Someone Pick a Damn Bike For Me

Loopy
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Girard, PA, USA
Loopy
Edited Date/Time 12/11/2020 4:53pm
So after two seasons on a 17' YZ250F and after almost 20 years off of a bike all together I've decided it's time to make the jump to a 450. I'm 51 yrs old and 210lbs. I do like my 250 but it does feel a little small to me and basically I would just like a 450. I would say about 90 percent of my riding is track and the jumps are intermediate level. I've only ridden my Yamaha so I have no idea how any of the 450's compare in feel and power. It also doesn't matter to me which brand the bike is. I'm just looking for something I will have for hopefully the next 5 years. Any help or recommendations would be fantastic.
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mattyhamz2 12/10/2020 9:50am
12/10/2020 9:50am
What does your local dealer situation look like?
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byke
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Auburn, CA, USA
byke 12/10/2020 9:50am
12/10/2020 9:50am
KTM 350.
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EngIceDave
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2431
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Merritt Island, FL, USA
EngIceDave 12/10/2020 9:55am
12/10/2020 9:55am
YZ250E
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Dirty Points 12/10/2020 9:56am
12/10/2020 9:56am Edited Date/Time 12/10/2020 10:02am
When you say your 250 is "too small" is that that an ergonomic thing or a HP thing?

Because your bike is actually larger in physical dimension than, say, the current Yamaha 450.
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The Shop

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alanwrench110 12/10/2020 9:56am
12/10/2020 9:56am
Keefer Inc. Non-shootout podcast is great for picking a new 450!
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murph783
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USA
murph783 12/10/2020 9:57am
12/10/2020 9:57am
I just went from a 14 YZ250F to a 20 YZ450. Nothing but happy so far.
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captmoto
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5895
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4/22/2009
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Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA
captmoto 12/10/2020 10:02am
12/10/2020 10:02am
Look for a dealer that is into moto or offroad. If they are a multiline dealer then start researching replacement parts costs. Talk to people at the track and see who they use.
foreman52
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633
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5/29/2018
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CA
foreman52 12/10/2020 10:16am
12/10/2020 10:16am
My 16 and 17 YZ250F’s were my favourite bikes. I jumped to the 450 in 18 and really didn’t gel with the new model compared to previous gen. Personal preference.

My vote is for 350.
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Talisker
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886
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10/25/2018
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Houston, TX, USA
Talisker 12/10/2020 10:38am
12/10/2020 10:38am
21 KX250
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dsmith
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way north, IN, USA
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531st
dsmith 12/10/2020 10:54am
12/10/2020 10:54am
Works crf 450...or the. El hombre husky 450..
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Stevo683
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89
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Westerville, OH, USA
Stevo683 12/10/2020 10:54am
12/10/2020 10:54am
Same here. I am 49 6' 1-210lbs and ride a 2015 YZ 250F and practice on tracks/GPs. Was out of riding for about 13 yrs. Bike is ready for a rebuild (120hrs) thinking about a 270 kit.. Bike is stable and fun to ride, has bottom and great suspension. When i ride my buddies CRF450, it wears me out alot faster than my 250..Rode a KTM 250F a few years ago and liked it. A KTM 350 sounds like a great bike for guys like us. Would have to get used to the air forks..tough call!
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Press516
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Gilbert, AZ, USA
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Press516 12/10/2020 12:02pm
12/10/2020 12:02pm
EngIceDave wrote:
YZ250E
inthebadboycorner wrote:
The 78 was a hard hitting, hard kicking wild ride.
I can talk '78 Yamaha... Although it was a YZ100. I swear they were fire breathing.

@Loopy buy an Austrian 350, Husky - KTM - GASGAS whichever dealer is the closest....


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EngIceDave
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Merritt Island, FL, USA
EngIceDave 12/10/2020 12:07pm
12/10/2020 12:07pm
EngIceDave wrote:
YZ250E
inthebadboycorner wrote:
The 78 was a hard hitting, hard kicking wild ride.
I had a 125
Brother had a 400
Hi Side
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708
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9/19/2013
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USA
Hi Side 12/10/2020 12:13pm
12/10/2020 12:13pm
Husqvarna FC 450? Shootouts suggest they’re a good vet bike.
moto67e
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476
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Lakewood, CA, USA
moto67e 12/10/2020 1:54pm
12/10/2020 1:54pm
I'm 52 and 195 and love my. 21 YZ450. I have a 18 YZ450 and the 21 turns way better. I also have a 15 YZ250f and found that I had to ride much harder on the 250 than I do on my 450. I also liked that my Yamaha was much cheaper OTD than some of the other brands.






