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The GasGas MC 450F, Honda CRF450R, Husqvarna FC 450, KTM 450 SX-F, Kawasaki KX450, and Yamaha YZ450F vie for position in Dirt Rider’s 2022 450 Motocross Shootout. Here’s how they stack up.

Check out the full story at https://www.dirtrider.com/450-motocross-bike-comparison/

Video By: Bert Beltran

Read more from Dirt Rider: https://www.dirtrider.com/

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Sports
Transcript
00:00 What's up everyone, Andrew O'Leary with Dirt Rider here and we're about to get our 2022
00:05 450 motocross shootout underway.
00:07 As you can see beside me here, we have six bikes in the test this year including the
00:11 Gas Gas MC450F, Yamaha YZ450F, KTM 450SXF, Honda CR450R, Kawasaki KX450, and Husqvarna
00:22 FC450.
00:24 We installed Dunlop GMX MX33 tires front and rear on all the bikes and we also applied
00:30 DecalWorks pre-printed number plate backgrounds.
00:32 Now it's time to hit the track and see how they stack up.
00:34 [Music]
01:02 Finishing in 6th place is the Honda Sierra 450R.
01:06 All new in 2021, Big Red's flagship motocrosser returned for this year with updated ECU settings
01:13 and revalved suspension.
01:14 Although the revisions improved it as an overall package, the bike is still not up to par when
01:19 compared to its competition.
01:21 On the Dirt Rider Dyno, it produces 53.8 horsepower and 34.1 pound-feet of torque, ranking at
01:27 3rd in peak horsepower and 2nd in maximum torque.
01:31 On the track, it's still the fastest feeling bike in the class with the most aggressive
01:35 engine character and therefore requires the most attention as things happen in a hurry
01:39 with such strong power.
01:41 Thankfully, it has an engine mode select button and Honda Selectable Torque Control, which
01:45 help tame the engine and make it more manageable.
01:48 Although Honda improved the suspension setting for 2022, it's still not quite as good as
01:53 we expect from Big Red.
01:55 The Showa 49mm coil spring fork and Showa shock have good bones to work with, but require
02:00 patience and tuning.
02:02 They are still very tricky to dial in, need attention every ride, and are on the stiff
02:06 side.
02:07 The components simply lack comfort, especially when the track gets rough.
02:11 Handling wise, the Honda is the sharpest turning bike in the comparison.
02:15 It's also the least stable and can be unpredictable at times.
02:19 Having the most rigid, unforgiving chassis is yet another aspect that makes the CRF450R
02:24 a pro-level bike for a pro-level rider.
02:26 Ergonomics are still some of the best in the class.
02:29 The Honda is easy to hop on and feel comfortable right away in that department.
02:33 We only wish the rest of the bike were that agreeable.
02:36 Slotting into 5th place is the Husqvarna FC450, which returns with its 10mm lower suspension
02:42 setup from last year.
02:44 Changes for 2022 include a Brembo hydraulic clutch that replaces the Magura unit specced
02:49 on prior year models.
02:50 4th is where the FC450 ranks on the dyno with its 53.5 horsepower and 33.7 pound feet of
02:57 torque.
02:58 Having the smoothest power delivery makes it the easiest to ride for long periods of
03:01 time with less fatigue.
03:03 The engine is strong and torquey as well, and almost deceivingly fast as a result.
03:08 Because the suspension is on the soft side and already lower than the other bikes to
03:11 begin with, some test riders attempted to get the Husqvarna to ride as high as possible
03:15 in the stroke to get it to feel more like the KTM and Gas-Gas.
03:19 The WP Exact air fork has a nice feeling in the initial part of the stroke and bottoming
03:23 resistance is excellent because of its ability to ramp up in pressure quickly.
03:28 Balance from front to rear is ok, but test riders noticed some pitching.
03:32 The benefits of the FC450's lower stance are that it corners very well and is confidence
03:37 inspiring to shorter riders.
03:38 Stability is impressive too, making for a mostly neutral handling chassis.
03:43 Riding position is comfortable and width feel is middle of the road.
03:46 It's definitely not the widest machine, but not the narrowest either.
03:49 The Husqvarna is easy to ride power delivery and lower suspension setup making it an excellent
03:54 choice for vet riders and those of shorter stature.
