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For 2025, we’ve had some updates on a few of the 450 MX’ers, Yamaha, KTM, Husqvarna, Gas Gas and Honda all have had some form of updates to their chassis and suspension specs. This means for 2025, baseline clicker settings have changed a little from the previous year. We make sure to spend some time on all of these machines and have directed you towards these settings for a more friendlier feeling (for your new 2025 450 machine). If you have any questions, I am here to help as much as I can. Kris@keeferinctesting.com is the place to ask away.
Yamaha YZ450F:
Yamaha updated their front engine mounts, linkage, shock spring rate and suspension valving on both ends to help the big blue machine from squatting/pitching. The front engine mounts are solid pieces this year in order to help front end traction which they succeeded with but we wanted to try improve on some of the stock settings for comfort. If you’re looking for some added feel, try this setting.
Fork:
Spring Rate: 5.0 N/m
Height: 2mm
Compression: 12 clicks out
Rebound: 9 clicks out
Shock:
Spring Rate: 56 N/m
Sag: 105mm
Low Speed Compression: 11 clicks out
High Speed Compression: 1.25-1.5 turns out
Rebound: 10 clicks out
Kawasaki KX450:
The KX450 is unchanged for 2025. We have the exact same valving so not much has evolved here. The 24/25 KX450 has more of a front wheel biased feeling yet still has a lot of stability around fast/rough tracks. The overall spring rates didn’t change from the older chassis of the 2023 KX450 but the valving is quite a bit different when speaking to the SHOWA techs. They were aiming for more hold up and more performance than what came on the 23’ model. I think they achieved some of that, but the Kawasaki still needs hold up help. The fork is a bit softer than the shock at times but I think the initial part of the stroke (of the fork) is much too soft so I seem to ride in the mid stroke and that creates a harsh feel on de-cel. Once dialed in, the SHOWA components are quite good and give the rider a blend of comfort that is much better than some others in its class.
Fork:
Spring Rate: 5.1 N/m * Stock is 5.0 N/m* (Drop one 5.2 N/m spring in on one side)
Compression: 10 clicks out
Rebound Range: 9 clicks out
Fork Height: 2-3 mm
Shock:
Sag: 105mm
Spring Rate: 54 N/m (190 pounds or over, try optional 56 N/m)
Low Speed Compression: 10 clicks out
High Speed Compression: 1 1/4 turns out
Rebound: 12 out
Honda CRF450R:
Fork:
Spring Rate: Recommended 5.1 N/m *Stock is 5.0 N/m* (One 5.2N/m spring one side)
Height: Flush-2mm (I like flush around Southern California tracks and 2mm on rutty/softer tracks)
Comp: 9 out
Rebound: 10 out
Shock:
Spring Rate: 52 N/m (If over 190 pounds try a 54 N/m)
L/S Comp: 8 clicks out
H/S Comp: 1.5 turns out
Rebound: 12 clicks out
Sag: 106mm
Suzuki RM-Z450:
We have an RM-Z 450 setting for you all and that hasn’t changed. The BFRC is not great and it doesn’t go off of clicks, yet instead it goes off of turns. It is tough to figure out, we are not going to lie. We came up with a suspension settings that had some more comfort but had as the hold we wanted without getting the Suzuki harsher than it already is.
Fork:
Spring rate: 5.0 N/m
Compression: 9 clicks out
Rebound: 14 clicks out
Fork-leg height: 3-5mm
Shock:
Spring Rate: 54 N/m
Hi-compression: N/A
Compression: 1.25 turn out
Rebound: 1.5 turns out
Race sag: 105mm
KTM 450 SX-F:
The 2025 KTM has an updated frame and that does help bump feel but it still is on the stiffer side compared to a Kawasaki or a Yamaha. The stock/recommended settings were 10.5 bar or 152psi of air in the fork, compression at 12 out and rebound at 18 out. Once broken in (post 6-7 engine hours), this setting was too soft for most and after testing at a few tracks, I found a base line setting of:
Fork:
Height: 3mm
Air Pressure: 10.8 bar or 156 psi of air
Compression at 10 clicks
Rebound 15 out.
*With Factory Hard Parts Triple Clamp or Ride Engineering Split Clamp*
Height: 3mm
Air Pressure: 10.9 Bar or 158 PSI
Compression: 14 clicks out
Rebound: 14 clicks out
Shock:
Spring Rate: 45 N/m (If you’re over 195 pounds a 48 N/m is best)
Sag: 102mm
L/S Comp: 10 out
H/S Comp: 1.25 out
Rebound: 12 out
Husqvarna FC450:
Fork:
(Stock Triple Clamp):
Height: 3mm
Air Pressure: 10.9 Bar or 158 PSI
Compression: 12 clicks out
Rebound: 13 clicks out
*With Husqvarna Hard Parts Triple Clamp or Ride Engineering Split Clamp*
Height: 3mm
Air Pressure: 10.9 Bar
Compression: 14 clicks out
Compression: 14 clicks out
Rebound: 13 clicks out
Shock:
Spring Rate: 45 N/m (If you’re over 190 pounds a 48 N/m is best)
Sag: 102mm
Low Speed Compression: 8 clicks out
High Speed Compression: 1.25 out
Rebound: 9 clicks out
Gas Gas MC450:
The 25 Gas Gas MC450 has a similar suspension feel to the KTM, but the chassis feel still has slightly more compliance so the setting that I came up with is only slightly slower moving than the KTM. This is a general happy spot for the other red machine:
Fork:
(Stock Triple Clamp):
Height: 3mm
Air Pressure: 10.9 Bar
Compression: 13 clicks out
Rebound: 12 clicks out
*With Factory WP Hard Parts Triple Clamp or Ride Engineering Split Clamp*
Height: 3mm
Air Pressure: 11 Bar
Compression: 11 clicks out
Rebound: 10 clicks out
Shock:
Spring Rate: 45 N/m (If you’re over 190 pounds a 48 N/m is best)
Sag: 103mm
L/S Compression: 10 clicks out
H/S Compression: 1.25 out
Rebound: 8-9 clicks out
