Posts
177
Joined
12/18/2009
Location
Knoxville, TN
US
Alright guys, I have been out of moto for 5-6 years now and I have began to feel the need to ride again. I have narrowed down my choices to 3 or 4 bikes. I'm going to be starting from scratch this time and I am going to need everything from boots to a gas jug. I have narrowed my choices down to the KTM/Husky 450, Kawasaki KXF450, and the Suzuki RMZ450. I will be picking a new 2017 model out of these bikes. I know the Suzuki hasn't changed much since 08 but I had one back then and had pretty good luck with it. But with the others they seem to be great machines and they all have there pros and cons now days. Help me decide fellas. Any input is appreciated.
The rmz is an enigma, it looks like the 2008 bike and many parts interchange, but it's a really good bike.
The Zuke is a handling machine - at my age/speed (old/slow) cornering is more important than raw power, so I'd recommed Zuke. Not overpowering, great handling, twitchy not a concern at my speed.
I just rode most of the 17 KTM lineup (450/350F, 250/150/125 2t) and the 450 was really too much for me. The 350 was just right. Super light, love the magic button, but $$$$.
Had an 11 Zuke and now have a 13 CRF 450. I want to ride the 17 CRF (not a fan of air forks) and then will think about a new bike myself in 17.
Mike
The Shop
Id buy the Husky, nice and light , and not Orange.
And electric start.
What did you ride last?
The thing with KTM/Husky is that once you use the button, you don't go back!
Pit Row
Is it the lightest? No
Is it the narrowest? No
Does it have e-start? No
Its by far the most stable chassis I have ridden, and the KYB forks are superb. It takes some tweaking to get the best front end feel during steer in, but a couple mm of sag one way or another makes a world of difference. I've never had a bike that was so responsive to chassis tweaks.
Straight line stability is unmatched, motor is out of this world, and it's bullet proof. That's why I picked the YZ.
I feel and have been told by my riding group that this is the fastest I have ever gone, and I have the bike to thank.
It's like you are riding on rails!
Maybe if you wait it out a bit, you will get to ride the bikes before deciding.
If you need everything, I have quite a few sets of barely worn '16 Shift gear/gloves I'm trying to let go cheap
My 03 rm250 ( with a good amount of work done) made me better than I actually was. Short version is I traded my brand new 08 rmz to a local pro who had quit racing but wanted to start again.
Sold it to help pay for a crotch rocket. Sigh. Young and dumb.
I have been Honda through and through since I was on 80's. It PAINED me to buy a blue (well yellow) bike.
My brother had a 14, and I hated it. He bought a new 16 and I rode it before he gooned it out, and fell in love.
So I am (for now) a convert. There are some things I'm not thrilled about with the bike, like the wiring difiencies, the love-hate relationship I have with the airbox/filter design, and some chincy bolts here and there (not the entire bike).
But at the end of the day I can live with those things. You Will NOT find a bike to stay straighter through chop and rollers (sand rollers here), trust me.... I've tried all the 16 bikes except the KX and Husky (but did ride the KTM).
For 10k I want something proven.
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