03:57 On the other hand, younger, more aggressive riders will want a bike with a livelier engine
04:01 character, more traditional suspension setup that rides higher in the stroke, and doesn't
04:06 have the highest price tag.
04:07 Finishing in 4th place in its Dirt Rider 450 motocross shootout debut is the Gas-Gas MC450F.
04:14 The 2022 model is the exact same as the 2021, even down to the graphics.
04:20 The red Austrian machine also made its first appearance on our in-house dyno, where it
04:24 made 54 horsepower and 33.9 pound feet of torque.
04:28 With those figures, the MC450F ranked 2nd in peak horsepower and 3rd in maximum torque.
04:33 The Gas-Gas's power delivery is ultra-linear, but slower revving and not as sharp as the
04:38 KTM's.
04:39 Its softer power is more similar to the Husqvarna's, making it one of the most mellow engine packages
04:44 in the class.
04:45 It's very easy to ride and put in consistent laps.
04:48 Contributors to its power characteristic differences from the KTM and Husqvarna are
04:53 its header pipe with no resonance chamber, a lack of an optional vented airbox cover,
04:57 and not having a map or traction control switch.
05:00 Although it's equipped with the same WP Exact 48mm air fork and WP Exact shock as the
05:06 KTM, the suspension settings of the Gas-Gas lean in a much different direction.
05:11 They are soft, spongy, and springy.
05:13 Action is a little more lively, but also less predictable.
05:17 The Gas-Gas also offers more chassis comfort than the KTM with its forged triple clamps
05:21 and using the same swingarm as the Husqvarna.
05:24 The MC450F is also the lightest in this comparison at 234 pounds wet, as measured on our automotive
05:31 scales.
05:32 With a suggested retail price of $9,599, the Gas-Gas costs the same as the three Japanese
05:38 bikes in this comparison and is the least expensive Austrian 450 motocrosser.
05:43 All while sharing the same engine, suspension, chassis, fantastic Brembo hydraulic clutch,
05:48 and strong Brembo brakes as the KTM.
05:50 Conversely, the Gas-Gas' result is hampered by the fact that the KTM offers more features,
05:55 performs better, and is more of a race bike right out of the box.
05:59 Rounding out the podium is the Yamaha YZ450F.
06:03 Updates for Blue Crew in 2022 include new internal fork and shock settings, a lighter
06:08 rear wheel and chain, and switching from a two-cross spoke pattern to a three-cross on
06:13 the rear wheel.
06:14 On the Dirt Rider Dyno, the YZ450F churned out 52.8 horsepower and 32.4 pound-feet of
06:21 torque, putting it fifth in peak horsepower and tied with the Kawasaki KX450 for least
06:26 peak torque.
06:27 Nevertheless, Yamaha's flagship motocrosser is a beast on the track.
06:31 It could tow a YZ125 up hills and still pass other 450s.
06:36 It's aggressive with a crisp EFI feel and snappy throttle response.
06:40 Mid-range torque is second to none.
06:42 Compatibility with Yamaha's Power Tuner app gives it the best EFI tunability in the
06:46 class.
06:47 The KYB SSS fork and KYB shock are once again the best suspension in the class.
06:53 Firmer settings for 2022 pleased intermediate and pro-level test riders, especially those
06:58 in the 175-190 lb range, but some of lesser weight and speed found the going a bit rough,
07:04 with a few even mentioning they prefer the 2020 and 2021 models' base setting for its
07:09 plusher feel.
07:10 Although firmer, the components still offer comfort, are tunable, and have better holdup
07:15 than ever.
07:16 Class-leading stability while maintaining good cornering ability are trademark characteristics
07:20 of the YZ450F.
07:22 It hits the Dirt Rider scales at 247 lbs. wet, making it the heaviest bike of those
07:27 gathered here.
07:28 The extra weight is noticeable on the track, such as when trying to slow down and dive
07:32 into an inside line.
07:34 Excessive width in the radiator shroud area and midsection, a low seat that's thin on
07:38 foam, and disproportionate riot triangle leave something to be desired in the ergonomics
07:43 department.
07:44 A slimmer chassis, lighter feeling on the track, more linear power delivery, better
07:48 ergonomics, losing weight, and a hydraulic clutch would put the YZ450F at or closer to
07:54 the front of the pack.
07:55 Finishing in the runner-up spot is the KTM 450SXF.
08:00 Although it did not receive any mechanical changes for 2022, the Austrian manufacturer
