Jimmy Lewis
5'10"
185 lb
Vet/Senior Pro
Man, I don't even know where to start. After riding all these bikes by themselves, I was pretty sure the Honda would walk away with another shootout win, followed closely by the Kawasaki since its slightly different flavor of aggression always appeals strongly to a few. But what I didn't expect was how strong the KTM emerged when we rode the bikes back-to-back. I thought I was alone in feeling it was the best bike after our back-to-back riding began, yet I had a lot of company.
The only way I can explain it is to look a little deeper at what we, as riders, are feeling on the bikes. With Honda's more aggressive direction of mass centralization has come more aggressive steering. Kawasaki has taken the same direction on the steering without a major change in the weight department, at least on the scale. Both green and red bikes have integrated fuel injection and, with that, a smoother delivery of the power. Strange then that they have gotten closer to where the KTM has been-yep, a smooth power delivery and a very aggressive and precise steering bike.
I won't even mention who started those minimalist sidepanels that seem to be the norm these days; forget we bitched about it a few years back- "where are we going to stick those numbers?!?" I guess we don't need them for motocross in 2009! And this direction has even opened riders up to accepting the YZ's steering, though it hasn't really changed too much. Riders just complained less.
But my one warning for those thinking that the KTM is the only choice here, if I were exclusively racing the bike, I wouldn't choose it first. Since a lot of riders do more than just race, meaning hitting track days or the occasional off-road GP, the plushness and smooth and fast motor are real standouts that fit into my current preferences for a MXer. But when pushing the bike at close to 100 percent it isn't so comfortable. In fact, the SX uses too much of the suspension stroke on jump faces and can wallow when pushed hard in turns. But this is the one I'd buy, and a lot of that has to do with electric starting.
At race pace I found the YZ the easiest to go fast on (yes, even easier because of its "choked-up" exhaust). However, the YZ's best suspension from last year takes a little speed to come into its own. Yes, racing and pushing, it is the best, and it feels at home.
Out of the corners nothing...
Out of the corners nothing feels stronger than the powerful KX450F. Chris Barrett focuses on his next corner.
Kawasaki KX450F
If you consider podium appearances as a gauge for the value of a machine, then you can stop reading and go to your Kawasaki dealer. Green's race program confidently killed the competition in 2008, and for 2009, the all-new KX450F is looking to finally knock Honda off the top step. It's been close before. Is it finally there?
Engine
* Kawasaki's EFI system mellowed out the KX-F for 2009 and gave it more usable power than the very intimidating '07 and mellowed but still too aggressive '08 models. A much needed improvement for efficient motocross performance.
* The most exciting bottom-mid hit and aggressive power in motocross; when ridden back-to-back this bike feels like a cheater bike in the meat of the midrange.
* Instant response to throttle input and precise fuel management has this bike reacting to your right hand better than anything. It's no longer a throttle; it's more of a switch that tells the motor to instantly react.
* Power tapers off on top before Honda, KTM and Yamaha.
* Likely makes more noise than power everywhere except the midrange and at the standard sound testing rpm (ignition trick).
Chassis
* It's similar to previous models with a more laid-back, traditional motocross feel.
* Not as aggressively precise with the front end as the Honda or KTM.
* Second in the stability department (at all speeds) only to the traditionally solid high-speed-stable Yamaha.
* Surprising combination of accurate turning and high-speed stability that everyone can appreciate.