Time to move up to a 450

Michael_Scott
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Michael_Scott
Edited Date/Time 3/23/2016 3:48pm
Hey guys I know this is a topic that has been discussed and that many of us struggle with. I currently ride a 14 yz250f, and I absolutely love the bike. I'm a b class rider and I'm defiantly an aggressive rider who likes to throw the bike around. I'm really sick of the maintnence on a 250 but I also don't want to be bored on a 450, or feel like I can't ride aggressive anymore. What experiences do y'all have and how difficult was the transition to a 450 for some of you? I'm in a position where I can swap my 14 250 with 27 hours for a 15 yz450f with 35 hours without taking a loss.
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MxKing809
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MxKing809 3/22/2016 5:20pm
3/22/2016 5:20pm
You'll hate the 450. I'm the same guy as you.

450's are boring and take the fun out it for me. I've settled in on 250 two strokes. More power than a 250f, less maintenence, and the fun factor is amazing.
colintrax
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colintrax 3/22/2016 5:26pm
3/22/2016 5:26pm
What about a 350?
KirkChandler
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KirkChandler 3/22/2016 5:26pm
3/22/2016 5:26pm Edited Date/Time 3/22/2016 5:26pm
KTM 150. One of the funnest bikes I have ever ridden. Has the equivalent power as a 250F but not the maintenance costs.
plowboy
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plowboy 3/22/2016 5:28pm
3/22/2016 5:28pm
If you get bored riding ANY size dirt bike from 125 to 500cc, 2 or 4 stroke...you are doing it wrong.

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h&m_cycle
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h&m_cycle 3/22/2016 5:29pm
3/22/2016 5:29pm
KirkChandler wrote:
KTM 150. One of the funnest bikes I have ever ridden. Has the equivalent power as a 250F but not the maintenance costs.
I agree... but a lot of people don't know how to ride a 2 stroke...
bob567
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bob567 3/22/2016 5:30pm
3/22/2016 5:30pm
Get a 2016 KTM 450. Feels like a bicycle with a 100hp motor. Pure fun.
KirkChandler
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KirkChandler 3/22/2016 5:34pm
3/22/2016 5:34pm
KirkChandler wrote:
KTM 150. One of the funnest bikes I have ever ridden. Has the equivalent power as a 250F but not the maintenance costs.
h&m_cycle wrote:
I agree... but a lot of people don't know how to ride a 2 stroke...
Lol. Kids these days. It's easy. The throttles on the right, and the clutch is on the left, feather it and keep the bike singing. And that left foot actually has to use the shifter.

I get the whole mixing gas thing is a pain in the a. Laughing
MxKing809
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MxKing809 3/22/2016 5:37pm
3/22/2016 5:37pm
plowboy wrote:
If you get bored riding ANY size dirt bike from 125 to 500cc, 2 or 4 stroke...you are doing it wrong.


colintrax
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colintrax 3/22/2016 5:43pm
3/22/2016 5:43pm
Yall, I love my 150 and suggest everybody buys one.. but the OP is looking for a big bike.
c0ncEpT
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c0ncEpT 3/22/2016 5:48pm
3/22/2016 5:48pm
250 2 stroke.

I'm convinced if I ever get bored of my 250F I'll never get a 450. I'm going right to a 250 2 stroke.
CP279
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CP279 3/22/2016 5:53pm
3/22/2016 5:53pm
I consider myself a B rider (intermediate in Canada). I've been riding 250f's since I sold my last 125 in 2007. My last 250 was a 2014 YZ250F which I sold a couple months ago. At the end of last summer I figured I would sell my 250 and move up to a 450 for the spring (since I'm in Canada and have to take 4-5 months off from riding during the winter). I've had 2 rides on my 2015 YZ450F and so far I'm regretting the decision. Hopefully once I shake off the cobwebs from not riding and get used to it I'll like it more but I think I should have stuck with the 250.
tempura
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tempura 3/22/2016 5:54pm
3/22/2016 5:54pm
250 2stroke.. The end...
kkawboy14
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kkawboy14 3/22/2016 5:58pm
3/22/2016 5:58pm
450! You can jump anything.

250 you gotta ring that joker out. A 450 is only boring if you let it be boring.
Pirate421
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Pirate421 3/22/2016 6:11pm
3/22/2016 6:11pm
250 two stroke if you like to be aggressive for sure.
BobPA
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BobPA 3/22/2016 6:16pm
3/22/2016 6:16pm
Tree fiddy

You're welcome
cwtoyota
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cwtoyota 3/22/2016 6:29pm
3/22/2016 6:29pm
MxKing809 wrote:
You'll hate the 450. I'm the same guy as you. 450's are boring and take the fun out it for me. I've settled in on 250...
You'll hate the 450. I'm the same guy as you.

450's are boring and take the fun out it for me. I've settled in on 250 two strokes. More power than a 250f, less maintenence, and the fun factor is amazing.
This is where I'm at too. I always raced 250 two strokes in the past, then bought a 125 4 years ago as a play bike. I spent the last 2 years mostly racing the 125 in the 25+, 30+ and 250cc B classes.

Last summer I decided to move to 25+ A and 30+ A classes and picked up a '14 YZ450F. I just can't seem to be comfortable on that particular bike. So I parked it in November and have it up for sale now.

