Easiest 450 to ride

bultokid
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bultokid 3/14/2025 1:51pm
3/14/2025 1:51pm

RMZ-450, '22 GasGas 450 and Beta RX450 worked for me....so easy to ride.....too easy actually would ride over my ability level so sold the 450 and got a RX300 smoker....lot of fun but definitely makes you work harder 

racerhansen 3/14/2025 3:53pm
3/14/2025 3:53pm Edited Date/Time 3/14/2025 3:54pm

The 24/25 KX 450 is a really nice bike if you like smooth manageable power. Great motorcycle.

JWW85
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JWW85 3/15/2025 7:04am
3/15/2025 7:04am

At your size, find one with an easily adjustable map and the ergonomics that suit you.  I’m 6’0 230 without gear and have both a ‘24 SX250 and ‘24 YZ450.  The 450 was suspension was way off for me out of the box and I’m not exactly a fan of the ergos.  BUT the GYTR tuner app is fun to play with and can quickly tailor the power around for you.  Hindsight, I wish I had just got another KTM for dealer reasons, shared parts, and it feels more comfy to me.

3
Pete The Fisherman 3/15/2025 9:42am
3/15/2025 9:42am
JWW85 wrote:
At your size, find one with an easily adjustable map and the ergonomics that suit you.  I’m 6’0 230 without gear and have both a ‘24...

At your size, find one with an easily adjustable map and the ergonomics that suit you.  I’m 6’0 230 without gear and have both a ‘24 SX250 and ‘24 YZ450.  The 450 was suspension was way off for me out of the box and I’m not exactly a fan of the ergos.  BUT the GYTR tuner app is fun to play with and can quickly tailor the power around for you.  Hindsight, I wish I had just got another KTM for dealer reasons, shared parts, and it feels more comfy to me.

I sat on a 23 yz250f and felt like I was on a supermini. Not sure if the 24 450 is any better. Sucks because Yamaha makes great bikes.

The Shop

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501Ross
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501Ross 3/15/2025 4:34pm
3/15/2025 4:34pm Edited Date/Time 3/15/2025 4:35pm

The Honda 450 felt best to me at the dealer.  Needed springs front and rear. I’m 6 3 and 240. Looking back honestly I probably would have wound up with a Honda or Yamaha 250. I was in the same boat thinking I was heavier and needed the power. Don’t get me wrong the power is fun and incredible but I could probably ride faster on a 250.  I mainly wanted a 450 for the sand. Any 450 is a lot in the woods. 

1
uguysmakemelaugh 3/15/2025 5:10pm
3/15/2025 5:10pm

This is an out of the box idea, but have you considered the new Honda crf450x? Very smooth power with excellent suspension. I have owned the 450l model since it came out and do most of everything with it I do with my standard bikes. Kinda heavy but will not bother you being a bigger guy. Reliable as a claw hammer as well.

Mr. Afterbar
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Mr. Afterbar 3/15/2025 5:13pm
3/15/2025 5:13pm Edited Date/Time 3/15/2025 5:14pm
Pete The Fisherman wrote:

How much of a difference is there between the 23 and 24?

Quite a bit. I had a ‘21 which is the same and with just a pipe, it had a much more aggressive bottom end.

Pete The Fisherman 3/15/2025 5:20pm
3/15/2025 5:20pm
501Ross wrote:
The Honda 450 felt best to me at the dealer.  Needed springs front and rear. I’m 6 3 and 240. Looking back honestly I probably would...

The Honda 450 felt best to me at the dealer.  Needed springs front and rear. I’m 6 3 and 240. Looking back honestly I probably would have wound up with a Honda or Yamaha 250. I was in the same boat thinking I was heavier and needed the power. Don’t get me wrong the power is fun and incredible but I could probably ride faster on a 250.  I mainly wanted a 450 for the sand. Any 450 is a lot in the woods. 

