Dirt Bikes

2023 430–500cc Four-Stroke Enduro Bikes to Buy

There’s a lot of competition in the 430–500cc enduro class.

Updated: April 15, 2023

Anyone from the casual trail rider to the die-hard racer has an enduro option to choose from in the 430 to 500cc range in 2023.

On the lower end of the displacement level, Beta separates itself from the crowd with the only 431cc machines (the 430 RR and competition-focused 430 RR Race Edition). On the opposite side, Beta and Sherco go head-to-head with their 478cc machines. In the middle, well, it’s a cutthroat battle when it comes to the 450s. Yamaha, Honda, KTM, Husqvarna, Sherco, and TM all have skin in that game.

We will touch on the features and specs of each of these dozen enduro models.

2023 Yamaha WR450F

The Yamaha WR450F is fitted with an 18-inch rear wheel—just one aspect that differentiates it from the YZ450F motocrosser, which has a 19-inch rear wheel. Yamaha says the 18-inch wheel helps prevent pinch flats and provides comfort on rough terrain.Yamaha

Yamaha’s WR450F is based on its 2020–2022 flagship motocrosser, the YZ450F, but has added unique features (like a multifunction display and headlight, for example) and engine tuning that optimize it for trail and enduro riding. Its liquid-cooled DOHC four-stroke 450cc engine recorded 48.9 hp at 9,000 rpm and 31.8 lb.-ft. of torque at 7,200 rpm on our dyno a couple of years ago, and was admired for its smooth running engine and good throttle response. The engine is fuel injected with a 44mm throttle body and is paired with a wide-ratio five-speed gearbox.

The full-size WR features top-of-the-line suspension that offers good control and feel. What are these components, you ask? A KYB Speed Sensitive System (SSS) 48mm coil-spring fork and KYB shock, both fully adjustable and offering over 12 inches of travel. Claimed seat height is 37.6 inches and ground clearance is 12.6 inches.

2023 Yamaha WR450F Price: $9,999

Related: 2021 Yamaha WR450F Review

2023 Honda CRF450X

Honda says the twin-spar aluminum frame of the CRF450X is wider than the bike’s motocross equivalent in order to make room for the larger six-speed transmission.Honda

The Honda CRF450X is up next. It’s off-road-legal in all 50 states, year round, and features a headlight, 18-inch rear wheel, sealed chain, 2.0-gallon fuel tank, skid plate, hand guards, and sidestand. Similar to Yamaha, Big Red’s enduro is based on the brand’s own motocrosser, the prior-generation CRF450R, with shared fuel-injected liquid-cooled SOHC four-stroke 450cc engine architecture, but it has a wide-ratio six-speed transmission and different ECU settings.

It also has altered frame geometry, a 27.6-degree rake and 5.6-inch trail (versus the current 450 MXer’s 27.1-degree rake and 4.5-inch trail), to set it up for off-road riding. Suspension consists of a Showa 49mm coil-spring fork and Showa shock. There are 12 inches of travel at the front and 11.8 inches out back. The front has adjustable compression and rebound damping, and the rear is spring preload, high/low-speed compression damping, and rebound damping adjustable.

We reviewed this year’s model. Read about what it’s like to ride in the link below.

2023 Honda CRF450X Price: $9,799

2023 KTM 450 XCF-W

KTM takes us back to the ’90s with the new graphics and color scheme on the 2023 450 XCF-W.KTM

KTM has the checkered flag in mind for its lone four-stroke enduro. The 2023 450 XCF-W is a new competition-focused model that features more aggressive mapping and less restrictive power. If you read our technical information on the bike, you would know that means the Orange Brigade has done away with EPA requirement features to focus on said power (which our in-house dyno recorded 48.3 hp and 31.9 lb.-ft. of torque).

The XCF-W’s powerplant is a liquid-cooled SOHC 450cc four-stroke with a wide-ratio six-speed transmission. It uses Keihin EFI with a 42mm throttle body to control fueling and features two maps (standard and aggressive) that can be selected with a handlebar switch, which also activates traction control (TC) and launch control.

Chassis components include a central double-cradle chromoly steel frame with WP Xplor suspension at both ends including a WP Xplor 48mm WP Xplor open-cartridge coil-spring fork and WP Xplor shock with PDS (Progressive Damping System). There’s 11.8 inches of travel up front and 12.2 inches of travel out back. Both ends are fully adjustable.

