Motocross Action's 2023 450cc Shootout

#motocross #racing #motorcycle #sports #competition
It's finally here! The 2023 Motocross Action 450 Shootout featuring the Kawasaki KX450, Husqvarna FC450, Suzuki RMZ450, KTM 450SXF, Yamaha YZ450F, GasGas MC450F, and Honda CRF450. We took all seven bikes and brought them to Glen Helen Raceway in Southern California for one last showdown to see which bike is the top dog in 2023. Don't be mistaken by this video. We have been testing for months on each bike and using a wide range of test riders from vet to pro. This video is an accumulation of test notes, rider feedback, and long days at the track. At Motocross Action Magazine we always want to deliver the most honest and accurate shootouts in the industry so you have more than enough information to make an educated purchase when buying a bike at the dealership.
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[@Peace2024TrumpUSA]

Suzuki took first last weekend in Indianapolis

[@rassy7]

You guys are the best. Nobody can touch MXA for shootouts. Keep 'em coming.

[@ericmorin9613]

Great shootout. Anyone else getting pw50 vibes from Yami's front number plate?

[@vintagetrikesandquads4012]

Great shootout--but the music? Seemed out of place.

[@roya558]

Jody & MXA knocked it outa the park with Josh Moiseman, what a jewel in his crown! I have a subscription, but still love watching the videos. I have been a MXA reader since the late 70's, so well versed in reading it's great content, and Jody's writings. At 70, I'm not sure which bike I would get, my last bike was the Husqvarna, but I never jelled with the suspension, so I would probably go with the most plush bike today. I have always been a Kawi guy, and everything they say about it, has me written all over it, I am even partial to the green. That said, the dealer has a fantastic bargain on the Suzuki, makes me wonder, how much would I miss having the Kawi, if I bought one...oops...lol Thank you guys for keeping us vet's in mind, much appreciated and great job!

[@mathiashaugland4229]

70?! Thats so cool man. Keep going!!

[@HPRaceDevelopment]

you killed this. love the music choice too

[@Davido50]

This is the bike shootout i wait for every yr. Only MXA goes through all relevant steps to be sure evaluations are top notch & precise. #Yamaha #KTM -Ohio

[@xA18kND1x]

This made me want a CRF450

[@713-dood2]

I like the content, but could you guys level out the sound inputs? If I turn it up to hear what Mosiman is saying , when he stops, the music and bike sounds are loud af. Maybe he needs to stand closer to the mic?

[@mxracer158]

Great shootout and appreciate the work you guys do to get this done. Thanks for posting this and keep up the great work.

[@leadhead7338]

Team Green ALWAYS!

[@MXJEFF94]

Well....Hell has frozen over. Yamaha wins the shootout from MXA! Didn't see that coming!

[@straighttimestirrups]

My only critique is the 350’s should’ve been included in the “Open Class” shootout, even as a sidebar discussion.

[@racecastle]

wow, some wonky music to listen to for 20 some minutes... uggghhhhhhhh....

[@Stonefly2112]

Im a yahmaha guy but that Suzuki may not be the best performer but it is wicked in it's look!

[@jonathondavis170]

Everyone talks about Suzuki's old design but Roczen just spanked everyone on a platform with NO FACTORY PARTS! Weight doesn't matter - it's how it's distributed. Extra weight is good for certain handling conditions! HP means nothing - only how it's delivered. And I don't own Suzuki (own Honda & TM Racing) however, that bike is a wonderful platform to ride on - especially vet riders. Us vets are gonna do suspension, intake, exhaust, and ECU at a minimum on any bike, and any bike is good after those changes! :) But this is a shootout and there must be a winner and a loser!

[@mixalis6168]

Yea, no, its Roczen running the best gear, setting it up for a super fast human !

[@motobrostv1761]

Bro rockzen could win on anything the fact is Suzukis just arnt as good as the other bikes on the market

[@jonathondavis170]

When a Suzuki's motor is built and everything is aftermarket, the engine character and turning ability is one of the best. Kenny could've rode anything, and what did he choose? And you proved my point - all the bikes are so competitive that it's about experience, talent, fitness, and skill above the bikes! The Suzuki obviously ain't that far behind, and for the avg consumer it's plenty fast enough (and obviously a good base for Kenny to achieve the same performance as he did on the Honda), and has the potential to be turned into a rocketship of torque - and this is coming from a guy that my engine builders BUILT JGRs bikes so I know that they have the ability to be freakishly fast, just like any other bike. When new bikes come out they aren't totally reinventing the wheel here - it's a friggin engine on a chassis with two wheels, primary drive, suspension, two wheels, brakes, clutch and a throttle...that's why guys with 80s 2 strokes can spank you with your new bike - they aren't that obsolete either, buddy. A bike is a bike is a bike, and Suzukis aren't bad bikes at all, and aren't so far behind everything else...you said it yourself, it's mostly about the rider's performance cause the bike is gonna deliver what you ask of it if you set everything up for yourself.

