2019 450 Shootout - Updated

ML512
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ML512
Edited Date/Time 8/22/2018 2:00pm
Update: All rider's opinions have been added, the buildout is complete minus a missing dyno chart due to some air quality conditions that foiled us...I should have a replacement chart sometime later today.

https://www.vitalmx.com/features/2019-Vital-MX-450-Shootout,6162

We've also got a Forum QNA going, if you have any questions about the results or opinions shared in the Shootout: https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/Forum-QNA-2019-Vital-MX-…

We just wrapped up testing yesterday and we have results...we're working hard to bring you our usual monster of an article but the video is done and since we like to keep things moving quickly, we've gone ahead and published that part here: https://www.vitalmx.com/features/2019-Vital-MX-450-Shootout,6162

We should have the article ready to roll for the beginning of the weekend. Keep an eye on the homepage for that update and here in the forum, there will be a QNA for those with questions on the test.
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Tarz483
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Tarz483 8/16/2018 6:56pm
8/16/2018 6:56pm
Nice
Good job Bring 1st
mattyhamz2
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mattyhamz2 8/16/2018 6:59pm
8/16/2018 6:59pm
Awesome job guys! Awesome video. I was surprised at the results for the most part, but in a good way. Keep up the great work guys!
Jbulz
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Jbulz 8/16/2018 7:16pm
8/16/2018 7:16pm
Kawi got 2nd because ML couldn't even bottom the A Kit forks
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ML512
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ML512 8/16/2018 7:17pm
8/16/2018 7:17pm
Aww man, a like and dislike on the post already ?
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thorns
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thorns 8/16/2018 7:19pm
8/16/2018 7:19pm
Sweet! Was just thinking today the shootouts must be rolling out shortly.

Just need a coffee and Im set !
kiwifan
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kiwifan 8/16/2018 7:24pm
8/16/2018 7:24pm
ML512 wrote:
Aww man, a like and dislike on the post already ?
never please everyone ML
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mattyhamz2
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mattyhamz2 8/16/2018 7:25pm
8/16/2018 7:25pm
ML512 wrote:
Aww man, a like and dislike on the post already ?
kiwifan wrote:
never please everyone ML
If it matters at all, ML I was very pleased with the results!
theycallmeebryan 8/16/2018 7:29pm
8/16/2018 7:29pm
Looking forward to reading the in-depth article. Interested in seeing what every guy thought of each bike.
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Superdave19
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Superdave19 8/16/2018 7:30pm
8/16/2018 7:30pm
IMO, these bikes have evolved so much, it's really a matter of dealer support, and how they feel to the buyer-

Shoot outs are always interesting.
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BobPA
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BobPA 8/16/2018 7:30pm
8/16/2018 7:30pm
I see that earful Keefer gave you a while ago really swayed your decision....
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tobz
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tobz 8/16/2018 7:33pm
8/16/2018 7:33pm
So to pretty much sum it up, all of those bikes (sans the old school Suzuki) can be as good as each other provided you've got the amount of time to get it there. It just happens to be that the winner was the easiest to get there.

Pick your local dealer and favourite colour and you can't go wrong.
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theycallmeebryan 8/16/2018 7:33pm
8/16/2018 7:33pm
tobz wrote:
So to pretty much sum it up, all of those bikes (sans the old school Suzuki) can be as good as each other provided you've got...
So to pretty much sum it up, all of those bikes (sans the old school Suzuki) can be as good as each other provided you've got the amount of time to get it there. It just happens to be that the winner was the easiest to get there.

Pick your local dealer and favourite colour and you can't go wrong.
Exactly, as long as it's not a yellow bike. Grinning
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Johnny89superbike 8/16/2018 7:36pm
8/16/2018 7:36pm
Good comparo, thanks. The thing l like the best about the comparo, is that you showed video of each bike at the same point on the track, be it whoops or jump landing, this way we can see the differences.
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ML512
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ML512 8/16/2018 7:37pm
8/16/2018 7:37pm
BobPA wrote:
I see that earful Keefer gave you a while ago really swayed your decision....
I actually called him last night to tell him the results and the blue lover was excited. Keefer doesn’t sway my opinion though, we love debating this stuff but we look for different stuff at times in bike but we can both agree when a bike is darn good.
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ML512
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ML512 8/16/2018 7:38pm
8/16/2018 7:38pm
tobz wrote:
So to pretty much sum it up, all of those bikes (sans the old school Suzuki) can be as good as each other provided you've got...
So to pretty much sum it up, all of those bikes (sans the old school Suzuki) can be as good as each other provided you've got the amount of time to get it there. It just happens to be that the winner was the easiest to get there.

