Which Bike Should You Buy? | 2022 450 MX Shootout
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- Опубліковано 16 жов 2024
- CHECK OUT OUR IN-DEPTH REPORT FOR MORE DETAILS, OPINIONS & PHOTOS: www.swapmotoli...
Video by Chase Curtis
It’s hard to believe it’s time to compare the 450 machines again, but all of the 2022 bikes are here and available on dealership floors across the nation, save for the Suzuki RM-Z450. While we did reach out to Suzuki to conduct a seven-bike comparison, Suzuki representatives gracefully declined to participate as their machine remains completely unchanged for the new season. Though we have our 2021 test bike and could have freshened it up for our comparison test, we respected Suzuki’s request and moved forward with six machines; that said, we plan to do a more extensive feature with the RM-Z450 when it becomes available.
There were three variables in this year’s lineup compared to last year: the GASGAS MC 450F, Honda CRF450R, and Yamaha YZ450F. The GASGAS was not included in our 2021 comparison because it did not land on United States soil in time, so ranking the red machine amongst the five returning bikes would be an interesting task. Yamaha and Honda were the only two machines that received updates beyond new graphics: the CRF450R receiving updated ECU settings and firmer suspension specs front and rear, while the YZ450F boasts a new rear wheel with a triple-cross spoke pattern and firmer suspension settings. That’s right: the Kawasaki KX450F, Husqvarna FC 450, and KTM 450 SX-F all return unchanged for 2022, save for new graphics.
For this year’s comparison, we welcomed two new test riders into the fold, as our mainstay Senior Test Rider Pat Foster is out with a blown-out knee and Mike Sleeter moved to Australia. Four returning testers ensured a good level of consistency from 2021, however, and the feedback we gathered from all six riders was valuable and interesting.
While we’ve spent plenty of time on the 2022 bikes from Honda, Husqvarna, Kawasaki, KTM, and Yamaha, we spun our first laps on the new GASGAS at our official comparison day. Fortunately - like its orange and white Austrian counterparts - it returns completely unchanged and is familiar to all our test riders.
Maxxis Tires’ excellent soft terrain ST tires were mounted to all of the machines, and the tread proved to be perfect for Cahuilla Creek MX’s soft decomposed granite track surface. Our partners at Backyard Design supplied number plate backgrounds for all of the machines, while GoPro provided Hero9 and Hero10 cameras to help us capture riding content for the wrap-up video that you can find by clicking HERE.
Please remember, this shootout is a collection of opinions of a group of riders, and we do not profess our rankings to be the end-all, be-all. If you’re in the market for a new 2022 450 dirt bike, do your own research, take some test rides, and weigh all the factors such as your locale, ability, height and weight, and potential dealer support. There is no bad bike in 2022, and each of them can be fine-tuned to suit your unique tastes and preferences. In this feature, we compared them as-is, in bone-stock condition. With a couple of well-chosen mods, any of them could have come out on top!
Such an awesome experience being able to ride all of the bikes! Much love for the Swapmoto crew and thanks for always putting out the best content!
If you’ve picked KTM the last couple years why isn’t your own Scoot a KTM?
i watch all your videos buttery I love what your doing man!! get fired up!!! haha but seriously I'm a huge fan!
It’s awesome you still got to do this after the shoulder, let’s goooo🤙
Bill cuz hes obviously sponsored by Kawi or has a deal with them.
@@ericcaterino9960 🤔 ummmm Buttery rides a Honda 🤦♂️
Man this was the best day of my life🤠🙌🏽❤️I’ve always wanted to do this at least once before I die🙏🏽 Thanks Donn👍🏽❤️🏁
Love u scrub dad
Love watching you buddy
Your a badass scrubdad!! Stay healthy 👊🏼✌🏼🤙🏽
This is the least Donn could do for you all the entertainment you provide for his own personal pleasure 👌 all kidding aside good review-shootout scrubdaddy 💯👍
Thanks guys for the love ❤️
That Yamaha quality though. It's built to last. Going with Yammie
I bought a 2021 Kawi and the bike is very good. I immediately felt the fork was too soft and put one 5.2 fork spring in one side. And I'm not a Pro by any means. That helped a lot. I'm at about 155 pounds and I had to back off the shock compression and sag it down a bit. Also, with the Kawi, my rear shock took several hours of ride time to "break in". So give it a few hours. I instantly felt very comfortable and confident on the Kawi. My previous bike was a 2017 YZ450 and it was terrific and bullet proof. I also rode the 2022 YZ450 and that bike rips and the suspension is unmatched. My advice is bigger riders (height and/or weight) will love the YZ450. All these bikes are great. Enjoy the ride and have fun! Thanks to SwapMoto for a great test and information.
for lighter guys like me at 160-165 prefer the Kawi feel?