08:04 stuck with what worked well last year and it paid off with a second place result.
08:09 Spinning 55 hp and 34.3 lb-ft of torque on our in-house dyno, the KTM makes the most
08:15 peak hp and torque of the bikes in this comparison.
08:19 It offers the longest power delivery and pulls seemingly forever in each gear.
08:23 It's also impressively strong and torquey.
08:26 These characteristics make the KTM engine one of the most versatile in the class.
08:30 It can be short shifted and lugged or revved to the moon effectively, making it suitable
08:34 for riders of varying skill levels and riding styles.
08:38 It's not as free-revving as the Japanese bikes, nor is its throttle response as crisp
08:42 or snappy.
08:43 It also has a noticeable amount of vibration.
08:45 In accordance with KTM's ready-to-race mantra, the 450SXF has the most performance-oriented
08:51 suspension setup of the Austrian bikes.
08:53 Its setting is firmer than the Gas-Gas, Husqvarna, and Kawasaki, but not as stiff as the Yamaha's.
08:59 Comfort is better than the Honda, but the WP-Xact Airfork and WP-Xact Shock are still
09:04 not as plush as the Kawasaki and Yamaha's respective suspension.
09:08 One of the main factors that makes the KTM so much fun to ride is its superb, neutral
09:13 handling chassis.
09:14 The 450SXF and its Austrian siblings are second quickest to turn behind the CRF450R.
09:21 The orange machine is also stable and predictable at speed.
09:24 Balanced handling characteristics are complemented by its 235-pound measured wet weight, tying
09:30 it with the Husqvarna for second lightest in the comparison.
09:33 Further sweetening the deal are agreeable ergonomics and Brembo brakes, which are strongest
09:37 in the class and a shared component with the Husqvarna and Gas-Gas.
09:41 More suspension and chassis comfort and a freer-feeling engine character are what the
09:45 KTM needs to reach the top step of the podium in this comparison.
09:49 Capturing its fourth consecutive victory in Dirt Rider's 450 motocross shootout is the
09:53 Kawasaki KX450.
09:56 No mechanical changes for 2022, but Team Green's flagship motocrosser didn't need any to
10:00 retain its place at the top of the class.
10:03 It's not the highest performing motorcycle on the dyno with 52.2 horsepower and 32.4
10:09 pound-feet of torque, ranking at 6 in peak horsepower and tied with the YZ450F for least
10:14 peak torque.
10:15 The engine doesn't offer the most power in any part of the RPM range, but is very lively,
10:20 usable and easy to ride.
10:22 Crisp throttle response, minimal engine braking, and the easiest clutch pull via its Nissan
10:27 hydraulic system are other positive qualities of the KX450 powerplant.
10:32 Suspension duties are handled by a Showa 49mm coil spring fork and Showa shock, which are
10:37 very plush, simple to tune, and fairly well balanced.
10:41 Riders over 170 pounds will find the fork to be a touch soft and slightly out of balance
10:46 in relation to the shock.
10:47 Those under that weight will find the components very close to perfect in stock trim.
10:52 Handling is predictable and consistent with a near perfect balance of cornering and stability.
10:56 Chassis comfort is high, and even though the Green machine ties the CRF450R for second
11:01 heaviest bike in the test at 244 pounds wet, it feels lighter than most of its competition.
11:07 Less leaning ergonomics with narrow bodywork, a flat seat, well proportioned rider triangle,
11:12 and smaller overall feeling give the KX450 the best ergonomics in the class.
11:17 A firmer fork setting, less touchy rear brake, and a handlebar mounted engine map select
11:22 button are what Kawasaki's flagship motocrosser needs to make it even better for next year.
11:27 So that wraps up for Dirt Rider's 2022 450 motocross shootout with the Kawasaki KX450
11:33 taking its fourth consecutive victory.
11:35 An easy to ride but lively engine character, plush suspension, neutral handling chassis,
11:41 and agreeable ergonomics are just a few reasons the KX450 came out on top once again.
11:46 Thank you all for tuning in, if you enjoyed watching this video be sure to like, comment,
11:50 and subscribe, and if you haven't gotten a chance to already, head on over to DirtRider.com
11:54 to read the full shootout.
11:55 And we'll see you next time.
11:57 [engine revving]

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