Should I move up to a 450?

Get a 350 at your weight you’ll love it 

350… you’re welcome 

FC450, lower chassis then Ktm or GG. 

If you can ride 250 two stokes with ease and love to lug a bike the 450 is your bike. However the fact you’ve ridden a few and aren’t sold means you might not enjoy it. Maybe find a friend with one and spend some quality time on one before you drop the coin. Good luck. 

Cr500

When you said lug, I immediately thought 450. Because your going to be able to ride in 1 or 2 gear the entire time. You will give up the flickability of the bike and the 450 will push in the corners more then the 250 just because at your weight and the torque will over power front stance and will also feel the engine braking a lot more. That said, like someone else mention, might want to spend more then a couple laps riding a 450 before making a switch at your weight. But matches your preference to lug the bike and not rev it out all the time but might lose the fun factor to flick the bike around like a mountain bike.            

Have you ridden a 2023 Yz450F?  The handling is quite different than the prior year.

I've never been a 450 guy.  I ride a 125, but I would consider that 450.

350

I have no answer to your question sorry?

But is this JMart incognito!! Just do it Jeremy!! You will never look back!!

350 or 300

I wasn’t in love with my 350 but a quick throttle and a rear sprocket change I’m loving it now. Not far off 450s

I wouldn't want to ride a 450 in the woods.

I too came off of a decade and a half of 250 2 strokes and 250 4 strokes. I like to ride smooth and lug the bike as well. If you don't like wringing the bike out, I'd hold off on the 350. Last year I bought both the GasGas Mc350 and a Troy Lee 450 at the same time. I rode them both for a month and didn't like the 350 power. It pretty much felt like a fast 250f but you still had wring it out to get it into the meat of the power. I loved the mellow rideability of the 450. I just kept finding myself on the 450 way more than the 350. I sold the 350 after that month trial and never looked back. I ride woods and race motocross. Mainly the Old Timer MX series out West. I can't speak on the new 350 though. I heard the low end power has been improved but I bet it still isn't like a 450. 

I used to think that. I've been loving my Mc450 in the woods. 

The 350 is obviously the best compromise of everything in regards to power.  With the 450....it will tire you out quicker.  If you are in good shape then i'd get a 450!   if riding a 450 makes it so you can't ride as long....stick with the 250.  

Here's the thing. If you are strong and fit enough to handle a 450 then yes, buy one. A 450 requires a little less maintenance which will lower operating costs.

I'm scared of a 450 due to my age (52) and lack of fitness. Even a 250 can be a bit much. 

My personal preference is a well tuned 125. I can ring it's neck...whilst doing the gig at a lower speed....and it sounds like I'm a fast MuthaFukka...whilst I'm doing it.

(Same goes in the bedroom...what I used to do all night, now takes me all night to do...)

A 450 is a effing beast...

You do know that you can tame a 450 down through mapping...it'll feel just like a 350 for the inexperienced.

Been thinking about doing the same. I'm a lugger as well and I've been on a 350 the last few years. Love the way the bike handles but often find myself in between gears. 

If you go 350, one day you're gonna have to sit down with your son and explain to him that you were a 350 guy. 

I dont get vital’s obsession with “450’s being too much power.” Just buy one and ride it to YOUR comfort level.

I raced 250fs for years. Switched to 450s 5 years ago and would never go back. You have the power when you want it and can easily back the throttle off when you don’t.
 

Don’t buy a 350, just buy a 450. You will be happy you did. If it’s a little much, throw the tamer chip in and go rip. 

This 100%. 

I think one of the biggest advantages of the 350 over a 450 is less inertia in the motor.  You can tame down a 450 with mapping but they still feel "heavy" and make you tired quicker than a 350.

YMMV

So I'm in the same boat. I have a 23 FC350 and its great but certainly needs to be revved more than I thought. Way more than aFC450 I had. What did you do for sprockets?

Bingo!!! The 350 lays into a turn or rut easier than a 450 due to less crank inertia. 

Sounds like a 450 is what you’re looking for. 

Just get a stark bro. 

Vet 450 riders remind me of old guys that buy corvettes. They want a bike that offsets their skill as a rider. "I don't really want to get better at corner speed. I'd rather just throw her in 3rd and jump whatever I want." Which is why so many end up getting yarded by the 250 pound 50+ horsepower piggy. 

If you're not in shape enough or not dialed in enough to click fast laps or clear that uphill triple out of a turn. Buying an over powered bike that less than 10% of all riders are capable of riding to its full potential. Sounds like future time in the hospital. 

Absolutely why I bought a 450. I'm coming off a ktm 250 sx and wanted to try a 4 stroke for the first time. I knew I didn't want a 250f due to high revving and frequent shifting  required, lower reliability engine. I'm 40 years old in August my riding abilities pretty much are what they are so yes I want a bike I can for the most part leave her in 3rd and let her eat. But yes after only a few rides on my MC 450 I can definitely see how someone could get hurt quickly, way more power and weight vs. my previous 250 sx.

Waiting for you to post a video of yourself riding a 250f to it's "full potential". 

That argument is such a dumb one, if we all abided by that rule, we'd all still be on PW50s.