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202
Joined
2/20/2015
Location
GB
Edited Date/Time
4/19/2016 8:50am
Anybody made the switch from a 2 stroke sx 250 to a crf 450? I love my sx 250 (2014) but there's been several weekends recently where I've thought I'd be much better off with a 4 stroke.
Most of my friends ride four strokes so I'm going to ride a few first before making the decision, but I'm really liking the honda's. I did have a (13) sxf 450 when I came back to riding about 2 years ago but didn't have it long enough to learn much about them. I got rid because I found it very aggressive and hard to ride, I think this was mainly due to my lack of fitness back then.
I don't want to start a 2t vs 4t debate just pros and cons from people that have recently had both.
Cheers guys!
Most of my friends ride four strokes so I'm going to ride a few first before making the decision, but I'm really liking the honda's. I did have a (13) sxf 450 when I came back to riding about 2 years ago but didn't have it long enough to learn much about them. I got rid because I found it very aggressive and hard to ride, I think this was mainly due to my lack of fitness back then.
I don't want to start a 2t vs 4t debate just pros and cons from people that have recently had both.
Cheers guys!
Sx is so much lighter, quicker turning and feels faster. Suspension wasn't my cup of tea, and the second time the jetting didn't seem on. Time before jetting felt spot on and it ran so good.
Honda definatly is easier to ride fast for longer and laps fast but you'll miss the 2 stroke rush. Does everything right once exhaust and map done. Forks are rubbish stock.
I keep debating whether or not i want another 4 stroke. The 2-stroke is definitely more fun, but I know I can go faster with less effort on a 450. However, every time I lift someone's 450 on and off the stand, my first reaction is mother effer this thing is heavy.
So I bought a 2014 YZ450F in August; my first four stroke of any kind. I sold it a week ago.
My issue with the 450F was that compression braking. I was fast in sections, but never felt comfortable all the way around the track on the 450.
My buddy has a 2013 KX450F with the Rekluse 3.0. That fixes the handling problems the four stroke has. I can get off of my YZ250 and jump on his bike and feel comfortable right away. Try a bike with a slipper clutch or the auto-clutch setup. It makes the four stroke feel more like a two stroke entering corners and over jumps, etc.
The Shop
Racerhansen, how did you find the quality of the Honda in comparison to the ktm? Looking over the Honda they look so well finished.
The track was pretty wet and and sketchy in places today, I'd been out 2/3 times already on my own bike so knew exactly how difficult the track was. Turns out it wasn't that difficult, or at least not on the Honda. The crf didn't feel as quick as my sx 250 but I think that's just cause the power was so smooth and the bike went exactly where I pointed it.
One thing which was strange the first lap or so was the amount of engine braking but I actually ended up liking it, it took me longer to readjust to my own bike the next session out.
I was expecting the crf to feel heavy but I only really noticed the weight in the air. In the turns it was awesome, felt absolutely planted. Could be part down to my friend running ohlins?
I'm still slightly shocked at how easy this thing was to ride.
I'm going to have a few more rides on different tracks/conditions before making the decision but after today I think I'll be on a red bike before too long.
I have had 2001 YZ250, a 2004 CRF450, a 2005 YZ250, a 2007 CRF450, and a 2009 YZ250. You see a pattern there. Every time I get off a 4 stroke and back on a 2-stroke I say I will never get a 4-stroke again. Then I go to a race and realize how hard it is to ride the two stroke at that pace and think maybe I should get another 450.
I have alot of money and effort into my 2006 yz250 I Love it and will never get rid of it.
The yz250 is more fun, turns more heads and is just so much cooler to ride. its harder to ride slower lap times for 3x the effort and energy spent but It teaches people how to ride properly and aggressive. Engine braking is a crutch it has its use but 90% of guys forget how to brake
I picked up a 2014 crf450 last summer just because I could, it is so much easier to ride, I also spent time on a few friends 2013/14 kx450s they take so little energy togo fast and flow. On the uphills they dissapear.
I sold the crf450 and kept the yz250, ill get another 450 im sure tho, 60hp on stock bikes!!! how can i say no. If you care about laptimes and staying competitive get a 450. If you are like me and have some kind of sick pride in how much effort and work it takes togo fast on a 2 stroke stick with it. I say have one of each!
Being on one made me miss the other.
I also wouldn't buy another honda, maybe the 2017 will be better
but my 2014 crf450
engine is to soft (slowwwwww)
front brake sucks
clutch sucks
gearing sucks
suspension sucks (im 200lbs tho)
if i bought another 2013-16 crf450 i would budget extra few grand to fix all those short comings
kxf and yzf are monsters I love them!
I currently have a broken pelvis from a gust of wind over a jump on the yz a few weeks ago. ill be spending the summer tearing the yz completely apart and making it faster than ever so i can have a sick grin beating guys on new efi 450s while Im riding a 11 year old yz250.
the 300 2 stroke is great to ride you have to use more bottom and mid range power than the 250 takes a little to get used to but maybe adding a 300 lit to your sx might be the answer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlpZDvY_qGg
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