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The Kawasaki looks interesting. Perhaps it appeals to the geek in me that would want to test the different setting and electronic features. Out of all the 450s, RVs looks the most interesting.
your skills, your weight, your strength etc etc etc may suit dfifferent bikes....and ALL of them require some work in some shape or form, none of them are totally perfect...also reliable is a big thing in my book, history shows this to be the Honda but some riders overally abuse their bikes or dont maintain them correctly so that can cloud that theory...
Why do I ride Honda's now....well they turn frigging well, smooth power (doesnt overally tire you out), they are quiet (you do NOT need noise to go fast), they are reliable (well mine always have been), parts are priced well and dealership in my area is awesome....so no brainer for me...however I did test ride the others....just found the Honda suited my riding style too
I wouldn't blow $8K on a new bike but if I was forced to it would be between the KTM, RMZ, KXF. My 09 RMZ will be fine for a few more years.
Pit Row
Enzo suspension and Light-Speed Chassis mod's...PERIOD.
1. It's the most dependable/longest lasting of the 450 motors.
2. It comes w/ EXCELLENT components like...Braking brake-rotors, Pro-Tapers, one of the Best-Clutch-Perch set-ups in the Biz....a chain and sprockets that last longer than the stuff that comes on the Honda (Which, btw...comes with "Disposbale" chain, brake rotors and pads!...call Chad at Eleven-10 and have that discussion).
3. It handles fine if you learn how to dial it in and set-it-up to ride "hi" in the stroke...jus' like a HONDA! Everyone that sets up a "soft" Honda or Yamaha get's REAL disappointed with how they "turn-in"...DO NOT Go for the "Lowering" BS via the shock; however, linkage can work; but, there's a lot of non-sense amongst the different linkages, too...try a stock '11 or '12 link BEFORE you spend a bunch of $ on ANYTHING-ELSE...Including TRIPLE CLAMPS!)
4. I built a coupl'a YZ-Fs for Pala and I was amazed at how "over-built" they are and how GOOD the STOCK components are.
5. They become an absolute HOT-ROD w/ jus' a Piston, Map, Pipe and Fuel...GOOD FUEL, that is; But...SO DOES THE HONDA...and you can jus' machine the Head on the Honda and run the Stock piston...DOH!
6. The HONDA is BY FAR the EASIEST to Build "LIGHT"...& the Kawasaki is the 2nd easiest
The HONDA is an EXCELLENT Bike; but, it ain't nearly as great as the honda-philes would have you believe...they're still looking at everything thru their Rosey CR500-XR400 glasses...
The BOTTOM-LINE:If all things are equal...Which ONE WILL COST YOU LESS TO OWN?
I know that parts will last longer on the Yamaha (Internally: It's jus' a simple fact...ESPECIALLY VALVE-TRAIN-WISE!)
I know that the "After-Market" is BEST for the HONDA!
I know that HONDA will feel LIGHTER IN THE AIR and it takes a lil' less effort to ride (STOCK/Before set-up) than the Yamaha.
So...Longevity-wise the Yamaha will be cheaper.
After-market-wise: The Honda will be cheaper.
Do you race?
Which one has the BETTER PAY-OUT in Contingency?
Which bike comes with the Best SUPPORT? Trucks at the Races, your Dealer...etc.?
Which one wiill cost you the least OTD?
Which one do you realy want?
Here's some blatant HONESTY:
I may have to get some bikes for a few Pro's this year & my top choices are based on points that I made, above; however, in a slightly different order...
1. How easy to make it a Pro-Level bike (The Engine's "tune-ability & build-ability" become critical, here). How hard to get the Chassis dialed in? (AKA, how much money on Suspension, Linkage, Clamps...etc.). How long are Clutches gonna last and how much to REPLACE THEM?
2. How much support avail. from the Manufacturer? How much do they pay-out for SX? MX-Nat's, etc...?
(Contingencies are unknown for 2012. We've projected our estimates based on current programs and info)
3. How long will things last? A good 450 motor should last a WHOLE LOT LONGER than most people will tell you that a "Race-Motor" should last...
Based on those considerations here's how we've ranked bikes for 2012...
1. KX450F
2. CRF450R (a VERY CLOSE 2nd if their CONGINGENCY HOLDS OUT)
3. YZ450F ( A VERY CLOSE 3rd, Contingency?)
4. KTM (Can you get the "New Bike"?)
5. RMZ450...this thing shopuld be Waaaaay farther up the list...but...WHERE"S THE SUPPORT? DOH!
Oh, almost forgot...
I'm jus' sayin'...
MotoXspeed was the distributor until Aug/Sept 2009, then the Canadian distributor filled in for them until Motoman picked it up in January this year.
If aedwards07 is basing his post on his experience 5 years ago it is in no way relevant to the current situation.
Just make sure you somehow ride that TM450 first. If not, I wouldn't consider it.
Second, when you are done with the TM and want to sell it, what are you going to do? Have any idea how hard it will be to sell that TM used? I have not read this thread entirely, maybe you have a plan, I don't know, but the value will plummet and it will be tough to find someone who will buy it. Let alone know what it is.
The TM should be a good bike, they did great in the GP's this year and you are basically buying the same bike that they are racing.
I believe the one I rode was an 03 or 04. That was quite a while ago and I'm sure they've grown and improved since then, but personally, unless my buddies were all still working there, I wouldn't consider it. And even then I passed, and I really wanted one mostly for the allure of owning such a "different" bike.
If TM in Italy still has the same philosophy they are not interested in growing their production numbers; they're happy where they are - therefor you'll always be dealing with the obscurity.
Post a reply to: Cant decide !...-12 yz450f or -12 crf450 ?