Oldest bike (2007-2015) That's still competitive and not dated

soresammy
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soresammy
Edited Date/Time 5/17/2022 10:58am
What's the best older bike 250 and 450? Overall, reliability the most important.
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OCgoon1533
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OCgoon1533 5/4/2022 4:15pm
5/4/2022 4:15pm
2011 ktm 350sxf
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Forty
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Forty 5/4/2022 4:16pm
5/4/2022 4:16pm
2008 -2009 yz 450



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The Shop

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crusher773
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crusher773 5/4/2022 4:31pm
5/4/2022 4:31pm
I second 2011 KTM 350
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profeshenal125 5/4/2022 4:33pm
5/4/2022 4:33pm
07 cr125 still finishes 6th or so in the 125 class at Millville. 07 cr250 still wins 450 a at red Bud and clears Laroccos leap from the inside.
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Luke_Richards
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Luke_Richards 5/4/2022 4:33pm
5/4/2022 4:33pm
crusher773 wrote:
I second 2011 KTM 350
What was so good about the 11? The first year was trash
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Myke
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Myke 5/4/2022 4:39pm
5/4/2022 4:39pm
Wow no one mentioned the '08 CRF450 yet.
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thatswhathappens 5/4/2022 4:41pm
5/4/2022 4:41pm
Myke wrote:
Wow no one mentioned the '08 CRF450 yet.
Beat me by two minutes, lol
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DA498
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DA498 5/4/2022 4:57pm
5/4/2022 4:57pm


2012 350, The only thing old and dated is me! Competitive against my peers who are running 2022s
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bd
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bd 5/4/2022 4:59pm
5/4/2022 4:59pm
2006+ YZ 125 or YZ 250 Two Stroke.
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reded301
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reded301 5/4/2022 5:44pm
5/4/2022 5:44pm
1985 CR250….a guy named Jerry Robin can tell you all about it.
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vitalriderCrf
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vitalriderCrf 5/4/2022 6:15pm
5/4/2022 6:15pm
Any EFI Crf450 for moto. Older carbureted ones are fine for the desert or trails
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soresammy
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soresammy 5/4/2022 6:41pm
5/4/2022 6:41pm
Easiest to start? I can deal with no e start but don't want to be winded before I even start riding
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Brent
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Brent 5/4/2022 6:48pm
5/4/2022 6:48pm
When you say "competitive", what level of the sport are we talking about?



Jerry Robin would know the answer to this question...




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Yeti831
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Yeti831 5/4/2022 6:58pm
5/4/2022 6:58pm
People hated them but I’m going to say the ‘09 yz450f. If they were fuel injected, I’d probably have one right now.

Such a smooth and comfortable rig once you set everything up for yourself.
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crusher773
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crusher773 5/4/2022 7:16pm
5/4/2022 7:16pm
crusher773 wrote:
I second 2011 KTM 350
Luke_Richards wrote:
What was so good about the 11? The first year was trash
11 was the first year and that bike is great. Still have mine and it's been an awesome bike. It has the good forks and brakes and the motor is as solid as they get. It's still super competitive especially in the vet classes.
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Moto520
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Moto520 5/4/2022 8:30pm
5/4/2022 8:30pm
Depends a lot on what type of track you ride. Some of the older bikes were incredible for certain conditions only. The 2010-2013 Honda crf250r is awesome for tight, stadium type tracks.

2012 kx450 is great for long…..fast tracks
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Warlock
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Warlock 5/4/2022 8:37pm
5/4/2022 8:37pm
Not in your parameters but I have a 2004 KTM 450 EXC that is still very competitive for hare scrambles. I'm pretty much done with moto except on private tracks. Awesome trail bike too.
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Rider 5280
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Rider 5280 5/4/2022 9:13pm
5/4/2022 9:13pm Edited Date/Time 5/9/2022 10:15pm
I haven't tried many bikes outside of Hondas and Yamahas, so take this input with a grain of salt.

I have 2 old CRF450Rs: 2007 and 2008 models. They've been incredibly durable performers for ALL types of riding: mx, desert racing, WORCS, mountain trails/singletrack (which is amazing in itself). I actually put these models on par with the 2020+ YZ450F (lots of downvotes coming I am sure ...).

Also, 2014-2018 YZ250Fs are incredible, too. These might be my favorite 250F ever.

