Long term reliability of modern four strokes

jbonemalone
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jbonemalone
Edited Date/Time 5/29/2019 11:53am
So everyone loves their shiny new bike and rightfully so.
My question is how are your modern bikes holding up 100, 200, 300 hrs later.
I’m getting off my 15’ 250xc and might be making the move to a 450 undecided on brand as of yet.
Anyone have a red flag I should be aware of.
And things like how the plastics hold up after a year or how hard it is to clean the hubs and cases of dirt stains matter to someone like me.
I’m a mid 30’s vet Xc and MX racer with many many weekends playing on fast sandy trails.
Any input is welcomed.
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swtwtwtw
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swtwtwtw 6/10/2018 3:24pm
6/10/2018 3:24pm
Hundreds of hours with simple oil changes and air filter cleanings. Add a fuel sock for clean gas too.
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resetjet
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resetjet 6/10/2018 3:28pm
6/10/2018 3:28pm
450's last forever. 250's not so much if you are often on the rev limiter.
jbonemalone
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jbonemalone 6/10/2018 3:31pm
6/10/2018 3:31pm
I’m gonna be honest. I’m getting older and lazier. I have a 15’250xc and a 09’ yz250f and I’m not in the mood to rev anything anymore.
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BR8ES
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BR8ES 6/10/2018 5:23pm
6/10/2018 5:23pm
^^^ Do we have to get off your lawn too haha... 450s can cope with beau coup hours and minimal maintenance.

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bowser977
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bowser977 6/10/2018 6:25pm
6/10/2018 6:25pm
I've had a 450 with 140+ hours on it with just simple oil and filter changes
mingham97
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mingham97 6/14/2018 5:16am
6/14/2018 5:16am
2013 kx250f going in for its second top end and set of valves now at about 80 hours
Andy_Greenney 6/14/2018 5:41am
6/14/2018 5:41am
Far more reliable than any of the 2 strokes I’ve had. Regular oil and filter changes a 450 will last forever, 250f you’ll want to keep up on crank/rod hours.
fourfourone
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fourfourone 6/14/2018 5:59am
6/14/2018 5:59am
true story, my buddy has a 13 rmz with 430 hours. motors never been opened up
kb228
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kb228 6/14/2018 6:11am
6/14/2018 6:11am
My 09 kx450 has 150 hours on it at least. Bottom end is still original and its still good. Ive done a couple top ends since ive owned it and replaced the head/valves once. Still runs strong
Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp 6/14/2018 7:13am
6/14/2018 7:13am
And yet there are many thinking the sport needs to go with smaller engines. Brilliant.
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Ted722
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Ted722 6/14/2018 7:34am
6/14/2018 7:34am
Johnny Depp wrote:
And yet there are many thinking the sport needs to go with smaller engines. Brilliant.
If you're defining the sport as Supercross, then yes.
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Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp 6/14/2018 7:47am
6/14/2018 7:47am
Johnny Depp wrote:
And yet there are many thinking the sport needs to go with smaller engines. Brilliant.
Ted722 wrote:
If you're defining the sport as Supercross, then yes.
There is no need to have engines with a short fuse if you want to slow down racing. Restrictors.
Andy_Greenney 6/14/2018 7:48am
6/14/2018 7:48am
Johnny Depp wrote:
There is no need to have engines with a short fuse if you want to slow down racing. Restrictors.
Like a decent muffler....two birds one stone.
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kb228
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kb228 6/14/2018 8:06am
6/14/2018 8:06am
Johnny Depp wrote:
And yet there are many thinking the sport needs to go with smaller engines. Brilliant.
Or a big motor that makes no power like harley does
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CarlinoJoeVideo
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CarlinoJoeVideo 6/14/2018 8:17am
6/14/2018 8:17am
I’ve heard amazing stories of 200+ on KTM 450s. 200 on 350s and 150 on 250s. Top and bottom end.
Solidkm
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Solidkm 6/14/2018 8:34am
6/14/2018 8:34am
I know of multiple 16+ ktm 350s over 300 hours never being opened up. That’s impressive to me for any bike.
Ted722
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Ted722 6/14/2018 8:38am
6/14/2018 8:38am
Johnny Depp wrote:
And yet there are many thinking the sport needs to go with smaller engines. Brilliant.
Ted722 wrote:
If you're defining the sport as Supercross, then yes.
Johnny Depp wrote:
There is no need to have engines with a short fuse if you want to slow down racing. Restrictors.
Don’t we both have the MX-R on top of our short list? Whistling

I’m with Hannah, that heavy cranked (rotating mass) boat anchor (450) doesn’t belong indoors. It’s more than just a restictor plate / power issue. But, my ultimate wish list is to get these young guys in the 250 class off the 5 year program sooner and into the premier class.
50dippin
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50dippin 6/14/2018 9:04am
6/14/2018 9:04am
my 09 yz450 has 130 hours, valves are still in spec, other than a couple spark plug changes nothing has been changed on the motor. Steering bearings been replaced 4 times, linkage bearings once, chain/sprockets multiple, exhaust header fractured, not sure from a rock or crash or what. It has been pretty reliable though, starts cold 1-3 kicks, hot 1-2.

