Bike Of The Year Revealed! | 2023 SML 450 Shootout
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- čas přidán 23. 11. 2022
- Presented by Temecula Motorsports, Maxxis, and OGIO Powersports
What a time to be alive. Whether you are a motocross racer, a casual rider, or even an off-road trail rider; the current crop of 450-class machines is better than ever and there is surely a perfect fit for everyone among the red, blue, green, white, and orange sea of machines. Once again, our staff of SML test riders converged on Cahuilla Creek MX for one final day of comparison testing the 2023 Gas Gas MC 450, Honda CRF450R, Husqvarna FC 450, Kawasaki KX450, KTM 450 SX-F, and Yamaha YZ450F bikes. This year, we added a little twist by including the mid-sized KTM 350 SX-F, too. Though the 350 has no official home when it comes to racing - and no one fields it at the highest levels of competition - it remains one of KTM's best-selling machines as it is hands-down one of the most fun bikes to ride.
Our test rider panel ranges in age, speed, and ability; but all have been testing new machines for years and are certainly not lacking in experience or know-how. As always, our shootout results are a collection of opinions from a select group of riders, and we do not proclaim our findings to be the end-all, be-all. It is our hope that you can find one of our test riders to relate with, and thus gain some valuable insight about the machine(s) you may be considering as your next. That said, let's get this party started! - Sport
Amazing that the RMZ won!
😂😂😂
You’re funny
If only it won championships!
@@MrPeterson294 it didn’t even win.. unless I’m missing something, the Kawasaki got the majority vote.
Wow… Suzuki they knew it would have been unfair with their 2016 tech 😅
@@SM-yq9ig suzuki didn’t win!
kawi for me. Started riding it in 22. I never thought I could keep a bike 99% stock and be completely happy and competitive with it.
As a 59 year old vet rider, I appreciate the view points of the older guys here. I bought the 2022 YZ450F, first bike since my 2010 CRF250R and absolutely love it! I hope Yamaha didn't throw the baby out with the bath water on this.
I trust what Ping says honestly. He was head over heels for the new Yamaha..
Checks cleared
Of course he is 😂
Ya and any front end issues can be fixed fairly easily
This video + the long and very detailed table talk with all test riders (on the previous video) = best, most enjoyable shootout ever! Kudos to the Swapmoto Live team! 👍👍
Would be interesting if you guys did a 100hr shootout so we can gauge reliability. Things like did they engine cradle tubes stay round, did the water pump go bad, did the fuel pump go out....
for real, shouldn't be hard at all to get 100hrs on the bikes, a post on instagram saying "we'll be at this track on this day, come ride one of our bikes"
Would be an unfair advantage for the Yamaha 😂
@@aaahockey25 i think all bikes would do just fine- minor stuff all around, other than the kawi which would blow up before 50hrs.
The Kawi is not long, it's about an inch shorter than the Austrian bikes. You should measure the wheel base. But, a trick to make the Kawi feel even better is to add a chain link so you can move that axle back.
They should all do a * first maintenance * oil change, air filter clean nut/bolt check spoke tighten etc * then talk about what they liked or didn't about each bike, which bolts to keep an eye on. I don't think it would sway anyone's decision on which bike to buy but It would still be good info to have.
Personally I owned a 22 kawi 250f and a 23 ktm sxf 250 this season and there was ups and downs with each ( in regard to maintenance not riding )
I love the tool less suspension adjustment and air filter change on the ktm, I hate how the kawi uses two different bolt sized for a filter change which can easily be changed and isn't a huge deal. I found the ktm needs much more attention to bolts loosening aswell as spokes for whatever reason. Especially suspension and linkage nuts and bolts. But the ktm filter change can be done in seconds it takes longer to grease the brim of the filter then anything else. I also really like the toolless lever adjustment on the brembo brake and clutch perch of the ktm.
The kawi oil change was harder and easier at the same time, I like the side drain bolt on the ktm opposed to the bottom bolt on the kawi, but the only thing I didn't like is how I need an open end wrench to be able to actually turn the side drain bolt on the ktm. Again, not a huge deal atall just something I noticed.
Just food for thought! Haven't owned a yamaha or honda yet but plan on trying something different for my next bike I would be curious to see how all the little stuff is different from what I know.
