Yamaha or Kawasaki 450

The Yamaha is the best bike that I’ve owned so far.  Bike just feels great to me 

Those two bikes are almost on the opposite spectrums of bikes when it comes to what they are strong at. The Yamaha has a much stronger engine, but that can also be a "bad thing". You might like the mellower and easier to ride Kawasaki more.

I would definitely try to find dealers with demo days so that you actually could try them both before buying because they are rather different to each other.

ergos and adjustability goes to kawi.  Power and ease of set up yami.  

I have a YZF after 10 years on KTM

Amazing forks, balance of the bike takes some work. It’s super sensitive to sag / fork height. I think the 25 may be slightly easier to setup with the revised linkage / engine mounts?

I really enjoy the power delivery and handling of my 24 KX.  It makes me faster when the track gets rougher.  The adjustability of the ergos on the KX really seals the deal for me, though, since I’m 6’3”.  If you’re looking for hard-hitting and snappy power, you should look at the YZ.  

I'm currently on a 2020 KX450, but I'm thinking the 25 YZ450 will be the next steede in the stable. 

The yamaha is a rocketship. For me the kawi feels like home, and is so easy to ride. Nothing ever feels sketchy, the bike is point and shoot and you can trust it. For me, the Kawi is the bike to have and for $7500 out the door, you just cant go wrong. 

I have a '22 KX450SR, love the motor and the handling, and I'm hearing the cornering is much improved on the current generation chassis, but the motor is tamed down?! I can't help but imagine the new KX450 chassis, with the YZ450 motor!

I came from a 2019, the new bike absolutely turns better but still stable and confidence inspiring. The engine hasnt bothered me yet, but one thing im not thrilled about is felt engine vibration, thats a step in the wrong direction for sure

I have a 23 yz450f but I’ve ridden the new 24 kx450f a few times. I prefer the yz450. The chassis, kyb suspension, tuner app, engine power, etc is very refined at this point. 

The one thing I think is worth mentioning is the cost savings.  They are selling the 24 kx450f locally for $7,200 out the door before tax. Substantially cheaper than the yz. I'd get another yz if something happened to mine, but I think the savings on the KX may make it desirable for someone who is on the fence between the 2. 

 

Want to go fast! Get the YZ450F. If you want a bike that's stable easy to ride get the KX. As a Vet rider the KX works great for me. I've ridden the new YZ450F boy, talk about excitement! Honestly the thing scared me, plus after 10 minutes I was shot. Both great bikes, if your fast/young maybe the YZ is the ticket. As a OG the KX is heaven sent.

I came from a 2019 as well.  I agree that the cornering is much improved without giving up the stability the Kawi is famous for.  After reading all the Internet nonsense, I bought a PC pipe before even riding with the stock exhaust.  I just rode a friend's 24 with the stock exhaust, and while it was certainly quieter, I honestly didn't feel like I gave up much (if any) power compared to my bike.  If I had to do it over again, I would probably just race with the stock exhaust.  I gotta say, I keep reading about the increased vibration, but I haven't noticed it.

Own a ‘22 & ‘24 KX450, have spent time on a ‘24 YZ. I prefer my modded ‘24 KX, but in stock form the YZ is a little better. I’m a happy green owner, but to do it again I’d go blue and spend less $$ on mods and setup. 

would you still come out on top moneywise considering the green bike is cheaper off the rip though?

That’s a tough question. The KX is a great bike, and has a better chassis in my opinion, but only by a small margin. The KX motor is not slow by any means, but the delivery tricks you into thinking it is. The Yamaha has better stock suspension, and its motor needs no mods, and can be detuned easier  

Truthfully, to be ahead money-wise, buy blue; as a happy Kawi owner, I think the Yamaha is a better package. Some clamps and motor mounts could get it feeling near perfect for cheaper than you could get the KX.

Kawasaki if it’s an SR

I don’t understand the SR appeal. It’s a marginally better bike for much more $$$. Spend the extra $3k a slip on, powerflow kit, and suspension and you have a better bike. Coatings and bling don’t justify the extra cost IMHO

I thought it was more than that with polished head and ports, a different tuned ECU, x trig clamps, and the bike was much throatier and all around better?

For the price KX and then the difference in price means you can customize it to your likings. 

I have never been a big Kawasaki fan, and I hate 450’s. So why do I have a used  2023 KX450SR with only 5 hours in my shop?

A little background first. I am nearly 67, been riding/racing since 1968/1974 to expert level (slow expert). By 2014 my knees made me give up my beloved 2006 YZ250 for a bike with a button. 2014 KTM 350. I fell in love with the 350.  I owned 350’s ever since except for two weeks with the KTM 450. 
I have owned and hated my 1999 YZ400, 2022 KTM 450FE and ridden 426’s and most 450’s (except the Kawasaki). Hated them all. 
I am 6’4”, 225 pounds. 

So, how did a Kawasaki 450 end up in my shop? My friend bought a leftover 2033 KX 450SR and I rode his bike two weeks ago. A week later I had my 2023 KX450SR. The engine is perfect for a professional practice rider and like no 450 I have ridden. The bike turns exceptionally well, and has excellent stability to boot. The bike fits my body perfectly with the footpegs moved to the lowest position and handlebars moved forward. The engine has very little engine braking and it never feels like the engine affects the handling one bit. No vibration either. 
Now, this is a used (5 hour) 2023, different than the 24/25. And the SR has a ported head, different ECU tuning, stiffer springs, etc. 
I think the best advice was given in one of the early replies, try to ride both bikes. You will then know for sure which bike is for you. If it a coin toss, go with the better dealer. 

 

Honestly, end of the day, you cannot possibly go wrong… modern dirt bikes are amazing. 

I own a ‘24 KX 450. I would buy a Yamaha if I did it over. My ‘21 KX was possibly the best bike I’ve ever had. Turning, stability, power. I was at one with it. The ‘24, for me, is worse in every category. I rode a ‘24 YZ. The only thing that really stood out to me as a negative was the massive squatting under power, which the linkage and shock changes on the ‘25 should address. Otherwise the cornering, suspension, and power, were good. 

Lots of expert opinions and we know nothing about the rider...

Are you really taking a poll to decide this? Most here are just going to vote for the brand they like, plus you can vote more than once.  Not very subjective.  There are tons of reviews out there to read/watch that break down which bike works best for your skill level and riding style.  Better yet, ask someone at your local track if you can take a spin on one theirs.  Don’t use poll results.

I went through this dilemma.  Ended up green. At 6’2 I felt more at home on the kawi.  If I had to do it over again I’d do the same thing. 

Ride both and get what you like better.  Don’t rely just on the forums….

i cant agree more with this. the topic of "which bike is better" is so dated and irrelevant in my opinion. They are ALL good bikes, every rider is going to have different needs or preferences but no one bike is "better" than the other. Except the Orange trio, you can keep those piles.