CBR450? Surely you mean CBR400...

The final 3-valve Twin


Due to the political situation in Brazil, foreign imports weren’t allowed until 1990. So while the rest of the world had the CBR400F with its water cooled 4 cylinder, 16 valve engine, Moto Honda da Amazonia had to work with what it already had and so went back to the drawing board with the CB450. By the late 80s, the frame design, suspension, styling, brakes and handling of the CB450 were out of date. While still a fine motorcycle in its own right, the CB450 wasn’t cutting it against the RD 350 LC with its high power, light weight and monoshock rear suspension.
HDA came up with a whole new model, the CBR450SR.

The 3 valve engine was kept from the CB450, some slight tuning pushing the power up to just over 46 BHP. Everything else was all new, and much more in keeping with designs enjoyed by the rest of the world. Honda’s Aero styling similar to the CBR400F,600F and 1000F models gave the new CBR450 a great look and good aerodynamics.



Wide 17” wheels allowed the use of modern rubber and helped it handle very well. Braking was improved with twin piston calipers and dual front discs.
The CBR450SR was never imported to Europe and is virtually unknown outside of South America. There was never any point in trying to market what was essentially a heavier CBR400 with an over-bored 400 Super Dream engine when the CBR400 was available as a grey import from Japan. The CBR450SR could never compete against the newer liquid cooled fours coming out of Japan in the late 80s.



The CBR450SR was produced from 1987 to 1994 and represents the ultimate development of the 3 valve twin as a sporting production motorcycle.