2023 450 Moto Shootout: KTM 450 Factory Edition vs YZ450 Monster Edition

23.5 KTM 450 Factory Edition vs 23 Yamaha YZ450F Monster Edition ridden Back to Back!
Back to back rides are a great way to get a feel for the different characteristics of each bike. Thoughts on these 2023 450F moto bikes...
2023.5 KTM 450 Factory Edition
A few updates for the 23 model year including an Akrapovic slip on muffler, Hinson clutch cover, skid plate with carbon fiber sections now fits perfectly and bolts on easily, front braking rotor protector is the higher end version with carbon fiber sections, and new graphics to match the team. When we unlocked the ECU at the dealer there was an updated ECU map to load. The engine runs clean with sharp throttle response and no chuffing or popping on decel. The Akrapovic slip on muffler is quiet and comes with full spark arrester installed. Initial throttle response in Map 1 (white map) is smooth with a strong linear power build with increasing engine RPM's. Map 2 (green map) livens up the throttle response. The KTM power feel is strong yet very easy to control. The suspension setting felt stiff but opening up the clickers made a noticeable improvement in compliance on the little chop. WP suspension always feels much better after 8~10 hours to break in but I did not wait and installed my WP Cone Valve spring forks at 1.6 hours ride time. The bike/chassis feels so much better with WP CV spring forks. The 450 Factory Edition has an excellent balance of cornering and stability at speed. The new chassis ergo's are excellent with the rider feeling connected to the bike while standing.
Negatives: The chassis and suspension feel stiff overall and take a while to break in (the chassis/bikes feels so much better with CV spring forks). AER forks are polarizing though work well for many riders. The engine has the most engine braking feel and the most vibration of the 2023 450's.
2023 Yamaha YZ450F Monster Edition
The YZ450 is all new for 2023. For me the engine stands out on the YZ450 and dominates the character of the whole bike. The engine is so free feeling with 2-stroke like throttle response that builds RPM and power quickly and controllably and with low engine braking and very little engine vibration. With 12~14 lbs of fuel located under the seat at the center of gravity (CG) of the bike, the tilted back cylinder head, and the air box behind the steering head overall mass centralization plus the free feeling engine combine to make the YZ450F feel very agile and lightweight in motion - more like a 350F. The KYB suspension is firmly damped and minimizes fore/aft chassis pitch under acceleration and braking. The KYB suspension stands out on the YZ450F and has a plush and absorbing overall feel. This is the most agile and quick handling YZ450 to date with a chassis that responds to rider inputs. This quickness helps in the corners and makes the front end feel a little busy and less planted at speed. 2nd and 3rd gears feel a tick taller overall compared to the KTM 450. The updated ergo's feel thin with excellent footpeg/seat/handlebar layout especially for taller riders.
Negatives: The YZ450 is tall and this is noticeable especially in the corners. The front end can feel a little busy at speed.
Summary:
The KTM 450 Factory Edition is a great combination of cornering and stability at speed with easy to control power and the unique feel of a steel frame (once it breaks in)
The YZ450F has a unique layout with a focus on mass centralization and a and combined with a super quick and free revving downdraft intake engine result in a 450 that feels like an agile 350
Here is my first 2023 450 review from back in February.... • 2023 450 Moto Shootout...

[@Rodneysnwridesandreviews]

Thanks so much for your non biased reviews on the bikes. I just picked up a 2023 KTM 450SXF FE, and coming off of a 2022 YZ450F The KTM has a lot more engine vibration, and the YZ was ultra smooth. I’m getting the KYB spring f, to ork conversion and bladder kit for the rear shock next week. Did you notice enough difference in vibration in the Protaper EVO bars that you added to warrant changing them?

[@mxengineer1]

Congratulations on your new 450FE! Such a cool bike! I did WP CV forks and had Brad at RideWorx install a bladder and re-valve the rear shock on mine. I also recently added Pro Taper Evo bars and the vibration and compliance was a little better - subtle change but if you are picky you will notice...I would say the bump impact change is a tick more noticeable than the slight vibration reduction.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqe4p4Gueb1ngqM

[@richardhammond2633]

Another enjoyable, real world review. Great to see others out there as well. Seriously, how good are the bikes these days??!!! Hard to go wrong really. Interesting to note that the Yami felt busy.... traditionally they were regarded as being very stable. The last 2 Yamis I had were very confidences inspiring at higher speeds.