Bottomline: You've got lots of great options and don't need a new bike. Not by a long shot.
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blockhead17
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blockhead17 5/4/2022 9:19pm
5/4/2022 9:19pm
Maybe not against the current 4 strokes, but my 07 KX 250 rips!!
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FWYT
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FWYT 5/4/2022 9:34pm
5/4/2022 9:34pm
Wait, wait, wait . . . ..

This question is virtually worthless without some parameters. What type of racing and at what level?

Local unsanctioned moto in the 40+ B class? Or big regional races?
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MotoNerd3131 5/4/2022 10:14pm
5/4/2022 10:14pm
07/08 Honda CRF450. Still to this day, most comfortable and manageable power compared to any of the newer bikes Ive ridden.
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soresammy
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soresammy 5/4/2022 10:15pm
5/4/2022 10:15pm
FWYT wrote:
Wait, wait, wait . . . .. This question is virtually worthless without some parameters. What type of racing and at what level? Local unsanctioned moto...
Wait, wait, wait . . . ..

This question is virtually worthless without some parameters. What type of racing and at what level?

Local unsanctioned moto in the 40+ B class? Or big regional races?
For a question that's "virtually worthless " It's provided great answers and insights. Obviously pros can go fast on anything, for the rest of us it's a pretty big deal to have a bike that's easy to set up as opposed to a bike that has horrible suspension would take some of the fun out of riding or maybe just to much effort on the track as opposed to a bike that does most everything well. Certain older bikes are known for having a reputation for being great bikes that age very well. I was just asking for some first hand feedback. So far the only "worthless"thing I've read in this thread is your comment. And you sound like you've drank 5 redbulls, or 5 lines or 5 hits of crack... Don't do drugs and post. That's my advice. Lol
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soresammy
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soresammy 5/4/2022 10:20pm
5/4/2022 10:20pm
MotoNerd3131 wrote:
07/08 Honda CRF450. Still to this day, most comfortable and manageable power compared to any of the newer bikes Ive ridden.
Are they easy to start? I haven't had a modern 4 stroke, but I do understand they became easier and easier to start through the years.
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MotoNerd3131 5/4/2022 10:30pm
5/4/2022 10:30pm
soresammy wrote:
Are they easy to start? I haven't had a modern 4 stroke, but I do understand they became easier and easier to start through the years.
mine was always easy to start, but was also always taken care of by a professional mechanic. The titanium valves replaced by more reliable steel ones, and that's about it. Thing was bulletproof.
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metal_miracle 5/5/2022 1:05am
5/5/2022 1:05am
Isn`t it max 5 year old bike you are allowed to compete whit anyway.
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cwel11
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cwel11 5/5/2022 1:17am
5/5/2022 1:17am Edited Date/Time 5/5/2022 1:18am
soresammy wrote:
Are they easy to start? I haven't had a modern 4 stroke, but I do understand they became easier and easier to start through the years.
MotoNerd3131 wrote:
mine was always easy to start, but was also always taken care of by a professional mechanic. The titanium valves replaced by more reliable steel ones...
mine was always easy to start, but was also always taken care of by a professional mechanic. The titanium valves replaced by more reliable steel ones, and that's about it. Thing was bulletproof.
Same here. I had a 2007 and it was one of the best bikes I’ve owned. Switched out the valves and just rode it. Sold it and got a 12 crf450 because it was new and shiny. Absolutely hated that bike and wished I’d never sold my 07. Closest thing I’ve owned since that is comparable is my current 21 fc350. But the FC has almost 15 years on the 07. The 07/08 crf450s were just a damn good bike. It a shame honda totally changed the platform in 09 instead of refining what they had.
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PFitzG38
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PFitzG38 5/5/2022 2:13am
5/5/2022 2:13am Edited Date/Time 5/5/2022 2:25am
Obvious choice! 2006/2008 CRF. I would holeshot and win 50 Int at REM on my 06 CRF 490 big bore regularly, and holeshot and lead laps in 50 Expert. I won my class at Mammoth in 2013 and holeshot a 40 rider Expert gate in 2015 on a 9 yr old bike. My bro yanked FOUR 40 rider gate Mammoth holeys that weekend in 40 Int and 50 Exp, and he just won 50 Expert at REMs last race a few weeks ago on his 2008 CRF 490 with a full gate of new bikes. I haven’t even sniffed the box let alone a holeshot or won a moto since I got a shiney new KTM a couple years ago (but it has an elec start and FI). I miss my cheater Honda -just sayn’





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