[@motobrostv1761]

@@jonathondavis170 no I said rockzen can win on anything he’s an exceptionally hood rider, and he chose Suzuki because they offered him a ungodly amount of money it wasn’t the bike lol Suzukis are the worst bike a rider can ride I have 2 of them and wouldn’t pick them over anything and those stock 80s 2 strokes would break in half on the tracks we have now good rider or not, Suzukis are way off the ball thus nobody rides them 🤦🏻

[@benfarr6049]

Suzuki still sucks, just because some one won 1 race one means nothing. Props to roczen not the bike. I love Gsxrs and 2 stroke suzukis, there current moto bike sucks compared to every other one

[@drkaymotorsports]

What you guys said was a strongpoint of the Honda (sharp cornering) was the critiques you gave it in previous years. The criticism that the Suzuki doesn't corner well is opposite of what you have been saying for years that it's only strongpoint is sharp cornering. Both bikes haven't changed chassis or suspension in that time. Definitely created a knock against your test rider's opinions.

[@stangbanger6445]

I think it's just the other bikes have improved in these departments over the years

[@majorlee1]

Yamaha changed the game forever. They came out with the first competitive 4 stroke yzf426 and they still have the best one in my opinion.

[@1969cmp]

Husaberg, Husqvarna (and the other Euro brand that I cannot remember) were winning GPs in the early 90s. It was those bikes that spelt out a change was coming because they were light and very fast.

[@andrewdamico9632]

God that bike was insanely fast switching from a 250 4 stroke it was scary

[@irvingguillen7218]

It was the Yz400F it was a 97’ I have one but it’s a 99’ great bike she’s just a bit heavy Ktm.

[@keithpeterson6108]

That was torture to suffer through that short stupid melody. Change up the tune a couple times.

[@CycleCruza]

YZ all day baby!

[@recordfishhunter9234]

Josh Amazing job as always !! I loved your segment on Rocky mountain fantasy ! You killed it bro your prospective was top notch best ever on the show ! Kenny built-in disclaimer 😂

[@markwilson8949]

My bike won but that's gotta be the worst music I've ever heard

[@fpandjic16]

I never thought that I would see a non-Austrian bike winning MXA shootout!

[@SwingArmCity]

whoever pays the most to MXA wins the shootout.

[@daneg]

it's so weird to see that. my last mx bike was the 1996 KTM 250 SX and it was awful ergonomics. man, things have changed with the 4-stroke revolution. for me, seeing brands like gas gas, husky, and KTM winning anything outside of enduro/scrambles shootouts is surreal. 😄

[@motowipeout5670]

Back in my day (the 90's), there were 4 bike manufactures (all Japanese) that had a legitimate shot at win the shoot out (usually Honda followed by Kawi) and 1 KTM token entry that everyone could laugh about. Man how the times have changed

[@davidsollenberger2998]

@@motowipeout5670 I remember those days. The only people who bought KTM were those that liked to be different. The big 4 were heads and shoulders above it.

[@dg8062]

Launch control, traction control and quick shift?🤔 Must admit, technology is SO cool. As beautiful as that ktm is, I'll stick with the Yamaha. Had a couple of Hondas but my other dozen or so dirt bikes have all been YZF's ever since I bought a spanking new 2005 YZ250F back it the day. I put on a Pro Circuit can, dialed in the suspension and it was game on. Came off of a ktm 250 so 2 stroke and immediately went way faster.

[@robkeller8008]

shootouts are only a guideline.. if possible try to borrow friends bikes and try different ones..Im still buying the KX450 all day long, i like that its not super fast, although its still plenty fast it still a 450, the rear brake never has bothered me, put stiffer fork springs in and the forks are great..mxa is pretty nitpicky, alot of stuff doesnt really matter..the KX has won other shootouts for 23'.. I had a gasgas factory edition, had 8 hours on it and i hated it, borrowed someones KX and within a lap i already liked it way better the Gasgas..its all preferance, take shootouts with a grain of salt

[@shanesmith8088]

Exactly, I own the crf450 and love it...corners like a dream. Power is awesome and useable

[@kelvis1980]

well thats your opinion. and also why they talk about the type of people the bike could cater to.

