Deciding what bike to get

aussie_108
Edited Date/Time 11/26/2020 9:58pm
So I have been given the go ahead from the Mrs to get a 2021 model bike. Thing is I can't decide between the KTM 450sxf or the Yamaha yz450f.
I like the way the steel frame feels and turns, but hate the forks on the KTM. I love the kyb SSS on the Yamaha and reliability of their bikes.

So anyone who has a 2021 model of either bike can you give me some real world feedback please. Are the KTM forks still as bad as the old 4cs?
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Factor E
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Factor E 11/26/2020 8:52pm
11/26/2020 8:52pm
Your better off thinking of cost and parts availability
JohnMatrix
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JohnMatrix 11/26/2020 8:52pm
11/26/2020 8:52pm
aussie_108 wrote:
So I have been given the go ahead from the Mrs to get a 2021 model bike. Thing is I can't decide between the KTM 450sxf...
So I have been given the go ahead from the Mrs to get a 2021 model bike. Thing is I can't decide between the KTM 450sxf or the Yamaha yz450f.
I like the way the steel frame feels and turns, but hate the forks on the KTM. I love the kyb SSS on the Yamaha and reliability of their bikes.

So anyone who has a 2021 model of either bike can you give me some real world feedback please. Are the KTM forks still as bad as the old 4cs?
God no, the 2021 AER forks are actually pretty darn good. They feel a lot better than the previous year model AER forks, which at their worst are better than 4cs. KTM reliability in general is outstanding as far as longevity of engine components. You can't go wrong with either bike. I'd pick whichever feels right to you. Each has a slight edge on the other in different categories, but both are killer bikes.
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aussie_108 11/26/2020 8:55pm
11/26/2020 8:55pm
Factor E wrote:
Your better off thinking of cost and parts availability
Have both dealerships within 20mins of my house.
In Australia either way we seem to pay top dollar for everything.
aussie_108 11/26/2020 8:57pm
11/26/2020 8:57pm
aussie_108 wrote:
So I have been given the go ahead from the Mrs to get a 2021 model bike. Thing is I can't decide between the KTM 450sxf...
So I have been given the go ahead from the Mrs to get a 2021 model bike. Thing is I can't decide between the KTM 450sxf or the Yamaha yz450f.
I like the way the steel frame feels and turns, but hate the forks on the KTM. I love the kyb SSS on the Yamaha and reliability of their bikes.

So anyone who has a 2021 model of either bike can you give me some real world feedback please. Are the KTM forks still as bad as the old 4cs?
JohnMatrix wrote:
God no, the 2021 AER forks are actually pretty darn good. They feel a lot better than the previous year model AER forks, which at their...
God no, the 2021 AER forks are actually pretty darn good. They feel a lot better than the previous year model AER forks, which at their worst are better than 4cs. KTM reliability in general is outstanding as far as longevity of engine components. You can't go wrong with either bike. I'd pick whichever feels right to you. Each has a slight edge on the other in different categories, but both are killer bikes.
Good to know. My last bike was a Yamaha and I had work done to the suspension and it was the best feeling thing I had ever riden on.
Don't want to drop $13500 on a bike and hate the suspension.
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Brent
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Brent 11/26/2020 9:05pm
11/26/2020 9:05pm Edited Date/Time 11/26/2020 9:10pm
aussie_108 wrote:
So I have been given the go ahead from the Mrs to get a 2021 model bike. Thing is I can't decide between the KTM 450sxf...
So I have been given the go ahead from the Mrs to get a 2021 model bike. Thing is I can't decide between the KTM 450sxf or the Yamaha yz450f.
I like the way the steel frame feels and turns, but hate the forks on the KTM. I love the kyb SSS on the Yamaha and reliability of their bikes.

So anyone who has a 2021 model of either bike can you give me some real world feedback please. Are the KTM forks still as bad as the old 4cs?
I own the 2021 KTM 450 SXF

The stock Xact forks on the 2021 are significantly better the forks on my 2018 KTM 350SXF, and I spent over 2K on those forks to get them better.

KTM finally added a mid valve to the 2021 fork that I had to pay to get installed on the 2018 bike.

If you do go with the 2021 KTM, go to 10.9 bar on the air pressure and 15 out on compression, 12 out on rebound, it is much better than the recommended setting.

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Brent
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Brent 11/26/2020 9:06pm
11/26/2020 9:06pm

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aussie_108 11/26/2020 9:11pm
11/26/2020 9:11pm Edited Date/Time 11/26/2020 9:14pm
aussie_108 wrote:
So I have been given the go ahead from the Mrs to get a 2021 model bike. Thing is I can't decide between the KTM 450sxf...
So I have been given the go ahead from the Mrs to get a 2021 model bike. Thing is I can't decide between the KTM 450sxf or the Yamaha yz450f.
I like the way the steel frame feels and turns, but hate the forks on the KTM. I love the kyb SSS on the Yamaha and reliability of their bikes.

So anyone who has a 2021 model of either bike can you give me some real world feedback please. Are the KTM forks still as bad as the old 4cs?
Brent wrote:
I own the 2021 KTM 450 SXF The stock Xact forks on the 2021 are significantly better the forks on my 2018 KTM 350SXF, and I...
I own the 2021 KTM 450 SXF

The stock Xact forks on the 2021 are significantly better the forks on my 2018 KTM 350SXF, and I spent over 2K on those forks to get them better.

KTM finally added a mid valve to the 2021 fork that I had to pay to get installed on the 2018 bike.

If you do go with the 2021 KTM, go to 10.9 bar on the air pressure and 15 out on compression, 12 out on rebound, it is much better than the recommended setting.

Cheers, I am really wanting to go the KTM, just air forks have always had a weird feeling for me. If I could get a KTM with kyb SSS I would be a happy camper hahaha, but to do the conversion isnt in the budget along with the bike.
Moto520
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Moto520 11/26/2020 9:25pm
11/26/2020 9:25pm
I personally would go with the Yamaha. Ktm is great but the biggest draw is the weight of the bike. Add spring forks and decent wheels and the advantage starts to go away. Yamaha stays tight for a longer period of time. If you are racing really tight/ stadium tracks....go with the KTM.
aussie_108 11/26/2020 9:34pm
11/26/2020 9:34pm
Moto520 wrote:
I personally would go with the Yamaha. Ktm is great but the biggest draw is the weight of the bike. Add spring forks and decent wheels...
I personally would go with the Yamaha. Ktm is great but the biggest draw is the weight of the bike. Add spring forks and decent wheels and the advantage starts to go away. Yamaha stays tight for a longer period of time. If you are racing really tight/ stadium tracks....go with the KTM.
It's a hard decision!
mxracerjohn250 11/26/2020 9:40pm
11/26/2020 9:40pm
Yamaha all the way. It is a phenomenal all around bike for vets. The app for getting the mapping to your liking, great suspension and they stay tight for a long time. Reliability can not be beat.
Ryan625
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Ryan625 11/26/2020 9:58pm
11/26/2020 9:58pm
I put my husky up for sale and had a Yamaha within a week of riding a 2021 demo. I had about 1500 into my suspension and never meshed with it once a track got rough.

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