VOLUME 57 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 8, 2020 P61
Husqvarna FC 450 ($10,299)
Weight (wet): 236 lbs.
If you think the Husqvarna is just a white
KTM, you are mistaken. The second of
the Austrian machines does share many
qualities with its orange cousin but stands
a significant 10mm shorter in stature. The
FC 450 does receive the same updated WP
Xact suspension as the KTM, however the
Husky's fork cartridges and stanchion tubes
are 10mm shorter and are accompanied
by a lengthened shock seal head and
longer linkage to bring down the rear end.
A Magura clutch, carbon fiber subframe,
and updated mapping are other standout
features of this white stallion.
Yamaha YZ450F ($9399)
Weight (wet): 249 lbs.
If it ain't broke don't fix it. The YZ450F
steam-rolled through our 2019 and 2020
shootouts with a number of key revisions
that ultimately took this bike to the top
step of the podium for its second year in a
row. For 2021, the YZ is virtually unchanged
other than a sweet set of new graphics
atop the all-blue plastics and black fork
guards. Yamaha's reverse engine design and
proprietary Power Tuner Smartphone App
are unique features for the blue brand that
have helped this bike stand out in the past.
On the other hand, a three-peat could be
difficult without any obvious changes.
Honda CRF450R ($9599)
Weight (wet): 243 lbs.
The CRF450R is the only bike to see a
ground-up redesign in 2021. Big Red
gets a new frame, swingarm and revised
suspension with striking new bodywork
to match. A single-sided exhaust and
hydraulic clutch are other updates. The
motor is similar to the 2020 model aside
from some fine-tuned internals that pair
up with the new airbox and exhaust.
A handlebar-mounted switch features
a standard, smooth and aggressive
mapping option along with three levels
of Honda's Selectable Torque Control.
Honda hopes these changes will see a
new winner of this year's shootout.
