2022 CRF450 or 2020 KTM 350SXF

mike546
Profile picture for user mike546
Posts
68
Joined
9/5/2008
Location
Cohoes, NY, USA
mike546
I'm thinking about going from my 2020 350 SXF with Cone Valves to a 22 CRF450R. anyone go from a KTM to a 21 CRF and regretted it? I'm and older Vet rider and love the KTM but I'm itching for a new bike.
Mike
|
sandman768
Profile picture for user sandman768
Posts
8157
Joined
3/21/2014
Location
Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
sandman768 6/9/2021 4:47pm
6/9/2021 4:47pm
That’s a lot of bike Mike....
mike546
Profile picture for user mike546
Posts
68
Joined
9/5/2008
Location
Cohoes, NY, USA
mike546 6/9/2021 4:54pm
6/9/2021 4:54pm
sandman768 wrote:
That’s a lot of bike Mike....
I’m planning on gaining weight. I rode an 18 CRF a few weeks back and it felt pretty nice. I have a (I want a new bike all the time) problem.
Bruce372
Profile picture for user Bruce372
Posts
6329
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
Bruce372 6/9/2021 11:58pm
6/9/2021 11:58pm
Do it. If you don't like it, you can swap with someone else or sell it and not loose much
2
Leeham
Profile picture for user Leeham
Posts
1159
Joined
10/29/2018
Location
Rochester, WA, USA
Leeham 6/10/2021 8:50am
6/10/2021 8:50am
For me, id pay whatever to ride what I want, rather than settle for what I got. Once the thought creeps in, theres no stopping it lmao. I know its an expensive way of thinking but this sport is the only thing I have or care about.
6

The Shop

See All »
Yeti831
Profile picture for user Yeti831
Posts
1348
Joined
1/30/2020
Location
USA
Yeti831 6/10/2021 10:23am
6/10/2021 10:23am
I’m giving the Honda a thumbs up.

BUT… with as setup as you are on the 350, I’d stay with it if you like it. You’d love the Honda if you’re ok with a 450, but if it’s worth it compared to what you have now I doubt it.
1
mike546
Profile picture for user mike546
Posts
68
Joined
9/5/2008
Location
Cohoes, NY, USA
mike546 6/10/2021 12:36pm
6/10/2021 12:36pm
Yeti831 wrote:
I’m giving the Honda a thumbs up. BUT… with as setup as you are on the 350, I’d stay with it if you like it. You’d...
I’m giving the Honda a thumbs up.

BUT… with as setup as you are on the 350, I’d stay with it if you like it. You’d love the Honda if you’re ok with a 450, but if it’s worth it compared to what you have now I doubt it.
I do like how I have the KTM set up. I had a 19 Husky last year and got the bug to buy a RMZ. That was of the biggest mistakes I've made and I sold it with three hours on it. I was lucky to even find the 2020 KTM last year at this time. I don't want to make the same mistake again.
MX558
Profile picture for user MX558
Posts
1985
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
MX558 6/17/2021 3:51am
6/17/2021 3:51am
Yeti831 wrote:
I’m giving the Honda a thumbs up. BUT… with as setup as you are on the 350, I’d stay with it if you like it. You’d...
I’m giving the Honda a thumbs up.

