Progress isn’t at all times clear within the second. There are unsuitable turns and misfires on the trail ahead, however while you look again, you possibly can often establish some extent of no return in technological development. The 2024 crop of 450 motocross bikes clearly demonstrates that there’s no going again. Even although solely two of the seven bikes are considerably modified this yr, it’s obvious that we’ve got crossed the edge into a brand new age of digital improvement. All the producers now supply some digital technique of altering the personalities of their merchandise, and that issue will solely change into extra vital as we’re drawn ahead within the irresistible gravity of development.

This yr we’ve got two new bikes: the Kawasaki KX450 and the GasGas MC450F. The Yamaha YZ450F had a major redesign final yr, and so did the Honda CR450R, the Husqvarna FC450 and the KTM 450SX. Even the Suzuki RM-Z450 has a twist this yr as a result of our check bike is the RM Army Edition. All supply know-how that wasn’t out there and even potential just a few years in the past. Here are the robust factors and weak factors of every one.

You can watch the Dirt Bike Magazine 450 Shootout video here.

GASGAS MC450F

Catching up or transferring forward?

The GasGas MC450F is a brand new bike this yr, but it surely was no shock. It now has the identical body and motor that the KTM and Husqvarna obtained final yr. The bodywork is totally different, in fact, and so are a variety of elements. GasGas has softer suspension settings than the opposite Austrian bikes, it has a cast triple clamp, Braktec brakes and hydraulics, Maxxis tires, and totally different bars and rims. It additionally comes with out a map change or a resonance chamber within the head pipe. An attention-grabbing twist is that the GasGas has all the identical tech because the KTM and Husqvarna 450s. It has Quickshift, a number of maps and traction management, however you need to purchase the non-compulsory map change to entry these options.

STRONG POINTS

• Great motor. Excellent low-end and nonetheless very controllable.
• It’s the lightest bike in the entire shootout at 228 kilos with out gasoline.
• It turns with little or no effort and has no actual points within the stability division.
• The suspension is soft and extra in step with intermediate-level riders.
• The controls are all wonderful. These are one of the best Braktec brakes we’ve got examined but.

WEAK POINTS

• More superior riders will dissipate the suspension pretty rapidly.
• The body could be very inflexible.
• The Maxxis tires generally is a handicap on arduous terrain.
• Air fork requires consideration between motos.
• You’ll want to purchase the map change for traction management, launch help and Quickshift. That’s $135.

BOTTOM LINE

GasGas is intentionally positioned on the backside of the Austrian pecking order. But, that’s no main fault, as a result of all have excellent energy and dealing with. The GasGas solely provides away floor in areas that matter little or no to amateurs and sportsmen.

HONDA CRF450R

Jett didn’t do it alone

Last yr the Honda CRF450R was essentially the most profitable bike within the historical past of AMA professional racing. It is unchanged for 2024, but it surely obtained a brand new body and a really totally different character final yr. The earlier bike was a brute. It made a lot energy that many of the modifications in 2023 have been aimed toward making it extra controllable. Interestingly sufficient, you possibly can nonetheless purchase the sooner model of the Honda. It’s known as the CRF450R-S and sells for significantly much less. There are three maps out there by way of a handlebar change, in addition to traction management. The suspension is Showa, and the brakes and hydraulic clutch are each Nissin.

STRONG POINTS

• Exceptional low-end energy. Below 7500 rpm, it positively crushes every part else.
• Throttle response is instant and crisp.
• It additionally has very fast, responsive steering. The Honda handles mild.
• The precise weight is 233 kilos with out gasoline on our scale.
• The Honda is a cushty bike. The structure is roomy, and the controls are all good, together with the map change.

WEAK POINTS

• The body is inflexible. It has the stiffest really feel of all.
• Suspension steadiness is difficult. Light riders won’t be capable to take off sufficient spring preload within the rear to get the advisable 105mm of race sag.
• The energy drops too dramatically on high, though we will’t complain that any of those bikes are missing in energy.
• The quick powerband forces you to shift earlier than you’re prepared.

BOTTOM LINE

Honda is on high of the world with regards to professional racing, however the manufacturing model is a complicated mixture of traits. Pros and amateurs alike might want to handle the suspension to unleash the interior champion that everyone knows the CRF450R may be.

