250M / CR250R (1973–2007): where it all started. The 1973 CR250M Elsinore won the AMA 250 National title in its first year with Gary Jones. It became the CR250R in 1978. Full CR250R history.
- CR125M / CR125R (1974–2007): the 125 Elsinore, then the CR125R from 1979. Full CR125R history.
- CR80R / CR85R (1980–2007): Honda’s two-stroke mini racer. It became the CR85R in 2003. Full CR80R and CR85R history.
- CR450R (1981): Honda’s open-class bike for one year only.
- CR480R (1982–1983): the air-cooled 472cc open bike, with a four-speed in 1982 and a five-speed in 1983. My 1983 CR480R review.
- CR500R (1984–2001): the big-bore two-stroke that outlived its whole class. CR500R buyer’s guide.
- CRF450R (2002–on): Honda’s first four-stroke motocrosser, with the Unicam engine and an aluminum frame.
- CRF250R (2004–on): the four-stroke 250 that took over from the CR250R and CR125R.
- CRF150R (2007–on): the four-stroke that replaced the CR85R in the mini class.
Honda CR and CRF milestones year by year
These are the big turning points across the lineup. Small yearly updates are left out, and you’ll find them in the single-model histories linked above.
| Year | Key change |
|---|---|
| 1973 | The CR250M Elsinore debuts, Honda’s first motocross bike. Gary Jones wins the AMA 250 title on one. |
| 1974 | CR125M Elsinore arrives and dominates small-bore racing. |
| 1978 | All-new CR250R Elsinore “works replica” with magnesium cases and Honda’s first reed valve. |
| 1980 | First CR80R, an air-cooled mini with twin shocks. |
| 1981 | CR125R and CR250R go liquid-cooled and get Pro-Link single-shock rear suspension. The CR450R is the open bike for this year only. |
| 1982 | CR480R replaces the CR450R. The CR80R gets Pro-Link. |
| 1983 | CR80R goes liquid-cooled. |
| 1984 | CR500R debuts. ATAC exhaust valves on the CR125R and CR250R, and the CR250R gets its first front disc brake. |
| 1986 | HPP (Honda Power Port) exhaust valve and cartridge forks on the CR250R. All-new CR80R with a front disc. |
| 1987 | Rear disc brakes on the CR125R and CR250R. The CR125R switches to a case-reed engine. |
| 1989 | First inverted Showa forks on the CR250R. |
| 1990 | CR125R gets HPP and inverted forks. |
| 1992 | CR250R gets the CRV power valve. CR80R gets a rear disc. |
| 1997 | First aluminum frame, on the CR250R. The CR125R follows in 1998. |
| 2001 | Last year of the CR500R in the U.S. |
| 2002 | CRF450R arrives, Honda’s first four-stroke motocrosser. |
| 2003 | The CR80R becomes the CR85R. |
| 2004 | CRF250R arrives. |
| 2007 | Last CR125R, CR250R and CR85R, the end of Honda two-stroke motocross. The CRF150R takes over the mini class. |
| 2008 | Honda Progressive Steering Damper on the CRF450R. |
| 2009 | CRF450R gets fuel injection. |
| 2010 | CRF250R gets fuel injection, the first fuel-injected 250 motocrosser. |
| 2017 | All-new CRF450R with optional electric start (standard from 2018). |
| 2018 | All-new CRF250R: DOHC engine in place of the Unicam, dual exhaust, electric start. |
| 2021 | All-new CRF450R with a slimmer frame, new bodywork and a single exhaust. |
Identify the year: how to tell Honda CRs apart
On 1981 and later bikes, the 10th character of the frame number on the steering head is the model year (for example, W is 1998, X is 1999, Y is 2000 and 1 is 2001). After that, a few quick tells work across the whole CR line:
- Air-cooled with twin shocks: a 1980 or earlier 125 or 250. The CR80R stayed air-cooled through 1982, and the CR480R was air-cooled too.
- Front drum brake: a CR250R from 1983 or earlier, or a CR80R from 1985 or earlier.
- Inverted forks: 1989 or later on the CR250R, 1990 or later on the CR125R, and 1996 or later on the CR80R.
- Aluminum frame: 1997 or later on the CR250R, 1998 or later on the CR125R. Every CRF450R and CRF250R has one.
- Four-stroke: CRF models, from the 2002 CRF450R on.
For the full rundown on the 250, see What Year Is My Honda CR250R?
Why the Honda CR line matters
Honda showed up late to two-stroke motocross and won right away. The CR line went on to bring Pro-Link, a series of exhaust valves and aluminum frames to the track. Ricky Johnson, Jeff Stanton and Jeremy McGrath all won AMA titles on CR250Rs in the late ’80s and ’90s. Then, with the 2002 CRF450R, Honda led the move to four-strokes. By 2007 every CR two-stroke was gone, and the CRF line carried on from there.
The CRs are my favorite family of bikes to look back on. The video above is the quick visual version: a few seconds on every model, every year, from the minis to the open-class bikes. If you’re shopping for an old CR, start with my vintage dirt bike buyer’s checklist.
Honda CR and CRF FAQ
What was Honda’s first motocross bike?
The 1973 CR250M Elsinore. Gary Jones won the AMA 250 National title on one that same year.
When did Honda stop making two-stroke motocross bikes?
2007 was the last year for the CR125R, CR250R and CR85R. The CR500R ended earlier, with 2001 as its last U.S. model year.
When did Honda make its first four-stroke motocrosser?
The 2002 CRF450R. The CRF250R followed in 2004 and the CRF150R in 2007.
What’s the difference between the Honda CR450R, CR480R and CR500R?
They’re Honda’s open-class two-strokes in order. The CR450R was sold for 1981 only, the air-cooled CR480R for 1982 and 1983, and the CR500R from 1984 to 2001.
More Honda history in The Vault
- Honda CR250R history, 1973–2007
- Honda CR125R history, 1974–2007
- Honda CR80R and CR85R history
- Buying a used Honda CR500R
- Browse every Honda in the Bike Finder, or see the old Honda ads on the Ad Wall.
