Posts
793
Joined
2/8/2012
Location
Mira Loma, CA
US
Edited Date/Time
1/2/2014 4:09pm
Started riding moto again 1.5 years ago after a 8 year break. Been loving every minute of it. Turned 40 this year and decided F' it, I'm going to LL's for the first time in 2014! One of the things that got me back into the sport was I had access to a '12 350SX. Rode that for 6 months before I had to give it back. Looked at getting a new bike at that time but the prices were out of my reach(this economy hasn't been nice to me). Instead of giving up, I begrudgingly resurrected a very clean and trick '03 CRF450. I say begrudgingly because riding a 10 year old bike seemed like it would be a big disadvantage to me. Too my surprise, the ol' CRF is a great bike and I felt on par with the KTM- at least at that stage of my riding. Fast forward one year, and one decision to go to LL's later, and I can't help but think better equipment might help my cause a little. I should also throw in that my fitness and speed have come up tremendously this last year.
A new bike is pretty much out of the question as I don't have the $8500 to spend considering my other financial obligations, plus the money I will be setting aside to pay for the trip in august. So here is my point of debate for you all- if you're looking to go racing, and the prime directive is bang for your buck- what would you do?
Do whatever you had to to buy a new bike- even if it meant outrageous financing?
Buy a clean used bike, newer than what I have, and dial it in- '06-'08 CRF? '09-'12 CRF? '06'-'09 YZ? '12 and up KX?, '09-'12 RMZ?
Stick with what I have('03 CRF450-RG3 clamps and Diamond Kit susp., Hamp motor, big brakes, etc.) and run with it but keep it fresh?
(side note- I am a mechanic, so there is no labor cost for me to rebuild bikes- I do all my own motors, suspension, wheels, etc.. Plus I used to work in the industry so I get great deals on parts, etc..)
What's everyone's take on this?
BTW- 2 stroke is off the table. ;-)
A new bike is pretty much out of the question as I don't have the $8500 to spend considering my other financial obligations, plus the money I will be setting aside to pay for the trip in august. So here is my point of debate for you all- if you're looking to go racing, and the prime directive is bang for your buck- what would you do?
Do whatever you had to to buy a new bike- even if it meant outrageous financing?
Buy a clean used bike, newer than what I have, and dial it in- '06-'08 CRF? '09-'12 CRF? '06'-'09 YZ? '12 and up KX?, '09-'12 RMZ?
Stick with what I have('03 CRF450-RG3 clamps and Diamond Kit susp., Hamp motor, big brakes, etc.) and run with it but keep it fresh?
(side note- I am a mechanic, so there is no labor cost for me to rebuild bikes- I do all my own motors, suspension, wheels, etc.. Plus I used to work in the industry so I get great deals on parts, etc..)
What's everyone's take on this?
BTW- 2 stroke is off the table. ;-)
Older bikes can simply be modified to your style and liking. Just think, get a slightly used 450 for say 4k, then take 3k and throw at it, badass bike right? Or atl east a slew of fresh rubber and oil. That being said, i have a 13 KTM 450 forsale with 11.5 hours on it! LOL!
I tell you the best deals i've seen lately are 11-13 yz 450s. I've seen them stock form barely used almost new for around 4k. I know the bike gets shit from super fast guys, but the motor and suspension are great.
and if I were a mechanic...I'd be even MORE comfortable buying a used bike...no matter how clean and "new" a bike looks, there is always that little part of me that feels like I'm rolling the dice a bit on buying used. If I were a mechanic...that would be the way to go, in my opinion.
The Shop
Now....about your "budget"? How much do you expect to spend on your trek to LL's? I spent ~$15k for total expenses when I went in '07. That was based in AZ, and I doubt your costs will be much different. This included fuel, entries, fee's, etc.
It ain't cheap....
If I were you I'd stick with what you have now, if that's what you're comfortable with then stick with it, maybe spend a little on setting up your suspension and refreshing a few things and that's it.