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tobz
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Adelaide, AU
tobz 12/10/2020 2:32pm
12/10/2020 2:32pm
A 450 won’t be any larger in size Dry
Grovesy98
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246
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10/14/2019
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GB
Grovesy98 12/10/2020 2:58pm
12/10/2020 2:58pm
Definitely consider the KX450, I have a 20 and it's so easy to ride. Feels light, nimble, plush suspension, electric start and hydraulic clutch work well. I'm 38 and 6ft 4, feels very comfortable
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Pit Row

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Razorback01
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9
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12/26/2019
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Park Hill, OK, USA
Razorback01 12/10/2020 6:23pm
12/10/2020 6:23pm
FC450 is really easy to ride!
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mwssquad827
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Twin Falls, ID, USA
mwssquad827 12/10/2020 6:33pm
12/10/2020 6:33pm
TW 200.. has the low end grunt that all 4t dudes love.. it’s a Yamaha so you have that for ya and those wheels just suck up the bumps and chatter!
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nickm
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CA
nickm 12/10/2020 6:44pm
12/10/2020 6:44pm
must have bike when over 50 = KTM
If you wants something that sits lower to the ground than a KTM = Husky
If you want different and want to save a few bones = GasGas
If you want different and want to spend a lot = TM
If you want different and like red and really good looking = Beta
If you want different and like blue and really good looking = Sherco
If you want familiar = YZF
If you like Eli=KX
If you have HRC stickers all over your toolbox = CRF
If you like kickstarting and Yellow plastic = RMZ

Sure didn't have this many choices before, its great to see the sport stronger than ever!
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Bobby Skeet
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65
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Boulder City, NV, USA
Bobby Skeet 12/10/2020 7:20pm
12/10/2020 7:20pm
You should check out the 350s. I was in the same boat. The last new bike I bought was a 96 Cr250. Then I took an extremely long break and got into road racing. Now that my kids are into racing dirt bikes I spent the last two seasons on a 16 yz250f and I just kept wanting a tad more. I did a couple Yamaha ride days and felt the 450 was just to much. I could see my self getting hurt real fast. After that I rode a 350 and that was it. It was the perfect bike. The only down side were the forks. I'm still playing with those and its getting better every time.
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AgentOrange 12/10/2020 7:34pm
12/10/2020 7:34pm
Tree-fiddy all day. I bought one after being a die hard 2 stroke guy and love it. Race Vet class also.
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garagedog 12/10/2020 8:49pm
12/10/2020 8:49pm
yz250f with a big bore kit and other hop ups.
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RMT
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Chicagoland, IL, USA
RMT 12/10/2020 8:56pm
12/10/2020 8:56pm Edited Date/Time 12/10/2020 8:57pm
KTM/Husky/GasGas do not sell that many 350 MX bikes. Not sure why.

All that has nothing to do with your satisfaction and feel on the bike so if you really are unsure, hit up a KTM and Yamaha ride day and see for yourself.
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lostboy819 12/10/2020 9:14pm
12/10/2020 9:14pm
What ever brands that the best dealership in your area sells and then narrow it down from there.
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Moto520
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3655
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Schaumburg, IL, USA
Moto520 12/10/2020 10:12pm
12/10/2020 10:12pm
YZ450F. Best all around bike. Not the greatest at any single thing but good at everything. Leave it stock and it will run forever. Really good overall bike stock.
cwel11
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Orangeville, PA, USA
cwel11 12/11/2020 4:26am
12/11/2020 4:26am
RMT wrote:
KTM/Husky/GasGas do not sell that many 350 MX bikes. Not sure why. All that has nothing to do with your satisfaction and feel on the bike...
KTM/Husky/GasGas do not sell that many 350 MX bikes. Not sure why.

All that has nothing to do with your satisfaction and feel on the bike so if you really are unsure, hit up a KTM and Yamaha ride day and see for yourself.
I’m not sure about that? Seems to me the 350’s are pretty popular. I swear I read somewhere it’s actually their best selling bike. Maybe I’m wrong. Either way I love mine.
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kkawboy14
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USA
kkawboy14 12/11/2020 5:25am
12/11/2020 5:25am
Don’t worry about picking a bike! It’s all about the custom painted helmet! 😂
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soggy
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USA
soggy 12/11/2020 7:11am
12/11/2020 7:11am
RMT wrote:
KTM/Husky/GasGas do not sell that many 350 MX bikes. Not sure why. All that has nothing to do with your satisfaction and feel on the bike...
KTM/Husky/GasGas do not sell that many 350 MX bikes. Not sure why.

All that has nothing to do with your satisfaction and feel on the bike so if you really are unsure, hit up a KTM and Yamaha ride day and see for yourself.
Wrong, they actually sell a ton of them. Well not gas gas cause they aren’t producing one yet.

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