Once the Yamaha W450FR is allowed to compete on a level playing field - compete is exactly what it did. All of our testers appreciated how quickly the five-valve 449cc motor spins up. On the dyno, the Yamaha actually bests the other machines in peak output. Though topping the CRF by less than half a horsepower, and the same in torque, the Honda still has an advantage in the real world. In terms of sheer acceleration, the red machine will pull away from the blue bomber, but much of that is a result of the gearing rather than power delivery.

Read the full review of the Yamaha WR450F dirt bike at www.motorcycle-usa.com