Going from 350 back to 450 ? Help !

DC193
Profile picture for user DC193
Posts
62
Joined
6/26/2016
Location
Sydney AU
DC193

So i'm over 40, not getting younger, don't race, and have been on a 2016 husky 350 for the last few years and loved it.

Wanting to upgrade but in Australia its hard good deals with in stock, and no 350's left that i can find. My local Gas Gas dealership has a left-over 2021 450 at a heavily reduced price. I know the 2022 450 is basically unchanged, so this 2021 is just as good.

Does an old man go back to a 450 ? Could i make some adjustments like gearing to 'mellow' out the torque to be more comparable to a 350 ? or just forget it ?

Help !

1
|
TeamGreen
Profile picture for user TeamGreen
Posts
36511
Joined
11/25/2008
Location
Thru-out, CA US
TeamGreen 1/10/2022 2:16pm
1/10/2022 2:16pm Edited Date/Time 1/10/2022 2:18pm
I'm 58.
I've got the very same bike...in Orange.

GET IT!

Good Luck and Many Happy Wheelies!

Psssst...there's an 'Accessory Map Switch' you can get for about $200 Aus. It gives you different maps and Traction Control...which are hiding in your ECU!
4
2
soggy
Profile picture for user soggy
Posts
8435
Joined
12/3/2018
Location
UT US
soggy 1/10/2022 2:25pm
1/10/2022 2:25pm
I’ma huge 350 proponent but change is good
2
YZed250
Profile picture for user YZed250
Posts
1313
Joined
11/9/2014
Location
Costa Mesa, CA US
YZed250 1/10/2022 2:35pm
1/10/2022 2:35pm
DC193 wrote:
So i'm over 40, not getting younger, don't race, and have been on a 2016 husky 350 for the last few years and loved it. Wanting...

So i'm over 40, not getting younger, don't race, and have been on a 2016 husky 350 for the last few years and loved it.

Wanting to upgrade but in Australia its hard good deals with in stock, and no 350's left that i can find. My local Gas Gas dealership has a left-over 2021 450 at a heavily reduced price. I know the 2022 450 is basically unchanged, so this 2021 is just as good.

Does an old man go back to a 450 ? Could i make some adjustments like gearing to 'mellow' out the torque to be more comparable to a 350 ? or just forget it ?

Help !

You ride for fun ... I don't see what the problem is with getting a new 450. Stretch your arms, your smile and blow back your hair while you've still got some, lol!
4
Grovesy98
Profile picture for user Grovesy98
Posts
246
Joined
10/14/2019
Location
GB
Grovesy98 1/10/2022 2:59pm
1/10/2022 2:59pm
I had a 17 SXF350 in 2020 and just couldn't get on with it. I'm now on a 17 SXF450 FE and I find it much easier to ride than the 350. It's a smooth controlled power with great bottom end, and still feels light. I didn't like the weaker bottom and then super fast top end of the 350, and prefer smooth power right through the range. I'm nearly 40
2

The Shop

See All »
crowe660
Profile picture for user crowe660
Posts
2264
Joined
8/15/2020
Location
US
crowe660 1/10/2022 3:12pm
1/10/2022 3:12pm
Grovesy98 wrote:
I had a 17 SXF350 in 2020 and just couldn't get on with it. I'm now on a 17 SXF450 FE and I find it much...
I had a 17 SXF350 in 2020 and just couldn't get on with it. I'm now on a 17 SXF450 FE and I find it much easier to ride than the 350. It's a smooth controlled power with great bottom end, and still feels light. I didn't like the weaker bottom and then super fast top end of the 350, and prefer smooth power right through the range. I'm nearly 40
Same boat. I missed the low end lug life of the 450. Keeping a 350 singing was tiring me out.
1
kijen
Profile picture for user kijen
Posts
1210
Joined
10/1/2010
Location
Jacksonville, FL US
kijen 1/10/2022 3:24pm
1/10/2022 3:24pm
58 here with a 2019 450sxf, never had so much fun riding, yeah it can be a beast if you want it to be, but 3rd gear for half rhe tracks i ride and some tracks i can hit 4th, lol.
2
DC193
Profile picture for user DC193
Posts
62
Joined
6/26/2016
Location
Sydney AU
DC193 1/10/2022 5:06pm
1/10/2022 5:06pm
TeamGreen wrote:
I'm 58. I've got the very same bike...in Orange. GET IT! Good Luck and Many Happy Wheelies! Psssst...there's an 'Accessory Map Switch' you can get for...
I'm 58.
I've got the very same bike...in Orange.

