Honda’s success in motocross dates back to 1973, when Gary Jones, riding a CR250M Elsinore, won the AMA motocross championship.
This model takes its name from the Elsinore Grand Prix (which took place near Lake Elsinore, California), the Elsinore was fitted with an air-cooled two-stroke single-cylinder engine with a displacement of 247.8 cc which supported a weight of only 104 kg.
The frame was based on a double cradle tubular steel frame, as was the swingarm. The suspension had a conventional fork and a pair of shock absorbers at the rear and braking was achieved by using drums on both axles.
Since then Honda has won several other titles in the 125, 250 and 500cc categories over the years.
The next five decades were marked by several technological leaps that made the letters “CR” and then “CRF” synonymous with off-road performance.
Tim Gajser the most decorated Honda motocross rider
Recently, Tim Gajser was the most successful Honda rider, having won 4 world titles in 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2020. He currently leads the 2022 championship with a 79-point lead over his closest rivals, having obtained his latest victory in the MXGP of Italy riding his own CRF450R.
The 450cc CRF2023R marks the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the first Honda motocross model and is aimed at all riders, not just racing teams.
Below are Honda’s 50-year history in motocross with the most significant dates and events:
1973: World presentation of the Honda CR250M Elsinore
1973: Gary Jones wins Honda’s first AMA Motocross Championship with the Elsinore CR250M.
1973: Presentation of the XR75
1974: Presentation of the CR125M Elsinore
1979: Graham Noyce wins Honda’s first FIM 500 motocross world title
1980: Andre Malherbe wins the FIM 500 Motocross World Championship with the RC500
1981: World premiere of the Elsinore CR450R
1981: Andre Malherbe wins the FIM 500 Motocross World Championship with the RC500
1982: The CR450R is renamed CR480R
1983: World presentation of the CR60R
1984: The name “Elsinore” is no longer part of the Honda CR range
1984: Last year of production of the CR60R
1984: The CR480R is renamed CR500R
1984: Andre Malherbe wins the FIM 500 Motocross World Championship with the RC500
1985: David Thorpe wins the FIM 500 Motocross World Championship with the RC500
1986: David Thorpe wins the FIM 500 Motocross World Championship with the RC500
1987: Eric Geboers wins the FIM 250 Motocross World Championship with the RC250
1987: Georges Jobé wins the FIM 500 Motocross World Championship with the RC500
1988: Jean-Michel Bayle wins the FIM 125 Motocross World Championship with the RC125
1988: Eric Geboers wins the FIM 500 Motocross World Championship with the RC500
1989: Jean-Michel Bayle wins the FIM 250 Motocross World Championship with the RC250
1989: David Thorpe wins the FIM 500 Motocross World Championship with the RC500
1990: Eric Geboers wins the FIM 500 Motocross World Championship with the RC500
1991: Trampas Parker wins the FIM 250 Motocross World Championship with the RC250
1991: Georges Jobé wins the FIM 500 Motocross World Championship with the RC500
1992: Greg Albertyn wins the FIM 125 Motocross World Championship with the RC125
1992: Georges Jobé wins the FIM 500 Motocross World Championship with the RC500
1993: Greg Albertyn wins the FIM 250 Motocross World Championship with the RC250
1994: Marcus Hansson wins the FIM 500 Motocross World Championship with the RC500
1995: Alex Puzar wins the FIM 125 Motocross World Championship with the RC125
1996: Stefan Everts wins the FIM 250 Motocross World Championship with the RC250
1997: Stefan Everts wins the FIM 250 Motocross World Championship with the RC250
1999: Frederic Bolley wins the FIM 250 Motocross World Championship with the RC250
2000: Frederic Bolley wins the FIM 250 Motocross World Championship with the RC250
2001: Last year of production of the CR500R
2002: World presentation of the CRF450R
2003: The CR80R changes its name to CR85R
2004: World presentation of the CRF250R
2007: Last year of production for the CR85R, CR125R and CR250R
2007: World presentation of the CRF150R
2015: Tim Gajser wins the FIM MX2 World Championship with the CRF250R
2016: Tim Gajser wins the FIM MX2 World Championship with the CRF450R
2019: Tim Gajser wins the FIM MX2 World Championship with the CRF450R
2020: Tim Gajser wins the FIM MX2 World Championship with the CRF450R