As we head into Dakar, we wanted to highlight Ricky Brabec’s vehicle and give you an up-close look at his weapon of choice at 2022's rally. Yes, there aren’t Method Race Wheels on this vehicle, but as the winner of Dakar 2020 and a runner up in 2021, that doesn’t stop him from being a Method Race Wheels athlete who's on a mission.
It starts off with a Honda CRF450 Rally Honda Racing Development spent years to develop. In 2013, Team HRC used a prototype bike based on a commercial competition endure model to get valuable information on key areas: engine power, aerodynamic performance, durability and maintenance. All of that key information would lay the groundwork for the design of the new CRF450 Rally. As technology improved the Rally bike and was updated in 2015 and every year until 2018.
Spec Sheet
Bike: Honda
Model: CRF450 Rally
Engine: Liquid cooled single cylinder DOHC
Capacity: 449.4 cc
Bore x stroke: 97.0 x 60.8 mm
Starter: Electric Starter
Carburation: Fuel Injection
Lubricant: Motul 300V
Transmission: 6-speed
Output: Over 45 kW
Frame: Aluminum twin tube
Sub-frame: carbon fiber
Fuel tank: Front + rear (plastic)
Total fuel capacity: 34.7 liters
Front fork: Showa. Type invert, travel 310mm
Rear Suspension: Show. Single tube, travel 305mm
Brakes: front ø300 2 pot, rear ø240 1 pot