Love seeing all these normal dudes out riding. Swap once again killing it, stoked for buttery and scrubdaddy, was fun to see them rippin and reviewing
Yes ! Well said…
I picked up a 22 GasGas 450 and I am absolutely in love with that bike.
I knew it was scrub as soon as I saw him !! Love that guy
TWO thumbs up. Like what you said to close out the video. RESPECT.
This was a great shootout experience and review. While I always love hearing from Pat Foster, he is certainly a vet pro who's riding ability is far better than most. That said, I love the group of testers chosen for this shootout. In my opinion this is more of a real world review. Other shootouts often stack the field with all pros, which isn't helpful for a 40 year old weekend warrior like myself who is looking for a well balanced bike. Thanks Swap, well done again!!
Thanks for the run down and giving us the inside track. Much respect!
Good question: "Which bike should you buy?"
Best answer: All of them…
Really enjoyed the video, no bias and some great footage 10/10
When’s Connor gonna get that KTM sponsorship damn.
Just as soon as he can get time to call Roger back.
I hope never he should be on blue or red or green
I feel he’s worthy of a sponsorship by Peterson’s donut shop………. What up Connor?
Got the KTM 2021.5 factory edition 450 SXF only 20 in Texas and they outdid themselves on this thing. It’s around 15 pounds lighter than the rest and you can feel it.
I’m always gonna ride blue no matter what
If reliability was a factor, would the Kawi ever beat the Yamaha? Of course in shootouts though, reliability doesn't matter because they only need them to work for a couple days. Would be nice (albeit very difficult) to see more longevity tests between brands.
Suzuki is the most reliable just outdated bike if they ever put a button on them that’d be the bike I’d go buy immediately
Once again Kawi wins, 4 years in a row now, they better not change much for 23 as this model will go down in history as one of the best, so glad I own one and after 100hrs it’s still perfect🤞
Is one of the best models of dirtbikes ever in my opinion
The missing "45" was a nice touch. Somewhere out there is an unused yellow front plate...
You guys should do a fifty hour review on them. How much did you have to fix? Seems like the kawasaki is good out of the box but some people report major durability issues. Also which bike is going to hold its value? Before I buy anything I always ask myself can I resell it?
Getting my YZ450F here soon. Go blue! 🔥
Yooo I saw the buttery video kinda like a behind the scenes so dope 👌🏿
Don said big girls need love too for the yami😂
I love that Fox kit! That teal color is 🔥 Awesome video as always!!!
No zuk?
I would consider the YZ if it wasn't so wide, heavy and had Brembo brakes / clutch.
Great shootout! Thanks for uploading!
I’d still take the Yamaha over the Kawi just because the quality of the bike is better .
My friend that has a Kawasaki has a high compression piston different cams and aggressive map also fmf exhaust and my Yamaha has better power. He also took it for a ride and couldn’t believe how much better the front end stuck compared to his. We are both A riders. I also left my suspension stock and he like my forks better than his that he had done for him.
@@bradymxr4659 There you go see ! Point proven , they also tend to have better resale than the Kawi's and Suzuki's too . Usually on par with the Honda's for the most part . I made the switch to Yamaha about 9 years ago , there's no turning back now haha
@@MrClarkM ya now my friend is really thinking on getting a Yamaha now. Plus the valves in these things go forever before you even have to adjust them once.
@@bradymxr4659 Two seasons on my 2020 YZ250FX now and they are still well in spec and I mean well in spec !
@@MrClarkM my sons 2016 yz250f no joke had 160 some hours on the whole motor and the valves were still in spec before we rebuilt the whole motor.
You should test and compare all bikes as they come on the show floor. I understand you guys have partnership with Maxxis but they should be compared as they come from factory.
Why? Have you ever bought new tires they don't last forever it gives them a better comparison when they don't have to think oh well that bike has dunlop and that bike has perreli it eliminates 1 variable
Always looks like an awesome time
'Scrub Daddy' got skills man love that guy!!!!
