2011 RMZ450 vs. 2011 CRF450

yzkrazy219
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yzkrazy219
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 8:43am
I am looking at possibly getting a new bike soon and I was just wondering what everyone thinks about these two bikes. Which one do yall like better?
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jeffro503
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jeffro503 12/25/2010 2:02pm
12/25/2010 2:02pm
You should try and get a test ride on some buddies bikes first.....or go spend some time at the track and find out first hand from owners themselves. Coming on here is great for opinions and advice......but honestly....it's going to all boil down to what "you" are comfortable on. Also....have a bikes shop within a reasonable distance that supports the brand you want to ride really helps. Not only helps you.....but helps support your local bike shop as well.
aedwards07
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aedwards07 12/25/2010 2:25pm
12/25/2010 2:25pm
After riding both of them back to back I would go with the Suzuki.I think the honda quality is better and can be a great bike with some money into it but stock for stock the suzuki wins for sure.

With that being said I ride a yamaha
yzkrazy219
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yzkrazy219 12/25/2010 3:34pm
12/25/2010 3:34pm
aedwards07 wrote:
After riding both of them back to back I would go with the Suzuki.I think the honda quality is better and can be a great bike...
After riding both of them back to back I would go with the Suzuki.I think the honda quality is better and can be a great bike with some money into it but stock for stock the suzuki wins for sure.

With that being said I ride a yamaha
yea thats kinda what im hearing from most people. I currently ride an 09 yamaha but i hear a bunch of mixed reviews about the new 10-11s. A lot of people say they like them and a lot of people say they dont so idk. I've had the chance to ride a 2010 suzuki and 2010 honda, the suzuki was bone stock and felt pretty good but never really felt super comfortable on it. As soon as I jumped on the honda i felt comfortable but it also had good suspension work and the link.

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bullpen58
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bullpen58 12/25/2010 5:08pm
12/25/2010 5:08pm
I would get the YZ because I'm a loyal Yamaha guy. In my opinion, they're all great bikes and it comes down to what is your favorite color. lol.

Any of the new 450s would be great for any of us. You will learn to ride the bike the way it needs to be ridden. If you're smart, you'll get the boingers set up for your weight / speed / style of riding. Stay on blue bro! Wink
mikey262
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mikey262 12/25/2010 7:09pm
12/25/2010 7:09pm
I would go with the RMZ. Got to ride both, Honda's nice but I think the Suzuki is a better over all bike out of the crate
yzkrazy219
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yzkrazy219 12/25/2010 7:22pm
12/25/2010 7:22pm
bullpen58 wrote:
I would get the YZ because I'm a loyal Yamaha guy. In my opinion, they're all great bikes and it comes down to what is your...
I would get the YZ because I'm a loyal Yamaha guy. In my opinion, they're all great bikes and it comes down to what is your favorite color. lol.

Any of the new 450s would be great for any of us. You will learn to ride the bike the way it needs to be ridden. If you're smart, you'll get the boingers set up for your weight / speed / style of riding. Stay on blue bro! Wink
ive been true blue my entire life!!! Every bike i have ever owned was a yamaha. Id really like to ride the new yamahas before i make any kind of decision though
jeffro503
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jeffro503 12/25/2010 9:46pm
12/25/2010 9:46pm
bullpen58 wrote:
I would get the YZ because I'm a loyal Yamaha guy. In my opinion, they're all great bikes and it comes down to what is your...
I would get the YZ because I'm a loyal Yamaha guy. In my opinion, they're all great bikes and it comes down to what is your favorite color. lol.

Any of the new 450s would be great for any of us. You will learn to ride the bike the way it needs to be ridden. If you're smart, you'll get the boingers set up for your weight / speed / style of riding. Stay on blue bro! Wink
yzkrazy219 wrote:
ive been true blue my entire life!!! Every bike i have ever owned was a yamaha. Id really like to ride the new yamahas before i...
ive been true blue my entire life!!! Every bike i have ever owned was a yamaha. Id really like to ride the new yamahas before i make any kind of decision though
Well....if you lived closer to Oregon a few months ago , I had a brand new 2010 YZ450F I would of let you go out on and spin some laps. I sold the thing ....but it wasn't because i didn't like it. I sold it , because i was thinking maybe I jumped the gun about getting back into MX after being off a bike for 5 years.

That lasted about 2 weeks! HAHA! I ended up going back to a bike I always felt really comfortable on....A 2008 CRF450. I picked up the last "new" remaining one I could find in the NW. I did NOT want a 2009-10 CRF.....as I have talked to , too many people who didn't like them.