Great idea
@@swapmotolive. maintenance shoot out 😅
Reliability shootout would be great. As a weekend warrior I’m interested in handling but reliability is definitely as important for me.
this! Add that livability factor to the rankings, it's relevant.
Good idea, having owned a kawi, Yamaha, KTM, and a husqvarna.
I definitely feel the fit and finish of euro bikes is far superior. My kawi as much as I liked the feel of the bike, seemed so cheap. Bolts would break very easily and it wore quickly. Oil changes on the yamaha I had were an absolute nightmare. Air filters on my kawi were miserable! I’ll forever stick with Ktm group now
felt bad for the yellow
Thank you for including the KTM 350-sxf in the shootout !
And RMZ takes the cake this year!!
Really love that KX450. Thanks for doing the video. You got some great footage.
Great edit Chase! Scrub Daddy’s description of the Yamaha had me laughing. Keep up the great work fellas! Best press game in moto! Great moto coverage!
Thanks!
LOVE SEEING THE KAWI ON TOP OF THE GAME AGAIN, LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL, YA,,, .SCRUBDADDY WON THE INTERVIEW PANEL ,,, DUDES PERSONALITY, STYLE & PEOPLE SKILLS ARE UNTOUCHABLE. YOU ROCK SCRUBB , WE LOVE YA BRO. !! 👍🏻👌🏻✊🏻✊🏻✊🏻🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I LOVE that my 2019 KX450 is 99% of the winner of this shootout, the 2022 model. They knocked it outta the park with that bike so much that they haven’t changed much over the last 5 years. Only the clutch is different.
While you judge the ''likeability'' factor, the question of which bike gets around the Track FASTEST (which is the point of a Motocross Bike) is never even mentioned. A Bike can be FUN!.......but a Dog at the same time.
Thanks so much for doing these reviews its really appreciated. I bought the 2023 kTM 450 factory edition and to be honest I bought it on looks alone. True story.
Love the '23 RMZ450. Sold out where I live! As is the Yamaha!
Team Suzuki , ya !!! Hope Ken Rozen goes to Progressive Suzuki , wins Supercross Championship 23" . Then Suzuki in 2024 fully changed on top of the pile !!!
Should of had Kenny as a test rider too 😂
Thanks again!!!
i bought the 23 kawasaki last week coming from 16 so can't wait to ride it.
Got my 2023 Suzuki Rmz 450 for $6500 out the door with a free RS-12 Yoshimura pipe and the army graphics kit. Leaves a bunch of money if I’m going to do any upgrades. Honestly after setting the suspension this bike is better than 90% of the people that will ever ride a 450. I’m 60 years old with double knee replacements started on the third kick,no big deal.
WOW ! ! ! ! ! AWESOME ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Green baby!!
The Kx is 4-5 Horsepower down on the KTM watch MXGP and at the end of the start straight, and the orange bikes are from 3-6 meters ahead of all the other bikes going into the first turn, rumour has it there are limited supply of Yamaha's YZ 450's coming to Europe only reserved for the race teams, I'am surprised at this result
Did Suzuki not provide a bike for you to test or… what’s the situation??
@swapmotolive as the yz450f shaky in the front like the Honda is? or better than that?
The bikes need to all have the same color plastic with no brand logos. I feel some of these reviews have pre disposition to certain brands.
Swap moto is always green.
Next review/shootout on these bikes will be in 6 months after they all have at least 75 hours on them.
In 75 hours that kawi would be absolute junk. Them things fall apart
@@Runk3lsmcdougal Kawi's are not near as reliable as Yami and Honda.
@@herbcanter2114 Strongly agree
I've put probably double that on my 2022 kawi. No problemos. Just found a fresh one with 20 hrs. Xrig clamps and full exhaust for a steal. Love my green.
My brother’s crf250r has like 300hrs and he’s done one oil change 💀
They replace the suzuki with a 350 ktm 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Thank you for rapping up the 23 450 shootout.
lol
I agree with Mr Smith it's blue for me.
I guessed the Kawi would win the SML shootout before I even watched it...
Was thinking the same or Yamaha as it's completely new
@@blakesinclair488, it's always #1 or a close second on here even though most other outlets don't usually have it so high. It would be difficult, but test rider variation from year to year would help. I think they can unconsciously influence each other. That's why similar brands do well from one outlet to another.