GET IT!

Good Luck and Many Happy Wheelies!

Psssst...there's an 'Accessory Map Switch' you can get for about $200 Aus. It gives you different maps and Traction Control...which are hiding in your ECU!

thanks for the reply, and interesting bit about the ECU, will check that out.
1
DC193
Profile picture for user DC193
Posts
62
Joined
6/26/2016
Location
Sydney AU
DC193 1/10/2022 5:08pm
1/10/2022 5:08pm
Grovesy98 wrote:
I had a 17 SXF350 in 2020 and just couldn't get on with it. I'm now on a 17 SXF450 FE and I find it much...
I had a 17 SXF350 in 2020 and just couldn't get on with it. I'm now on a 17 SXF450 FE and I find it much easier to ride than the 350. It's a smooth controlled power with great bottom end, and still feels light. I didn't like the weaker bottom and then super fast top end of the 350, and prefer smooth power right through the range. I'm nearly 40
crowe660 wrote:
Same boat. I missed the low end lug life of the 450. Keeping a 350 singing was tiring me out.

i had a Yamaha 450 before the Husky, and i found it was the 450 that was tiring me out compared to the 350, though the Yami was a bit of a brute.
chump6784
Profile picture for user chump6784
Posts
1770
Joined
5/9/2011
Location
AU
chump6784 1/10/2022 5:14pm
1/10/2022 5:14pm
The Yzf450 hits pretty hard stock, most people tame it down. From all reports the Gas Gas has a fairly smooth power band for a 450. Just stick it in 3rd gear and you'll be sweet
blaze 57
Profile picture for user blaze 57
Posts
392
Joined
4/11/2018
Location
Inchelium, WA US
blaze 57 1/10/2022 6:33pm
1/10/2022 6:33pm
The KTM 450 is so easy to ride. No real big hit. You can easily rest in a moto on this bike in 3rd gear if you get tired. I'm almost 65 yrs old and love mine.
moto67e
Profile picture for user moto67e
Posts
475
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Lakewood, CA US
moto67e 1/10/2022 6:42pm
1/10/2022 6:42pm
The GasGas MC450 in stock trim is really really mellow. It will feel like fast 350.

