2024 450 SHOOTOUT NOTES: THE WRAP

The 2024 450 Shootout is wrapping up. This year, the main challenge was to see where the new Kawasaki KX450 and GasGas MC450F fit in–all the other bikes are unchanged since our 2023 450 Shootout. We even knew what to expect with the GasGas because it was similar to the 2023 GasGas MC450F Factory Edition. That meant the Kawasaki was the only real mystery. Here are the bullet points for each bike:

GasGas MC450F

• It now has the same frame and motor that the KTM and Husqvarna got last year.
• The bodywork is exclusive to GsGas and so are a number of components. 
• GasGas has softer suspension settings than the other Austrian bikes.
• It has a forged triple clamps.
• Braktec brakes and hydraulics.
• Maxxis tires and different bars and rims
• It comes without a map switch or a resonance chamber in the headpipe.
• It sells for a little less than the other Austrian bikes at $10,399.

STRONG POINTS

• Great motor. Excellent low-end, and still very controllable
• It’s the lightest bike in the whole shootout at 228 pounds without fuel.
• It turns with very little effort. And has no real issues in the stability department.
• The suspension is cushy and more in line with intermediate-level riders
• The controls are all excellent. These are the best Braktec brakes we have tested yet,

WEAK POINTS

• More advanced riders will use up the suspension fairly quickly. 
• The frame is very rigid.
• The Maxxis tires can be a handicap on hard terrain.
• Air fork requires attention between motos.
• You’ll need to buy the map switch for traction control, launch assist and Quickshift. That’s $135.

Honda CRF450R. 

• This bike is unchanged for 2024, 
• It got a new frame and a very different personality last year.
• Most of the changes in 2023 were aimed at making it more controllable.
• You can still buy the earlier version of the Honda–it’s called the CRF450R-S and it sells for $8899.
• This one is $9699. 
• There are three maps available through a handlebar switch as well as traction control.
• The suspension is Showa
• The brakes and hydraulic clutch are both Nissin.

STRONG POINTS

• Exceptional low-end power. Below 7500 rpm, it positively crushes everything else. 
• Throttle response is immediate and crisp. 
• It also has very quick, responsive steering. The Honda handles light.
• The actual weight is 233 pounds without fuel on our scale.
• The Honda is a comfortable bike, The layout is roomy, and the controls are all good, including the map switch.

WEAK POINTS

• The frame is rigid. It has the stiffest feel of all.
•  Suspension balance is tricky. Light riders might not be able to take off enough spring preload in the rear to get the recommended 105mm of race sag.
• The power drops too dramatically on top, although we can’t complain that any of these bikes is lacking in power
• The short powerband forces you to shift before you’re ready.

Husqvarna FC450

• Uses the same motor and frame as the KTM and GasGas
• Less seat height than the other Austrian bike because the suspension travel is slightly reduced. 
• The Husky uses Brembo  brakes and  hydraulics
• DID Dirt Star rims
• Pro Taper handlebar
• Composite airbox/subframe structure. 
• Highest price of any bike in the shootout: $11,199.

STRONG POINTS

• Incredible motor. It’s very, very fast and still controllable.
• Smoother mid-range than the other Austrian bikes. 
• Quickshift is useful for most riders. For the others, it can be turned off.
• The reduced seat height is popular with everyone
• Overall handling is excellent. It turns well and remains level on acceleration.
• It’s very light at 229 pounds.
• We love the clutch, we love the brakes. We love the grips, We love the bars.

WEAK POINTS

• The chassis is very Supercross oriented. That means it’s stiff and puts too much burden on perfect suspension set up.
• The WP suspension can’t be called a weak point but it can’t adequately compensate for the chassis rigidity. 
• You can get it right but be prepared to do a lot of testing.
• Air fork requires attention between motos.

Kawasaki KX450

• Everything is new.
• The motor has a center-port exhaust
• The intake goes over the shock like a Honda.
• The front brake is a Brembo
• The rear brake caliper is a redesigned Nissin.
• It has a handlebar switch with mild and aggressive maps available on the fly plus traction control.
• Kawasaki now offers the “Rideology” smartphone app for engine tuning, very much like Yamaha’s Power Tuner. The price for the KX450 is now $10,399.

STRONG POINTS

• Kawasaki didn’t mess anything up.
• Still very controllable.
• The chassis is very compliant. Kawasaki doesn’t beat you up.
• Overall suspension is excellent
• It’s a comfortable bike at any speed.
• This year ,the steering is faster and more responsive
• Still, the KX is the most stable bike at speed.
• The brakes are strong
• The clutch pull is easy and the controls are excellent–even the new ODI grips, 
• You can still adjust the footpeg position.

WEAK POINTS

• Soft motor output: The Kawasaki still gives up horsepower to the Yamaha and all the Austrian bikes.
•  You can get a little more snap with the Rideology app, but not enough to out drag those other bikes in a straight line. 

• The KX450 gained weight this year. At 239 pounds without fuel, it’s over 10 pounds heavier than the lightest bike in the shootout.

KTM 450SX-F

• Big brother to GasGas and Husqvarna
• The KTM has a different airbox and that gives the motor a different feel
• .The suspension set-up is different
•  Neken handlebar
• Proprietary, bodywork

STRONG POINTS

• Like the GasGas and Husky, the motor is fantastic.
• On the dyno, the KTM produces the highest peak power.
• Cornering is another strong point that the KTM shares with the Husky and GasGas.
• The KTM is the same weight as the Husky, at 229 pounds without fuel.
• Best overall suspension of the Austrian bikes.
• Less rigid subframe.

WEAK POINTS

• Frame very rigid.
• Harsh overall feel.
• Some motor vibration
• Air fork requires attention between motos.

Suzuki RM-Z450

• The Suzuki has a lot of great points and is a worthwhile consideration despite being a product of an earlier time. 
• Our test bike is the RM-Army Edition.
•  It has a Pro Circuit Complete Exhaust and special edition graphics. 
• The 2024 RM-Z450 also comes with an EFI tuning tool manufactured by GET/Athena.
• It is the most affordable bike in the comparison at $9199.

STRONG POINTS

• Turns easily without being nervous or hyper.
• Very stable.
• We know from experience that the Suzuki chassis is very compliant
• The RM-Z450 is a very comfortable bike. The ergos are spread out and virtually everyone feels at home immediately.

WEAK POINTS

• Stiff rear suspension
• No electric start (we had to say it)
• Tied as the heaviest 239 pounds without fuel.
• The RM has a cable clutch that fades quickly.

Yamaha YZ450F

• Unchanged for 2024.
• Everything was new in 2023; frame, motor, bodywork.
• The Yamaha Power Tuner Smart Phone App allows you to cook up your own power delivery. 
• The YZ450F here is the 50th Anniversary Edition.
• It sells for $10,199, which is $200 more than the standard version. There are no mechanical differences.

STRONG POINTS

• YZ feels like it has the most power, and that makes for a very thrilling ride. 
• It’s easy to modify with the Yamaha Power Tuner.
• Excellent pro-level suspension. The rougher the track and the faster the pace, the better the YZ450 works.

• The Yamaha is now spread out and comfortable.
• Much lighter and more agile than the YZs of the old days. The 2024 version the lightest of the Japanese 450s at 231 lb..

WEAK POINTS

• In stock configuration, the power climbs very steeply in the middle of the powerband and  can be a handful.
•  It’s actually hard to keep the front end down.
• Very responsive steering. 
• Tallest seat height.
• Loud intake noise.

For the full shootout, click on the thumbnail above.

See you next week!