If u go back and look at the shootouts sence kawi came out with this bike in 2019 it’s won the most shoot outs then any other bike ,
@@buddysumner4022, yeah. I didn't say every single outlet, all the time. Over the past few years, it has done better here than everywhere else. I think the Kawi has won every year except one on SML since it started in 19.
@@jkell411 I think it's the fact that most of the riders admit it's their at home bike lol. It's what they always ride.
Yamaha should use scrub daddy’s review for marketing
They got scrubdaddy on here hell yaa!!!!
Where did the RMZ450 finish?
So sad for Suzuki; they still have not change their bike. Suzuki made a revolution with the RM in 1978 because they were the first bike with 12 inch travel and today Suzuki just letting their bike blow in the wind :(
Hopefully Roczen can be the change the suits at Suzuki need
They were the first to run fuel injection in a 450 4 stroke too.
@@drkaymotorsports that's my bike, and why I'll never sell it.. 08 RMZ450 😍
I love xc im 45 all my life honda fan in 2021 i bought a klx 300r i dont regret at all price performance not the greatest buy fullfill my skills to have fun
I got the honda. Fun and fast. But she is twitchy. I think a suspension revalve will help smooth it out. Also this is the first bike where I actually can feel a benefit from the different levels of Trac control. Allows me to crack the throttle like I'm a 250 without it constantly getting up on 1 wheel. Like you said, really can't get a bad new bike anymore.
The honda 450 fork has the stiffest valving setting of any OEM fork I've seen. It's no wonder everyone thinks the honda has a stiff twitchy feel. Why nobody brings this up??? Must be the frame! lol
Not going to lie that background music had me thinking “man i’ve finally made it” (me at home jobless, no bike anymore😂😂)
Why was the Suzuki Rmz 450 not included?
Onward to 23 👊✊ Happy Thanksgiving SML ✌️😉
Happy thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving Old G
💙💙💙
Oh man....the Stark Varg will dominate this comparison next year.
Queer
@@michaelhernandez8102 Yes, it is strange that not everyone sees the inevitable and awesome transition.
why suzuki rm 450 is not included on the line up?
Good to see scrub daddy involved
I love to see the shootouts, but y'all seem to pick the same bikes every year. Swap always picks a Kawi and Pat always picks a Yamaha.
Like to see the Stark Varg in this review
Not a 450... why?
Is it truly a shoot-out without an RM??
I THINK NOT!!
Everyone keeps screwing us over bro. RMarmy until they quit making them. I love my 19 450
@@chupacabraracing181 It would really only be considered if Suzuki would evolve, even a little. Which is why I'm 2 stroke RM til Im on the grave
@@MRmwr2452 New engine mapping tuner available for 23, similar to yz. Pay attention.
Cool to see the first 2023 shootout out already. However a few issues. The problem with just testing brand new bikes as soon as they come in is that this only works if the bike is new. No races under their belts, no time to test durability (of which kawi is by far the worst) and missing Suzuki, a major manufacturer
I’m interested in Suzuki because they still have a really competitive machine for a really great price. I do wish they spent more at the races and I hope that changes with Roczen hopefully riding yellow.
My 2019 kx450 has 130 plus hours and no issues.
@@johns5181 I don’t doubt it, some of the bikes are built well but that’s definitely a unicorn
@@stephdiesel2110 my buddy has an identical 19 kx450 with even more hours! I think Kawasaki addressed a lot of the durability issues with the 19-present kx but we also change our filters oil etc regularly
Your Kawasaki presumption is a thing of the past. All of mine and my families KXs far surpass every one of my friends yamahas in terms of reliability. And I put 90+hrs on a bike per season
So either the Ktm or it’s Husqvarna badged model, yes ?
Where is the Suzuki, at least explain why its not part of this shootout?😢
How will the ktm engine last before a rebuild? I know guys that have rebuilt the ktm’s after 20 hours and some guys after a year and a half
I had 2 ktms 450 2018 and 2018.5 factory edition. Both bikes easily hit 150 hours. Never even a valve adjustment. Brakes and chain sliders also last insanely long.
Ive also had few yamahas as well as suzuki and many kawasakis. I got great longevity out of engines on all of them, biggest thing is use good air filter oil. I love belray air filter oil, super sticky and nothing ever gets past it ,I run rotella t6 15 40 in transmissions.