Pick your local dealer and favourite colour and you can't go wrong.
I disagree with the final sentiment, there are certain charteristics that don’t suit certain riders. Yes, the current crop of bikes are darn good but I think with the right research everyone can find a bike that suits them better than the competition.
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H4L
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H4L 8/16/2018 7:40pm
8/16/2018 7:40pm
Huh.. I figured it was going to be between the green & red bike for the top spot. Instead they tied for 2nd..
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kiwifan
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kiwifan 8/16/2018 7:46pm
8/16/2018 7:46pm
H4L wrote:
Huh.. I figured it was going to be between the green & red bike for the top spot. Instead they tied for 2nd..
well all 3 sound like you could throw a blanket over them...sounds like the EFI App Tuner made a difference too, have to admit thats a great tool, I wonder when others will follow
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H4L
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H4L 8/16/2018 7:51pm
8/16/2018 7:51pm
kiwifan wrote:
well all 3 sound like you could throw a blanket over them...sounds like the EFI App Tuner made a difference too, have to admit thats a...
well all 3 sound like you could throw a blanket over them...sounds like the EFI App Tuner made a difference too, have to admit thats a great tool, I wonder when others will follow
Good point. The efi app tuner seems like a user friendly tool that the other manufacturers don't currently have.
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thorns
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thorns 8/16/2018 7:54pm
8/16/2018 7:54pm
Good watch, looking forward to the article as well.

Interesting results, did not expect to see what was in 5th at that end of the shootout.
jeffro503
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jeffro503 8/16/2018 8:04pm
8/16/2018 8:04pm
Wow! Thanks ML and crew! And good job Yamaha , Honda and Kawi.....was not expecting those results. Nice to see the Japanese aren't just sitting around.

Looks like that 19' Kawi is going to be sitting in my garage this spring!
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colvin227
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colvin227 8/16/2018 8:23pm
8/16/2018 8:23pm
Wow was not expecting the #1. Really thought Kawi had it locked.....but I’ll still take my RMZ and the $3-4K savings Grinning
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Rotaholic
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Rotaholic 8/16/2018 8:26pm
8/16/2018 8:26pm
Spoiler Alert - The unchanged Suzuki comes last again.

Great video again VitalMX, looking forward to reading through everything.
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kiwifan
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kiwifan 8/16/2018 8:27pm
8/16/2018 8:27pm
colvin227 wrote:
Wow was not expecting the #1. Really thought Kawi had it locked.....but I’ll still take my RMZ and the $3-4K savings Grinning
Where do you get a 2019 RMZ450 for $3-4k less than any of the other bikes???
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Gilby122
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Gilby122 8/16/2018 8:29pm
8/16/2018 8:29pm
colvin227 wrote:
Wow was not expecting the #1. Really thought Kawi had it locked.....but I’ll still take my RMZ and the $3-4K savings Grinning
That’s what I’m sayin! Just picked up a ‘18 for $6800 otd. Bought a fmf pipe, grips, chain, sprockets, holeshot device, air filters, oil filters, and on and on.... a “built” bike for me and still probably $2k less than another 350. Maybe some people can tell it’s last place bike....but in the 40+ class I’ll still be in the mix with money left over!
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colvin227
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colvin227 8/16/2018 8:34pm
8/16/2018 8:34pm
colvin227 wrote:
Wow was not expecting the #1. Really thought Kawi had it locked.....but I’ll still take my RMZ and the $3-4K savings Grinning
kiwifan wrote:
Where do you get a 2019 RMZ450 for $3-4k less than any of the other bikes???
18...sorry but same bike minus revalve which everyone does anyways. It won’t take long for the Zuke to be down in price again which is only great for the buyer cause it’s a great bike for the average joe
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colvin227
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colvin227 8/16/2018 8:38pm
8/16/2018 8:38pm Edited Date/Time 8/16/2018 8:39pm
colvin227 wrote:
Wow was not expecting the #1. Really thought Kawi had it locked.....but I’ll still take my RMZ and the $3-4K savings Grinning
Gilby122 wrote:
That’s what I’m sayin! Just picked up a ‘18 for $6800 otd. Bought a fmf pipe, grips, chain, sprockets, holeshot device, air filters, oil filters, and...
That’s what I’m sayin! Just picked up a ‘18 for $6800 otd. Bought a fmf pipe, grips, chain, sprockets, holeshot device, air filters, oil filters, and on and on.... a “built” bike for me and still probably $2k less than another 350. Maybe some people can tell it’s last place bike....but in the 40+ class I’ll still be in the mix with money left over!
Same here man I got a leftover and for the same $10k I have a complete custom tricked out bike exactly the way I wanted it. Won’t matter what color I’m on I’ll still get arm pump and have kids on 65’s scrub past me. Oh well now a days it is all about what makes sense to me.

However, as always ML great job and can’t wait for the write-up. Hands down the best comprehensive shootout
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Superdave19
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Superdave19 8/16/2018 8:39pm
8/16/2018 8:39pm
". Maybe some people can tell it’s last place bike....but in the 40+ class I’ll still be in the mix with money left over!"

...best quote. I actually rode one (18') for the first time- not bad!
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