HUSQVARNA FC450

Old-world heritage and cutting-edge know-how

The Husqvarna FC450 makes use of the identical motor and body because the KTM and GasGas, however there are a selection of variations that give it a separate id, beginning with much less seat peak. That’s as a result of the suspension journey is barely diminished on the FC450. There are additionally some variations in elements, bodywork and hydraulics. The Husky makes use of Brembo brakes and hydraulics, it has D.I.D DirtStar rims, a ProTaper handlebar, and a composite airbox/subframe construction.

STRONG POINTS

• Incredible motor. It’s very, very quick and nonetheless controllable.
• Smoother mid-range than the opposite Austrian bikes.
• Quickshift is helpful for many riders. For the others, it may be turned off.
• The diminished seat peak is in style with everybody.
• Overall dealing with is superb. It turns effectively and stays stage on acceleration.
• It’s very mild at 229 kilos.
• We love the clutch, we love the brakes. We love the grips, We love the bars.

WEAK POINTS

• The chassis could be very Supercross-oriented. That means it’s stiff and places an excessive amount of burden on excellent suspension setup.
• The WP suspension can’t be known as a weak level, however it might’t adequately compensate for the chassis rigidity.
• You can get it proper, however be ready to do quite a lot of testing.
• Air fork requires consideration between motos.

BOTTOM LINE

It’s simple to level out the variations between the Husqvarna and the KTM, however troublesome to assign a worth to these variations. The slight discount in seat peak takes on a disproportionately better that means in separating the 2, however each stay comparable on the observe and lead the sector in energy, mild weight and cornering.

KAWASAKI KX450

Last yr’s champion, this yr’s query mark

There’s lots to speak about with the brand new Kawasaki KX450, so that you’ll need to take a look at our separate check of that bike on this concern. Everything is new, however to go over a number of the main particulars briefly, the motor has a center-port exhaust, the entrance brake is a Brembo and the rear brake caliper is a redesigned Nissin. Kawasaki paid quite a lot of consideration to the electronics bundle. It has a handlebar change with delicate and aggressive maps out there on the fly, plus traction management. Kawasaki now presents the Rideology smartphone app for engine tuning, very very like Yamaha’s Power Tuner.

STRONG POINTS

• Kawasaki didn’t mess something up.
• Still very controllable.
• The chassis could be very compliant. Kawasaki doesn’t beat you up.
• Overall suspension is superb.
• It’s a cushty bike at any pace.
• The steering is quicker and extra responsive.
• Still, the KX is essentially the most secure bike at pace.
• The brakes are robust.
• The clutch pull is simple and the controls are wonderful, even the brand new ODI grips.
• You can nonetheless regulate the footpeg place.

WEAK POINTS

• Soft motor output. The Kawasaki nonetheless provides up horsepower to the Yamaha and all of the Austrian bikes.
• You can get a bit of extra snap with the Rideology app, however not sufficient to out-drag these different bikes in a straight line.
• The KX450 gained weight this yr. At 239 kilos with out gasoline, it’s over 10 kilos heavier than the lightest bike within the shootout.

BOTTOM LINE

The KX450 is totally totally different however one way or the other the identical. It stays the friendliest 450 for the typical rider with out giving up pro-level potential. The addition of a extra refined electronics bundle is the largest enchancment for 2024.

KTM 450SX-F

Austrian flagship

KTM is the massive brother to GasGas and Husqvarna, so it’s simple to suppose they’re all the identical, however the variations are value speaking about. The KTM has a unique airbox and that offers the motor a unique really feel. The suspension setup is totally different and so is the handlebar, the bodywork and the edges. Still, an important elements are the motor and body, so most of the KTM strengths and weaknesses will sound acquainted.

STRONG POINTS

• Like the GasGas and Husky, the motor is unbelievable.
• On the dyno, the KTM produces the best peak energy.
• Less inflexible subframe.
• Cornering is one other robust level that the KTM shares with the Husky and GasGas.
• The KTM is similar weight because the Husky at 229 kilos with out gasoline.
• Best general suspension of the Austrian bikes.

