Dirt bikes come in all shapes and sizes. And they are for anyone who can ride a bike, irrespective of their age and experience. As there are bikes for the veterans, there are also bikes for kids as young as 5 years old. A dirt bike that is considered to be especially for the experienced, is the 450cc one.
These bikes are more powerful and have more speed than bikes like 250cc, which are designed for intermediate bikers. Some of the top 450cc dirt bikes are manufactured by KTM, Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, etc.
Let’s take a deeper look at what a 450cc dirt bike is made of….
450 dirt bikes: A detailed analysis
450 dirt bikes are bikes that have an engine capacity of 450cc, I’m sure you can already tell that from the name. They are designed for bikers who have quite a lot of experience under their belts.
Dirt bikes have different engine capacities that are designed for bikers with different levels of experience. For example, the 50cc, 110cc, and 125cc dirt bikes are usually made for kids and/or people who are just learning the ropes.
The 250cc dirt bike is made for bikers who have little experience but haven’t reached the pro status yet. A person who can ride a 125cc bike can also ride a 250cc bike with a bit more experience, making them a little bit interchangeable.
But that is not usually the case with the 450cc bikes. These bikes are a lot more powerful than all the bikes mentioned above. This results in them being difficult to control. Only experienced bikers should ride 450cc bikes, so it is not recommended for beginners.
For comparison, the average speed of a 250cc dirt bike is between 55 to 80 miles per hour. There are a few bikes that can go a lot faster, but 80mph is as fast as most of them go. But the average speed of a 450 dirt bike is 90 miles per hour. But compared to the 250 ones, there are a lot more 450cc bikes that regularly go north of 100mph, especially the top-end ones.
This speed makes these bikes a bit more difficult to handle than the 250 ones. Also, the engine size of the 450 dirt bikes is larger than that of the 250cc bikes or any other bikes with lower engine capacity for that matter. This makes them heavier than their smaller cousins. So only a biker with significant experience can maneuver these bikes properly.
Now that it has been established that 450cc dirt bikes are for pros, let’s take a look at some of the best 450cc bikes out there.
What is the best 450 dirt bike?
All the top bike brands in the world have tried their hand and did it successfully by making 450cc dirt bikes. All these dirt bikes have unique traits that make them desirable to a dirt biker. So, the best 450 dirt bike is the one that suits the needs of a rider the most. The following are some of the best 450 dirt bikes in the world.
1. The Suzuki RM-Z450
The Suzuki RM-Z450 is a championship-winning dirt bike. It comes with a 4-stroke engine that is very powerful and can go as fast as 97mph. It has brakes and suspension that can handle this speed well too, making it even more worthwhile. Also, Suzuki-made bikes are known for their durability, so the riders don’t need to worry about this bike lasting a long time.
2. The KTM 450SX-F
KTM’s name has become synonymous with powerful dirt bikes. The KTM 450SX-F is no exception to this. Despite it being a bit costlier than most of its contemporaries, it is worth having in your garage. This bike is designed for not only the more experienced bikers but also the ones who are a bit taller.
The KTM 450SX-F can fly around the circuit in the right hand. Its top speed is 123 miles per hour, which is enough to leave any competition in the dust.
3. The Honda CRF450R
Another Japanese brand that takes pride in making exceptionally good dirt bikes, Honda also has a 450 dirt bike that can zoom around the tracks at a breakneck speed. The Honda CRF450R can give even the KTM a run for its money when it comes to speed. It can go 90 miles per hour, which with its powerful engine and top-notch suspensions, make it a formidable opponent on the tracks.
4. The Kawasaki KX 450F
No conversation about powerful dirt bikes can be held without mentioning the name of Kawasaki. This brand has been a household name for many years when it comes to making bikes, be it for MotoGP or dirt bikes. Like others, Kawasaki also has a 450cc dirt bike in their ranks, and it is a damn good one.
The Kawasaki KX450F has the reputation of being one of the coolest-looking dirt bikes out there. But looks aren’t the only thing that this dirt bike offers. The 4-stroke engine of this dirt bike is so powerful that even pros need to have second thoughts before parting with 8200 dollars to buy it. The Kawasaki KX450F has a top speed of 162 miles per hour, which is the main cause that riders need to think twice before buying it.
5. The Yamaha YZ450F
Last but not the least, the Yamaha YZ450F is yet another Japanese dirt bike that can lay a claim to being the best 450 dirt bike in the world. Not only does this bike have superior power, but it also has incredible handling that makes it an alluring choice for dirt bikers worldwide. With an 80mph top speed which can be brought up to 130 miles per hour with some modifications, it tears through the race tracks like a bullet.
What is the most powerful 450 dirt bike?
Usually, all the 450cc dirt bikes have around 50-60 horsepower in them. This alone makes them quite powerful as I have mentioned above. But there is one dirt bike that puts even these dirt bikes to shame when it comes to the sheer power of the engine.
The Beta 450 RS is the most powerful 450 dirt bike in the world. Its engine has 78 horsepower, which is head and shoulders above even the other most powerful dirt bikes in its category. It’s this engine that allows it to fly past its competitors at a whopping 110 miles per hour top speed.
Final Words
For all dirt bikers out there, the 450cc dirt bikes are a thing that they crave to ride. Anyone who knows what a 450 dirt bike is, will agree with this fact. Despite the top brands having 450cc dirt bikes with varying speeds and specs, one thing that everyone agrees on is that these are for experienced riders only. So if you have the skill and experience to handle a powerful dirt bike, getting the 450 dirt bike is the best thing you can do for yourself.