I’ll look into the Honda. I’m going to sit on a few bikes tomorrow. I love the yz, but they feel so small. At least the last gen did.

burn1986
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burn1986 3/15/2025 8:20pm
3/15/2025 8:20pm Edited Date/Time 3/17/2025 4:33am
Pete The Fisherman wrote:
Hey, looking for advice on what bike to get. Currently I’m on a ktm 250 2 stroke but want to switch to a 4 stroke. I’ve...

Hey, looking for advice on what bike to get. Currently I’m on a ktm 250 2 stroke but want to switch to a 4 stroke. I’ve only been track riding for a year and a half and don’t race (but would like to do a c race by the end of the year). Looking for a bike I can ride on practice track days and ride the open trails behind my house. 

Was going to go with a 250f but I’m 6’3 260 pounds and think that might not be enough bike. I want a bike that will be the mellowest/easiest to ride while I continue to work on learning the fundamentals. Only time I’ll really need the 450 power is the couple times a year I ride southwick to remind myself how much I suck in the sand. I’ve read online the kx and Rmz have manageable power but wanted your feedback. And no, I don’t want a ktm 350. I’m still pissed at ktm for selling me the most unreliable street bike ever made.

The KX has the best front fender. 
- BETA looks like a pelican with its mouth open. 
- YZF is chopped off, but actually looks better than the previous version, or current YZ.
- Honda goes down a little too much in the front. Kawi does too, but it looks better than the Honda imo. 
- Zooks front fender is too straight and pointy and the back fender sticks up too much. The bike just looks heavy

No I don’t have ocd. 😬

3
1
Pete The Fisherman 3/15/2025 8:36pm
3/15/2025 8:36pm
Pete The Fisherman wrote:
Hey, looking for advice on what bike to get. Currently I’m on a ktm 250 2 stroke but want to switch to a 4 stroke. I’ve...

Hey, looking for advice on what bike to get. Currently I’m on a ktm 250 2 stroke but want to switch to a 4 stroke. I’ve only been track riding for a year and a half and don’t race (but would like to do a c race by the end of the year). Looking for a bike I can ride on practice track days and ride the open trails behind my house. 

Was going to go with a 250f but I’m 6’3 260 pounds and think that might not be enough bike. I want a bike that will be the mellowest/easiest to ride while I continue to work on learning the fundamentals. Only time I’ll really need the 450 power is the couple times a year I ride southwick to remind myself how much I suck in the sand. I’ve read online the kx and Rmz have manageable power but wanted your feedback. And no, I don’t want a ktm 350. I’m still pissed at ktm for selling me the most unreliable street bike ever made.

burn1986 wrote:
The KX has the best front fender. - BETA looks like a pelican with its mouth open. - YZF is chopped off, but actually looks better than the...

The KX has the best front fender. 
- BETA looks like a pelican with its mouth open. 
- YZF is chopped off, but actually looks better than the previous version, or current YZ.
- Honda goes down a little too much in the front. Kawi does too, but it looks better than the Honda imo. 
- Zooks front fender is too straight and pointy and the back fender sticks up too much. The bike just looks heavy

No I don’t have ocd. 😬

I can’t believe I haven’t been factoring in front fender design to my decision. What a fool I’ve been.
8
CarlinoJoeVideo
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CarlinoJoeVideo 3/15/2025 9:47pm
3/15/2025 9:47pm
Pete The Fisherman wrote:

How much of a difference is there between the 23 and 24?

Mr. Afterbar wrote:

Quite a bit. I had a ‘21 which is the same and with just a pipe, it had a much more aggressive bottom end.

23 and 24 are completely different bikes. Frames, engine, power delivery.


I think the 24/25 Kawi 450 is the easiest to ride out of the box on the Southern California tracks I tried it on.  KTM is very smooth and linear. Yamaha has the best chassis and suspension out of the box but the motor needs help to tame it down if you want “easiest to ride”

Pete The Fisherman 3/15/2025 11:20pm
3/15/2025 11:20pm
Pete The Fisherman wrote:

How much of a difference is there between the 23 and 24?