For what it's worth though......I DO really like the way that Honda feels with me sitting on it. I also ( but never owned one ) liked the feel of that 2010-2011 RMZ450 as well.....it felt really comfortable to me.
Chase26
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Chase26 12/26/2010 11:53am
12/26/2010 11:53am
u should save some $$$$$ n get a 2011 ktm250sx thats the way togo!
JJO741
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JJO741 12/26/2010 12:30pm
12/26/2010 12:30pm
I really like Suzuki, but the Honda is noticeably lighter. Found it easier to throw the Honda around and be more agressive. Nothing turns like the Suzuki though.
Towelie
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Towelie 12/26/2010 12:51pm
12/26/2010 12:51pm
I want to get the suzuki but I have read so much about suzuki reliability being an issue so I am to gun shy to pull the trigger
mxb2
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mxb2 12/26/2010 12:56pm
12/26/2010 12:56pm Edited Date/Time 12/26/2010 12:58pm
Towelie wrote:
I want to get the suzuki but I have read so much about suzuki reliability being an issue so I am to gun shy to pull...
I want to get the suzuki but I have read so much about suzuki reliability being an issue so I am to gun shy to pull the trigger
Suzuki got a bad rap, i have an 09 rmz 450, no problems, buddy has a 2010 rmz 450 , no problems, keep the oil and air filter clean and its as good as any other bike! Hope to get an 11 in 2 months! Keep in mind its cheaper to make a bike faster than try to figure out how to make the bike turn! Nothin handles like a RMZ!IMO all brands have pro s and cons, the crf is lighter for sure and hondas are built really good, but really you can t go wrong in 2011!
JJO741
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JJO741 12/26/2010 1:34pm
12/26/2010 1:34pm
Towelie wrote:
I want to get the suzuki but I have read so much about suzuki reliability being an issue so I am to gun shy to pull...
I want to get the suzuki but I have read so much about suzuki reliability being an issue so I am to gun shy to pull the trigger
Every manufacturer has their "bug bikes". I have a 97 RM250 which was raved as one of the worst bikes in the decade running strong as well as a couple of 08 rmz250s.
TeamPropainTurbo38t 12/26/2010 1:41pm
12/26/2010 1:41pm
JJO741 wrote:
I really like Suzuki, but the Honda is noticeably lighter. Found it easier to throw the Honda around and be more agressive. Nothing turns like the...
I really like Suzuki, but the Honda is noticeably lighter. Found it easier to throw the Honda around and be more agressive. Nothing turns like the Suzuki though.
Funny u say that considering the RMZ was touted by many as feeling like a 250F.....I don't get some people.
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 12/26/2010 1:53pm
12/26/2010 1:53pm
Track only bike for tight tracks/SX style riding? Honda.

An all-around bike for some Moto & Off-roading? Suzuki.
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Racer92 12/26/2010 3:37pm
12/26/2010 3:37pm
JJO741 wrote:
Every manufacturer has their "bug bikes". I have a 97 RM250 which was raved as one of the worst bikes in the decade running strong as...
Every manufacturer has their "bug bikes". I have a 97 RM250 which was raved as one of the worst bikes in the decade running strong as well as a couple of 08 rmz250s.
I had a '97 RM250 and it was an awesome bike, not a single issue for years of racing scrambles.
motokid40
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motokid40 12/26/2010 4:02pm
12/26/2010 4:02pm
Out of the box, Suzuki, just a few mods and the Honda is the one!
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Flatliner 12/26/2010 4:07pm
12/26/2010 4:07pm
Towelie wrote:
I want to get the suzuki but I have read so much about suzuki reliability being an issue so I am to gun shy to pull...
I want to get the suzuki but I have read so much about suzuki reliability being an issue so I am to gun shy to pull the trigger
JJO741 wrote:
Every manufacturer has their "bug bikes". I have a 97 RM250 which was raved as one of the worst bikes in the decade running strong as...
Every manufacturer has their "bug bikes". I have a 97 RM250 which was raved as one of the worst bikes in the decade running strong as well as a couple of 08 rmz250s.
The bike wasn't "bad"m my dad had one, it was just slow.

I too owned an 08 rmz 250. Good bike.

To the OP, go with the suzuki. They're trying hard to make a good 450, and I've heard right out of the box its pretty fast, and obviously turns great.