Kawi baby!! 🤘🤘
I thought scrub daddy said in the other vid that he liked the gas gas best but here he says kawi..I'm selling my 19 RMZ 450 and getting a 22 bike but unsure between the kawi and the Yammy. And kawi has that 450sr now too 🤑
@C.Nash I like the Yamaha but I read that they recommend a top end at 12.5 hrs which is insane to me
four thumbs up, waiting for his arrival at home👍👍👍👍
Suzuki didn’t send one out. Maybe working on a new model?
Why no Suzuki? I know the others are better to most but to me I love the RMZ most. Easiest to ride and fun.
Otherwise I always feel comfortable on Kawis too
They said why no Suzuki, in the beginning of the video. And a special feature on the RMZ itself, coming soon.
Provide me with a any 250f and a track to practice on for 2 years. I will then be able to take 1st 2nd 3rd place within that time
Was there a single rut on the track?
They're all good bikes, but I'd actually buy none of them. I'll admit that a 450 mxer is too much bike for me.
Team green all Day 💚💯💪
We miss seeing you guys at state fair we hope to see you again! 🤘🏻
Where is the Fantic?
Good test guys miss Pat but motocross injury is the nature of the beast.
I feel like Yamaha is good for racing and kawi is good for track riding
How awesome would it be if you did a 85 and supermini shootout..
Missing a test with 4stroke 2stroke 250 450 witch os better for witch people
Cool now do 250’s
CR450R?
I’ve had 4 seasons on a Husky 350. I’m a 47 year old intermediate rider. Been seriously considering going to the Kawi 450 next season, but I’ve never owned a 450 and am kind of scared of the power and/or that I’ll dislike the bike.
The throttle works both ways dude!
@@evo5349 Ok thank you. I’ll take that into consideration.
@@Fatonzzz I am older than yourself and a 450 is a great bike and there interesting to ride and more fun than a 250 rev monsters.
@@evo5349 thanks for that response. I grenaded my wrist casing a jump in April. There’s hardware installed and it has left limited mobility. The 350 often requires wide open throttle input (much like a 250). Even with a quick cam and regripping It can at times be difficult to turn the throttle all the way to it’s stop. I am really looking for a bike I can be smooth on and just lug my way around the track. The 350 has been and still is excellent, but that Kawi has really caught my attention.
@@Fatonzzz I have so many injuries like table top jump, Kawasaki 450 first fuel injected bike flame out mid air so bailed of landed and blew my right Femur into 4 pieces and snapped the socket and damaged the Pelvis. Damaged my thumb left side so had to be pinned but took the pin out as hurting clutch control. The 450 works easy to gain speed with less throttle movement than the 250/350. I broke my right lower leg the Fibula Wednesday night practice so glassfibre cast put on but the championship was that Sunday so cut the cast off and raced first jump was a bit scary either it will hold together or will be in the Ambulance again, but all was ok but very sore and swollen going home.
Did Kawasaki win or Yamaha or did they tie???
Kind of a uni cam guy myself , but what Evs
Sleets repping the Mx Store now 👌
Nice conclusion Donn
What happened to Pat? Did you take him mountain-biking?
Good work 🏆
Better question is, Which one would be a better Chassi for my CR500 motor. ?
😂😂
Gas Gas
TEAM GREEN 👍
Sad to see no Suzuki
Not really. They don’t even try anymore
@@austinhaley4160 ever since james left ]:
Buttery reaching for that KTM deal
Yep probably: "championship proven, look at cooper webb" ... it's not even the factory edition (?), and Webb' bike is a factory "factory edition".. and it's an outdoor test when the factory ktm guys says that is a better bike for SX than MX
What about the KTM suspension is an issue ? Asking for real, no cap.
Kawi and the yamaha!!
Hmmm fastest rider clicked with the Honda. I wonder why 👌
My thoughts exactly
Is that medium in the background at 10:36
yup
watch butterys new vid, medium was there riding with connor so yeah probably
Yamaha
Why skip 45? 😕
its crazy how they got kawi winning and vital said that bikes ass and gave it like 5 or 6
Uhhh, I missed the part where we called the Kawi “ass”? 🤨
@MichaelLindsay
😂😂😂
@@MichaelLindsay my bad just “not that great” imo anything near a Suzuki is ass😂
You guys going to do a fat guy bike shootout! I need to see that being a fat guy and all!