[@chrisvillarreal2752]

Yamaha’s timing chain doesn’t last more than 20 hours if you race it seriously

[@MXvsATV144]

2023 Suzuki RMZ450 is the best one…. Any serious racer is going to ditch stock suspension, and mod the engine on all of these bikes. You aren’t going to have a Top A class or Pro-Am racer or some professional privateer use stock parts, they will remove most oem parts and replace with aftermarket… they will do this with all bikes so why spend more on a KTM or New Yamaha and replace every part??? Would rather buy a RMZ, or two of them, be able to keep on close to stock and then revamp the other one with fully done engine, and aftermarket suspension

[@justinbourgeois4685]

Can't argue with that

[@benfarr6049]

Yamaha been killing it for so long now. Domination

[@bossmonkey1126]

Bottom end problems galore. A teaspoon of oil is not enough. This relegates the Yamaha reliability on par with the KTM and its brothers.

[@pauliewalnuts240]

​@@bossmonkey1126 what bottom end issues are you referring too? Unless your referring to problems with the 2023, yamahas are pretty damn reliable if you've ever owned one.

[@chazzgonzalez1356]

Every Yamaha I had outlasted every other brand I had.. I’m not sure what issues other people have

[@michealortiz3350]

Yamaha sucks. Most of their shit is heavy bulky crap ass bikes. Kawasaki and suzuki all day.

[@bossmonkey1126]

@@pauliewalnuts240 correct, 2023

[@jayj2932]

Yeah cool video but wtf was that music about. It just wouldn't stop

[@dalefitzgerald7094]

Thank you for all the effort you guys put into these videos year round

[@HorsepowerHouse]

Amazing that Yamaha found FIVE pounds to remove. That is a huge amount with a dirtbike. The other mfg's better wake up. Yamaha is killin it.

[@patrickrodriguez320]

Styling wise I think the gas gas and rmz look the best. Everyone else has taken the flattop body lines way to far. I like some curves at the tank and radiator

[@johnnybgood774]

How are they with the bikes year around 2023 just started, lol

[@seangavingregory4367]

WIsh the 350's would have been included as well

[@rassy7]

Ya, that would be good. I wish they'd do a cross country version. That Yamaha is magic, but literally ONLY the race bike got the upgrades. The 2023 YZ-450FX is a 2022 clone with new graphics. I have to imagine not everyone watching is after one of the straight up race bikes. Likely many viewers, such as myself, will hit the dealership looking for the X versions. Yamaha comes in last there.

[@902_Nick]

Oh no bluetooth on the kx. How will we survive 😂

[@jsk.71]

I have always loved these shootouts

[@marshallsmith5098]

KIM'S building that bike to welcome Sexton in.

[@dantindley5181]

Honda: steep and sketchy. 6th place Yamaha: steep and sketchy. 1st place Nice one mxa

[@robloubier803]

Josh, as you well know, many of us put a ton of weight on MXA’s opinions. Please keep up the rigorous testing. Thanks!

[@salvatoregiovanni8967]

What’s with the bizarre background music? I’m watching a dirtbike review not eating at a 1950’s diner.

[@nickspatoulas2422]

Dude it’s so bad lol

[@yeerboi]

Personally sounds like yamaha has paid for that first place. You've rattled off 6 key issues with the bike that others don't have yet it gets rated 1.

[@kadien2006]

Whats with the gay music??

[@ВолодимирХемильтон]

Music poor

[@Keegan_22]

Bro you guys are always meat riding Yamaha they’re definitely paying you

[@freddie514]

Am I the only one who noticed when going over the KTM, they were showing the KTM 250sx lol

[@jondoe4667]

I personally would like how heavy the rmz is because I'm 225 and feel more comfortable on a bike that doesn't weigh less than me. However the low horsepower, and still lacking electric start would prevent me from buying one.

[@Mr.Stroke0331]

None of the current 450’s disappoint on power…. The Suzuki is still a beast.

[@patrickrodriguez320]

I prefer a kicker

[@jondoe4667]

@@patrickrodriguez320 I don't mind a kick start usually. But there's times I'll find myself stalled out on some weird angle on a rough hill when a start button would be nice.

