2017-18 IMS Products Honda CRF450RX Fuel Tank Review

We try on the IMS Products 2.4-gallon fuel tank for Honda’s 2017 and 2018 CRF450RX. The tank offers added range without spoiling the RX’s slim ergos.

Nic Garvin

In the off-road racing world, IMS Products is arguably the most prolific high-capacity accessory fuel tank manufacturer.

IMS Products
Working in collaboration with multi-time Baja 1000 Champion Johnny Campbell, IMS Products has produced a 2.4-gallon capacity tank that fits the 2017-Honda CRF450R and CRF450RS without spoiling their slim ergonomic profile. Installation of the tank is a snap, and it’s a great option for off-road riders and racers. PHOTO BY NIC GARVIN.

Over the past 30 years, IMS has manufactured quality products for off-road use, and its 2.4-gallon tank for the 2017-18 Honda CRF450RX is no different. IMS was founded in 1976 by dirt track racer CH Wheat, who decided to use his racing knowledge to manufacturer high-performance off-road parts and accessories, with extended-capacity fuel tanks being right at the top of the list.

IMS Products
IMS Products gives the rider the option of using a top flange that retains the stock Honda fuel cap, but the tank also readily accepts a dry break fuel flange as well. PHOTO BY NIC GARVIN.
Whether you ride in tight woods, wide open desert or on long adventure rides, IMS has off-road enthusiasts covered with products like oversized gas tanks, titanium foot pegs, and Flightline shift levers. Sometimes IMS can make an existing tank work across multiple platforms, but when Honsa announced its all-new CRF450R and CRF450RX for 2017, IMS designers had to go back to the drawing board to come up with a high-capacity tank that would fit the new machines.

No surprise, then, that the company consulted with none other than Baja racing legend and current factory Honda-backed GNCC team owner Johnny Campbell of JCR Honda to come up with a tank that would meet the needs of R and RX-mounted racers. If anyone knows what it would take, it’s Campbell, who was also instrumental in the development of the CRF450RX.

So when we at dirtbikes.com got our very own 450RX testbed, the first thing that came to mind was to contact IMS Products and get hold of one of the company’s new 2.4-gallon fuel tanks, which carries .2 more gallons of fuel than the stock RX tank. That may not sound like much, but it can mean all the difference between riding or pushing your bike across the finish line.

The IMS tank is constructed of Polyethylene Crosslink, a material that is favored for its flex properties and its high durability. Mounting the new tank is a snap, mostly because IMS supplies the needed bits and pieces to ensure easy installation. Even transferring the fuel pump components into the new tank is no problem since the company provides a new rubber grommet to create the tank proper seal and prevent leakage. As always, IMS also provides a simple instruction sheet and all necessary bolts to make for easy installation of the tank.

IMS Products
The easily installed IMS tank adds much-needed fuel capacity while retaining the stock radiator shrouds. PHOTO BY NIC GARVIN.

The fit and finish of the IMS tank is just about perfect, and its contours allow for the extra fuel capacity without hurting the RX’s ergonomic feel. The only caveat is that if you’re going to buy a tank for your CRF450RX, make sure you order the right one. The RX’s radiator shrouds will not fit on the R tank, which is a slightly a different design.

We’ve already logged quite a few race miles with our IMS Products 2.4-gallon tank on the CRF450RX, and we’ve been able to enjoy the extended range it offers without the hassle of a bulbous aftermarket tank that affects the chassis contours riding position. In fact, the IMS tank has actually improved the overall feel of the bike, something we noticed mostly in tight corners. The rider is able to hug the sides of the bike even more effectively than with the stock tank.

With an MSRP of $274.95, the tank isn’t a cheap replacement for the tiny, stock CRF450RX tank, but it’s well worth the money if you ride or race off-road.

IMS Products, 2017-2018 Honda CRF450RX 2.4-gallon fuel tank, $274.95
IMS Products
240 Box Springs Blvd.
Unit E
Riverside, CA 92507
Phone: 800-237-9906
Fax: 951-653-1060
Website: www.imsproducts.com
Email: info@imsproducts.com

 

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