I do have medical insurance. If I didn't, with that kind of mindset, I would probably be at the dealer buying a bike at 20% APR interest already right?. ;-)
After one ride I know the 06 is more than competitive against a previous 09 EFI RMZ that I owned a few years back. I'm pretty sure it would smoke it off the start. I liked the snap of EFI but for outdoor motocross I don't think anyone my speed (+30
So I also second the Honda 06-08 choice for a number of reasons, here's what I came to with my decisionmaking process a few weeks ago:
- Maintenance -- Hondas have less parts to replace in the top end. And I personally believe that long term the little things on Hondas last better (like bolts stripping out).
- Weight -- 229 lbs for the 06-08 CRF 450s I believe... lighter than new.
- Horsepower -- Oh yeah, more horsepower than a new one as well.
- 06 through 08 had harder valve seats than 05 and before for better wear
- Everyone has different opinions of their opinion, but MXA is always quick to point out that an 08 would have won the 09 shootout (which the 09 lost by a mile). It sounds like the '13 and newer are better, but they are out of your price range.
- I think an 08 would be a real score since it had HPSD and the gear-sensitive ignition, but none popped up in my price range.
I looked at other brands in those years/price range, but (other than Yamaha) most of them were in their first generation of development, four-speed transmissions, heavy, etc. I hated the handling on my 07 Yamaha (front end push) so that was a non-starter.
I've never ridden an 03 CRF but from what I've read they made significant progress with the handling when the frame was redesigned in 05, then they canted the engine forward a little in 06 for better handling.
So with the Honda, pay to get those forks revalved, make sure the top end and valves are in spec, and race the thing.
Best of luck!!
Bet you could ebay the frame/swingarm/tank/plastic pretty cheap and most everything else would bolt on from your old bike.
You should ride one of the newer ones to see if the handling is enough of a difference to make the effort. The motors were almost the same though.
We drove our RV, so no hotel expenses. That was two classes of entries at each event, then the daily fee's at the ranch, all the various expenses for the entire dealio.
I think the daily fee for the RV was $50? Can someone jump in on this? Then a daily fee for your pit vehicle, and even some other fee's I'm forgetting....like I said, it's not cheap.
Thanks everyone for the feedback so far- some really good stuff.
Mark-Swart- thanks for the detailed info! Considering my hinson clutch, RHC cylinder head, balanced crank, etc will also drop into a 06-08 motor, that's sounding more and more like the way to go.
Really surprised no one has chimed in defending their $8500 purchase saying that is for sure the best way for a "racer".
Pit Row
That won't pay one entry at LL's.....
The difference is HUGE in those 10 years, right from the moment you lift it off the stand. The '13 is slower but I would much rather the power all day long than the 03 bike. Its smooth, forgiving but still plenty there for any situation. It turns like a 250f, suspension is leaps and bound better and its just much more nimble.
If you had '70/'08 CRf I would say maybe not to bother but the 03 bike is not that great.
I also agree with the 10-13 YZF450 comment, I rode a 13 yam and it is a great bike. Don't be put off by the bad press, suspension and motor are awesome.
I recently went over the thoughts to buy a 2nd bike..I want a 2 stroke as a 2nd bike.
I thought about it, and made the choice to make my current 15 hour old bike super fresh, so I ordered all the mods I wanted for it, and decided to keep it long term for now on.
I would take that $$ and make the '03 super fresh.
If you are trying for LL's make sure you ride the 35+ and try for 40+
40+ is a brutal class that reads like a 90's pro national.
John Choate above has made the 40+ class for a bunch of years......he can speak from experience.
As for a bike..... any 07 and up 450 will be a good bike.
While watching Craigslist for a local 2006-2008 CRF450R I picked up my 08 YZ450F basket case cheap and rebuilt with a new crank, cylinder and freshened up the head.
I'm bikeless right now and I can see myself finding a low hour, basically a bike that's been stored for years kinda thing. Fresh oil in the suspension, a little tidy up and off I'd go. I'd love to have EFI just because I hate wasting my first few rides jetting but its a small trade off really. Just don't buy junk because you will either have to slug it out on a rattly bike all season or literally spend as much as buying a new bike just to have it fresh again. A complete bike bought as parts is some crazy high number $20 000 - $30 000?? Literally every single part of a 10 year old bike can wear out so gotta start with something nice.
I agree with some people above, a low hour older bike is fine!
However, my dad makes out really well with buying new bikes and selling them before they get too old. Of course you would have to have the money in the beginning for a new bike.
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