Cycle News

Cycle News 2020 Issue 49 December 8

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

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VOLUME 57 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 8, 2020 P59 C reating the ultimate 450 motocrosser means striking a perfect balance. A bal- ance between raw power and rideabili- ty. A balance between compliance and stability. A balance between technological advancement and overall user friendliness. Balance is best, but it's not exactly an easy thing to achieve. Just ask the five manufacturers that participat- ed in the 2021 Cycle News 450 Shootout. Our shootout placed an emphasis on just that–balance. The testing crew found itself balanced out into two familiar groups—the fast guys and the not-so-fast guys. And by fast we mean three of our six testers have right- fully earned points at an AMA National. Yeah, like that kind of fast. Our other testers are no slouches either; a grand prix / desert pro, a working-class weekend racer, and a handful of quick vets aren't exactly used to getting the blue flag. But it's easy to see the line drawn in the sand, or should we say in the dirt at Ca- huilla Creek and Glen Helen Raceway. These tracks were hand-picked for their perfect mix of natural terrain and man-made obstacles that can easily sift out a machine's imperfections. Two groups of riders, five brand new 450 moto- cross bikes, one winner. You might notice that the 2021 Suzuki RM- Z450 was not included in this year's shootout. Suzuki was eager to participate but did not have BY RYAN NITZEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIT PALMER

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