too powerful...?
450s: where now?
450 four-strokes first came into play at the beginning of the century and the creation of MX1 in 2004 accommodated the new motorcycles that merged 250cc and 500cc (and larger) two-strokes. Figures of horsepower have climbed from the mid-40s to the mid-50s in less than ten years but this rate of development has also seen a decrease in the decibel level (by at least 4dbs). In recent times the sophistication of fuel injection and electronics have seen an important part played by the likes of GPA (GET Power Assistance) and other manipulation of power delivery. In the FIM Motocross World Championship average speeds and lap-times between MX1 and MX2 have narrowed and overlapped frequently – depending on the track – but are the 99kg MX1 machines really too much to handle?
Cairoli: I don’t think 450s are too much but there are not many people who can ride them like they need to be ridden. There are only a few people who can really push them. They are not too much though…for example on some tracks like Sevlievo in Bulgaria the 350 was not enough in some places while the 450 was good. Guttridge: For a top MXGP rider then I would say that the 450F is the bike they aspire to mastering. The best riders in the world can utilise their power to weight ratio on the modern tracks in order to take the most advantage from them. Desalle: I really like riding the 450 because the bike is powerful. I’ve never tried a 400 or a 350 so it is difficult to speak about it but it is true that the tracks are becoming more technical and tight so maybe a smaller and lighter bike would be better. It’s a tough question because I really like the challenge of controlling the 450 out of the corners.
Searle: I think you only have to look at Cairoli and what he is doing on that 350 – if it is a 350 – and it looks like the ideal bike because he’s won three world championships with it. I think a 450 can be fun but it can also be a handful. I think as long are all on the same then it’s fine. Nicholls: I know already I’m riding 250s…but I think it is a good idea to reduce the capacity. Those things are too big and too fast. At some tracks riders will just be ‘bhar-bhar-bhar’ [mimics small throttle blibs], that can’t be fun. I’m perhaps too big for a 250 but someone like Jimmy Decotis…that 450 will be too much. Paulin: People could say ‘where are the strong athletes riding the fastest bikes? Like it is in F1 or MotoGP’ and just because of this, a change for me would make no sense. I think the 450s now are strong and not easy to ride but they are safer than they were before. Our sport carries risk but we all know that.