If you didn’t get the previous issue of ADB, you missed out on our massive 450cc MX Shootout! It was a 30-page epic featuring eight bikes but despite its length, we still couldn’t fit in all the testers’ feedback. So, we’ve dedicated this section to give you the unsolicited, word-for-word feedback from each tester the moment they hopped off each bike. Enjoy!
Charlie White
KTM 450 SX-F
I thought it was a really easy bike to ride. Everything felt strong. The brakes and clutch were awesome – no faults at all. Overall, it was a very comfortable bike to ride.
GASGAS MC 450F
The GASGAS was similar. I noticed a bit more vibration compared to the KTM. Other than that, it was very rider-friendly. It had great bottom-end power and a nice snap to it. Overall, a really friendly bike to ride.
Husqvarna FC 450
The Husky was really stable. It was the last bike I rode and the track was pretty beat up, but it handled nicely. The clutch and brakes were unreal. The power was strong, and it was a good all-around bike. I really liked it.
Yamaha YZ450F
It seemed to do everything really well. The power was unbelievable, and it put down traction impressively. Everything worked seamlessly. I felt comfortable on it, especially since it’s the bike I ride. Overall, it was really good.
Kawasaki KX450F
The Kawi was a surprise for me. Initially, it felt a bit dodgy, but after a few laps, it was probably the best bike in the corners – it just sat perfectly. The power wasn’t as aggressive as some of the other bikes but in slippery conditions it tracked well. It felt like a good all-rounder.
Honda CRF450R
The Honda was great. It felt really planted in straight-line ruts. The power, braking and suspension were all excellent. Everything felt good on the Honda.
Fantic XXF 450
The Fantic was a bit of an eye-opener. Coming off the other bikes, it felt like a tricked-out, factory race-ready machine. Everything was quite aggressive – power, braking – and the suspension was stable. It’s ready to go fast.
Beta RX450
The Beta was nice. The power felt more like a 250, requiring me to open up the corners more. It handled revs well. The bike sat a bit low and in the ruts it felt like it was swallowing me up a bit. However, the brakes, controls and overall ride were good.
Jeff Briggs
KTM 450 SX-F
I really liked the KTM. The engine was strong and linear, with great bottom and midrange power. The suspension was impressive, holding up well, though it was a bit harsh on the initial stroke. The rear was predictable and the ergonomics were good. Brakes are strong Brembos.
Yamaha YZ450F
The Yamaha was my pick for the day. I loved the throttle roll-off, with no engine braking, which made cornering much easier than other 450s. The revised suspension settings from last year are a big improvement, with better fork support. The engine is aggressive but very usable. For me, it’s the clear winner.
Husqvarna FC 450
The Husky has great bottom-end power but suffers from a bit of off-throttle engine braking, which was tough for me. The traction control was effective. Suspension was a bit soft, but pushing the forks through helped with stability. The shock was comfortable and predictable. Ergos and standard ’bar are good. Solid brakes.
Kawasaki KX450
Right out of the box, the Kawasaki was smooth and tractable. It’s a user-friendly bike and offers great value for money. The suspension was solid, with the fork feeling really good and the rear shock similarly predictable, if slightly soft. Ergonomics were comfortable. The brakes were strong.
Honda CRF450R
The Honda’s engine felt a bit soft. It was very linear with excellent traction but lacked the bark of some other bikes. The suspension was too soft; it felt like an enduro setup, great for a 70-80kg rider but too soft for me. The rear was fine, but the fork needed firming up. Ergonomics were comfortable, with Renthal ’bar and grips. The brakes were the best in the bunch.
Fantic XXF 450
The Fantic was a surprise. Based on the YZ-F chassis and engine, the bottom, mid and top were all strong. It was like a race-ready YZ-F with a pipe and bigger airbox. Suspension was firmer than the YZ-F, making it feel like a race model. It held up well but might be challenging on a dry, slippery track. Ergonomically, it was similar to the Yamaha, and the brakes were comparable to the YZ-F.
Beta RX450
The Beta surprised me. The engine was a bit soft, and I’d have liked more bark, but it was very tractable. It doesn’t do anything wrong – it turns well and the KYB suspension was great. Ergonomics were good, though you sit more on the bike compared to others. My only gripe was the seat—it wasn’t comfortable. The Nissin brakes were great.