Yep! Stay tuned!
I can give you ideas on big tall guy perspective. 6'4 225, the yamaha is short and hard to hold onto- the ktm rear spring Is super soft but the forks are great- the husky is really short and I can bottom it out at any given point in just the parking lot.-kawi I could not get the forks right, they were very funky and the bike feels cheap to be honest and that's coming from a kawi guy. Only 2022s I've ridden I can speak of
@@richardferrell4362 thanks man!! No matter what bike I get I always revalve and go up in spring rates. I'm also 6'4" but I tip the scales at 380 lol.
So which bike won? Each rider has a different bike that they like and I thought this was supposed to be a specific bike taking 1st place, 2nd place i& 3rd place. Butter likes the KTM, he says that Cooper Web won on it. Yes he won but he won because they do motor work and upgrades to a stock bike but these guys are testing stock bikes so we can't compare a pro motorcross rider's bike to a stock bike.
Nice. Good to see Scrub Daddy…
Litterly Dosnt even matter just pick a colour your like and ride there all close to the same nowadays
I have told streetbike riders this as well. "Which one is more comfortable, and what color do you like?" Because there is always going to be that rider that shows up with a 10 year old bike, and whips everybody.
What’s up with Suzuki? Do they even care anymore?
They suck
@@4strokegang201 yeah no they don't
Yamaha is the winner as the Diggins
In other words if you're a super hard aggressive fast rider the Honda beats them all.
Yeah look at Cooper Webb he can't get the bike dialed in just crashed and hurt himself was out of Supercross.
It’s not a great time to be a motocross rider in California. You can’t even register these bikes.
Where is the Suzuki
The trash
they dont even try hide their bias, apart from the first dude, they just picked the bike they own personally. . . . atleast try hide it
😂
Buttery owns a Honda. That’s the guy who chose the KTM….
Oh scrub daddy what happened you picked the Yamaha the other video hands down and even said you would be buying one. So who made you change your mind. Lol. Plus in the other video the younger guys sitting next to each talked so highly of the motor and suspension on the Yamaha and how it handled then said the Kawasaki didn’t have as much power and yet picked something else and they didn’t talk as highly of other bikes.. really weird.
Buttery trying to slide in KTM dms
😂😂😂
Scrub daddy’s riding style is so rad.
I thought Buttery was Honda or F off… sounds like his next bike might be orange.
buttery lookin smexy as always
The quality of the KX is terrible. I had a 21 KX 450 and sold it. Bought the KTM. A much better bike for me. The quality is way better. So where my results. The KX was decent when they were everywhere and the factory put money on them at the end of the year. Now, for full price I’d look elsewhere.
Where's the BETA homies??!!
Get rid of gas gas and Husqvarna those are second rate trash bikes
Ok review, But can no one produce a UA-cam video w/out the lame techno bs "music" So sick of it...........
Me also!!!
Too expensive $$$$$$$$$ !!! : (
Lol Suzuki doesn't want shit on year in and year out
the kalasaki..lol
Pick a color. Then rip out the 450 4puke engine. Install a CR500 engine. Use the 450 4puke as a boat anchor...
@C.Nash lol maybe a YZ490 two stroke. Cuz the 450 4puke is to slow.
SUZUKI????
😀
Ktm 350💦
👍😉😁🎃
Where is Suzuki?!
They couldn’t get the BNG’s done in time
trash can is where it went ….
I hope that Bible senctence wasn’t to make front of it, that was written by Gods prophets and inspired thru the Holy Spirit by God, Jesus is the King of Kings Lord of Lords 3 in 1, Alpha and the Omega, beginning in they End, one true living God.
Wtf
I took it the other way actually, he was respecting scripture, he said the shootout wasn't the final word like Gods word.
@@foxriding753 that dude on a whole other level 😂 probably one of those “in the spirit realm” guys 😂
He said this ain’t the end all be all judgment we don’t profess the Bible
I wasn’t trying to be rude but if he was trying to make front of it in any way I just wanted him to not. But did sound like in a way that he saying God is the final word
Scrub daddy!!!
Suzuki are done. They can't keep up anymore. Sorry to say it but it's the truth.
450s are dumb.