2023 “Special Edition” 450 Shootout

 

2023 Special Edition 450 Shootout

Video by Chase Curtis

Photos by Bermside Photography

What an exciting time to be a motocross rider and racer! In addition to every machine on dealership floors being better than ever, a second wave of machines in each model year shows up a few months later and gives consumers even more choices. In a trend started by KTM in 2010 with its first-ever Factory Edition 450SX-F – an all-new machine launched and homologated in time for Ryan Dungey to race, instead of the factory’s current offering – all but Yamaha have now thrown their hats into the ring with special edition bikes, outfitted with added performance parts and in some cases, new technology. 

This year, we rented Cahuilla Creek MX, invited the manufacturers to come out and help set up their bikes for each test rider, and set five test riders loose on the new Gas Gas MX450F Factory Editon, Honda CRF4500R Works Edition, Husqvarna FC450 Rockstar Edition, Kawasaki KX450 Special Racer, and KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition. To ensure consistent traction, we outfitted all of the machines with new Dunlop MX33 tires and used high-quality Motul lubricants in all of the bikes. 

Connor Ericsson, AKA Buttery Films.

First Place: 2023 Kawasaki KX450 Special Racer

Test Rider Scores: 1-1-4-1-1

For the second year in a row, the Kawasaki KX450 Special Racer earned an easy win. Unchanged from last year, save for Showa suspension components instead of KYB, the green machine was liked best by all but one of our test riders. Truth be told, last year’s KX450SR was superior in every test rider’s memory, as the KYB suspension yielded a more plush. Comfortable ride. Still, the excellent handling character and monstrous power output of the SR power plant made it the clear-cut favorite.

“The Kawasaki KX450 standard machine is already an amazing motorcycle, and the Special Racer enjoys better suspension and a ton of added power that remains easy to utilize and control. What more could you want?” – Donn Maeda

“The Kawasaki has a very well-balanced feel. It is nimble and quick, yet also enjoys a stable, safe feeling. The added performance of the SR cylinder head and Pro Circuit pipe really makes.the Special Racer hard to beat.” – Kyle Puerner

“The Kawasaki has a great engine and plush suspension. The power is more than enough for just about anyone, but what the KX lacks is traction. It is a bike that is steered from the back and in rough conditions this can load the shock so much that it feels harsh.” – Kyle Vara

“The Kawasaki KR is an amazing overall package and frankly it doesn’t do anything that I don’t like. The engine absolutely barks! The SR hits pretty hard down low with an exciting snap down low, pulls hard with a strong mid-range, and has a very free-revving feel up top and never signs off.” – Pat Foster

‘The Kawasaki KX450 Special Racer is the most comfortable and predictable bike. I think last year’s was more plush, but the 2023 bike is still super predictable and gives me a safe feeling. It’s also super powerful and fast.” – Connor Ericsson

Donn Maeda

Second Place: 2023 KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition

Test Rider Scores: 3-2-3-2-3

The KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition again came home a solid second, leading its two Austrian brothers in the final standings thanks to its Ready to Race performance. True to the brand’s slogan, the KTM is the Most aggressively set up of the three Pierer Mobility machines with a hard-hitting power band and firm suspension components.

“I like the KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition. It is the most aggressive of the three Austrian bikes, but it’s not my favorite. To be honest, I am a little intimidated by its powerful engine and the bike’s ‘large’ feeling it has on the track.” – Donn Maeda

“The KTM is very fast and has a free-revving engine and exceptional handling. The bike has a very racey feel and I actually enjoy the feel of the air fork and trust the front end completely. The engine is powerful, but it does vibrate a lot compared to the Kawasaki.” – Kyle Puerner 

“The KTM is the fastest and has the most linear power of all the bikes. It pulls hard from top to bottom, but it has more engine braking than the other two European bikes. The KTM is also not as compliant as some of the other bikes.” – Kyle Vara

‘The KTM certainly lives up to its ‘Ready to Race’ tagline. The bike rewards an aggressive riding style and is super powerful in Map 2, which is actually kind of hard to hold onto if the track has too much traction. Rev this bike hard and far, though, and you’ll be rewarded!” – Pat Foster

“The KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition is an all-around very well-rounded bike with great suspension balance, great cornering, strong brakes, and a killer engine. The powerband is bread and strong and the maps and traction control make a detectable difference.” – Connor Ericsson

Kyle Vara

Third Place: 2023 Gas Gas MC450F Factory Edition

Test Rider Scores: 2-4-2-3-5

The Gas Gas MC450F Factory Edition is the newest player in the special edition category, as the MC450F Factory Edition is built on the same platform as the Ktm and Husqvarna bikes. Closer in feel and performance to the KTM than it is to the Husqvarna, the Gas Gas is slightly tamer – power-wise – than the KTM but racier than the Husky. While the KTM and Husqvarnas have an aluminum and composite hybrid subframe, the Gas Gas rear end is 100% aluminum.