2023 KTM 450 XCF-W Price: $11,649

2023 Husqvarna FE 450

The Husqvarna FE 450’s front wheel is equipped with a Dunlop Geomax MX33 tire, whereas the rear is fitted with a Dunlop Geomax AT81.Husqvarna

Like KTM, Husqvarna’s new FE 450 enduro is a competition-only model. Its liquid-cooled SOHC 450cc four-stroke engine also uses a six-speed transmission and Keihin EFI with a 42mm throttle body. Equipped with a less restrictive three-piece exhaust system and more aggressive EFI mapping, this enduro is no longer suitable for street-legal riding like its dual sport ancestor. Useful tech includes a dual map switch and TC.

It uses a WP Xplor 48mm open-cartridge coil-spring fork, but unlike the KTM 450 XCF-W, the FE 450 is equipped with a WP Xact shock with linkage to absorb the rough stuff. The metallic blue on the chromoly steel frame is new, as are the colors, trim, and dark blue/yellow graphics that adorn the bodywork.

2023 Husqvarna FE 450 Price: $11,749

2023 Husqvarna FE 450 Heritage

For only $100 more than the base model, the heritage-inspired version of the FE 450 is sure to attract many buyers.Husqvarna

The FE 450 Heritage was created to honor the off-road racing history of Husqvarna. Mechanically, it has the same fuel-injected liquid-cooled SOHC four-stroke 450cc engine as the standard FE 450 with fixings like two selectable engine maps and TC. It also has a chromoly steel frame (that’s white instead of blue), and a WP Xplor 48mm open-cartridge coil-spring fork and WP Xact linkage-style shock. Travel is 11.8 inches at both ends.

Otherwise, the differences that set it apart include Excel rims (instead of D.I.D DirtStar) and race-history-inspired graphics. This model, like the seven others in the Heritage line, is available in limited quantities.

2023 Husqvarna FE 450 Heritage Price: $11,849

2023 Beta 430 RR

The 2023 Beta’s 430 RR engine has the same tuning as its last year’s Race Edition version. The powerplant is held in a double-cradle chromoly steel frame and drinks from a 2.4-gallon fuel tank.Beta

The 2023 Beta 430 RR is one of the reintroduced models for the US market and where its Race Edition version is geared for the competitive racer, this base model is poised for casual trail-tackling riders.

Its fuel-injected liquid-cooled DOHC four-stroke 431cc engine has an electronics system with two engine maps that, according to Beta, spread the power curve out more uniformly across the rpm range. There’s also button-controlled TC and an electric starter that riders can take advantage of.

Up front, the 430 RR uses a ZF Sachs 48mm open-cartridge coil-spring fork which has toolless compression and rebound damping adjustability and external spring preload adjustment. With 11.6 inches of travel, it has slightly less stroke than the models mentioned thus far. The front suspension has revised internals this year for sharper feedback, which we covered in more detail in our first look. The ZF Sachs shock is adjustable for spring preload, high/low-speed compression damping, and rebound damping, and has 11.4 inches of travel.

Also new for 2023 are the all-red plastics and redesigned graphics on the narrower radiator shrouds.

2023 Beta 430 RR Price: $10,699

2023 Beta 480 RR

The 480 RR is at the top of the totem pole of Beta’s standard off-road lineup.Beta

Beta’s largest engine size offered for its enduros is the 480 RR. More specifically, it’s a fuel-injected liquid-cooled DOHC 478cc four-stroke with a 5mm-larger bore than the 430 RR. It also benefits from two engine maps, TC, and an electric starter (with an optional backup kickstarter that can be purchased separately), and carries over the same tuning as the 2022 Beta 480 RR Race Edition. Fuel system uses a 42mm throttle body and two injectors.

Figures like the wheelbase (58.7 inches), claimed seat height (37 inches), ground clearance (12.6 inches), and claimed weight (239 pounds without fuel) are all the same as the Italian brand’s aforementioned smaller-displacement enduro, as are the suspension components and frame. It also has updated fork internals, revised radiator shrouds, and the latest bodywork color and graphics included in its updates for 2023.

2023 Beta 480 RR Price: $10,799

2023 Beta 430 RR Race Edition

The new KYB shock that’s seen on the 430 RR Race Edition, and other Race Edition models, is a result of the collaboration between the suspension brand and Beta.Beta

The Race Edition version of the 430 RR has a number of premium components that give it race-ready chops and style. More specifically, there’s a KYB Air-Oil Separate (AOS) 48mm closed-cartridge coil-spring fork, new KYB shock, and Metzeler 6 Days Extreme tires that replace the ZF Sachs fork, ZF Sachs shock, and Maxxis MaxxEnduro tires of the base model.

