How do you know when you don't need that 450F any more?

mark_swart
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mark_swart
I think I'm having some sort of mid-life crisis. Since moving to Washington a little over a year ago, I've really gotten into the vintage scene, for '17 I'll be running an 86 CR 500 and a 76 RM 125. I still have my RMZ 450, and my daughter has a 04 YZ 125 that I love and actually ride a lot more than she does.

Part of me is drooling over that 17 CRF 450, but realistically I did a lot more vintage than modern last year, and I actually enjoy riding the 125 on practice days more than the 450F. I have a hard time justifying the 450 for myself at this point - I raced it four times this year (and I actually did one modern race on the 125). I probably did around 10 vintage races.

The garage is crowded and I sort of like the idea of simplifying things. Does it make me an eccentric old man if I ditch the 450F, maybe throw a set of SSS on that 125 and call it a day?
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mark_swart
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mark_swart 12/3/2016 10:58pm
12/3/2016 10:58pm
The last modern race I did was on the 125... and the guy who beat me was on a KTM 150 haha!

Radical
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Radical 12/4/2016 1:45am
12/4/2016 1:45am
I'm racing an '05 YZ125 in the 40+ class and love it.
I haven't won yet, but I'm having a lot of fun and getting faster all the time. I expect to win next year.
Yes, the 450 has an advantage in the straights, but I don't think the bike is as big a factor as the rider in the Vet classes.
No one seems to be riding any of the bikes to their full potential.
The SSS is a good upgrade. I did it this year.

Remember why you ride. If you're having more fun on the 125, then I say ride the 125.

Barry_Smith 12/4/2016 2:09am
12/4/2016 2:09am
I bought a YZ125 in January and have barely ridden my 450F since. Last week I put it up for sale.

I'm 33. I can ride the piss out of the 125, grin like an idiot the whole time and imagine I look like Barcia riding a 250F (I don't). Then I can go to work the next day and be able to walk. It's AWESOME.
nascarnate326 12/4/2016 3:18am
12/4/2016 3:18am
I too sold my 450 and "downgraded" to a 250f and 125. Both bikes are more fun but slower. There's just something about a fat guy on a smaller bike going balls to the wall that puts a smile on your face.

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Pape718
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Pape718 12/4/2016 3:49am
12/4/2016 3:49am
Right there with you I been racing my boys 125 in the plus 40 class and smiling ear to ear. I have even won some of them if not I am in the top 3. I have a 16 350 that just sits in the garage I love the bike but nothing gives you the feeling of ringing out a 125.
mark_swart
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mark_swart 12/4/2016 3:52am
12/4/2016 3:52am Edited Date/Time 12/4/2016 3:54am
You know what? I think I'm going to do this! I was going to ditch the RMZ next year anyway, maybe I'll try a year without a 450 and see how it goes! You guys are right about the fun factor - when I get off the 125 I'm usually smiling, when I get off the 450 I'm just relieved it didnt body slam me again.
Anybody have some SSS they want to get rid of haha?
KMC440
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KMC440 12/4/2016 4:33am
12/4/2016 4:33am
Are you still jumping that 80ft triple at Watz-a-matta-U raceway, or are you content with hitting the 55ft double part and skiping off the downside?
I'd love to have a new 450 but I know I'll never use-need that much power again.
mark_swart
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mark_swart 12/4/2016 4:43am
12/4/2016 4:43am
KMC440 wrote:
Are you still jumping that 80ft triple at Watz-a-matta-U raceway, or are you content with hitting the 55ft double part and skiping off the downside? I'd...
Are you still jumping that 80ft triple at Watz-a-matta-U raceway, or are you content with hitting the 55ft double part and skiping off the downside?
I'd love to have a new 450 but I know I'll never use-need that much power again.
I can get the 125 over everything that I jump on the big bike. So that's really not a hold up for me. I also ripped off a 34 minute moto practicing on that 125 last spring by accident, and that's something that has NEVER happened to me on a 450! I was just spinning laps and having fun.
walent215
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walent215 12/4/2016 6:51am
12/4/2016 6:51am
I love riding the 250fs but for even the infrequent racing I do I'm sure I would be irritated not having that 450 power that I'm used to. I'm just over 200lbs. So the 250f struggles a bit. I like the 250 2t but for me there just too squirrely. If I were to get a new bike it would probably be a 450....possibly a 350sxf. I've rode the 350s and they are a great compromise. However, I'm not quite convinced the KTM's are as reliable as the others. Electric start failures, transmission problems and other electrical issues I've heard of are enough to make me question them. Not saying they are bad bikes ,in fact the FE 16.5 450 I rode is the best moto bike I've ever swung a leg over , just not sold 100%.Good luck in your decision.
Mr. Info
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Mr. Info 12/4/2016 6:52am
12/4/2016 6:52am
I just bought a new fuel injected 450, my last bike was a 2011 carbureted 450. Might be last bike since I just turned 60 but I needed to update and see the difference myself. So far so good.
reded
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reded 12/4/2016 7:33am
12/4/2016 7:33am
Get the 450. I'm currently on a 250SX and it's a handful anytime traction is less than perfect. It would have been an awesome bike for me 10yrs ago but now that I'm over 40, it's a very busy motorcycle to ride.
smashingpumpkins167 12/4/2016 7:50am
12/4/2016 7:50am
mark_swart wrote:
You know what? I think I'm going to do this! I was going to ditch the RMZ next year anyway, maybe I'll try a year without...
You know what? I think I'm going to do this! I was going to ditch the RMZ next year anyway, maybe I'll try a year without a 450 and see how it goes! You guys are right about the fun factor - when I get off the 125 I'm usually smiling, when I get off the 450 I'm just relieved it didnt body slam me again.
Anybody have some SSS they want to get rid of haha?
I posted an ad in the bazaar looking for sss suspension and found a lot of sets for sale. Get the new shock too. It's a bolt on and a huge improvement.

