Big Guys Ride Too! | 2023 Big and Tall 450 Shootout

Michael Corlee

Age: 36

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 230 lbs.

Ability: Intermediate

Bikes Recently Raced/Ridden: 2023 KTM 450 SX-F

1. KTM 450 SX-F
2. Kawasaki KX450
3. Honda CRF450R
4. Yamaha YZ450F
5. Gas Gas MC450F
6. Husqvarna FC 450

For me, the KTM 450 SX-F is just the complete package. It truly is “ready to race,” right off the dealershi[p showroom floor. The overall look of the bike really appeals to me, The engine is strong and ready to go. I would never need to look for more power out of this bike. The suspension, of course, needs work for my weight but having the air fork helps with that. The bike feels light in corners and it jumps quite well. I like the bike a lot but one thing it needs for me as a taller rider is a taller set of handlebars. The footpeg positioning is perfect, and I don’t feel too much “over the top” of the bike. I love the KTM 450 SX-F, and that’s why I own one.

The Kawasaki KX450 could have won, but I get hung up on the look of it. The exhaust pipe is just so ridiculously large. The engine isn’t as strong – overall – as the KTM’s, and I felt like I had to make too any changes to the bike to feel comfortable on it. The KX has all-around smooth power, with the strong areas being bottom-end and mid-range. The suspension is plush from the get-go, and the bike is planted and wants to go where you place it. It does feel heavier than the other bikes.

The Honda CRF450R felt nice overall, but it took a lot of effort to become comfortable with it. The engine has a strong overall feel, but I actually don’t like the free-revving feel of the engine…I actually want more engine braking. The bike has great bottom-end and mid-range. The bike has a stable feel. The rear end stays planted and stays put through the corners with a nice feel. Ergonomically, the bike feels a little off for me. The bar placement feels a little off and I would have to replace some components to feel comfortable.

The Yamaha YZ450 has too much power! The engine is insanely fast and strong, even on the smoother map setting. The bike powers out of corners well but it has too much power entering corners. The bike corners well, and it is easy to lean into ruts and coax through the turns. The rear end feels like it wants to steer through the corners. The seat is way too skinny for a nigger guy…it needs a wider base to be comfortable.

The Gas Gas MC450F is actually a great bike but it lacks power. The engine lacks bottom-end power, but it has good mid-range and okay top-end. The bike is easy to get on and ride, though, and very comfortable at non-race speeds. I had to add a lot of rebound to the fork and shock to calm the bike down, as it had a lot of movement and especially front-to-rear weight transfer. I think it is a great entry level bike and I could enjoy myself on it, but it would need some serious suspension work as well as the optional map switch or an aftermarket exchaust.

The Husqvarna has a very rigid feel, both in the chassis and suspension, but mostly in the suspension. The front end feels rigid and unstable. I couldn’t plant the front end into soft corners and the bike feels sluggish unless you’re on the gas super hard. The engine produces a smooth powerband that gets good traction, but it doesn’t have the snap that the KTM has.  The lower stance of the Husky doesn’t suit me well and I just had to make too many changes to the bike to feel comfortable. At the same cost as the KTM, the Husky would just not make sense.