2024 450 MX Shootout In Depth | Gas Gas vs. Honda vs. Husqvarna vs. Kawasaki vs. KTM vs. Yamaha

The Gas GAs MC 450

Fifth Place: Gas Gas MC 450

Test rider Scores: 6-6-5-4-6-4-5

The Gas Gas MC 450 now shares the same updated chassis as its two Austrian counterparts, and the bike maintains the same “affordable” mantra as it always has, even though the 2023.5 Troy Lee Edition came with all of the bells and whistles as the other special LTD offerings from KTM and Husqvarna. Setting the 2024 Gasser apart from the KTM are softer European suspension settings, different handlebars, unique bodywork, and the lack of the mapping switch. Though it would be quite simple to make the MC 450 feel like its “Ready to Race” brother, it are the little differences mentioned above that held it to fifth in this off-the-showroom-floor comparison.

Pat Foster on the Gas Gas MC 450

“The Gas Gas is on the same basic platform as the KTM and Husqvarna, but it has a way more comfortable feel, the way it is set up. The bike is pretty soft and wallowy, but it is actually more comfortable for me than the Husqvarna because it has a more opened-up feel. It would be easy to make this bike sweet.” – Connor Ericsson

“The Gas Gas is such a killer-looking bike! For me, the Euro suspension settings are too soft and the bike has too much movement for me. When I am riding at about 80% the bike feels excellent. I like the additional flex in the forged triple clamps, but overall, I am looking for a more firm, deliberate feel. The engine character is strong, with a long, broad delivery.” – Pat Foster

“I love the Gas Gas when I am not riding at full speed: it is plush and the engine puts power to the ground in a smooth, controllable manner, When you start to push it, though, the bike starts to feel very busy with lots of front-to-rear weight transfer. The ergos are great and I like the bodywork.” – Rene Garcia

“I enjoy the Gas Gas because it is easy for me to ride at race pace. The chassis has a nice blend of rigidity and flex and I like the forged triple clamp. I feel that the KTM group has done a great job of making three different bikes from the same platform, and the Gas Gas is more similar to the KTM with lots of hop-up potential.” – Jase Macalpine

“The Gas Gas suspension needs some work. The fork and shock are soo soft that they actually feel stiff because you;re riding so low in the strtoke. Still, the bike handles well and it corners great. I found myself riding a lot of outside lines and holding speed and momentum. The engine is smooth and easy to ride, but I know there’s more potential that can be unleashed with the addition of a map switch.” – Kyle Puerner

“The Gas Gas is a comfortable bike but it was hard for me to trust at speed because it was so soft and wallowy. The power is mellow but it had a heavy friction feel. I think accessing map two would do a lot for the Gas Gas. I hated the handlebars – they are very wide and have a strange bend.” – Alex Ray

“The Gas Gas is not as powerful as the KTM, but it is comfortable and easy to ride. I like the way the Gas Gas corners and i have a lot of confidence in the bike’s front end. The rider triangle is very close to the KTM’s and it is comfortable for me, but I was not a fan of the handlebars.” – Kyle Vara

Test Rider Hits

Free-revving engine with less engine braking than Husky

Great brake performance

Fun to ride

Great looks

Test Rider Misses

No mapping switch

Overly soft suspension set for comfort, not performance

Handlebars have a strange bend and flexy feel

Not confidence inspiring at race pace