2024 450 MX Shootout In Depth | Gas Gas vs. Honda vs. Husqvarna vs. Kawasaki vs. KTM vs. Yamaha

The Yamaha YZ45oF

2024 SML 450 MX Bike of the Year: Yamaha YZ450F

Test Rider Scores: 1-1-1-1-2-1-1

We know what you might be wondering: “The 2024 Yamaha YZ450F returns unchanged, but it tops the all-new Kawasaki KX450 that you say is an improvement?” Yes, the 2023 Kawasaki KX450 was chosen as last year’s Bike of the Year, ahead of the all-new YZ450F, and here’s why. During last year’s shootout comparison test, Yamaha technicians had arrived at a set of suspension settings that they believed to be the best. The fork height was set at 7mm above the clamps, and the rear shock sag was set at 100mm. Most of our test riders felt that this gave the new YZ450F an excessive front-end bias and that the bike lost all of its traditional stability in favor of razor-sharp cornering abilities. Though testers were allowed to raise the fork height to 5mm, our requests for a more traditional 105mm sag setting were denied. Ultimately, the unstable suspension settings were what held last year’s YZ450F to second, in spite of its best-in-class engine and suspension package,  Soon after last year’s shootout ended, we experimented with a plethora of fork height and shock sag settings and found the Yamaha to be its same stable self,only with much-improved front end traction and cornering prowess.

At this year’s shootout, testers were able to set the YZ450F as they pleased, and the results were as they might have been last year: the Yamaha YZ450F is powerful, well-suspended, comfortable, highly adjustable, and better handling than it has ever been…and a landslide winner of SML 450 MX Bike of the Year.

Connor Ericsson on the Yamaha YZ450F.

“The Yamaha is such an overall great bike. It handles extremely well, has amazing suspension, and is super planted on the track. The engine is super powerful and it can be made to deliver the power any way you choose it to. I feel completely comfortable on the YZ450F and I trust it because I know what it is going to do in all conditions on the track.” – Connor Ericsson

“The Yamaha has notably more low-end and grunt and excitement than any other bike in the class. The amount of usable hit makes it fun and forgiving to ride. Jumps right out of corners are no match for its quick power. The mid-range is strong and it offers plenty of top end. I believe that the Yamaha offers the best suspension package in the class. The action is plush and compliant in the initial part of the stroke, yet offers the best bottoming resistance of any other package as well.” – Pat Foster

“The YZ450F is the most powerful bike, period, It has a hard-hitting bottom end that transitions into great mid-range, and top-end that never stops. This year, the bike was very well balanced with good hold-up and a plush ride. The YZ has great cornering abilities and lots of stability at speed. I love the slim, comfortable ergonomics…fat Yamahas are a thing of the past.” – Rene Garcia

 “By far the best engine! On the stock map, it has a really responsive and aggressive feel that is super fun to ride. The mellow map remains exciting, but it makes the bike easier to ride and control. The YZ has the best fork and shock in the class and I was completely at home on the bike in only a couple of laps.” – Jase Macalpine

“The Yamaha engine is amazing with no shortcomings anywhere, It makes more power than I will ever need. Hands down, this is the fastest bike in the class, Suspension is very good as delivered; both ends have a plush feel with great control and bottoming resistance. Cornering is the bike’s strong point, and it lacks a little stability for me at speed.” – Kyle Puerner

“The YZis so fast, with big bottom-end power and never-ending mid and top, For me, the mellower map was better! It’s that fast! The new chassis is twitchier than the previous generations, but it makes up for that shortcoming with great cornering ability and overall comfort and balance. I wouldn’t change a damn thing about this bike.” – Alex Ray

“Yamaha’s engine is the strongest by a long way; the low-end rideability is insane and it pulls hard up into the mid-range. The two pre-programmed maps are great, but you have a lot of additional tunability with the app. The KYB suspension feels like a well-set-up aftermarket spec. It’s plush up top and inspires confidence, stable at speed, and compliant in chop. I love this bike.” – Kyle Vara

Test Rider Hits

Amazing power that is infinitely tunable

Class-leading suspension components

Great suspension balance

Cable clutch offers great feel, and a hydraulic system is optional

Superb cornering abilities, yet stable at speed

Test Rider Misses

Grips are hard and lack comfort

Seat foam is narrow and a bit pointy

The handlebar pad is small and hard