Bike Test: 2022 GASGAS EX 450F Review

[@vitalmx]

What off-road bikes do you want to see reviewed next?

[@johndepperschmidt8984]

300 Enduro's

[@Dashriprock4]

How does this compare to the rmx 450 that I recall you liking? I know it's shit tons lighter but how about the power and ease of use? Especially for an old fat vet Rider like me

[@gophop]

I bought one a few months ago specifically wanting an XC bike with softer suspension than what KTM/Husq was offering. I never ride MX or track. The woods biased valving is perfect. Very plush but it still jumps a lot better than my 500. Love it.

[@2WheelKam]

Great review. These cross country bikes would be great for most riding. Could do trails and desert and tree riding along with the ocasional visit to the less gnarly motocross track. I like that it’s got different and softer settings than the ktm. I like how they’ve positioned gasgas as another option that’s actually different instead of a red ktm

[@mawfbooph1138]

I have one it sucks for technical riding. You can’t crawl in the bike. The motor cross gearbox isn’t good for trails

[@reload7344]

I bought one in June thinking I would ride Desert and Moto on it. I love it, and I ended up only racing Moto this year. Not once did I feel like it held me back even though I was 215 pounds. There is plenty of usable power, and it handles very well. My only change to the bike was bars and an FMF exhaust.

[@johndepperschmidt8984]

NIce bike, needs a red rear fender. Good review. Awesome property and conditions.

[@Davido50]

Yes

[@austinmcguire5431]

Where in SoCal is this? I'm in Temecula and wanna ride here.

[@Dashriprock4]

Sean, I recall you really liking the rmx 450 in tight flowy conditions. I remember the one drawback being the weight. Would you say that this bike is analogous to what the rmx should have been? Linear and progressive power for the novice but lighter weight? I would have definitely pulled the trigger on an rmx if it wasn't for the 272 lb weight.

[@hartsmark]

Would adding a few teeth on the back sprocket maybe two to three make it more manageable for trail riding. How much would it affect the top-end speed.

[@wanita3671]

Is this good for a beginner ?

[@Backyard_KLX]

Probably not, I’d go 250 4t

[@Sertao2013]

Does anyone make a street legal light lit for this bike ?

[@timgoss9347]

We used a Taco Moto Co. Accessory circuit power relay system harness for the power supply and a Wiring harness from a 2014 500 XCW part #77711079100/131307008337 for the head light. Look on RMATV under OEM. The stock fender will take the light from the EC 300 GasGas, it comes with a plug for the brake light. You can buy the 300 fender so you don't have to run bolts through the top of fender. Just need to pick out a light switch. Buy the brake light switch and you're good to go. I had my buddy do my EX 350 F and a couple of our EX 450 Fs. All these parts are easy to get and worked very well. He has done around 10 bikes using this pick and choose system.

[@Backyard_KLX]

It should be ready to plug a headlight in from factory.

[@keithsada1380]

And yet the gas gases are beating the KTMs in races. And as far as this suspension goes, you got from about 135 psi up to 300 psi that you can charge the one side of the fork with. And the other side is fully adjustable rebounding dampening. Maybe you didn't try adjusting it enough. Mine gets stiff AF at the max settings and I'm 230 lb.

[@vitalmx]

Bumping up the air pressure a ton is just like adding a ton of spring rate. Yes, it makes it really stiff but not in a usable character.