[@patrickrodriguez320]

@@jondoe4667 True. But a nicely tuned bike that starts in 1 kick just has a nice feel

[@jondoe4667]

@@patrickrodriguez320 mine is fuel injected and starts first kick. But it's surprising how often I find myself on the side of some hill or rocks or just in a weird position where getting to the kick start isn't always easy. Last year when I wrecked I broke my collarbone, and trashed my knee pretty bad. I eventually was able to get myself on the bike but there was no way I could start it. I think if I had e start that day I maybe could have limped it out of the desert. And I guess if I'm being honest I'm 37 and starting to gel lazy in my old age. 😂. E start isn't a deal breaker for be unless I was spending the money on a brand new bike.

[@solarshooter]

Peak power does not equal fastest

[@GrotrianSeiler]

Wow, props. Clearly a lot of work went into making this video. Very cool.

[@shanesmith8088]

The music is horrible, or at least should have been much much lower in the mix

[@atheistconservative6211]

You stole my comment, before I could make it! Haha

[@KyleMicena]

No TM Racing 450?

[@bleachinuri]

Really is awesome to have so many choices, growing up we only had 4 or 5 brands to choose from

[@Sharkies86]

The music blows

[@TheKitchenTechnician]

These weight figures must be dry weight, right? No gas? Or really dry. No oil, shock fluid or brake fluid even?

[@chrisnewson5416]

7kg lighter than the Factory specs on the bike im looking at buying. What reason is there for giving out incorrect info?

[@graham68ktm]

Great test and great slowmo footage , makes me want to hit that track ! Track is #1 for me 😃

[@Adam-zo6lc]

Funny parts is the two worst bikes made supercross podium, Honda won 250 East and West, and Honda 450! Both Hunter, Jet, and Sexton an 23’ supercross champion An the worsty worst bike the Suzuki RMZ450 made season Podium Roczon won bronze 3rd -Top 3rd supercross champion. No excuses, not falling, not getting hurt, & staying focused is all part of the Game.

[@supermotardedforever]

Is that the song they play when you are stuck at the DMV? I'm gonna lie, that's my favorite song to listen to for half an hour. Really tho good video all in all that ks for doing what you do. I wonder if the 2023 Yamaha will remain unchanged in 2024 and go to 4th place due to instability and twitchiness?

[@rayv882]

I like my 2022 KX450 it won the shoot out in 2022 But the funny thing is there's so many different shootout videos. If you watch another 2023 shoot out another bike would win so who's correct? I used to ride Yamaha's but the thing I don't like about the Yamaha YZ450 is the exhaust, it comes out from the back of the motor, wraps around the left side and then goes around the right side. Why not just come out the front of the motor like all the other bikes because then you have the exhaust header pipe on both sides instead of just the right side

[@dbmbrbkb]

No MOTO-TM? This Bike is awesome! Great Video! Kenny makes Suzuki great again!

[@travis10ist]

TM 450 Fi?

[@metalofthedeath]

I don’t get it when you guys say the bikes are getting taller. I compared the seat heights on a few of the bikes with the older versions going back to 05 and it’s either the same or lower.

[@dandersen464]

I like how every year you can almost bet the RM-Z will be on the bottom 😂

[@nikolasgibson3438]

Subbed to the Mag, great deal

[@woodysrockspyro6436]

Polish head, Tune.. spring and valve for weight. Add exhaust and triple clamps. Bam.. kick @$$ kx 450. All things most people who race will do to any bike.

[@kingGar27]

Went to subscribe to MXA as there's nothing quite like getting a fresh copy of the magazine each month, but the shipping costs to Ireland was more than the magazine subscritpion at $58! Pity!

[@TheKitchenTechnician]

Get an E subscription.

[@kingGar27]

@@TheKitchenTechnician The best part is getting the hard copy though. I still buy it locally from time to time.

[@TheKitchenTechnician]

@@kingGar27 I hear ya. I used to buy all the hard copies every month. Just works better in bed or on the porcelain throne but it can get expensive.

[@kingGar27]

@@TheKitchenTechnician That's it, exactly. I still flick through copies from years ago when Carmichael and Bubba were on the covers!

[@KyleSchwanz]

All the cali tracks look so dry and hard packed.

[@ThaRatchet]

2023 bikes are dated when’s 24s come out?

[@HadrienATF]

Basically the new yamaha is a Honda

[@drkaymotorsports]

Not even close brah.

[@abracing199]

you guys obviously know best but it could be interesting to include the 300sx in here as well just to give it more perspective.

[@iamfunboy]

The music was terrible.