Mr. Afterbar wrote:

Quite a bit. I had a ‘21 which is the same and with just a pipe, it had a much more aggressive bottom end.

CarlinoJoeVideo wrote:
23 and 24 are completely different bikes. Frames, engine, power delivery.I think the 24/25 Kawi 450 is the easiest to ride out of the box on...

23 and 24 are completely different bikes. Frames, engine, power delivery.


I think the 24/25 Kawi 450 is the easiest to ride out of the box on the Southern California tracks I tried it on.  KTM is very smooth and linear. Yamaha has the best chassis and suspension out of the box but the motor needs help to tame it down if you want “easiest to ride”

If I did go ktm again would you recommend the 2023+ or the older gen? I’ve seen some very low hour 2022 models for sale near me.

Kkawi
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Kkawi 3/15/2025 11:29pm
3/15/2025 11:29pm
Pete The Fisherman wrote:
Hey, looking for advice on what bike to get. Currently I’m on a ktm 250 2 stroke but want to switch to a 4 stroke. I’ve...

Hey, looking for advice on what bike to get. Currently I’m on a ktm 250 2 stroke but want to switch to a 4 stroke. I’ve only been track riding for a year and a half and don’t race (but would like to do a c race by the end of the year). Looking for a bike I can ride on practice track days and ride the open trails behind my house. 

Was going to go with a 250f but I’m 6’3 260 pounds and think that might not be enough bike. I want a bike that will be the mellowest/easiest to ride while I continue to work on learning the fundamentals. Only time I’ll really need the 450 power is the couple times a year I ride southwick to remind myself how much I suck in the sand. I’ve read online the kx and Rmz have manageable power but wanted your feedback. And no, I don’t want a ktm 350. I’m still pissed at ktm for selling me the most unreliable street bike ever made.

burn1986 wrote:
The KX has the best front fender. - BETA looks like a pelican with its mouth open. - YZF is chopped off, but actually looks better than the...

The KX has the best front fender. 
- BETA looks like a pelican with its mouth open. 
- YZF is chopped off, but actually looks better than the previous version, or current YZ.
- Honda goes down a little too much in the front. Kawi does too, but it looks better than the Honda imo. 
- Zooks front fender is too straight and pointy and the back fender sticks up too much. The bike just looks heavy

No I don’t have ocd. 😬

ok we need the back fender rundown now please bro

4
Mr. Afterbar
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Mr. Afterbar 3/16/2025 5:04pm
3/16/2025 5:04pm
CarlinoJoeVideo wrote:
23 and 24 are completely different bikes. Frames, engine, power delivery.I think the 24/25 Kawi 450 is the easiest to ride out of the box on...

23 and 24 are completely different bikes. Frames, engine, power delivery.


I think the 24/25 Kawi 450 is the easiest to ride out of the box on the Southern California tracks I tried it on.  KTM is very smooth and linear. Yamaha has the best chassis and suspension out of the box but the motor needs help to tame it down if you want “easiest to ride”

I’m aware. He was asking about the ‘23, which is the same as a ‘21. 

chrisgg90 3/17/2025 10:49am
3/17/2025 10:49am Edited Date/Time 3/17/2025 11:02am

Throw a spanner into the works, what about a KTM 350 ? I get your feeling with the YZF. I’m 6’2 and the bike feels so crammed. The Suzuki and Kawa I feel for bigger guys are the best out the box. Any bike you buy will need suspension work, but for a roomy cockpit, I don’t think the Kawa or Suzuki can be beaten for taller riders. 

3
burn1986
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burn1986 3/17/2025 10:58am
3/17/2025 10:58am

If I rode a 450 a lot I would probably check into a sleeved down 400 version for f a YZF.