I say go for it.
1
LouisianaMotocross 1/10/2022 6:59pm
1/10/2022 6:59pm
I think im faster on a 350 but have more fun being lazy on the 450. Im not going pro so 450 it is for me. Really get what you have the most fun on.
NeedMoto
Profile picture for user NeedMoto
Posts
780
Joined
8/6/2015
Location
Penn Valley, CA US
NeedMoto 1/10/2022 7:01pm
1/10/2022 7:01pm
Grovesy98 wrote:
I had a 17 SXF350 in 2020 and just couldn't get on with it. I'm now on a 17 SXF450 FE and I find it much...
I had a 17 SXF350 in 2020 and just couldn't get on with it. I'm now on a 17 SXF450 FE and I find it much easier to ride than the 350. It's a smooth controlled power with great bottom end, and still feels light. I didn't like the weaker bottom and then super fast top end of the 350, and prefer smooth power right through the range. I'm nearly 40
crowe660 wrote:
Same boat. I missed the low end lug life of the 450. Keeping a 350 singing was tiring me out.
I'm 61, strictly moto. I did the same as these gents^^^ I love my 2022 FC450. Won't go back to a 350.
1
SKramer
Profile picture for user SKramer
Posts
23
Joined
7/30/2019
Location
Casa Grande, AZ US
SKramer 1/10/2022 7:17pm
1/10/2022 7:17pm
Are you Kidding me, I've plowed all this money into my 350 and now other 60ish age riders say they like their 450 bikes better WTH.
I kinda due like some of the reasons thought.
Damitt
1
bvm111
Profile picture for user bvm111
Posts
10075
Joined
7/1/2008
Location
Las Vegas, NV US
bvm111 1/10/2022 7:27pm
1/10/2022 7:27pm
i’m almost 49, i have both… love both… you can’t go wrong with either. Right now I feel like a hero on the 21 350 and have been riding that more. Probably selling my 20.5FE 450 but only in prep for the new one to come out!
Forty
Profile picture for user Forty
Posts
3034
Joined
7/27/2009
Location
Saint Paul, MN US
Forty 1/10/2022 7:33pm
1/10/2022 7:33pm
450 power is nice until it isn't.

If I was your age I'd get a 450, take my time to learn to ride it, and respect that power.
3
Graybeard 1/11/2022 4:26am
1/11/2022 4:26am
Agree with a lot of my older brethren here, I like the power of the 450 and the ability to start out front! I’m 60 and race more than I practice, but prefer to keep my 450 stock as far a power hit goes. I like smooth, most mods make the engine too gnarly and I just get into trouble too quickly. I feel like I have an advantage over my buddies who race 350s, so I’ll take that!
1
erik_94COBRA
Profile picture for user erik_94COBRA
Posts
1129
Joined
7/21/2016
Location
Houston-ish, TX US
erik_94COBRA 1/11/2022 5:24am
1/11/2022 5:24am
Have had several 450s and always find them to be boring after awhile. Yes they are easy to ride. But I run out of talent long before they run out of power.

My FC350 with some mods is more fun to ride than a 450 (for me).
2

Pit Row

See All »
bultokid
Profile picture for user bultokid
Posts
2132
Joined
8/13/2007
Location
Houston, TX US
bultokid 1/11/2022 7:18am
1/11/2022 7:18am
TeamGreen wrote:
I'm 58. I've got the very same bike...in Orange. GET IT! Good Luck and Many Happy Wheelies! Psssst...there's an 'Accessory Map Switch' you can get for...
I'm 58.
I've got the very same bike...in Orange.

GET IT!

Good Luck and Many Happy Wheelies!

Psssst...there's an 'Accessory Map Switch' you can get for about $200 Aus. It gives you different maps and Traction Control...which are hiding in your ECU!
58yr old, out of shape lard ass here and just sold my TC250 and picked up new Gasser 450. Love smokers but the 450 is so easy to ride
TeamGreen
Profile picture for user TeamGreen
Posts
36511
Joined
11/25/2008
Location
Thru-out, CA US
TeamGreen 1/11/2022 7:35am
1/11/2022 7:35am
TeamGreen wrote:
I'm 58. I've got the very same bike...in Orange. GET IT! Good Luck and Many Happy Wheelies! Psssst...there's an 'Accessory Map Switch' you can get for...
I'm 58.
I've got the very same bike...in Orange.

GET IT!

Good Luck and Many Happy Wheelies!

Psssst...there's an 'Accessory Map Switch' you can get for about $200 Aus. It gives you different maps and Traction Control...which are hiding in your ECU!
bultokid wrote:
58yr old, out of shape lard ass here and just sold my TC250 and picked up new Gasser 450. Love smokers but the 450 is so...
58yr old, out of shape lard ass here and just sold my TC250 and picked up new Gasser 450. Love smokers but the 450 is so easy to ride
Have ya put some Bultaco Pursang graphics on it, yet?
MXer391
Profile picture for user MXer391
Posts
416
Joined
2/10/2014
Location
Altoona, PA US
MXer391 1/11/2022 10:01am
1/11/2022 10:01am
I did this exactly a year ago... 350 to 450.