[@mxengineer1]

Glad you enjoy the channel! This all new '23 YZ450F has a very different feel from any prior YZ450F's - so much more agile and quick responding. I am still running the forks in the as delivered triple clamp position - many slide them down a few mm's to stabilize the front end a bit. I like the agile feel and my son (who is fast) says the bike feels very good for him at speed. Easy enough to tune the YZ handling in with clickers and say and fork height. And as you noted these 450's are so good - just pick the characteristics you like and have fun!

[@davidevans3832]

Your videos are great! Tone of stuff on cross country 300’s, but your 450’s are always track bikes? Let’s see some cross country 450’s😀.

[@mxengineer1]

I plan on more 350/450 woods rides soon. I like to take my 450's into the woods! My '23 YZ450F... kzbin.info/www/bejne/roS8iH6arpeerKc My 23 YZ450F back to back with my 23 KTM 300XC... kzbin.info/www/bejne/fX-naIdtnZ2XpZo

[@cuddleman]

finally I bought 23.5 rockstar edition

[@mxengineer1]

Congratulations on your new bike!

[@ridendrive]

That new YZ is such a standout bike.

[@mxengineer1]

The '23 YZ450F is a unique 450F riding experience

[@Moffattfamily-316]

Which bike did you keep and or like the best?

[@mxengineer1]

My son and I went back and forth between these bikes many times. The 23/24 YZ450F is so responsive including a 2-stroke like quick revving engine and quick handling chassis. The 23.5 KTM 450 Factory Edition is the easiest to ride 60HP 450F engine and a great combination of cornering and stability. The YZ can feel a bit too responsive for some. The KTM takes some dialing in of the suspension. Pick the characteristics you like. I have since sold both bikes though I kept the 450FE longer. Now waiting on the updated 24.5 KTM 450 Factory Edition as I am interested in how the updated chassis feels - hoping for my compliance and comfort feel overall.

[@amikhael5135]

Which one is more agile and corner better for you ?

[@mxengineer1]

Both my son and I feel the KTM holds a slight edge in cornering (especially flat corners with no berm). The YZ holds a slight edge in agile feel with mass centralization and such a quick revving and responding engine.

[@pe47115]

Is it easy to grip the seat with your knees on the YZ450F? It looks like there isn’t much material on the side of the seat to grip. I’m 5’-8” and have short legs. It looks like my knees would be touching against the plastic, below where the seat is.

[@mxengineer1]

I don't feel much seat gripping on YZ450F. The new footpegs which tuck in closer to the frame along with the new plastic design on the '23 KTM's really help keep the rider in contact with the bike. The YZ450F footpeg brackets actually stick out noticeably and sometimes the rider their boots contacting the mounting brackets (MXA mentioned this in their '23 YZ450 test)

[@dillonjewison596]

Can’t wait for the 24 Kawasaki 450 SR 👌

[@mxengineer1]

I am excited to ride the all new "base" 2024 KX450 in August...wonder when the SR model based on the all new '24 KX450 will be available?

[@dillonjewison596]

@@mxengineer1 ya I’m excited to see what they come up with I got a 22 SR with 75 hrs on it and love the hell out of it

[@mxengineer1]

@@dillonjewison596 KYB is so good on the 22 450SR👍

[@dillonjewison596]

@@mxengineer1 ya just rebuilt the forks and shock and it brings a tear to my eye lol I did some laps on a 23 rockstar edition 450 and those air forks couldn’t be more different from what I was used to

[@mxengineer1]

@@dillonjewison596 Yes AER forks have a different feel from spring forks. I still prefer spring forks though enjoy the adjustability and lightweight of AER forks. Interesting how air forks (and shocks) are so accepted on MTB's but polarzing on moto bikes

[@jf-op1bb]

for you guys you prefer the yamaha or the ktm ?

[@mxengineer1]

The Yamaha engine revs with 2-stroke like quickness and free feeling and the mass centralized chassis has excellent agility for a 450. The KTM makes 60hp feel very rideable with such smooth yet strong power and a chassis with a great balance of cornering and stability. Both are fun and both feel completely different riding them!

[@aljonponce8683]

@@mxengineer1 true' the ktm is super power

[@jf-op1bb]

@@mxengineer1 what you prefer the air fork that of the ktm or the spring of the yamaha ?

[@mxengineer1]

@@jf-op1bb KYB suspension on most Yamaha models works great over a wide range of terrain and varying rider weight and skill levels - I give the edge to KYB spring forks

[@Moffattfamily-316]

Which bike did u stay with? The ktm?

[@LifeWideOpen780]

That ktm seems to build power like an old xr

[@mxengineer1]

Yes the KTM makes 60hp at the rear wheel that feels smooth and controllable...like (2) XR400's!🤣

[@LifeWideOpen780]

@@mxengineer1 lol

[@Sender76]

1st