I am back on my old 2010 YZ250 now and loving it. It won't get me a holeshot the 25+ and 30+ classes most of the time, but the handling and feel on the track are worth it. I do this for fun, so I ride and race the bikes that put the biggest smile on my face. For me that seems to be the 2-stroke.


The KTM 350 SX-F get's an honorable mention here... The high RPM engine has less compression brake feel, so the bike feels light like a 250F. A friend of mine has one and I honestly think it's one of the best bikes I've ever ridden. The forks suck, but everyone knows how to fix KTM's forks. Personally I may consider getting a 350F in the future.
kiwifan
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kiwifan 3/22/2016 6:53pm
3/22/2016 6:53pm
bob567 wrote:
Get a 2016 KTM 450. Feels like a bicycle with a 100hp motor. Pure fun.
you are asking a guy to go from a 250 to a 450 and want him to have the most powerful bike...do you really think he needs that? Other bikes are almost as light and are less powerful, and easier to ride for a 450 novice...
kevin204
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kevin204 3/22/2016 7:57pm
3/22/2016 7:57pm
I don't understand how people can call a 450 boring. Crank the throttle harder if it's boring? Or maybe you're just scared and want an excuse. Wink
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SPYGUY
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SPYGUY 3/22/2016 8:20pm
3/22/2016 8:20pm
What maintenance have you had to do to your 27 hour 250F that you wouldn't have had to do to a 450?
Skerby
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Skerby 3/22/2016 8:22pm
3/22/2016 8:22pm
kevin204 wrote:
I don't understand how people can call a 450 boring. Crank the throttle harder if it's boring? Or maybe you're just scared and want an excuse...
I don't understand how people can call a 450 boring. Crank the throttle harder if it's boring? Or maybe you're just scared and want an excuse. Wink
Coming off a yz250 that i rode for a number of years, the 450 actually did scare the shit out of me! The weight and power can get intense on rough tracks. I could go fast on the bike but could not guarantee that I wouldnt auger the thing into the ground. Ended up selling it.
SmoothOperator 3/22/2016 8:29pm
3/22/2016 8:29pm
KirkChandler wrote:
KTM 150. One of the funnest bikes I have ever ridden. Has the equivalent power as a 250F but not the maintenance costs.
This.
I ditched a crf450 for a '16 150sx, and I've loved every minute of it. Most fun bike I've ever had.
dhp_mma94
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dhp_mma94 3/22/2016 9:45pm
3/22/2016 9:45pm
2 strokes are overrated , get urself a 450 kiddo Wink
h&m_cycle
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h&m_cycle 3/22/2016 9:54pm
3/22/2016 9:54pm
Find a KTM Ride Day... Even if you have no plans of purchasing a KTM...
usafwx
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usafwx 3/23/2016 3:31am
3/23/2016 3:31am Edited Date/Time 3/23/2016 3:31am
I would advise against the KTM. I bought one, 16 SX150, bike was beautiful, but the powerband is odd and the suspension even after FC's help was garbage. Sold it.

I also like you have a YZ250F and a 125, I ride the 125 almost every time.
Justin345
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Justin345 3/23/2016 3:38am
3/23/2016 3:38am
kiwifan wrote:
you are asking a guy to go from a 250 to a 450 and want him to have the most powerful bike...do you really think he...
you are asking a guy to go from a 250 to a 450 and want him to have the most powerful bike...do you really think he needs that? Other bikes are almost as light and are less powerful, and easier to ride for a 450 novice...
LOL at you saying he's a novice. He said he's a B rider..
kkawboy14
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kkawboy14 3/23/2016 4:04am
3/23/2016 4:04am
bob567 wrote:
Get a 2016 KTM 450. Feels like a bicycle with a 100hp motor. Pure fun.
kiwifan wrote:
you are asking a guy to go from a 250 to a 450 and want him to have the most powerful bike...do you really think he...
you are asking a guy to go from a 250 to a 450 and want him to have the most powerful bike...do you really think he needs that? Other bikes are almost as light and are less powerful, and easier to ride for a 450 novice...
A B rider will not have any problem with the transition
mmain62
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mmain62 3/23/2016 4:47am
3/23/2016 4:47am
I got bored with my 450. I don't care what anyone says 250 2 strokes are flat out much more fun to ride.
Michael_Scott
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Michael_Scott 3/23/2016 6:13am
3/23/2016 6:13am
SPYGUY wrote:
What maintenance have you had to do to your 27 hour 250F that you wouldn't have had to do to a 450?
Recently bent cams and a locked up motor
Michael_Scott
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Michael_Scott 3/23/2016 6:15am
3/23/2016 6:15am
h&m_cycle wrote:
Find a KTM Ride Day... Even if you have no plans of purchasing a KTM...
I'm looking do you have a link to them? I have been thinking 150 I can run almost as fast on a 125 as I can my 250f I do believe 2 strokes suit my style
BobPA
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BobPA 3/23/2016 6:20am
3/23/2016 6:20am
mmain62 wrote:
I got bored with my 450. I don't care what anyone says 250 2 strokes are flat out much more fun to ride.
You're out of your mind.

I admit the whole two stroke thing is fun, I bought one last year myself, but if you are getting bored riding a dirt bike you are the one to blame, not the bike. 250 two strokes are a blast in the woods, and on most tracks. But for serious MX use there is no comparison.

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