2023 Vital MX 450 Shootout

Check out Vital MX's thoughts on the 2023 class of 450 motocross bikes as we put them head-to-head. Detailed article coming on Tuesday the 9th.
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[@vitalmx]

A detailed article will be on our site Tuesday morning the 9th! What are your thoughts on our rankings?

[@Runk3lsmcdougal]

Safe and Predictable

[@keithpeterson6108]

Good review. The Kawasaki forks are totally transformed when oil is added to them. They need to be at 380cc (minimum) & they become awesome forks. The deep stroke rebound (anything over half travel) is also fixed with the higher oil volumes. With the low levels, they "pop" out from the deep stroke. This causes guys to run the rebound clicker in too far which hurts the forks plushness & ability to follow the ground on the high frequency braking bumps. 380cc (minimum) & the rebound clicker set at 18 (I run 400cc) totally transforms the forks. You can go as much as 430cc if needed. The manual is wrong & should be 380cc minimum- 430cc maximum. Could maybe go as low as 360cc if it's an old guy & he doesn't jump at all. If his wheels leave the ground at all, 380cc.

[@markwilson8949]

Are you still putting the article up on your site

[@NickW90]

I can’t find the article on the site

[@Peoplesuck333]

Biased and predictable as always

[@jkell411]

I like the ending statement he made, "spending your money as YZ-ely as possible."

[@quadcityracing]

Nice

[@OPFOR-Watchman]

Ill give a great review on suzuki , i just got a 2022 model for 5700 out the door a month ago. Fast and very responsive bike for your average rider. It looks the coolest out of every bike and is also extremely reliable there is no battery to worry about. Love it, its a mean machine no doubt.

[@kevinsnow9157]

Great job guys !! Very well put together .

[@brennan5220]

I’m loving mine!!

[@bikelifewithalex120]

Agree on Kawasaki Kx450F front suspension being a little soft at times. If you are a light rider you might be okay with stock setup. Bike is a pleasure to ride....

[@keithpeterson6108]

On the Kawasaki, has everyone forgotten about fork oil volumes? Like all the forks need to solve the bottoming issue is to get 380cc - 400cc of oil in them. They come stock with a very low volume (310cc) of oil & this is why they bottom.

[@dimitriesep220]

That's true, more oil works really well and most of the time they come with even less oil then described in the manual (saves money)

[@charleswinters7129]

Get your dealer to order some real Showa fork oil. It changes the fork when you put it in. The oil that comes in it is not that good. Then slowly increase the amount till it stops bottoming. It will also reduce the harshness feel in the fork. A good seal lube like Ohlin has will help also.

[@keithpeterson6108]

@Charles Winters Once you hit 380cc of oil (I run 400cc), it not only starts to help with bottoming, but it also makes a noticeable difference with the "deep stroke" rebound. Meaning anything over half travel. With lower oil levels, the forks "pop" back up too fast from deep stroke rebound. Many run the rebound in to try & combat this, but that ruins the plushness & the small/high speed bump capability of them. With more oil, it puts the spring seat in the oil longer for both compression & rebound. Being in the oil longer for the rebound helps a lot & totally solves the need for more rebound shims & allows for the forks rebound "clicker" to be set out at 18 for waaaay better plushness & the front wheel ground tracking capability in the braking bumps. 380cc (minimum) - 400cc (up to 430cc max) & the rebound clicker set at 18 totally transforms the forks. Definitely use good oil. I use the KYB oil. The cheaper (maxima, belray, ect) doesn't hold up as long & isn't nearly as "slippery" as the good stuff. Race tech oil is good, too. It could very well be the KYB stuff.

[@stevesmith756]

Keith you are totally right. Exactly what I had to do to mine. Can’t believe the factory base setting is that far off with spring rate and oil level. Waaay too low

[@ryanselway7944]

I haven't rode the new yz and have a 22 kx450. It's such a good bike. If your not pro you just need to spring and valve it for your weight and speed

[@kimberlyperezurrea]

😮

[@kimberlyperezurrea]

Zo

[@mvcvm6398]

Good job. When is the factory edition shootout coming?

[@mxracer158]

Ok im confused. You said the kawi was weak and forks were too soft. This too me does not equal a comfortable bike to ride / race. Did you have any issues with stripped bolts in the subframe? my friends kx did. Thanks for posting. Testing us a lot of work.

[@midgetmoney1]

I would like to know a breakdown of what percentage of "off road motorcycles" sold are track bikes, trail bikes, and other. From what I have heard, trail bikes, or enduro bikes and the fastest growing segment. One that the Japanese brands are essentially not in. This leaves the European brands dominating at least half the total off road market (napkin math). I know this is a motocross review but it's interesting to think about. ???

[@mxriderdakar]

What sag, forks height did you use on the yz450f?

[@vitalmx]

3mm on fork height and between 98-102mm on the sag depending on rider.

[@juanpablohinestrosa7929]

Which tracks did you go?

[@Greenup_Ashton]

Any chance y’all will get the Beta 450 RX in for the 2024 or 2025 shootout?

[@jonruger]

I bought my 23 Honda right before the Yamaha came out still have not rode it yet but I want to I liked everything about my 19 YZ450 but the weight.

[@KICKERMAN124]

Get another Yamaha. Honda was fast and as good suspenion wise but the yam is so much smoother

[@mxr248]

Weight never bothered me at all. Yamaha is all around great bike and has been for years.

