2023 is set to be a special year for Honda, as it marks 50 years since the brand released its first commercially-available motocross bike.

It’s been almost five decades since the original CR250M Elsinore first hit the street (and circuit), so the Japanese brand decided to preemptively celebrate this year by applying a commemorative livery to its latest and greatest CRF450R MXGP machine.

Entered into the Spanish round of this year’s championship, the unique-looking bike was ridden by legendary Slovenian pilot Tim Gasjer to a fourth place finish overall, netting him 37 points on his way to the 2022 championship.

Gasjer’s string of victories this season cemented his place in motocross history, as he became the single most successful Honda rider of all time. But the brand’s winning ways are nothing new…

Where it all started

It didn’t take long for Honda to see success on the motocross circuit with its road-based models. In fact, it happened almost immediately. Gary Jones rode the CR250M Elsinore to victory in the 1973 AMA 250 Motocross Championship, the very year the bike went on sale: the perfect embodiment of the phrase ‘win on Sunday, sell on Monday.’

Engineered in response to growing demand in the US and Europe, the Elsinore was Honda’s first purpose-built off-road machine. Powered by a 247.8cc air-cooled, two-stroke engine, the bike became an overnight success thanks to its toughness, reliability and predictable handling. Weighing in at 104 kg, the nimble Elsinore proved to be unstoppable in competition, and would go on to dominate championships around the world into the 1980s.

It was followed up by the CR250R, Honda’s first liquid-cooled machine. Ever the innovators, the brand kitted the new bike out with twin radiators, an aluminium swingarm and a single, remote-reservoir rear shock absorber, taking performance to a whole new level.

A string of legendary models came after, leading right up to the CRF450R of today. Honda remains synonymous with motocross supremacy – and we don’t think that reputation is likely to change any time soon!

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