14 ktm350 vs 16 crf450

jonboy688
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2/17/2017 3:27pm
Debating between these two bikes. Close to the same price and shape and hours. Which and why would be the better choice.
Background coming off 2 strokes and just getting back into the game and always wanted a 4 stroke.
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2/17/2017 4:02pm
A lot of guys with 350s love them. There are a lot of topics around here about them. I'm saving up for one currently.

I raced 450s when I was younger and the most recent time I rode one was an 07 yz450 was just in a field in a straight line and I decided that it was way too fast for me.
JWACK
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2/17/2017 4:04pm
If your a rever buy the 350. If your not the 450 would be better.
I have a 16 350. To me you have to ride it harder than a 250 smoker to do a lot of things. For example jumps from the inside line out if a corner are harder on the 350. . A 450 not so much.
loftyair
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riverside, CA US
2/17/2017 4:51pm
Whats your size, weight, height, and riding skill and preference?
jonboy688
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2/17/2017 5:23pm
loftyair wrote:
Whats your size, weight, height, and riding skill and preference?
6ft 190ish
Prob mid pack c class
Mx with just going to practice days. Maybe a race or two in the future

The Shop

JWACK
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2/17/2017 5:31pm
I'm short 5 foot 7. 155 pounds, upper A class locally .. Over 30 vet. Moto race and practice and some home brew desert Moto. Not really a desert racer. To far from an ambulance for me. I had high expectations for the 350 after thinking about it for a year. It's a real good bike but not an exceptional one. To use it to its potential you have to really rev it till it stops at the limit. It does handle well. It carves a nice corner standing sitting on the gas, off the gas. This is a plus.
EastFlorida
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Merritt Island, FL US
2/17/2017 6:02pm
Big difference before 16 and after. The 16 chassis is sooooo good. I came off a 300 XC and love the 350... I'm not so sure if I'd feel that way with anything prior to 16. New engine and chassis is so good.
loftyair
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2/17/2017 6:28pm
loftyair wrote:
Whats your size, weight, height, and riding skill and preference?
jonboy688 wrote:
6ft 190ish
Prob mid pack c class
Mx with just going to practice days. Maybe a race or two in the future
I would suggest the cr for you.
mxdevon
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Coeur D'Alene, ID US
2/17/2017 7:38pm
If they are the same money, or similar definitely get the crf!! Like it's not even a question. I agree with JWACK, I also had a 16 fc350, it was a great bike but a let down when compared to how good I thought it would be. All would say that that is a major step above a 14 350. Point is I would gladly take a 16 Honda over it, which is the 350 of 450s anyway.

