Posts
132
Joined
12/8/2020
Location
Trinity, NC, USA
Edited Date/Time
12/30/2020 4:23am
First off, Merry Christmas to everyone! I hope you had a blessed day.
I have a deposit on a Factory Edition that’s due in at the beginning of the year. I also have the opportunity to snag a Works Edition right now. I’ve been a Honda guy most of my life, but this is a tough decision.
Which would you choose? It seems to me you get more from KTM. Factory Triple Clamps and Factory Hubs. You just get the same triple clamp on the Honda painted black. But, I feel the Honda has better suspension as I don’t know a lot about the WP Air Forks.
KTM Factory Edition 11,299.00
Honda Works Edition 12,380.00
I have a deposit on a Factory Edition that’s due in at the beginning of the year. I also have the opportunity to snag a Works Edition right now. I’ve been a Honda guy most of my life, but this is a tough decision.
Which would you choose? It seems to me you get more from KTM. Factory Triple Clamps and Factory Hubs. You just get the same triple clamp on the Honda painted black. But, I feel the Honda has better suspension as I don’t know a lot about the WP Air Forks.
KTM Factory Edition 11,299.00
Honda Works Edition 12,380.00
Just my opinion
I test rode an FE in 17 1/2 after reading in the mags & social media about how they were the cats meow. After riding one I walked away wondering what the rave was all about. I actually felt a 2010 CRF450r with mods was a better bike that I was looking to upgrade. That being said I purchased an 18 CRF450r model late in 17. I now own a 20 WE & looking to upgrade to a 22 WE when they come out. The WE model is an exceptional bike so I'm expecting the 22 WE to have some refinements.
My suggestion would be to ride an FE as there is more to a bike than those orange shiny clamps (bling).. Personally I didn't gel with the Euro bike & the WP air forks..
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Ok check. Merry Christmas
Billet clamps and billet hubs are rigid and detract from the ride quality imo, I've had billet clamps on a few bikes and hated them! Ridden bikes with billet hubs and got the same rigid feel. Cast is tf he best feel, again, in my opinion and seemingly most who tested the GasGas bikes.
Looks vs performance and comfort would have me choosing performance & comfort 100 to 1. Dont get me wrong, that FE "bling" sure is pretty but it doesnt always make the bike better.
I'm not trashing the OP's interest in the FE, it's just that you're not getting a new half year model bike anymore, it's more or less parts added on mostly for aesthetic.
The honda we does have better suspension without a doubt, a FULL yosh system custom tailored to the ported head wheras the KTM gives a slip on with the same or slightly different suspension.
The KTM is much lighter and I personally love steel framed bikes although the Honda is said to be more compliant but not as compliant as the Kawi which isnt as compliant as the KTM.
This would be a tough choice for me if I were in your spot, I cant think of one glaring thing that would persuade me in either direction if I were in this predicament. The Honda is all new and will be the same for 3-4 years and I feel like the KTM has a redesign coming much sooner based on model life cycles.
Merry Christmas..
Better build quality, better added parts, a fantastic motor that is very reliable and a billet clutch basket.
If I fit better on either bike, I’d ditch my kxf and get a 450sxf without a second thought.
The Honda is a good bike too. I am still mending my wounds from my 2009 Honda. Not going Red for a another 10 years. Plus the Red Devil has a long casualty list of Pro Riders...for fun, think about the list going back 10 years.
They are unreal. The power is so usable. They are a joy to ride.
That said, I rode a 21 CRF450 and thought it was good. Did nothing amazing and nothing bad. And was definitely not dangerous like some mention.
And ps. Someone in this thread has stated the 09 CRF450 was one of the best bikes Honda built 🤣
Pit Row
Don’t get mad you shit talked me, while I was defending your favorite brand lol only one of us is sensitive it appears.
Back to my answer
I guess you have not ridden many Kawasaki's.
I'd buy the KTM and ride it -without- amy after-market fork mods; because, the new fork is THAT GOOD.
Best of Luck.
so far there are 3 people that don’t think my FE is the best motorcycle I have ever ridden?
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