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fourfourone
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fourfourone 6/14/2018 9:21am
6/14/2018 9:21am
Solidkm wrote:
I know of multiple 16+ ktm 350s over 300 hours never being opened up. That’s impressive to me for any bike.
just gotta watch out for the frame breaking Evil
miketherider 6/14/2018 9:22am
6/14/2018 9:22am
I know one person who races in Florida that has well over 350+ hours on KTM350s with nothing but oil changes and checking the valves. And he's no slouch in the woods. Granted, he isn't banging off the rev limiter, but the bigger bikes are about as reliable as you can get.
fourfourone
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fourfourone 6/14/2018 9:28am
6/14/2018 9:28am
just for conversation sake, how often to you 450 guys change your oil
Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp 6/14/2018 9:57am
6/14/2018 9:57am
Ted722 wrote:
If you're defining the sport as Supercross, then yes.
Johnny Depp wrote:
There is no need to have engines with a short fuse if you want to slow down racing. Restrictors.
Ted722 wrote:
Don’t we both have the MX-R on top of our short list? :whistle: I’m with Hannah, that heavy cranked (rotating mass) boat anchor (450) doesn’t belong...
Don’t we both have the MX-R on top of our short list? Whistling

I’m with Hannah, that heavy cranked (rotating mass) boat anchor (450) doesn’t belong indoors. It’s more than just a restictor plate / power issue. But, my ultimate wish list is to get these young guys in the 250 class off the 5 year program sooner and into the premier class.
Yep, don't even try to open that can of worms trying to "handicap" E-bikesSideways That would be about as futile as PED testing.

I understand the safety and moving younger riders up sooner issues that are somewhat related. IMO "handicapping" the bikes should not be for the best in the world. Let them and their teams decide what is the fastest way around the track. 450's and 250's and Alta's all run about the same speed anyway. Let them sort it out on the track and at the finish like. Bring back OPEN class. Thread derailed..

There are a few Beta's known on Thumpertalk over 400 hours. I wish I had that much time to rideCheerful
bultokid
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bultokid 6/14/2018 10:04am
6/14/2018 10:04am
The modern 450's are like our Mini-Trail 50's back in the day....run forever...change oil/clean filter every 2-3 rides for me and put her away wet :-)
Really want '18 TC250 as only race vintage and 2t are just fun to ride to me. Get my wood these days from railing the perfect berm, which is few and far between. Luke SkyWalker days are in the rear view mirror for me. Can run faster/longer on my RMZ450 beyond a shadow of a doubt compared to smoker but at 55 just want to have fun. Too many guys in my age group getting maimed/killed on 450's imo as these new 450's are fire breathing monsters and with EFI ain't no bs'ing when you twist it you better be ready as that mother can get away from you real quick
kb228
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kb228 6/14/2018 10:17am
6/14/2018 10:17am
fourfourone wrote:
just for conversation sake, how often to you 450 guys change your oil
Every 2-4 hours. Whenever its black
Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp 6/14/2018 10:26am
6/14/2018 10:26am
fourfourone wrote:
just for conversation sake, how often to you 450 guys change your oil
I target 10 hours with a new filter every other time. Beta 4t's are unusual since they have a separate oil compartment for the engine and the transmission which keeps the transmission and clutch trash from fouling the engine oil. It still comes out transparent and I use Esther based expensive stuff.
MX915
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MX915 6/14/2018 10:40am
6/14/2018 10:40am
fourfourone wrote:
just for conversation sake, how often to you 450 guys change your oil
Every 2-3 rides (3-5 hours). Filter every time.
briank3000
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briank3000 6/14/2018 11:10am
6/14/2018 11:10am
I had 215 hrs my 14 yz450. No issues whatsoever. Had the motor and trans gone thru just for good measure and piece of mind. 135hrs on it now and still runs flawless.
Evoracer
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Evoracer 6/14/2018 11:11am
6/14/2018 11:11am
And when they do finally let go...$$$$
BobPA
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BobPA 6/14/2018 11:11am
6/14/2018 11:11am
kb228 wrote:
My 09 kx450 has 150 hours on it at least. Bottom end is still original and its still good. Ive done a couple top ends since...
My 09 kx450 has 150 hours on it at least. Bottom end is still original and its still good. Ive done a couple top ends since ive owned it and replaced the head/valves once. Still runs strong
You claimed to do a piston every 10 hours...remember??
Stuntman949
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Stuntman949 6/14/2018 11:15am
6/14/2018 11:15am
Evoracer wrote:
And when they do finally let go...$$$$
They make it count. They make it hurt

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