“The Factory Edition Gas Gas is my favorite of the Austrian bikes. It feels just like the KTM, but thanks to the different airbox – I believe – the engine has a freer-revving feel that makes the bike feel lighter and easier to control. I could race this bike all year long.” – Donn Maeda

“To me, the Gas Gas feels like a tamed-down version of the KTM. It has a balanced feel with a lot of comfort. I like how the bike feels when the track is beat at the end of the day. It is easy to ride with an overall great feel. The engine lacks some punch compared to the Kawasaki and KTM, but it’s plenty fast.” – Kyle Puerner

“The Gas Gas has many of the great characteristics of the Husky. It has plenty of traction and feels balanced, front to rear. The Gas Gas engine character is opposite of the Husqvarna, with great low-end and mid-range but a steep drop off up top.” – Kyle Vara

“The Gas Gas is such a great-looking bike and probably my favorite of the group. The slightly different airbox configuration yields a slightly milder and easier-to-manage power delivery than the KTM, but it still rips! Where the KTM may be a bit overwhelming at times, the Gas Gas is easier to control.” – Pat Foster

“The Gas Gas is a red Husky. It isn’t as fast as the KTM but it is overall a solid bike for the Austrians to get into their stable.” – Connor Ericsson 

Kyle Puerner

Fourth Place: 2023 Husqvarna FC 450 Rockstar Energy Edition

Test Rider Scores: 5-5-1-4-3

The Husqvarna FC 450 Rockstar Energy Edition bike finishes fourth. While most testers didn’t get along with its slower revving powerband and the heavier feel that is a result of the power delivery, one of our testers liked the white machine best thanks to its high-revving top-end pull. In contrast to the standard FC 450, the Rockstar Energy Edition boasts traditional-length suspension components, unlike the standard bikes which have shorter travel for a lower center of gravity.

“For as great as I felt on the Gas Gas and even KTM, I was shockingly uncomfortable on the Husqvarna FC 450 Rockstar Energy Edition. The bike has a harsh feel and lacked comfort, and the slower-revving personality of the engine made the bike feel heavier, too.” – Donn Maeda

“The Husky engine revs slower and gives the bike a bit of a heavier feel. This was the only bike that I struggled to find a comfortable setting on. The suspesion felt harsh and overall, the handling was not as trustworthy as the other Euro bikes.” – Kyle Puerner

“Overall, I feel that the Husky is the best of the Austrian bikes. The balance of the bike gives it a planted feel and it has amazing traction. The Husqvarna’s strength is great mid-range and top-ed power. It may be because of the FMF pipe. It lacks some low-end torque but it is manageable with good roll speed in the corners.” – Kyle Vara

“The Husqvarna engine offers the smoothest and broadest power delivery in the family. The mid-range is so clean and it revs so far and freely…it has great excitement for me, and I love how the top-end pulls forever. The bike is comfortable and I love the Pro Taper bars.” – Pat Foster

“The Husky is a white KTM. It feels very similar but the bodywork is different and the suspension isn’t as plush on the track.” – Connor Ericsson

Pat Foster

Fifth Place: 2023 Honda CRF450R Works Edition

Test Rider Scores: 4-3-5-5-2

The Honda CRF450R Works Edition fared better among test riders in 2023 and actually tied the Husqvarna in points, but lost the tiebreaker because one tester chose the Austrian machine first. The CRF is brutally fast and rewards an aggressive rider who can ride at a race pace all of the time. Unfortunately, the red bike’s quick handling and aggressive nature can catch a rider off guard if he loses concentration for even a split second. Dir hard Honda riders will love the Works Edition, however, when ridden back to back with the other special edition offerings, it just doesn’t inspire as much confidence.

“Let’s be real here. I am not young enough, fast enough, or aggressive enough, to race the Honda CRF450R Works Edition. I do like the 2023 version much better than last year’s and I could see myself riding it all year long, but I think I would have to change some things about my riding.” – Donn Maeda

“The Honda is a great bike with an awesome engine. I really like the rider triangle as the ergonomics are nearly perfect. I found that riding the bike low in the rpm range works best for me, as it helps keep the bike calm and in control.” – Kyle Puerner

“The Works Edition 450 is significantly better than the standard CRF450R. The engine is solid and has great power everywhere. The special suspension components help the bike feel more balanced and absorb the bigger hits, but there is still that confidence-diminishing, unpredictable character about it.” – Kyle Vara

“There are so many things to love about the Honda. It looks great, the ergos are the best, it feels light on the track, it corners amazingly, and it has an exciting engine. However, the chassis offers a stiff and rigid feel and the bike feels disconnected from the track. I lack confidence while riding this bike.” – Pat Foster