Although Dirt Rider’s 2021 450 Motocross Shootout took place about a month and a half later than it has in years past due to a few of the bikes arriving later than usual—namely the all-new 2021 Honda CRF450R—the 450 motocross bike comparison test proved to be as exciting as ever. The five motorcycles contending for the honor of being awarded the best motocross bike of 2021 are the Husqvarna FC 450, Kawasaki KX450, Honda CRF450R, KTM 450 SX-F, and Yamaha YZ450F.
The Suzuki RM-Z450 was not included because we were informed by the company that it will not be available until later on in the year. The same goes for the GasGas MC 450F, which is the most recent 450 motocross model to be added to KTM’s platform-sharing formula of motorcycle development and production. We will be testing those bikes when they become available and intend to have next year’s models in the 2022 comparison test.
Related: 450 Motocross Bike Comparison 2020
After taking delivery of the five bikes in this year’s 450 Motocross Shootout, we installed DeCal Works preprinted number plate backgrounds, then mounted Dunlop D404 street tires on the rear wheels for runs on the Dirt Rider dyno. Afterward, we mounted Dunlop Geomax MX33 soft-to-intermediate-terrain tires on each machine front and rear to ensure parity in traction among the five competitors through the duration of the test. We then weighed each bike with a full tank of fuel and measured the seat heights.
After establishing hard empirical numbers, we took the five motorcycles to multiple tracks around Southern California. The first afternoon was spent shooting static photos and videos at Blackmore Ranch, an incredible property that has a motocross track, flat track, race shop, and several other features that any and all motorsports enthusiasts can appreciate. The next day involved getting action shots at Glen Helen Raceway followed by a day of testing at Cahuilla Creek MX, which features rolling hills and soil that consists mostly of decomposed granite along with some hard-packed areas.
After further familiarizing ourselves with the bikes at Cahuilla Creek, the official test day took place at Glen Helen Raceway, an iconic national-level track that features several steep uphills and downhills, high-speed straightaways, and a plethora of corners. The track’s deeply tilled soil allows for the formation of deep ruts and becomes hard-packed in certain areas as the day wears on. With the elevation changes, variety of terrain, and countless pro riders who visit the facility on any given Thursday, the course becomes rougher than any other track in SoCal and serves as an excellent place to test and pick apart the different aspects of each motorcycle.
Each manufacturer was present at Glen Helen to make any necessary adjustments to their respective bikes for each rider. The test team consisted of six riders ranging in ages from 23 to 50, abilities from novice to AMA pro, and weights from 125 to 195 pounds.
Read on for our in-depth analysis of each bike and to see where it stood among the rest.
2021 Husqvarna FC 450 Review First Ride
2021 Kawasaki KX450 Review First Ride
2021 Honda CRF450R Review First Ride
2021 Yamaha YZ450F Review First Ride
| Bike | Weight, Full Tank (lb.) | Fuel Capacity (gal.) | Seat Height (in.) | MSRP |
| CRF450R | 244 | 1.7 | 37.6 | $9,599 |
| FC 450 | 236 | 1.8 | 37.4 | $10,299 |
| KX450 | 244 | 1.6 | 38.0 | $9,399 |
| 450 SX-F | >234 | 1.8 | 37.6 | $10,199 |
| YZ450F | 248 | 1.6 | 37.9 | $9,399 |
Best Motocross Bike Winner—2021 Kawasaki KX450
Best Motocross Bike 2nd Place—2021 Yamaha YZ450F
Best Motocross Bike 3rd Place—2021 KTM 450 SX-F
Best Motocross Bike 4th Place—2021 Husqvarna FC 450
Best Motocross Bike 5th Place—2021 Honda CRF450R