I'm going back to a 350. The 450 (21.5 Husq Rockstar Ed) was fun on big, fast, and soft tracks. 350 is definitely better on smaller, rougher, hard packed tracks. I am faster overall on the 350. Ultimately, I wanted the bike that I could ride the most when I'm at the track. I'm also not a big guy (165lbs) and not overly fast.
You can't go wrong with either bike but my vote is the 350, especially considering you said you don't race. Also, the newer 350s are better than the 2016 model. I'd look at the tracks you ride the most and make my decision based on that.
2
RF145
Profile picture for user RF145
Posts
501
Joined
5/31/2013
Location
Rutherford, NJ US
RF145 1/11/2022 11:20am
1/11/2022 11:20am
DC193 wrote:
So i'm over 40, not getting younger, don't race, and have been on a 2016 husky 350 for the last few years and loved it. Wanting...

So i'm over 40, not getting younger, don't race, and have been on a 2016 husky 350 for the last few years and loved it.

Wanting to upgrade but in Australia its hard good deals with in stock, and no 350's left that i can find. My local Gas Gas dealership has a left-over 2021 450 at a heavily reduced price. I know the 2022 450 is basically unchanged, so this 2021 is just as good.

Does an old man go back to a 450 ? Could i make some adjustments like gearing to 'mellow' out the torque to be more comparable to a 350 ? or just forget it ?

Help !

So, I was thinking this past summer that I should buy my buddies 2020.5 FE 450 and just be mellow and enjoy myself instead of riding my 2019 FC 350 since all I do now is practice ride at my friends private track. It is over a mile long styled after the 1980 GP tracks.
After one day of back to back riding, I sold the 450. It was not any fun. I still had to shift, it turned like a pig with all that extra centrifugal weight, it pulled too hard in every gear. But mostly, it was riding me, I was not riding it. I am 63, 6'4", 225 but not too strong as I am still recovering from bilateral knee replacement. I can ride the 350 as easy or hard as I want, the 450, a big no way.
If you did not like a 450 previously, you will not like one now.
Leave the 450 for the kids.
1
bultokid
Profile picture for user bultokid
Posts
2132
Joined
8/13/2007
Location
Houston, TX US
bultokid 1/11/2022 12:47pm
1/11/2022 12:47pm
TeamGreen wrote:
I'm 58. I've got the very same bike...in Orange. GET IT! Good Luck and Many Happy Wheelies! Psssst...there's an 'Accessory Map Switch' you can get for...
I'm 58.
I've got the very same bike...in Orange.

GET IT!

Good Luck and Many Happy Wheelies!

Psssst...there's an 'Accessory Map Switch' you can get for about $200 Aus. It gives you different maps and Traction Control...which are hiding in your ECU!
bultokid wrote:
58yr old, out of shape lard ass here and just sold my TC250 and picked up new Gasser 450. Love smokers but the 450 is so...
58yr old, out of shape lard ass here and just sold my TC250 and picked up new Gasser 450. Love smokers but the 450 is so easy to ride
TeamGreen wrote:
Have ya put some Bultaco Pursang graphics on it, yet?
Oh you know I am going to have a a Thumbs Up decal on it :-)
DC193
Profile picture for user DC193
Posts
62
Joined
6/26/2016
Location
Sydney AU
DC193 1/11/2022 9:46pm
1/11/2022 9:46pm

Thanks for all the comments peoples, pro and con.

Have decided to go for it, put down deposit today for the 2021 450. My first new bike.
3
Brent
Profile picture for user Brent
Posts
5793
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Party in Temecula, CA US
Brent 1/11/2022 9:57pm
1/11/2022 9:57pm
go the other way and get a 250F.

Post a reply to: Going from 350 back to 450 ? Help !