125s are the most fun. If you want a little bit more power I would recommend a 134 kit from Eric Gorr. You just have to send him the cylinder and head and it will get you more juice. His website has a lot of info on the different kits that he does.

I'm almost getting that itch to get a 450, but it would be just for the desert.
731chopper
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731chopper 12/4/2016 7:55am
12/4/2016 7:55am
I got into vintage racing and soon after sold my modern 250F. I could go around a track faster on my 250F but I have much more fun on old 2 strokes and, well, that's what this is all about.
RPM68
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RPM68 12/4/2016 8:01am
12/4/2016 8:01am
Selling my 16 450 as well, I'm over it. My 125 should be done in a week or so.
Dtat720
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Dtat720 12/4/2016 8:09am
12/4/2016 8:09am
Havent touched my 4t since june. Rm250 every time out and its been one of the funnest 6 months in a long long time. Dont think i will ride the 4t again. Keep it around for my teenage son to ride.
Ted722
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Ted722 12/4/2016 8:13am
12/4/2016 8:13am
Barry_Smith wrote:
I bought a YZ125 in January and have barely ridden my 450F since. Last week I put it up for sale. I'm 33. I can ride...
I bought a YZ125 in January and have barely ridden my 450F since. Last week I put it up for sale.

I'm 33. I can ride the piss out of the 125, grin like an idiot the whole time and imagine I look like Barcia riding a 250F (I don't). Then I can go to work the next day and be able to walk. It's AWESOME.
Love doing an impression of a 48 year old Barcia on my '05! Probably looks funny from the pits, but who cares it's fun!
smashingpumpkins167 12/4/2016 8:19am
12/4/2016 8:19am
Barry_Smith wrote:
I bought a YZ125 in January and have barely ridden my 450F since. Last week I put it up for sale. I'm 33. I can ride...
I bought a YZ125 in January and have barely ridden my 450F since. Last week I put it up for sale.

I'm 33. I can ride the piss out of the 125, grin like an idiot the whole time and imagine I look like Barcia riding a 250F (I don't). Then I can go to work the next day and be able to walk. It's AWESOME.
This is me every time I go to the practice track. Hahaha. Just don't go to any races and you can keep living the dream. I made a mistake when I showed up for a race.
wsc96
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wsc96 12/4/2016 8:20am
12/4/2016 8:20am Edited Date/Time 12/4/2016 8:23am
I've ridden 450s for 7 years before getting a 250 2-stroke and now hardly ride the 450 any more and considering getting a 125.

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Kx125rider 12/4/2016 8:33am
12/4/2016 8:33am
RPM68 wrote:
Selling my 16 450 as well, I'm over it. My 125 should be done in a week or so.
Pics?
thrillbillie91 12/4/2016 8:44am
12/4/2016 8:44am
Is the later sss shock the same length? ive got an 04 and have wanted to try the later forks and shock
tiddlermx23
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tiddlermx23 12/4/2016 8:49am
12/4/2016 8:49am
Having ridden a 04 CR250 for the last 7 years now and noticing my riding days are slimming down as I get older, the idea of a fresh f.i. 450 that I know I'll get plenty of years of use out of because I know I'll only ever use a 1/4 of the bikes potential seems enticing.. I have over 140 hours on the CR and it's as stock as the day it left the showroom floor in 04 minus the addition of a wiseco top end in 08 so 12 years is a pretty good run on stock equipment.
Bigfoot
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Bigfoot 12/4/2016 9:04am
12/4/2016 9:04am
When you feel compelled to ask about it?

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