The Bike That Won Baja: SLR Racing’s CRF450X…
The Baja 1000 is one of the most grueling and revered off-road races in the world — a marathon of speed, physical endurance, and mechanical resilience that storms down the Baja Peninsula of Mexico. Covering hundreds of miles of desert, rocks, washouts, and unforgiving terrain, it tests riders and bikes like few other motorsport events.
Last month, the legendary race once again delivered drama and excitement in spades. After featuring the 1980 Honda XL125S “War Machine” of Ironman rider Greg Gilson, we decided to head to the other end of the spectrum, taking a look at the Baja 1000-winning Honda CRF450X of SLR Racing.
Baja 1000 2025: SLR Dominance…
In this year’s 58th SCORE Baja 1000, whose 854-mile course started and finished in Ensenada, the SLR Honda (SLAM LIFE Racing) team of Tyler Lynn, David Kamo, and Carter Klein took the Pro Moto Unlimited class win, dominating the competition in historic fashion. SLR Honda isn’t just a random private entry — it’s a top-tier desert racing program founded and led by Mark Samuels, himself a multi-time Baja 1000 champion rider.
The race began under the cover of night, with riders tackling the first 450 miles in darkness. Lynn built a commanding lead over the early hours of the race before handing the CRF off to his teammates. The trio finished in 17 hours, 55 minutes, and 39 seconds, more than 2.5 hours ahead of the runner-up team!
This victory capped an undefeated season in the 2025 SCORE World Desert Championship for SLR Honda and earned the team the prestigious 1X plate for 2026 — a symbol of championship status.
Their performance — nearly three hours clear of the second-place team — displayed a blend of speed, consistency, and mechanical reliability that desert racing rewards above all else.
SLR Honda CRF450X: The Baja Bike…
The Honda CRF450X remains the backbone of modern Baja racing, and the SLR Honda team has taken this platform to championship-winning levels. While exact internals are closely guarded, multiple verified components and design choices provide a clear picture of how this machine is engineered to survive (and win) the world’s toughest desert race.
Winning Baja isn’t merely about speed, but engine integrity, suspension durability, and rider endurance over a distance that would defeat most machines. We studied SCORE Baja tech notes, Honda factory press material, SLR Racing interviews, and known Baja race bike practices to put together a picture of the build.
ENGINE & POWERTRAIN
Base Engine:
- 449cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder, Unicam design (Honda factory architecture)
- Proven for durability over 1000+ miles of wide-open desert racing
- SLR cylinder head
- SLR cam
Race Tuning:
- ECU re-mapping for consistent power delivery in extreme temperatures
- High-flow airbox with upgraded sealing to handle Baja dust
- Open, free-breathing Pro Circuit exhaust system
- Compression and ignition timing tuned for torque over peak HP
Estimated Race Horsepower:
- 53–58+ hp
- Emphasis on tractable, heat-stable torque — not maximum dyno output
Clutch:
- Hinson Billetproof clutch system
- CNC-machined from T6 billet aluminum
- Designed for constant high-load abuse
- Much higher thermal capacity than stock
FUEL SYSTEM
Fuel Capacity (Race Configuration):
- IMS 3.0-gallon rally tank
- Thicker-wall polyethylene
- Impact-resistant
- Quick-dump capability for pit stops
- Can be completely filled in 10 seconds
TRANSMISSION & GEARING
- Wide-ratio 5-speed gearbox (factory CRF450X design)
- Dirt Tricks rear sprocket: Patented chromoly construction, comparable to aluminum in weight, claimed 2.5 times stronger than stainless steel
- Race gearing optimized for 80-100+ mph sustained sections
- Emphasis on long-legged gearing for fast lakebeds and fire roads, while still maintaining low-speed tractability for technical terrain
SUSPENSION SYSTEM
- Factory Showa suspension (49mm fork + Pro-Link shock), race-valved
- Internal coatings for reduced friction and heat
- Increased resistance to bottoming in whoops and high-speed chop
- Tuned for multi-hour stability rather than motocross-style agility
CHASSIS & HANDLING
- Aluminum twin-spar Honda CRF450X chassis — highly proven in Baja
- Reinforced subframe bracketry to withstand loads from tools, lighting, and fuel
- Scotts steering damper on top of a BRP mounting kit
- ODI Podium Flight handlebars with standard full-waffle ODI grips for vibration reduction and rider endurance
WHEELS, TIRES & FLAT-PROOFING
Wheels:
- D.I.D. Dirtstar Heavy-duty rims
Tires:
- Dunlop Desert AT D739 (rear)
- Dunlop AT82 (front)
Purpose-built for high-heat, high-impact desert racing.
Inserts:
- NitroMousse Platinum
- Heat-resistant foam insert
- Eliminates flats entirely
- Maintains consistent feel over 100+ miles without pressure changes
ELECTRICS & LIGHTING
Lighting System:
- Baja Designs Squadron LED lights
- Dual-LED setup for night racing
- High-output stator and simplified wiring harness for reliability
These lights are the gold standard in Baja and allow riders to run 90+ mph at night across unpredictable terrain.
PROTECTION
- Acerbis skid plate (full-coverage)
- Acerbis Uniko handguards protecting levers and controls
- Zip-Ty Racing shark-fin rear disc guards: 78,000-psi Zycral, hard-anodized, titanium-light and tougher than A56 steel.
- BRP chain slider
- SD Powerhouse water pump brace
- SD Powerhouse counter sprocket cover
WEIGHT
Race-Ready Estimate:
- 260–280 lbs depending on fuel load, lighting, protection equipment, and navigation hardware. This is competitive for a desert endurance build with rally tank and full lighting.
Looking Ahead: SLR Honda and Baja Legacy
The 2025 Baja 1000 win by SLR Honda and the CRF450X is more than a single victory. It’s part of a desert racing dynasty that stretches decades and cements Honda’s reputation as the top manufacturer in one of motorsport’s most brutal disciplines.
With the 1X championship plate in hand, SLR Honda is set to defend its momentum into 2026. The consistency shown in 2025 — including wins at the San Felipe 250 and Baja 500 earlier in the season — positions the team as a perennial force in desert racing.
Follow SLR Honda
Website: slrhonda.com
Instagram: @slr_honda
YouTube: @slrhonda9414
