2022 Dirt Rider 450 Motocross Bike Comparison Test

Good things come to those who wait. Dirt Rider’s 2021 450 Motocross Shootout was published in November 2020, and this year’s flagship motocross bike comparison hits the site in December 2021. The reason for the in-depth tests going live later in the year is bike availability. Last year, we were waiting on the all-new Honda CRF450R; for 2022, the GasGas MC 450F was the final machine to arrive.

For the second consecutive year, the Suzuki RM-Z450 was not included in our annual comparison, as it simply wasn’t available. We’ll test the yellow bike when we can get our hands on it, just as we did last year.

So the contenders in Dirt Rider’s 2022 450 Motocross Shootout are the GasGas MC 450F, Honda CRF450R, Husqvarna FC 450, KTM 450 SX-F, Kawasaki KX450, and Yamaha YZ450F.

Related: 450 Motocross Bike Comparison 2020

The first order of business after picking up all six motorcycles was applying DeCal Works preprinted number plate backgrounds. Dunlop D404 street tires were installed on the rear wheels for runs on our in-house dyno. To ensure consistency in traction while on the track, we mounted Dunlop Geomax MX33 soft-to-intermediate-terrain tires front and rear on each machine. After weighing each motorcycle with a full tank of fuel and measuring the seat heights, we headed to the track.

Fox Raceway was a superb location for static and action photography. While that was getting done, we got a feel for the bikes. Test days were spent at State Fair MX, a jumpier track with lots of corners, and at Glen Helen Raceway, an iconic national-level course and an excellent testing ground featuring a variety of terrain including steep uphills and downhills, high-speed straightaways, and of course plenty of corners.

Each manufacturer was present at Glen Helen to make adjustments their bikes might need to accommodate each rider. Our test team consisted of five riders ranging in ages from 23 to 51, in ability from novice to AMA pro, and in weight from 125 to 190 pounds.

Read on to find out how the six bikes finished when the dust settled and the results were tallied.

2022 KTM 450 SX-F First Ride Review

2022 Yamaha YZ450F First Ride Review

Best Motocross Bike Winner—2022 Kawasaki KX450

Best Motocross Bike 2nd Place—2022 KTM 450 SX-F

Best Motocross Bike 3rd Place—2022 Yamaha YZ450F

Best Motocross Bike 4th Place—2022 GasGas MC 450F

Best Motocross Bike 5th Place—2022 Husqvarna FC 450

Best Motocross Bike 6th Place—2022 Honda CRF450R