1
avidchimp
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avidchimp 3/17/2025 11:30am
3/17/2025 11:30am
chrisgg90 wrote:
Throw a spanner into the works, what about a KTM 350 ? I get your feeling with the YZF. I’m 6’2 and the bike feels so...

Throw a spanner into the works, what about a KTM 350 ? I get your feeling with the YZF. I’m 6’2 and the bike feels so crammed. The Suzuki and Kawa I feel for bigger guys are the best out the box. Any bike you buy will need suspension work, but for a roomy cockpit, I don’t think the Kawa or Suzuki can be beaten for taller riders. 

Got a chance to spin some laps on '25 CRF 450WE yesterday, and it felt noticeably smaller/shorter than my 450RX even thought it's really not that much different. The RX just feels taller/roomier. I'm 6'2 for reference.

Travis_Hudson 3/17/2025 4:55pm
3/17/2025 4:55pm
Pete The Fisherman wrote:
Hey, looking for advice on what bike to get. Currently I’m on a ktm 250 2 stroke but want to switch to a 4 stroke. I’ve...

Hey, looking for advice on what bike to get. Currently I’m on a ktm 250 2 stroke but want to switch to a 4 stroke. I’ve only been track riding for a year and a half and don’t race (but would like to do a c race by the end of the year). Looking for a bike I can ride on practice track days and ride the open trails behind my house. 

Was going to go with a 250f but I’m 6’3 260 pounds and think that might not be enough bike. I want a bike that will be the mellowest/easiest to ride while I continue to work on learning the fundamentals. Only time I’ll really need the 450 power is the couple times a year I ride southwick to remind myself how much I suck in the sand. I’ve read online the kx and Rmz have manageable power but wanted your feedback. And no, I don’t want a ktm 350. I’m still pissed at ktm for selling me the most unreliable street bike ever made.

burn1986 wrote:
The KX has the best front fender. - BETA looks like a pelican with its mouth open. - YZF is chopped off, but actually looks better than the...

The KX has the best front fender. 
- BETA looks like a pelican with its mouth open. 
- YZF is chopped off, but actually looks better than the previous version, or current YZ.
- Honda goes down a little too much in the front. Kawi does too, but it looks better than the Honda imo. 
- Zooks front fender is too straight and pointy and the back fender sticks up too much. The bike just looks heavy

No I don’t have ocd. 😬

Pete The Fisherman wrote:
I can’t believe I haven’t been factoring in front fender design to my decision. What a fool I’ve been.

I am almost the same height and weight as you. A rider in my younger years. I absolutely love my 2024 KX. It is a little soft on the bottom as others have mentioned, but if you twist the grip it is as fast as any of them. The ergo's is what really sold me, very comfortable cockpit.

Pit Row

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CarlinoJoeVideo
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CarlinoJoeVideo 3/17/2025 6:55pm
3/17/2025 6:55pm
Mr. Afterbar wrote:

Quite a bit. I had a ‘21 which is the same and with just a pipe, it had a much more aggressive bottom end.

CarlinoJoeVideo wrote:
23 and 24 are completely different bikes. Frames, engine, power delivery.I think the 24/25 Kawi 450 is the easiest to ride out of the box on...

23 and 24 are completely different bikes. Frames, engine, power delivery.


I think the 24/25 Kawi 450 is the easiest to ride out of the box on the Southern California tracks I tried it on.  KTM is very smooth and linear. Yamaha has the best chassis and suspension out of the box but the motor needs help to tame it down if you want “easiest to ride”

Pete The Fisherman wrote:
If I did go ktm again would you recommend the 2023+ or the older gen? I’ve seen some very low hour 2022 models for sale near...

If I did go ktm again would you recommend the 2023+ or the older gen? I’ve seen some very low hour 2022 models for sale near me.

Personally I think the 19-22 frame is better but 23 350 motor was better. So depends on what your priorities are, frame comfort or engine power delivery?

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