WEAK POINTS

• Frame could be very inflexible.
• Harsh general really feel.
• Some motor vibration.
• Air fork requires consideration between motos.

BOTTOM LINE

The 450SX-F’s place because the chief of the European counterattack is effectively established, and all of the others look to KTM first earlier than introducing developments of their very own. The incontrovertible fact that it has two siblings from the identical manufacturing facility make the state of affairs rather less clear, however make no mistake that KTM is a significant driving pressure available in the market and on the observe for 2024.

SUZUKI RM-Z450

The nice rediscovery of 2024

Ken Roczen single-handedly gave renewed life to the Suzuki RM-Z450. He came upon what we’ve got recognized for a very long time: the Suzuki has quite a lot of nice factors and is a worthwhile consideration regardless of being a product of an earlier time. Our check bike is the RM Army Edition, which remains to be out there by way of some sellers. It has a Pro Circuit exhaust and specialedition graphics. The 2024 RM-Z450 now comes with an EFI tuning device manufactured by GET/Athena.

STRONG POINTS

• Turns simply with out being nervous or hyper.
• Very secure.
• We know from expertise that the Suzuki chassis could be very compliant.
• The RM-Z450 is a really comfy bike. The ergos are unfold out, and just about everybody feels at dwelling instantly.

WEAK POINTS

• Stiff rear suspension.
• No electrical begin (we needed to say it).
• Tied because the heaviest 239 kilos with out gasoline.
• The RM has a cable clutch that fades rapidly.

BOTTOM LINE

We really feel vindicated that the motocross world has rediscovered the Suzuki RM-Z450. We’ve beloved it for years. The incontrovertible fact that it’s frozen in time remains to be simple, and the rear suspension is the first sore level. We know methods to repair it, however so does Suzuki. We simply want they might do it.

YAMAHA YZ450F

The golden bike of final yr nonetheless shines

The Yamaha YZ450F was final yr’s surprise bike, and it nonetheless impresses us as a lot as ever. Everything was new: body, motor, bodywork—every part. Now, the 2024 mannequin is unchanged, however we’re at all times discovering new personalities due to the Yamaha Power Tuner smartphone App, which lets you prepare dinner up your personal energy supply. The YZ450F you see on this video is the fiftieth Anniversary Edition.

STRONG POINTS

• The YZ feels prefer it has essentially the most energy, and that makes for a really thrilling journey.
• It’s simple to switch with the Yamaha Power Tuner.
• Excellent pro-level suspension. The rougher the observe and the sooner the tempo, the higher the YZ450 works.
• The Yamaha is now unfold out and comfy.
• Much lighter and extra agile than the YZs of the previous days. The 2024 model is the lightest of the Japanese 450s at 231 kilos

WEAK POINTS

• In inventory configuration, the facility climbs very steeply in the course of the powerband and generally is a handful.
• It’s really arduous to maintain the entrance finish down.
• Very responsive steering.
• Tallest seat peak.
• Loud consumption noise.

BOTTOM LINE

The buzz that the YZ450F generated final yr nonetheless hasn’t died down and is effectively deserved. The Yamaha is quick, mild and technologically unmatched. The energy, suspension and dealing with are all very pro-oriented, and if that’s you, it’s in all probability the only option.

CONCLUSION

The alternative by no means will get any simpler

When we again off and take a look at the massive image, we’ve got a lot the identical alternative as final yr. It’s a Kawasaki-versus-Yamaha showdown.

The Yamaha has energy and suspension, whereas the Kawasaki has manageability and dealing with. Last yr we selected the Kawasaki by the slimmest of margins as a result of we really feel it’s aimed on the common rider. That standards hasn’t modified. With that in thoughts, the brand new KX would really should be a step backward if it have been to lose in opposition to the unchanged Yamaha. In no unsure phrases, the brand new KX is not a step backwards. In sheer efficiency, it could be a lateral transfer—no higher, no worse. But, in know-how and potential, it’s a giant step ahead. As far because the others go, we as soon as once more see the Husqvarna and KTM taking the subsequent two positions, adopted by GasGas, Honda and Suzuki. It’s a really tightly grouped bunch of bikes—once more.