[@alexgood5584]

Would be interesting to see a test test of a ktm or Yamaha then test with a Suzuki built to bring it to the same cost as a yammy or ktm etc

[@denniswilder3014]

Everyone bags on Suzuki being out dated the kawi has really not changed either.i really love my zuuk 450.i did a exhaust the suspension and dropped 2 teeth on the rear.and I love it.its a 2021 with about 100 hours on it.still feels tight and is fast as hell.

[@jonruger]

It’s because it is. Still a good bike but compared to all the others it is slow and for the price a Kawi is the same or less usually. Keefer got everyone hyped on $5000 RMZ’s but he was wrong no where was selling them that cheap. Best deal I found on the west coast was $7200 but my local dealer had the Kawi for $7000.

[@jonruger]

@@denniswilder3014 I wanted one if I could get it that cheap. And really they are still fast just not as fast comparatively plus I’ve always liked the way Suzukis and Hondas turn. If I could have found one cheap I would have got it.

[@jonruger]

@@denniswilder3014 would still blow away any older bikes and kicking a bike doesn’t bother me one bit I did in for twenty years before they put estuary on them.

[@vintagetrikesandquads4012]

Where is that track with the big boulders, trees, etc? It looks like a motocross track, not too groomed. You guys should identify where you're testing in the description. Some are obvious, like Glen Helen, but some aren't. I'm always looking for new places to ride.

[@ryankelso7980]

when will Beta start to be included in these test?

[@vitalmx]

There is no Beta motocross bike yet. They are racing a bike that isn't for sale. When we can get a production version, we'll add it.

[@canamxmr4760]

any idea when the 24 YZ250F will drop?

[@Dimitri718]

In 2024 😂

[@canamxmr4760]

@@Dimitri718 💩

[@KlintonSilvey]

I will say that Hondas have a legit break-in period before they feel good. But get the sag right and drop the fork down and they get a lot better

[@quadcityracing]

Yep, chopper the Honda. It still turns quick.

[@elementsdesignco]

Shots fired at Suzuki!😅

[@timbruckner8154]

I would love to see a real Deal with Suzuki, TM and Beta...

[@vitalmx]

Based on our experience with those bikes, they would take up the bottom three spots.

[@Peoplesuck333]

@@vitalmx that’s because you guys are Biased and rank them the way your told. Proof of that is since 2016, 2017 and 2018 shootouts Suzuki has been last. In 2024 you say Suzuki is last because they haven’t changed since 2018? Guys are full of it lol even if you did put Beta and TM in the shootout Suzuki would still come in last.

[@NickW90]

Detailed article is no where to be found…

[@xlankex]

Every single year we get the line, "The air forks have come a long way". When are they going to give it up? It's always seen as a compromise.

[@chestercalloway3812]

Published about 8 months too late

[@the1realktmriderk560]

The ait forks are so ass why can’t they just go back to spring

[@MikeFox135]

What's up with these shootouts coming out so late.

[@devineunlimited6800]

ML's hanging out with Darkside to much😂. But he does do a great job

[@MikeFox135]

@@devineunlimited6800 it's not just vital. These used to come out in November. Yamaha will be announcing the 24's in a month

[@devineunlimited6800]

Oh I no, by xmass time the latest. 24 models will be in dealerships in a couple months

[@MX-CO]

Better late than never

[@joslinnick]

Man, what happened to Suzuki? They used to be a class leader. Now, they won't even donate a bike because they know they'll finish last.

[@Steezy_Mx]

If you didn’t feel the need to use Suzuki because they finished “Last” in all the shootouts then why did you even bother to ask them in the first place 🤷🏻‍♂️ 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@SuzukiKid400]

It’s funny because finishing “last” means absolutely nothing. Most people who buy motocross bikes don’t race, they just ride for fun and Suzuki fits that bill.

[@jpesicka999]

Look at the 2018 shootout the 450 hasn’t changed since then 👍

[@Peoplesuck333]

@@jpesicka999very stupid argument. You go watch the 2016, 2017 and 2018 shootout and the still come in last. They rank them the way there told. Suzuki pissed off somebody with a lot of say in the motocross world clearly 👍

[@Steezy_Mx]

With all the rider/ bike accidents happening I just don’t trust Kawasaki @ #2

[@owenmiguel5903]

You can’t actually blame the bike for that😂

[@SLOWWS6]

Absolutely missing out on a fantastic bike

[@ACDC77887]

Suzuki is not an option in 2023 XD

[@marcozuffada]

too late🙄

[@Peoplesuck333]

1.)Yamaha 2.)Honda 3.)ktm,husky,gasgas same bike 4.)Kawasaki And I don’t blame Suzuki for not wanting to do the shootout. All u guys do is dog on Suzuki. Also kids it’s 80% rider as KR proved that easily riding a Suzuki. Guys you forgot Beta and TM 450’s

[@petrblazek9507]

Where is Suzuki? Not watching this

[@Runk3lsmcdougal]

They backed out 😂

[@jpesicka999]

Grow up, it’s a good bike but remains unchanged. Watch a 2018 shootout

[@victorrodas5373]

lol This channel sux now …bland and dull, and Lewis…sucks😂😂😆 Shame

[@swemx7403]

What I don't seem to understand with all this wining and crying each year going from ''The bike is too strong and has a hard hit, So the guys tend to map the bike easier to ride'' Next year you hear ''The bike seem to soft and lean on power, We wish that the bike was more hard hitting and stronger in general''. LIKE PICK A THING! FFS! In my opinion I say - Let the bikes be too strong and THEN YOU CAN MAP it to how you want it to be! Not the way around having a too mellow bike that cant get stronger! Im so sick and tired of all these crying babies each year!