Best bet for a used 05-06 450cc

I had an 06 Kawi, once you replace the piston with a Wiseco (the stock one was breaking pins) You have a rock solid bike. I had over 100 hrs on mine and the valves never moved... Now the suspension needed some help but the engine was awesome...

I had an 05 and an 07 CRF 450 that were both really good bikes. The 05 required a lot more attention to the valves, but other than that they were both trouble free. I don't think you can go wrong with the quality of a honda. I also had an 06 KX450f, but I didn't keep it long enough to comment on reliablility. The 06 Kawi's had a four speed transmission that people either hated or loved. I honeslty think that Kawasaki built there 450 around what honda had, because the CRF's were pretty much cream of the crop at that point. Good luck with your decision. If it were me, I'd look for a good deal on an 07 CRF 450.

"For cheap"? Hahahahahahaha

I heard about a lot of mechanic issues with the '06 Kawi.

'05 to '07 I wouldn't think of going with anything but Honda.

As I said, the problem was the stock piston kit! Once replaced, the bike was really solid.

The valve train on the Honda was not nearly as reliable as the Kawi one...

I agree, the valve trains on the honda's prior to 07 were not that great. I would expect that most kawasaki models that you find from 06 would already have an aftermarket or updated stock piston installed. It would be a good thing to ask about when shopping around. Also, plan on putting an aftermarket chain guide on the Kawi, unless it already has one. The stock one will be lucky to make it 15 hours. Again, my vote is for an 07 CRF 450 if you can find a "cheap" :-) one. My next choice would be an 06 KX450F. Good luck!

I can only say about KTM's, I put over 120 hours in a summer on my '07 450sxf and only changed the clutch once and adjusted the valves at around the 80hr mark. I know the guy who has it now and its still running strong with over 175 hours on everything the way I sold it to him. I have not been on a bike that I've loved more then that '07. When it was time for a new bike, I'd have bought another one i a heart beat and paid the extra cash over others had it not been for contingency reasons and shop help on another bike. If I were you and could afford a year or two newer on the KTM, I'd get an '07 or newer. Just my opinion though.

I would think that a cheap four stroke is one that is priced below the fair market value of said model. I rode two strokes too, I loved them, but it's time to move on.

If you are looking for a cheap 450 with a current feel and performance look for a clean 03-05 YZ450F. The steel frame YZ’s had strong dependable motors and are solid bikes. The main drawback was the four speed tranny, which is no big deal on the track. The 05 even had the newer cartridge forks. You can find them cheap if you’re patient.

I think this is pretty funny...

Been on 4 strokes 450 for 4 years now and they have been cheaper to maintain than any of my 250 2stroke...

The 2 strokes needed expensive premix, regular piston change(else performance would drop big time), clutch would wear quick and was always turning into a rattling pos after a while.

With my 450s, I run Shell rotella (10$/gallon oil), no premix, no vibration, no performance loss, clutch last much longer as you don't use it nearly as much and basically all I ever needed was a piston every year (just for reliability as performance was still like new) Never even had to mess with valve adjustments (06-08 Kawi)

On top of that, I would change my 2 strokes every year as they would feel worn out. I switch my 450s every 2 years and they still feel kinda fresh.

honda, end of thread.

steve, I have posted and said the exact same thing. The proof alone is this... how many know how to do the top end on a 2 stroke in here? a ton. why? because you HAD to know how to do it because you had to do it alot! (at 125 to 200 a pop)

for the record, I dont think, spread out over a 1 year/season period, costs are any greater with a 4 stroke, 450f to 250, 250f to 125. I think they are about the same on average. Yes you will have a horror story here or there of a handgrenaded four stroke, but that is RARE and most of the time its pure rider neglect. And do not think for a second there werent past horror stories with 2 strokes!

and my last for the record.... if you do the top end on a 4 stroke 1 time, they are VERY easy. First time, you will be so nervous and attentative it will take you 3 hours. second time, piece of cake. Problem is, the reference of top end is different with 4 strokes. 2 strokes, top end meant piston rings wrist pin gaskets. with 4 strokes, it means valves and a head gasket and dealing with a timing chain. (they put so many reference points and marks, you would have to be an idiot to get the cam out of time by a tooth.)

honda honda honda

I have had really good luck with my 07 YZ450. But I also take really good care of it! Oil and air filter every ride or every 2 hours. Might be alittle over board but I only buy a bike every 5 years so It's gotta last. I dont ride every week . Mostly woods alittle track not to much. My bike has over 65 hours. Only had to adjust the vavles once, I check them every 10 hours. But I am not the fastest guy out there eithier.

One with low hours. They are all good, although I would stay away from the early KTM's. I know they are better now, but my brother had 3 in 04 and grenaded all of them after only a few hours. KTM even bought one back. If you can find an 07 or newer I wouldn't worry about it.

The Honda is solid, great power, good reliability (yes intake valves do wear a little fast) pretty good handling.

The Kawi is also solid, ok reliabilty (we saw some crank pin/bearing issues and they are fixed with the newer motors and the parts fit the 06), turns awesome, good low to mid power

The Suzuki had a nice motor, good bottom and mid, sort of flat on top, turns awesome, not a ton of experience with reliability but haven't heard anything. I know the 05 needs RG3 stuff bad to make it rideable, haven't ridden the 06

The Yamaha is reliable but I haven't ridden it, so I can't talk about performance

I ride a Honda because of the overall reliability , the engine shop where I work we do more with Honda motors, it performs well and fits me well. I would be willing to ride any of them, they are all good from what I can tell.

I don't know what your price range is but you can find low hour '07's for around $2500 with add-on's. Here is one example:

http://www.xcracing.com/...c.asp?TOPIC_ID=20273

06, 07 Suzuki rmz 450 is very good bike. Both were at our house and we had no problems at all.

The '05 Suzuki is awesome, especially for a bigger guy. It's a beefy feeling bike compared to newer bikes, but the motor has an amazing low-mid powerband and it corners better than anything I've ridden. I can see how a smaller rider would find it too big feeling though, it's chunky powerband makes it feel heavier than it really is.

KTM 300 MXC/EXC...

Drop the lights, Set the suspension, Pull Holeshots!