2023 450 Moto Shootout: YZ450 Monster Edition,CRF450 Works Edition, KTM 450 Factory Edition Round 2
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 มี.ค. 2023
- 23 Yamaha YZ450F Monster Edition vs 23 Honda CRF450R Works Edition vs 23.5 KTM 450 Factory Edition ridden Back to Back Round 2!
Round 2 450F's Back to Back! 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 last week there was already 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. 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. AER forks are polarizing and though work well for many riders. I will install my favorite set of WP Cone Valve spring forks on this bike soon. The engine has the most engine braking feel and the most vibration of these 450's.
2023 Honda CRF450R Works Edition
the 2023 model year included frame, suspension, and engine updates on the CRF450 Works Edition. The first thing I noticed is the engine: smoother and easier to control low to mid power with quick and crisp throttle response. The engine mapping feels spot on with strong roll on torque feel. The combination of Works Edition unique EFI mapping, head porting, and full Yoshimura RS12 exhaust (with a long head pipe with resonator chamber) results in a very strong and powerful yet controllable and smooth CRF450 engine. The new suspension setting the Showa suspension is firmly damped with little fore/aft pitch under acceleration or braking. The Works Edition exclusive friction reducing coatings on the Showa suspension give supple feel that is noticeable on the little chop. Cornering , especially corner initiation, is a CRF strength. Ergo's are typical "just feel right" Honda and work for a wide range of riders. The 2023 engine/suspension/chassis updates are noticeable especially if you are a CRF rider.
Negatives: The CRF chassis is responsive which can equate to a busy feel at speed. There is still a globally firm overall feel to the CRF chassis which is more noticeable when riding with other bikes back to back.
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 the most plush and absorbing overall feel of these bikes. 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 CRF450 and 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 CRF450 Works Edition is a quick revving and quick handling and the special parts are noticeable and give the bike a very refined overall feel...like a "Works" bike
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
You look (by far) the best and most confident on the YAMI. What a bike
Thanks! Yes the '23 YZ450F has a very quick responding and free feeling engine with excellent KYB suspension and that mass centralization all adding up to a confidence inspiring fun to ride 450...I like it!
Love your vids it’s nice when you say which ones you prefer 👍👍
Thanks! Bikes are so good these days it really comes down the to characteristics you prefer...or which color you like! I am liking the 23 YZ450F a lot lately!
Been a 2 stroke guy for 30 yrs, getting into a 4 stroke so the yz is calling my name. KTM's are nice but damn they are $$$
The '23 YZ450F engine has the most 2-stroke like quick and snappy throttle response which makes it very fun to ride!
the yz450 video making it the 350 - I think would be fun in the woods true not as much arm Pump ? Coz man 450 to much in the woods
you don’t need much power in the woods it’s funner when you don’t have as much arm pump !!
250s super fun in the woods rode some the other day makes me question things. If I’d only ride the yz on track / or is the 350 tune on the yz option perfect for the woods?
I've not ridden '23 YZ450F with the "350" map yet. I think back down the power on 350/450's for woods can be helpful for some riders. I will get the YZ450F in the woods when things dry out a bit - too much rain lately.
How do you like the air fork on the KTM
KTM makes improvements to the AER forks every year. I like the adjustability for different rider weights and riding conditions and lighter weight of AER forks. I still prefer the feel of spring forks.
Have you tried out the speed shifter in the KTM yet?
Yes on the 250/350/450 models and for me it takes too much effort at the shift lever so I don't use it. I really like the quick shifter on my '21 Yamaha MT09SP street bike
Interesting i read elsewhere its a gimmick. Ill find out soon enough as im getting one today 😃
@@vaughanscott7308 Congratulations on your new bike! Which model did you buy? I am still not a KTM/Husky moto bike quick shifter fan but sure like it on street bikes!
@mxengineer1 i bought the 23 sxf 450 factory addition i bought it today and pick it up in 2 weeks as i fly back to work tomorrow for 2 weeks 👍
@@vaughanscott7308 lets us know how you like it as I am considering buying one too.
Where did you get a seat for the Yamaha and is that the stock foam
That is a stock seat foam with the seat cover that comes with the DCOR Star Yamaha factory graphics kit.
Thanks really enjoy your videos
@@darrellmoore6016 Glad you like the channel! Realize the stock seat foam on the '23 YZ450F is thin and hard (maybe you already know this) and the seat cover does not really improve that situation but it does offer more grip and looks cool!
what is your favorite bike? sorry i don't understand english
CRF450WE looks the best
KTM 450 is best cornering/stability/power combination
YZ450 is most fun!
@@mxengineer1 is there a big difference between a basic clutch and a hydraulic one
@@jf-op1bb Not for me though I have more experience with the hydraulic clutches on KTM/Husky models. The cable clutch on the YZ450F does sometimes need a quick adjustment while riding
try kx450sr vs yz450
I really like the '22 KX450SR with KYB suspension...wonder if they will make a 24 KX450SR with the new engine/chassis? For now here is one of my 22 KX450SR rides... th-cam.com/video/gYf0exauQp4/w-d-xo.html
Wish they made a factory edition 350sxf. They wouldn't be able to keep them in stock. Thanks for the comparison.
Yes the current KTM 350 Factory Edition is the XCF model but like you said I think a KTM 350SXF Factory Edition would be very popular
@@mxengineer1 Hello, I could only afford one bike, so after much research, I bought the 2023 KTM 350 XCF Factory Edition and I love the bike. I have added the FMF headers and Blue FMF exhaust. It pretty much is almost making 450 power with the weight savings of the 350. Not sure what the difference that the SXF brings other that the gearing.
@@mrrandy1 You know I am a big fan of the Austrian 350's and the KTM 350 Factory Edition (I have a '21 350XCF Kailub Russell Edition). I think some riders like the SXF 5-speed transmission, don't need a kickstand or bigger fuel tank, and also like the lower price of the SXF. A '23 KTM 350 Factory Edition costs $400 more than the KTM 450 Factory Edition.