What did you learn after getting your first 450?

I learned that I was correct in thinking my ‘03 KX 250 was holding me back against the 450s. I can remember my first ride on my ‘05 RMZ 450 quite well. The thump of the engine. The front end lifting with every twist of the throttle. I’ve not had anything but a 450 since then. I’ve always had a smooth riding style and more power benefits that. A 450 allows me to be almost as good as I’ve ever been at 39. 

I quickly realized that a really good start was like a Top Fuel Dragster run 🤣

I was on a an extremely well set-up KX 450. I went on to use the 4 speed transmission thru 2008. It really was “perfect for a good drag race”. Good fuel and proper jetting made that bike a weapon. 

I finally learned why injuries seem to have gotten more prevalent over the last few years. I test rode a friends brand new KX450, just wanted a few laps to see what it was like. There was a pretty big table top with a hip in it at the track, that took all of 4th gear pinned on my 125 to barely downside it. I rolled into the corner before it and remember thinking to myself “Nah, I’m not gonna hit it on this bike I know nothing about”. I came out of the corner, grabbed third and opened the throttle up just a little bit and I was already on track to clear the thing. Took almost no input other than me leaning on the throttle to do what I was absolutely killing my 125 to do. It was cool, but I much prefer something that makes me work harder. 

Fun on big, long, wide fast tracks…. No fun on tighter tracks…… have not owned a 450 since my last KTM in 2018. At 58 years old , I find smaller displacements bikes are more enjoyable…looking forward to coming back up north to take my 93CR125 on an upstate NY/ New England track tour👍

Brand new 2003 CR450R, I was 25 and about 150 lbs soaking wet. Way too much bike, but boy it was fun. The 450 was so easy to ride fast as compared to the KX250 I was coming off of. My riding really stepped up once I got on 450's because I could be smooth and leave it in 3rd gear most of the time. 

Exactly.

I've mentioned it before, but part of the attraction of the 4T and now ebikes is how much easier they are to go fast on due to requiring less skill to reach higher speeds. I've compared them to quads and sit-down jet skis. But they don't make a rider better, they only allow him to go faster and do things they couldn't do before with their limited skills. They aren't better, they're just suddenly convinced they can do things that only moments ago they couldn't... and it all happens much faster than they're used to... which can make for a quick trip to Plaster City.

They're very much like the old 500s - they like to stretch their legs and don't like changing directions as much as a small bore. If I can ride one in faster, flowing conditions, they can be a lot of fun. 

My 125s feel like they can to turn in almost any situation. MyKX5 and 450s... not so much. 😄

I put a 450X cam in my '06 450R and it really defanged it for offroad. Much smoother and torquier.

I learned what an hour meter was, because up until the four stroke revolution that really wasn't a thing!

I’m glad I started on a 450. The last bike I had was a CR80 when I was a kid, 20 years later, bought a YZ450 and never looked back.

It helped me discover something about how I approach riding: I value fun over speed - something I didn't realize until I had a 450. Went back to a 250F. And although I'm slower (not just because of power) and have to work harder, I just enjoy riding more. 

This isn't a bash on 450s: different strokes for different folks. 

I learned that they were so much easier to go fast on that all of a sudden people with lesser skill sets were able to do things they shouldn't be doing.

This was 20+ years ago, it's even more true now.

See @Rickyisms post for an example of exactly what I'm talking about.  

I will never be convinced that the average weekend warrior has any business riding a new age 450 and you'll never change my mind that they 100% have made the sport more dangerous and led to a lot more serious injuries.

Heavy but so much torque.

good advice plus .... loosen the throttle cable a little so bouncing arms do not make it go  BRAP ... BRAP ... BRAP ... going into turns.

Never owned a 450 until a few months ago.  I was surprised how easy a KX450 in none aggressive mode with traction control turned up was to ride.  I do the old guy ride around in 2 and 3rd gear.  I took mine a step further and added a 10oz flywheel, sure nuff garden tractor.  Heavy flywheel cut down on engine braking and really hard to stall.  Good ride for an old guy.  It still gets it on when you crank the throttle.  Way easier to ride than my Honda 250R or my 300 RX.

Really had to learn how to ride the bike differently. I came off 250 2 strokes and was probably the fastest i've been in my life the year I went to 450s only. Was a rough time getting used to the bike, was overriding the hell out of it. 

Weekend practice rider here, Got my first 450 last Spring. Took me a couple of months to get 100% comfortable. What I learned is that I need to lift more weights and get in better shape! Rode last Saturday at BC, rode A,B practice for about 2 laps and was gassed trying to go fast with the youngsters. Rest of the day spent crusin 3-4th gear and having a blast. I love the exhilaration of all that power at the wrist. 21 Yz 450. Its super important to find a map that suits your fitness and riding style.

That I don’t need a 450 🤣

You young punks LOL. My 1st 4stk was the venerable 2001 YZ426 at 31yrs old. After a 3yr layoff. I learned it was a tractor, and weighed as much as a tractor. That being said, I could adapt and did.

But 2 strokes are just more fun. Not necessarily faster, that's up to the rider.

Actually I started with a 99 YZ400. When not stalling it I could do amazing lap times on it My first 450 was the legendary 03 YZ450. I learned that for a guy that weighed 200lbs and primarily riding sand that it was the best damned thing since sliced bread. The later aluminum frame bikes kinda sucked from a handling/feel standpoint.

The 4 speed trans was unfairly maligned. 450's don't need 5 speeds and could get by with 3 for moto

03' Yamaha 450, coming off of RM 250. Mandatory move based on hp and your ability to get a start against all the other tanks.

Pros: starts, big jumps & pump gas. 
Cons: like wrestling a bear for 30+2

is that kdub behind you? Fucking awesome photo to have if so. 

08 YZ450F. First and only. 

I learned quickly I wanted my 2 stroke back. 

Sold it 8 months later. 

Indeed.

I learned I could hit that uphill double they had at Piru way easier than on my 125. You could blow corners and still clear anything.  Which I think can be a bad thing as well. Also learned not to stall it because if it was hot, good luck sometimes.

I learned that crashes, even itty bitty ones, hurt a shitload more at 37 than they did at 18.......

They’re fast and all but 2 things.

1. They wear my ass out and I enjoy a 250F because I can do longer motos and

2. If I can’t jump something on a 250F I have zero business jumping it on a 450.

That they push slightly in turns compared to my two-stroke. I couldn't figure it out, changed the clamps, and then realized it's just the way they handle. This is back in 2010 though.

That racing a 450 for the first time in arenacross is maybe not the best idea.

That when racing a 450 in arenacross, just leave it in second gear around the whole track.

That they feel heavy and run hot.

They are freaking hard to kick over if you have a bad hip.

2014 TM 530 mx.There is no replacement for displacement.it was said here before…respect it .this bike. Patience with the right hand.stupid fast.

Bottom pic-2005 Husaberg 550 FC ridiculously fast.