Joel Rizzo
KTM 450 SX-F
I found it had good bottom-end and midrange power, but no over-rev pull, which was surprising. The suspension was plush and provided much more front-end feel than previous years. It sat high in the rear. Ergonomics were slim and felt level overall. The ’bar, clutch and general setup were all good.
Yamaha YZ450F
The Yamaha was very responsive at both the top and bottom end. The fork was the best – very plush and held up well. I rated that package highly. Ergonomics were good, with a slim profile, comfortable seat and dramatically improved shroud width. The only issue I had was the ’bar height; it was too high for me.
Husqvarna FC 450
This was my first ride and I found the engine strong in the midrange but with less bottom-end compared to the KTM. The suspension was stiff and provided less front-end connection, but it felt stable on jumps. Overall, it felt very level, and I liked the handlebar.
GASGAS MC 450F
The GASGAS felt a bit flat and less exciting compared to the Husky and KTM. The suspension was noticeably softer, which was surprising since I expected it to be identical. The ’bar was too high for me and it didn’t feel as comfortable. The brakes were identical to those on the KTM and Husky.
Kawasaki KX450
The Kawasaki’s engine felt a bit dull and restricted, particularly through the exhaust, but it still put power to the ground. It was mellow, making it a good option for novice riders. The suspension provided good front-end feel, similar to the Yamaha. Ergonomics were comfortable, especially off ramps. Brakes were average. I noticed the clutch fluttering under heavy use.
Honda CRF450R
I’m coming at the Honda with a different perspective. The engine was torquey and punchy, though not particularly loud or aggressive. It excelled in third and fourth gears, pulling well. The suspension was stable in turns, sitting higher in the rear, which suited tight, rutted ground. The bike felt light and was easy to throw around, especially on ramps and in the air. The brakes were decent.
Fantic XXF 450
The Fantic was a bit of a wildcard. The engine was punchy and aggressive, responding directly to throttle input. The fork was perfect, identical to a Yamaha, but the shock was harsh and rigid, especially under braking. It performed okay in mid-turns and sat well on exits under acceleration. The brakes were average. Overall it had a solid, good feel.
Beau Ralston
KTM 450 SX-F
The KTM was unreal overall but I found it difficult to achieve the exact comfort I was after with the air forks, even with adjustments. That said, you can pump them up enough to go fast. The engine package stands head and shoulders above the rest in terms of usability – very strong right off the bottom.
Yamaha YZ450F
Having spent most of my career on Yamahas, I was surprised by how much I liked it straight away – it usually takes me time to get used to them. It was immediately comfortable with great suspension – it was slightly soft due to my size, but predictable and easy to push hard. The engine is incredibly fast, although not necessarily the most usable for all riders.
Husqvarna FC 450
The Husky felt very similar to the KTM in terms of power. The cockpit was less comfortable, as you sit more in it than on it, and the handlebar felt higher. The bend wasn’t my preference. I did like that the rear end sat a bit lower than the KTM, which made it more comfortable.
GASGAS MC 450F
The GASGAS was similar again, though it felt a bit closer to the KTM than the Husky. It had a racier feel in the cockpit. On the track, all three bikes behaved similarly. One noticeable issue was the brakes – they weren’t as effective as those on the Husky or KTM.
Honda CRF450R
The Honda has a lot of potential. The stock suspension setup was too soft, causing the chassis to perform below its capability. It dives excessively under braking, which is exaggerated by the powerful front brake. The exhaust restricts the engine, but you can feel its underlying potential. Aside from that, it offers excellent traction everywhere and stays planted.
Fantic XXF 450
The Fantic was similar to the Yamaha but even faster. The engine didn’t run as smoothly, feeling a bit spotty at times. The suspension was firmer than the Yamaha, giving it a more race-ready feel, and allowing it to charge hard from the get-go. Overall, it was very similar to the Yamaha, but with a few quirks.