Both need suspension attention, but I'm sure you could find a setting on the Honda that you could be happy with.....maybe not with the ktm. Take it for what it's worth.
Monk
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2/17/2017 8:26pm
Not that the 14 350s were bad, it's just the Hondas were better... Same weight and a bit more torque out of the 450 would make it a pretty easy choice. The Hondas weren't a beast either, quite a nice powerband...
CarlinoJoeVideo
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2/17/2017 10:42pm
The 14 350 is deffinitly not as good as the 16+. With that in mind, the Honda might be easier for you to ride. Also Honda has better suspension than the 14 350.
jonboy688
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2/18/2017 5:36am
Thanks everyone. Will go check out the 16 Honda first. There is only 800 bucks difference between the two bikes.
2/18/2017 7:19am
I have a 16 Honda 450 and they really are a great bike, you can switch lines up in the corners no bother and they're still stable on the straights. I had a 13 sxf 250 a few years ago and couldn't get it to turn. CRF gets my vote over the SXF any day.
BobPA
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2/18/2017 7:21am
JWACK wrote:
If your a rever buy the 350. If your not the 450 would be better. I have a 16 350. To me you have to ride...
If your a rever buy the 350. If your not the 450 would be better.
I have a 16 350. To me you have to ride it harder than a 250 smoker to do a lot of things. For example jumps from the inside line out if a corner are harder on the 350. . A 450 not so much.
I disagree with all of this.
JWACK
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2/18/2017 8:36am
JWACK wrote:
If your a rever buy the 350. If your not the 450 would be better. I have a 16 350. To me you have to ride...
If your a rever buy the 350. If your not the 450 would be better.
I have a 16 350. To me you have to ride it harder than a 250 smoker to do a lot of things. For example jumps from the inside line out if a corner are harder on the 350. . A 450 not so much.
BobPA wrote:
I disagree with all of this.
Hence the "To Me". Could you elaborate on why you disagree ? Does a 350 have a better bottom to mid pickup than a 250 smoker.? Or the snap between a short slow jump leading to a big one with little run? No way. This is why it's harder "for me" to do some of the things that my 2stroke does without effort. The 350 has more rpm's to work with but it takes twice as long to get there. I'm not hating on the 350, I like it. It's just a super duper fun like a good running 250f. But if your not going to rev it your better off on a 2stoke 250 or a 450.
Monk
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2/18/2017 8:39am
JWACK wrote:
If your a rever buy the 350. If your not the 450 would be better. I have a 16 350. To me you have to ride...
If your a rever buy the 350. If your not the 450 would be better.
I have a 16 350. To me you have to ride it harder than a 250 smoker to do a lot of things. For example jumps from the inside line out if a corner are harder on the 350. . A 450 not so much.
BobPA wrote:
I disagree with all of this.
JWACK wrote:
Hence the "To Me". Could you elaborate on why you disagree ? Does a 350 have a better bottom to mid pickup than a 250 smoker...
Hence the "To Me". Could you elaborate on why you disagree ? Does a 350 have a better bottom to mid pickup than a 250 smoker.? Or the snap between a short slow jump leading to a big one with little run? No way. This is why it's harder "for me" to do some of the things that my 2stroke does without effort. The 350 has more rpm's to work with but it takes twice as long to get there. I'm not hating on the 350, I like it. It's just a super duper fun like a good running 250f. But if your not going to rev it your better off on a 2stoke 250 or a 450.
I somewhat agree with your opinion on the 350. I find it a difficult bike to ride...
jonboy688
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China Grove, NC US
3/6/2017 7:39am
update

ended up getting the ktm for a killer price, made the decision much easier with the deal I got
never rode a 450 so I am not sure what I am missing, but I love this bike, took it for the first ride yesterday at a hard pacled track and man it did so well, came out of the corners with little to no wheel spin, power was great, suspension was fine for everything but hard landings. electric start was awesome, overall I am extremely happy with the choice
Panic_Rev
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Fayetteville, AR US
3/6/2017 8:48am
jonboy688 wrote:
update ended up getting the ktm for a killer price, made the decision much easier with the deal I got never rode a 450 so I...
update

ended up getting the ktm for a killer price, made the decision much easier with the deal I got
never rode a 450 so I am not sure what I am missing, but I love this bike, took it for the first ride yesterday at a hard pacled track and man it did so well, came out of the corners with little to no wheel spin, power was great, suspension was fine for everything but hard landings. electric start was awesome, overall I am extremely happy with the choice
little to no wheel spin... that's because you were going to slow! Jk Congrats on the 350! I have one as well and love it.
jonboy688
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China Grove, NC US
3/6/2017 8:54am
jonboy688 wrote:
update ended up getting the ktm for a killer price, made the decision much easier with the deal I got never rode a 450 so I...
update

ended up getting the ktm for a killer price, made the decision much easier with the deal I got
never rode a 450 so I am not sure what I am missing, but I love this bike, took it for the first ride yesterday at a hard pacled track and man it did so well, came out of the corners with little to no wheel spin, power was great, suspension was fine for everything but hard landings. electric start was awesome, overall I am extremely happy with the choice
Panic_Rev wrote:
little to no wheel spin... that's because you were going to slow! Jk Congrats on the 350! I have one as well and love it.
I deft wasn't going fast enough!!!! had a blast and sore as crap today

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