VOLUME ISSUE MARCH , P91
Wet weight-240 lbs.
The Husqvarna FC 450 is all-new for 2023. Like its orange
brother, it gets a new frame, engine and bodywork for the
new year. The Husky is the premium of the Austrian bikes
and comes with all the bells and whistles like traction control
and a quickshifter. While the Husqvarna and the KTM ride on
WP AER suspension, the most significant difference between
the two is 10mm lower suspension on the FC 450. This, in
turn, lowers the seat height by about an inch and the ground
clearance by roughly half that. The new plastic and color
scheme stand out as significant differences.
Wet weight-243 lbs.
Honda's flagship motocrosser is deep in its current
generation, which launched in 2021. For this year, the
frame was modified for added flex, and the suspension
settings have been tuned to match. Honda says its goal
was to free up the function of the bike while still letting
the suspension, engine and frame flex individually. Several
engine internals are smaller, too, with a narrower intake
port, reduced throttle body, and a smaller exhaust. Overall,
the bike's been touched up to be a smoother package.
Wet weight-246 lbs.
The Kawasaki KX450 returns for 2023 with virtually no
changes. Since its inception in 2019, this generation KX
has been a contender in nearly every shootout it's entered.
It comes standard with Kawasaki's Ergo-Fit system, a
hydraulic clutch, Showa suspension, and a three-coupler
mapping system. With a full tank of fuel, it tips the scales
as the heaviest bike of the bunch, save for the Suzuki,
which, again, opted out of this year's test. While others are
all-new for this year, the KX's tried and true character hopes
to win over our riders.
HUSQVARNA FC 450
$10,999
KAWASAKI KX450
$9599 BASE, $9899 AS TESTED
CAST
HONDA CRF450R
$9599