The Race Edition also includes new hand guards, red-anodized parts (front axle lever, engine oil filler cap, gearbox oil filler cap, and oil filter cap), billet aluminum footpegs, red billet aluminum chain tensioner, anodized shift lever and brake pedal, blue gripper seat, and special graphics and wheel decals.

2023 Beta 430 RR Race Edition Price: $11,199

2023 Beta 480 RR Race Edition

For those interested in riding on the beefiest off-roader Beta has to offer, you’ll be shopping for the 480 RR Race Edition.Beta

You’ll see the same trick bits that are showcased on the 430 RR Race Edition carried over onto the 480 RR Race Edition. The key difference is the larger-displacement model’s 478cc four-stroke engine, of course. The KYB suspension package and Metzeler rubber are the same as the 430 Race Edition above. Braking components are also copied across all four of these Betas, riders will slow the bike down using a 260mm floating disc up front and 240mm disc out back.

2023 Beta 480 RR Race Edition Price: $11,299

2023 Sherco 450 SEF Factory

AXP’s 6mm skid plate protects the underside of the 450 SEF Factory’s engine and chromoly steel frame from damage.Sherco

The Sherco 450 SEF Factory has roots in the Dakar Rally as Lorenzo Santolino’s 2021 and 2022 race weapon, and is one of four thumpers in Sherco’s SEF Factory lineup. Its engine displaces 449cc and has an oversquare configuration with a 95mm bore and 63.4mm stroke. Some features include a six-speed transmission, Sherco Factory header pipe, Akrapovič silencer, an electric starter, and two ignition maps (soft and hard).

To soften the blow caused by any rugged terrain, the 450 SEF Factory uses a KYB 48mm closed-cartridge coil-spring fork that offers 11.8 inches of travel and KYB shock with 13 inches of travel. Excel rims with Michelin Enduro Medium tires, Brembo brake calipers and pads, and Galfer wave-profile 260mm front and 220mm rear brake rotors make up the unsprung components of the enduro.

2023 Sherco 450 SEF Factory Price: $12,299

2023 Sherco 500 SEF Factory

The highest-displacement Sherco enduro is the 500 SEF Factory. It also has the highest sticker price on this list ($12,499).Sherco

The Sherco 500 SEF Factory has a fuel-injected liquid-cooled DOHC four-stroke 478cc engine that, as we stated in our first look, has a broad power delivery for racers and serious off-road enthusiasts alike. This engine uses Synerject EFI and a radiator fan to help keep it cool. An electric starter and two maps are standard, as is the Akrapovič muffler.

KYB keeps the ruts, rocks, and roots in check with its 48mm closed-cartridge coil-spring fork and shock, which offer 11.8 and 13 inches of travel, respectively. When they aren’t standing on the pegs, riders will sit on a diamond-pattern gray Selle Dalla Valle seat. Other standard equipment includes an AXP 6mm skid plate, Neken handlebar pad, and black Excel rims with Michelin Enduro medium-compound tires.

2023 Sherco 500 SEF Factory Price: $12,499

2023 TM EN 450 Fi 4T

The TM EN 450 Fi 4T is another four-stroke enduro option from Italy.Sherco

For those who want to hit the wide-open trails aboard an exclusive and unique enduro, they’ll be shopping for the TM EN 450 Fi 4T. With its fuel-injected liquid-cooled DOHC four-stroke 449cc engine, the EN 450 Fi 4T is the largest-displacement off-road motorcycle from TM, because the 530 engine is no longer available for either the brand’s enduro or MX models. Riders will fire the bike to life with an electric starter now. By removing the kickstarter (a 2023 change), TM reduced the bike’s weight by a claimed 2.2 pounds. The new model also has revised engine mapping and new graphics for 2023.

The EN 450 Fi 4T uses an aluminum frame that’s paired with a KYB 48mm coil-spring fork and TM Racing shock. Blue Excel rims are surrounded by Maxxis MaxxEnduro tires. This bike ties only the Yamaha WR450F for the largest brake discs: 270mm (front) and 245mm (rear). For TM, the duties are split between Brembo and Nissin calipers, respectively.

2023 TM EN 450 Fi 4T Price: $11,895