BUT… with as setup as you are on the 350, I’d stay with it if you like it. You’d love the Honda if you’re ok with a 450, but if it’s worth it compared to what you have now I doubt it.
mike546 wrote:
I do like how I have the KTM set up. I had a 19 Husky last year and got the bug to buy a RMZ. That...
I do like how I have the KTM set up. I had a 19 Husky last year and got the bug to buy a RMZ. That was of the biggest mistakes I've made and I sold it with three hours on it. I was lucky to even find the 2020 KTM last year at this time. I don't want to make the same mistake again.
If your looking for more power just do a 365 kit . I have a 19 350 and a 19kx450 , that's what I plan on doing with the 350
1
mike546
Profile picture for user mike546
Posts
68
Joined
9/5/2008
Location
Cohoes, NY, USA
mike546 6/17/2021 4:56am
6/17/2021 4:56am
MX558 wrote:
If your looking for more power just do a 365 kit . I have a 19 350 and a 19kx450 , that's what I plan on...
If your looking for more power just do a 365 kit . I have a 19 350 and a 19kx450 , that's what I plan on doing with the 350
No the 350 has plenty of power. I'm just looking to try something different. I don't want one if its going to feel a lot heavier like a 450 KTM does over the 350. At least they feel heavier to me even though there is only a pound difference.
sandman768
Profile picture for user sandman768
Posts
8157
Joined
3/21/2014
Location
Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
sandman768 6/17/2021 5:58am
6/17/2021 5:58am
It’s the engine inertia that makes the 450 feel so heavy....don’t sell your 350 until you ride the 450 a few times... have you considered a 250 2t? It will make you feel alive again!
1
mike546
Profile picture for user mike546
Posts
68
Joined
9/5/2008
Location
Cohoes, NY, USA
mike546 6/17/2021 6:04am
6/17/2021 6:04am
sandman768 wrote:
It’s the engine inertia that makes the 450 feel so heavy....don’t sell your 350 until you ride the 450 a few times... have you considered a...
It’s the engine inertia that makes the 450 feel so heavy....don’t sell your 350 until you ride the 450 a few times... have you considered a 250 2t? It will make you feel alive again!
No I wouldn't sell the 350, I made that mistake when I bought the RMZ . Two stroke might be a bit much for me. I better stick to what I have or wait for a used 21 CRF when the covid prices fade.
adam8781
Profile picture for user adam8781
Posts
671
Joined
12/22/2015
Location
CA
adam8781 6/17/2021 11:13am
6/17/2021 11:13am
ive spent alot of time on the 21 honda 450, the bike is good and bad in a lot of ways. if you don't like to rev the 450 engine is an absolute tractor down low, im 200lbs and i can leave it in 3rd gear all day. and makes tons of power everywhere. the frame is a bit rigid, the ergonomics are amazing the bars are a bit tall . stock suspension is way to soft for anyone over 165. the stock mapping is terrible (honda has an update) the bike vibrates more on the top end than any other 450 i have ever ridden ever (this drove me nuts) if you have that much money into the 350 its going to sting and start over with a new Honda. I like to rev and the crf vibrates ALOT on in the upper rpm i find it distracting, my yz450f for example vibrates same at 1/4 throttle as it does on the rev limiter.

with better mapping, slip on (i suspect the choked up stock muffler makes the vibrating worse on the topend from the bottleneck) re spring and re valve. the 21 would be a weapon. the engine is enormously fast while being tractor like.

i have intake kit, slater skins airbox, mapping, full fmf on my yz450 and the crf engine has better roll on and more power (very wrist connected feel)

and its much heavier than your ktm.
1
1
mike546
Profile picture for user mike546
Posts
68
Joined
9/5/2008
Location
Cohoes, NY, USA
mike546 6/19/2021 3:34am
6/19/2021 3:34am
adam8781 wrote:
ive spent alot of time on the 21 honda 450, the bike is good and bad in a lot of ways. if you don't like to...
ive spent alot of time on the 21 honda 450, the bike is good and bad in a lot of ways. if you don't like to rev the 450 engine is an absolute tractor down low, im 200lbs and i can leave it in 3rd gear all day. and makes tons of power everywhere. the frame is a bit rigid, the ergonomics are amazing the bars are a bit tall . stock suspension is way to soft for anyone over 165. the stock mapping is terrible (honda has an update) the bike vibrates more on the top end than any other 450 i have ever ridden ever (this drove me nuts) if you have that much money into the 350 its going to sting and start over with a new Honda. I like to rev and the crf vibrates ALOT on in the upper rpm i find it distracting, my yz450f for example vibrates same at 1/4 throttle as it does on the rev limiter.

with better mapping, slip on (i suspect the choked up stock muffler makes the vibrating worse on the topend from the bottleneck) re spring and re valve. the 21 would be a weapon. the engine is enormously fast while being tractor like.

i have intake kit, slater skins airbox, mapping, full fmf on my yz450 and the crf engine has better roll on and more power (very wrist connected feel)

and its much heavier than your ktm.
Thanks for the review Adam. I think I'll stick with the 350 for now and maybe wait for a used 21 when the crazy covid prices pass. I actually bought a 22 last Saturday but the kid putting the battery in it shorted it out and they didn't have a replacement and would have to order one. I took it as a bad omen and got my check back.

Post a reply to: 2022 CRF450 or 2020 KTM 350SXF