All my riding is racing or riding motocross tracks, I dont use any for trail riding have other bikes for that.Having said all that my favite bike of all and that I currently own is 21 kx450f.
I would almost consider the Yamaha if it came stock with Brembo brakes. Stock YZ brakes suck. Great video guys thanks for doing a good shootout.,
While everyone loves Scrub Daddy, got to go with dat Green, as he would say (if he would)
RMZ didn’t even make the shootout. 😢
Scrubby has spoken! Love that guy! I just can’t buy a Yamaha. Sorry scrubs!
I think it would be helpful to list what level of rider these guys are and list their top 3 bikes vs their #1.
In depth written feature coming soon
@@swapmotolive. is the yz450f front end shaky like the Honda? Or not that bad?
Where were the lap times it may have moved the 350 up a lot 🤔 well according to some of the 450 350 lap times videos attest
U guys need to ride tracks with ruts. That looks like a freeway
✌🏼💚🔥
I like all bikes had same tires put on.
Maybe the Kawi is more fun then the rest, but its a pain to actually own one. Every single bolt wants to come loose. Engine wont last more than 50 hrs and its expensive to repair (at least where Im from). Ask a buddy to lend it to you and have fun, dont buy one. Buy the Yamaha, Honda or Gas Gas. Gas Gas is the same as KTM and Husky just cheaper and in the real world thats what anybody should be looking for. Spend money on good helmets, boots and knee braces, cheap out on everything else since it wont make a real difference.
Yamaha's are head & shoulders above the other bikes as far as reliability is concerned . Kawi is one of the worst for reliability but Kawi's are known for having terrible reliability. Honda is second in reliability behind Yamaha. Suzuki always comes in 3rd for reliability.
KTM FL!
What the RMZ isn't a 450? Kinda messed up how they ignore Suzuki
The RMZ was so fast you couldn’t even see it
Not tryna be that guy but all the test riders were like 5’6 other than the last dude that was like 57.. get one man sized young dude to test and let us bigger/ younger folk get a idea on how the bikes feel.. *triggered comments incoming*
Where is the suzuki rmz 450?
Where’s the TM racing ?????
And the beta ?
I’d love to see the 300SX in this shootout
Next year would you be able to talk about what you disliked about each bike
WHY NO SUZUKI RMZ 450 IS SHOOTOUT?!
BLU CRU
Don not in O’Neil??????
Yay,top fartbox review!!
Would be interesting to see what they pay these riders to say this bike is good vs that bike is good. Its pretty easy to tell when they are pushing a bike on you vs when they actually impressed with a bike.
suzuki came in first this year?!!!
suzuki??
Bottom line: they’re all excellent. Pick your favorite color and go have fun
Why no Suzuki in the shootout?
I took me to the very end to realize there is no Suzuki 😅
RMZ?????
what about Suzi bro?
It would be nice to see some other bikes besides the 3 ktms and same Japanese bikes. Theirs a few manufacturers like TM, BETA, SHERCO, that don’t get the attention they deserve. Thanks for making another video of the same old crap we see every year
None of those manufacturers currently make an american motocross 450.
where is the tm 450?????
Why no suzuki?
4 ktms and no suzuki. Hmmm....
I need lap times… 350 has one twice now with fastest laps.
Out of 5 comparison video 3x US, 1x UK and 1 from Aus the 350 got the best lap times. I’d love to see the Japanese make 350’s
Still no Suzuki?
Where’s the Zook?
Theres suppose to be a suzuki in a 450 shootout to
Lol where the hell is that thing. Are they ever gonna revise the bike completely?? haha
@@foxxrider250r New mapping app for 2023. Pay attention.
Where is the Beta at???
Not available in US
@drkaymotorsports yes it is. I've seen them in person at my local Beta dealer when I bought my Beta Xtrainer!
Where is the suzuki ?
No Suzuki?
Where’s the Suzuki?
NO SUZUKI? COME ON!!!!!!!
Kawasaki lets the good times roll Kawasaki lets the good times roll Kawasaki that's a good times roll get aboard get away and you're going to say let the good times roll
You need to see a doctor
Suzuki isn’t even in the shootout anymore? 😂 Maybe the 2023 was not available yet. 😊
Where is Suzuki can’t have it without the big four
Why put the 350 in there it’s a 450 shoot out
Forza Yamaha