[@dr00andrew]

17:40 no wander sextons been crashing out of leads since minneapolis 22

[@stevenfouche8741]

YAMAHA 450 is the best bike❤️❤️❤️❤️🥰🥰🥰👍👍🔥🔥💯

[@Howleebra]

🌟🔥💥Why no mag wheels in motocross?🤔

[@merrick255]

Team green

[@csalin7327]

They desperately want to sell you 450'S. But NOBODY CARES ABOUT 450'S in the marketplace.

[@ktmjack1]

“Non-confrontational power” on the KX hahaha love the writing on that

[@ChaseN194]

How is the kx above the crf????? You loved the crf except the frame, but then went on a list of hate on the kx.

[@michealortiz3350]

Kawasaki is just better, that's why.

[@ChaseN194]

@@michealortiz3350 its not according to his own words.

[@cookncrack5334]

IVE HAD 4 HONDAS AND YAMAHA THE NEXT ONE IS GONNA BE A HUSQVARNA

[@MX-CO]

How's Michael ? I HAVEN'T heard any info or updates about him since Indiana SX

[@budaklembur769]

Salam dari karawang indonesia🙏🙏🙏

[@NakiwalaArithea]

Could you please do a shootout for the 125cc series

[@shademirandalarson6793]

Awesome video!!

[@Ronniehoskins967]

Yeah Honda just won mx tho 😂 ok team reddd 💪🏾🏴‍☠️

[@jordanleonard8198]

Ask a dirt bike rider to wear matching colors: *challenge impossible*

[@212026650]

I really felt like they were having a hard time picking between ktm and Yamaha

[@jcobra09]

Track looks sick when watered, and nasty when all moon dusty

[@joseamoguez1867]

Hey guys you pick honda for last position of your evaluation then why honda wins races both 250 and 450 than your choice bikes??? Why...?????????

[@harrypeterson9287]

The race teams heavily modify the bikes with exotic, proprietary and expensive parts anyway. Carbon fiber in place of plastic, titanium or aluminum in place of steel. Custom engines with completely different internals running different compression ratios, fuel and ignition mapping, better flowing intake and exhaust. Perfectly tuned suspension. That $15,000 CRF450 at the dealership bares no resemblance to the $150,000 bike winning pro races.

[@jophis2852]

Which bar bend did you use on the kx450?

[@weekendwarrior6285]

Word is, Yamahas new powersteering is a gamechanger, alot of race testing in Japan and getting amazing feedback.

[@motobrostv1761]

You mean for the sleds ?

[@weekendwarrior6285]

@@motobrostv1761 no

[@motobrostv1761]

@@weekendwarrior6285 well their definitely not putting power steering on a dirt bike so your information is wrong 😂

[@motobrostv1761]

@@UnsungThermidor lol ok buddy what exactly are they trying to achieve with power steering 😂

[@motobrostv1761]

@@UnsungThermidor if your referring to their development of EPS all it is is a electronic steering damper it dosent act as power steering 🤦🏻

[@kippphillips]

Idk 🤷‍♂️ you tell me? If a Honda can make a rookie in the pros win 🏆 18 races in a row that’s pretty impressive . But yet Honda is six place in this video. 😏

[@harrypeterson9287]

The reality is that they're all putting out more power than you can use on a track and they all have good suspension. The biggest difference between modern bikes is the color of the plastics.

[@DerHamburger1887]

Husky or Ktm First Gasgas third Yamaha fourth Kawa fifth honda sixth and Suzuki will Cole Last didn‘t watched it yet

[@redline85k]

No Beta yet?

[@voiceofreason9238]

Forgive a question from an old school Penton rider but what exactly does the resonance chamber do? More HP, torque, quieter, etc?

[@Atuzzo]

Who in their right mind would pick an Asian bike over the KTM trio. 🤣 KTM is superior in every single way.

[@macscrambles3644]

Great video,but hard to watch with the hideous background music

[@dustinrichards8401]

Yamaha the best

[@ochoabtor9597]

Music was waaay too loud, then voice overs waaay too quiet. Sound mixing issues made this one hard to watch... 😅

[@jameschastain6513]

Rating the Honda in 6th is criminal. I’d switch it with the Kawasaki but I also think the ktm is better than the Yamaha

[@jack318]

They should upgrade the cheaper dirtbikes individually with a budget of the difference between their stock price and the most expensive bike in the groul

[@gregorybrown6860]

Annoying music.

[@patmartin4411]

Hey listen here! You better shut your mouth when talkin bout Suzuki!!!

[@mattcollins3572]

2023 almost over bro. Already bought my 2023. Just giving you a hard time. I always like your opinion the most.