Looking for input on what 450 I should buy. I never thought I’d want a 450, but I went to a triumph demo day Saturday and got to test ride all the mx and enduro models on a small test track. I’ve only ridden 2 strokes before so was a little nervous, but I actually felt pretty comfortable on the 450 and enjoyed in more than the 250f models.
I pretty much left it in second 90% of the time and it pulled me around fine and felt more planted than my bike. I’m now considering selling my older 250 t2 but not sure what to go with. I really like the 23+ Yamahas but I’ve been told they have bad ergos for taller riders and the 25+ Honda has good ergos but a more aggressive hit.
I’m 6’3 and 240 pounds. I don’t race, just go to practice tracks and sand pits but would like to try a couple j days events this season just for fun. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
While I’m not as big as you, I’m 6’ 200 pounds and out of all the bikes I’ve sat on Ktm seems bigger to me. Yamaha triangle felt tiny.
I’m 6’3”. There is nothing even close to as comfortable for tall guys as the KX450 with it’s adjustable cockpit. Not even close.
When you say 6'2" what do you mean...
If you have a long body, you may need to raise the handlebars, if you have long legs, you may need to lower the footpegs and or raise the seat.
Thanks. I’ve always heard kawi had good ergos for taller riders. I was hoping to be talked into a Honda or Yamaha because those are the bikes I like, but I might just go with a kx450. I’m just worried about their reliability.
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I’m 6’1 and while those couple extra inches for you at 6’3 DO make a difference, I ride a stock cockpit with Ktm High bend bars and stock peg height just fine. I believe any brand with lowered footpegs, slightly higher seat foam (guts makes 15-30-45mm higher seats) and tall bars would work just fine. The stock Honda 450 felt great to me honestly and again I’m not too far off your height
Best cockpit triangle is the Honda
I’m not all that tall, seem to have shrunk with age lol. .Was 6’2 and a 1/4 in high school. With age and back surgery only about 6’ 1” nowadays. But I have long legs. The KX is a good fit for guys with long legs, adjustable pegs. As the video posted previously, people get confused with height, leg, arm length when it comes to dirt bikes.
I’ve dropped the pegs on 3 of my bikes. KX being the easiest, adjustable from the factory. I bought CNC brackets for my Honda. On my Beta I used drop pegs. I have guts tall seat foam on all three.
Not sure I’d buy a 450. 450’s are for the real fast guys and will wear ya out. 250’s is best for us mere mortals. I have no business with a 450 but I got one.
My Honda and Beta with dropped pegs is just as comfortable as my KX. The KX is the most customizable with foot peg positions and a KX is solid ride, 250 or 450.
I’ve been on KX450s since 2013 and have never had a major failure of any kind. Reliability is fine.
I had a 2019 that I raced for years with no issues, and now I’m on a 2024 I’ve been racing for 2 years with no issues. In fact, the last bike I had that gave me any problems was my 2017 Honda that would short circuit the kill switch unless I rubber banded a plastic bag over the handlebar when I washed it. I’m not aware of any reliability concerns with the Kawasaki 450s, so…🤷🏻♂️
I'm 6'2" and my recent bikes were the outgoing gen YZ 450 and current gen KX 450. With both, I've felt comfortable with the ergos, never crowded. The KX is more vet friendly and more fun for playing around. They also have wicked incentives for leftovers.
I'm 6'4" and the beta 450rx is the best fitting bike I've had.
I have a Beta 450. It feels a bit taller than everything else. (I'm 5'11'' and had to go with lower bars) Really like the bike.
Another vote for the kx450. I’m 6’2” and fit comfortably. Also no reliability issues so far knock on wood
KX with pegs in lowered position is comfortable for 6ft+. Now have a KTM and for under $200 I bought a 20mm taller seat from KTM and its just as comfortable as the KX.
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