Throw in the towel on my 450?

M-M
Profile picture for user M-M
Posts
2138
Joined
11/20/2008
Location
GB
M-M
Edited Date/Time 9/26/2012 1:23pm
I'm hoping you guys can give me that extra push on what I should do.

I stepped up to a KTM 450 from a 250f half way through last season. I've had the odd decent result but mostly crap. Most of the people that I was beating in the 2010 seem to be alot faster and it seems I'm getting slower! Noticeably my corner speed is terrible! It's like I'm driving an arctic lorry.

Now the dilemma. Do I sell the bike because it's just not working(I don't know if any of you guys haven't gelled with a bike?) or do I need more time on the 450?.

If I was to get another bike would a 250 smoker be a good option (RM250, YZ250)?.
|
Dirtysmile56 9/26/2012 11:26am
9/26/2012 11:26am
Give it more time and that beast will make your corner speed even slower. I am still recovering from my 450 slowing my corner speed. I wish more manufacturers would develop the 350.
Ramrod
Profile picture for user Ramrod
Posts
4979
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Ontario CA
Ramrod 9/26/2012 11:26am
9/26/2012 11:26am
Are you having fun on the 450? Did you have more fun on the 250F? Go with the one that makes you smile more.
253
Profile picture for user 253
Posts
164
Joined
4/30/2010
Location
Annapolis, MD US
253 9/26/2012 11:39am
9/26/2012 11:39am
It took me a while to get used to it as well. I went 250 2 stroke to a 450... Didn't like it....went back... Then a another 450 some time later.... didn't like it..... went to a 250f....... liked it... ...and on my 3rd 450 it finally clicked. (This was over several years)
For me it was just a matter of finding the right bike that felt the most comfortable for me. It seemed like I could be comfortable with almost any 250T or 250F right away, but the 450 took time to find "that feeling".
Today I enjoy riding all 3 bikes for different reasons....
Its all fun!
VET176
Profile picture for user VET176
Posts
1358
Joined
5/13/2011
Location
Brisbane AU
VET176 9/26/2012 11:58am
9/26/2012 11:58am
Ramrod wrote:
Are you having fun on the 450? Did you have more fun on the 250F? Go with the one that makes you smile more.
Top advice chap!

The Shop

See All »
M-M
Profile picture for user M-M
Posts
2138
Joined
11/20/2008
Location
GB
M-M 9/26/2012 12:08pm
9/26/2012 12:08pm
Ramrod wrote:
Are you having fun on the 450? Did you have more fun on the 250F? Go with the one that makes you smile more.
I've had more frustrating days than fun days as I mostly race(found muscling the 450 about quite hard). I had more fun on my first 250f in 2010. Can you get bored of riding a 4st?

I've not ridden a 2stroke since 2005 so I'm not sure if that would bring the fun factor back?
mtl
Profile picture for user mtl
Posts
1240
Joined
9/26/2011
Location
CA US
mtl 9/26/2012 12:14pm
9/26/2012 12:14pm
Have you played around with the bike? like moving the forks up and trying different sag? If you want the bike to turn better work on it.

Lastly, its probably you, not the bike in terms of corner speed. Get yourself more comfortable on it and speed will follow.
Dudley
Profile picture for user Dudley
Posts
502
Joined
9/10/2012
Location
Denver, CO US
Dudley 9/26/2012 12:27pm
9/26/2012 12:27pm
I felt much slower in corners when i switched to a 450, It took some time getting used to it for sure. In my opinion, inside lines are where a 450 shines. Overall I feel like I am smoother and carry more momentum even though it feels slower.
DrSweden
Profile picture for user DrSweden
Posts
6761
Joined
8/30/2008
Location
Stockholm SE
DrSweden 9/26/2012 12:36pm
9/26/2012 12:36pm
I went from 250F to 450F, I used my last cent to make the trancision, but it didn't feel good, I tried to overcome this because financially I was pretty toasted, then I did the "mistake" to try my buddies KX250F and I felt like a king, for me it was day and night and I had to sell my new CRF450 with a $1500 loss after just 7h riding. Managed to find a KX250F with less hours for similar money, so it played out good, and I smiled every time I rode after that moment, newer looked back...
newmann
Profile picture for user newmann
Posts
24438
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
US
newmann 9/26/2012 12:50pm
9/26/2012 12:50pm
Go for the 2013 KTM250SX. Should fill the gap where you seem to be caught between a 250F and a 450. It will most definitely make you smile. Check out Diggers 250 thread.
GrapeApe
Profile picture for user GrapeApe
Posts
8804
Joined
6/7/2010
Location
Mc Kinney, TX US
GrapeApe 9/26/2012 12:58pm
9/26/2012 12:58pm
How tall are you and how much do you weigh? Kind of hard to recommend a bike without some info.
M-M
Profile picture for user M-M
Posts
2138
Joined
11/20/2008
Location
GB
M-M 9/26/2012 1:10pm
9/26/2012 1:10pm
GrapeApe wrote:
How tall are you and how much do you weigh? Kind of hard to recommend a bike without some info.
6'1 Tall 12 Stone/168 lb Weight
M-M
Profile picture for user M-M
Posts
2138
Joined
11/20/2008
Location
GB
M-M 9/26/2012 1:13pm
9/26/2012 1:13pm
mtl wrote:
Have you played around with the bike? like moving the forks up and trying different sag? If you want the bike to turn better work on...
Have you played around with the bike? like moving the forks up and trying different sag? If you want the bike to turn better work on it.

Lastly, its probably you, not the bike in terms of corner speed. Get yourself more comfortable on it and speed will follow.
Yep, played with the fork height and sag. Still struggle with it. I understand it will be me ,more than the bike. Just seems that I can't get it to work for me. Sad
FourFooptyF
Profile picture for user FourFooptyF
Posts
15
Joined
9/12/2012
Location
Basking Ridge, NJ US
FourFooptyF 9/26/2012 1:17pm
9/26/2012 1:17pm
newmann wrote:
Go for the 2013 KTM250SX. Should fill the gap where you seem to be caught between a 250F and a 450. It will most definitely make...
Go for the 2013 KTM250SX. Should fill the gap where you seem to be caught between a 250F and a 450. It will most definitely make you smile. Check out Diggers 250 thread.
Yup... Power kind of like you're used to with the 450 + even better handling/quickness than your old bike.

If you were happy on a foo-fifty fumper before, you'll love a real 250!
NeWskoolmxer
Profile picture for user NeWskoolmxer
Posts
1346
Joined
10/12/2009
Location
Central, OH US
NeWskoolmxer 9/26/2012 1:18pm
9/26/2012 1:18pm
I just went back to a 2005 Kx250 two stroke from my 09 450f Kawi and I actually picked up some speed and I have never had more fun on a bike. Just some input.
GrapeApe
Profile picture for user GrapeApe
Posts
8804
Joined
6/7/2010
Location
Mc Kinney, TX US
GrapeApe 9/26/2012 1:23pm
9/26/2012 1:23pm
GrapeApe wrote:
How tall are you and how much do you weigh? Kind of hard to recommend a bike without some info.
M-M wrote:
6'1 Tall 12 Stone/168 lb Weight
Well that probably puts you right in the middle where you could ride anything from 150 to 450. Sorry for the non-answer!

If I were your size I'd probably be on a 250 2 stroke.

Post a reply to: Throw in the towel on my 450?