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jmar
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jmar 12/26/2010 4:10pm
12/26/2010 4:10pm
jeffro503 wrote:
You should try and get a test ride on some buddies bikes first.....or go spend some time at the track and find out first hand from...
You should try and get a test ride on some buddies bikes first.....or go spend some time at the track and find out first hand from owners themselves. Coming on here is great for opinions and advice......but honestly....it's going to all boil down to what "you" are comfortable on. Also....have a bikes shop within a reasonable distance that supports the brand you want to ride really helps. Not only helps you.....but helps support your local bike shop as well.
Great advise here.

You should take it.
mxb2
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mxb2 12/26/2010 4:11pm
12/26/2010 4:11pm
You can t make a bike handle better, but its pretty easy to make it fast! The rmz is the best handling bike out there, get the suspension set up, and if needed change the gearing and put a pipe on it! Keep up on maintenance and your good to go.
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 12/26/2010 4:15pm
12/26/2010 4:15pm
motokid40 wrote:
Out of the box, Suzuki, just a few mods and the Honda is the one!
Not for you!

I'll bring both w/ stiff suspension and K-Dub bars to M-ville and I'll let you decide.

So, GO fix that damn leg!
motokid40
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motokid40 12/26/2010 4:22pm
12/26/2010 4:22pm Edited Date/Time 12/26/2010 4:22pm
Surgery on January 28 to replace ACL,LCL! Then LOOK OUT!
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 12/26/2010 4:24pm
12/26/2010 4:24pm
motokid40 wrote:
Surgery on January 28 to replace ACL,LCL! Then LOOK OUT!
I'd sell ALL the Honda stuff, NOW!
motokid40
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motokid40 12/26/2010 4:34pm
12/26/2010 4:34pm Edited Date/Time 12/26/2010 4:39pm
Those Kawasakis are looking good! Suzuki Huh?




and bring the stiff suspension fo sho.
onenastynotch
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onenastynotch 12/26/2010 7:47pm
12/26/2010 7:47pm
JJO741 wrote:
I really like Suzuki, but the Honda is noticeably lighter. Found it easier to throw the Honda around and be more agressive. Nothing turns like the...
I really like Suzuki, but the Honda is noticeably lighter. Found it easier to throw the Honda around and be more agressive. Nothing turns like the Suzuki though.
TeamPropainTurbo38t wrote:
Funny u say that considering the RMZ was touted by many as feeling like a 250F.....I don't get some people.
whats really funny is the crf is listed at 226 pounds but ready to rock its 242 pounds and the rmz and kxf are 248 and 252 ......ive ridden almost all of them and my rmz 450 feels like my rmz 250f in the corners...the only time u notice the weight is when u put it on the stand
yzkrazy219
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yzkrazy219 12/27/2010 5:40am
12/27/2010 5:40am
Thanks for all the input guys!! Right now im kind of leaning towards the honda just because i feel that it is a better made bike as far a reliability and things of that nature. Another thing is just about everyone I know with a kawi or suzuki has all the plastic held together with ziptys, it seems like its almost impossible to keep bolts in them, especially in the rear fender and I just really dont wanna deal with that. Ill be getting the suspension done first thing anyways and I feel like the Honda will better suit my style.
onenastynotch
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onenastynotch 12/27/2010 7:05pm
12/27/2010 7:05pm
just watch the tranny on the honda....alot of guys in my area have problems with false neutrals between 3rd and 4th and popping out of gear....in same gears
Karma
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Karma 12/27/2010 7:41pm
12/27/2010 7:41pm
onenastynotch wrote:
just watch the tranny on the honda....alot of guys in my area have problems with false neutrals between 3rd and 4th and popping out of gear....in...
just watch the tranny on the honda....alot of guys in my area have problems with false neutrals between 3rd and 4th and popping out of gear....in same gears
jeez thats what mxa said about the 11 rmz, but between 2nd and 3rd...nothing like a missed shift to fug up your whole moto, maybe the KTM is the best bike for the average racer.
Zycki11
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Zycki11 12/27/2010 7:47pm
12/27/2010 7:47pm
Karma wrote:
jeez thats what mxa said about the 11 rmz, but between 2nd and 3rd...nothing like a missed shift to fug up your whole moto, maybe the...
jeez thats what mxa said about the 11 rmz, but between 2nd and 3rd...nothing like a missed shift to fug up your whole moto, maybe the KTM is the best bike for the average racer.
Kentucky Trash Machines? I don't think so... Get the RMZ best bike i have ever owned. If you maintain a dirt bike the way you should, that bike will be bullet proof.
dunn2500
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dunn2500 12/27/2010 8:03pm
12/27/2010 8:03pm
RMZ has the best chassis currently and best all around package from japan.....all other aluminum frames have handling issues, the hardest thing to fix on a dirtbike is a chassis..........

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