Beta RX450
The Beta’s chassis was extremely stable and planted while still being capable of turning on a dime. The engine was very usable, but the ergonomics were a bit off for me; the shroud felt wide and the top was bare, creating an odd feel. The exhaust guard also dug into my boot and calf, which was uncomfortable.
Phillip Foster
Husqvarna FC 450
I liked that it was light and punchy. The only downside for me was the air forks – I’m more of a spring-and-oil guy. Other than that, it handled well and was fun to throw around on the track. The engine was good, with a strong top end and smooth bottom end through corners. Overall, the gearing felt great on the track.
Yamaha YZ450F
I loved the Yamaha – no complaints at all. It felt more aggressive than any other bike and handled smoothly throughout the track. There’s nothing I would change.
Beta RX450
I didn’t mind the Beta, but I wasn’t completely sold on it due to the seating position, which was uncomfortable for me as a taller rider. The footpegs made it feel like my knees were too close to the ’bar, especially in corners. A higher seat might help. It had a good top end and it levelled out well during jumps with a quick panic rev.
Kawasaki KX450
The Kawi was a solid bike with good settings. I liked the ability to change the map and traction control. My only gripe was with the high ’bar. The engine was nice, though there were a few moments where it felt like it hit a false neutral and cut out slightly on up-ramp peaks. It was good overall.
Honda CRF450R
The main change I’d make is a factory suspension setup; I’d go for a firmer setting. After riding a firmer setup on another rider’s bike, it handled everything beautifully – ruts and bumps included. Other than that, it was a solid bike.
Fantic XXF 450
This bike packs a lot of punch and is a great option if you’re after a quick ride. The main downside was the exhaust and gear shifter pushing my boot out slightly. If you’re wearing Tech 7 boots instead of Tech 10s, it’d be fine. Otherwise, it was very punchy and strong in the top end.
GASGAS MC 450F
Similar to the Husky, I’d swap the air forks for springs. Other than that it was a nice bike. It had a smooth top and bottom end, and felt stable through the rollers. Overall, it was a good ride.
Stefan Granquist
KTM 450 SX-F
I liked the engine; it was a medium package among all the bikes. It didn’t do anything unexpected, and the gearing worked well. I did struggle a bit with front-end feel, and we had to make adjustments to improve it. The fork wasn’t my favourite, but we managed to get it better. The shock and rear-end setup were solid. Overall, it was predictable.
Yamaha YZ450F
The Yamaha was definitely a standout for me. The suspension and handling were unreal. The engine is incredibly fast. My only issue was with the shifter – it was a bit too close, causing me to hit a false neutral occasionally. Other than that, it was smooth sailing with no major issues.
Beta RX450
I’d never ridden a motocross Beta before and it exceeded my expectations. It was a medium package in terms of engine performance – not the fastest but also not the slowest. The suspension held up well, though I was chasing better mid-corner feel and front-end stability at times. We managed to improve it, and while it may not have been the standout, it was still a very solid bike.
Kawasaki KX450
The Kawasaki was a nice package overall. I liked the grunt of the engine – it wasn’t overly punchy, allowing for smooth roll-ons through corners. Power delivery was predictable, and the handling, ergos and general feel were spot on. I could dive into ruts confidently and I didn’t have to hunt for front-end traction. Even on flatter hardpack corners, it offered good grip.
Honda CRF450R
Initially the Honda’s suspension felt a bit soft, especially on fast downhills, but that’s an easy fix. Everywhere else, the bike performed impressively. The handling, traction and feel from tyre to dirt were second to none. The power output was on the lower end but it was incredibly easy to ride, almost like a smaller-capacity bike. It was just pure fun – I didn’t have to overthink anything, just look forward to the next corner.
Fantic XXF 450
It was exciting to ride the Fantic. The engine was super powerful with a linear delivery, almost reminiscent of an electric bike… or a factory motocross machine. The suspension was good but didn’t quite match the feel of the Yamaha; it was less planted. Still, it turned and handled well.
GASGAS MC 450F
The GASGAS was the last of the KTM group bikes I rode, and I enjoyed it the most. It doesn’t have all the switches and extras of the other bikes, but it handled really nicely. While the three KTM group bikes feel quite similar, the GASGAS is the one that stands out.
