Which 450?

I would get anything before a YZF. The CRF will need some motor work but you have a good handling bike. It's easy to get more HP.

edit: nevermind..just saw you are from aus..

Love my 2013 CRF450. Its plenty fast out the box. Any weekend warrior who says the power is weak, must not be doing it right.

Testing a nicely suspended '13-'14 yesterday & getting to compare it to Nakira's Full Factory bike made me REALLY appreciate this bike. Also. Take a REALLY GOOD LOOK at aTLD 450...that's an In-House built stock-based/off the shelf/after-market version that you can build...& it has NO PROBLEM running with the Factory Bikes (Same goes for their Lites Program, too!)

Chassis: "Front to Back" Chassis set-up is critical on the Honda. It's designed to stay higher in the "stroke" like an SX set-up. Rear sag is über critical, too. If you hate Air Forks...get a nice used A-Kit. On stk forks: get a good pump, a kit that allows you to get to the valves easier & run air towards the Stiffer end of the spectrum and keep your rear sag set a little higher than you might expect: we run 106 MAX...AND 100 isn't un-heard off.

Engine: it's a Cummins Turbo Diesel. All the REAL power is down low compared to most other motors. It really likes more compression, hotter cams, GOOD Fuel, needs a better Map & better rear-exhaust (the header ain't all that bad!). The Clutch needs some help, too: we run the full Hinson (We add the basket when the stocker starts to show some wear). As for it being slow? Seriously, go ride it correctly & get back to me. It needs to be ridden like RVs Kawi...TORQUE...NOT SIMPLE HP...let it Puuuuuullllllll. Btw, the Magura Hydro-Clutch kit may very well be BETTER than the HRC kit. Been there, done that.

Keep Good Clean Oil in it...you can leave the filter in there for THREE Oil Changes! Don't forget to be good the trans oil, too.

This bike responds really well to a smart & simple Weight Reduction program....go after unsuspended weight @ the frt & rear of the bike...maybe some lighter big chassis fasteners and your good. 6-8 pounds goes a looooong way on this bikes "feel". I've been focusing on wheels, too...heavy wheels are a HUGE MISTAKE; also, Galfer has a 270mm Light-Weight frt rotor that is simply THE BEST. Same goes their rear rotors: lighter & better. I'm working w/ RAD Mfg on the wheels...really good hubs and we're working on lighter-yet-stronger spokes. We've tested the hell out of ther stuff...from Baja to Freestyle. It works & it's actually AFFORDABLE.

So, yes, I'm digging the Honda. Probably the "most affordable" 450 in the long run. I'm going to build a '14 for myself & I haven't had the desire to build a new 450 since my '08 KX-F...yes, my '06-'08 mutant bike is/was THAT GOOD! ( 4 speed w/ more Torque than you'd believe...ignition/cams/head for SX that simply works)

If you have a chance to ride each, do that first and then decide.

2014 ktm 450, best mx bike made...

Guys who ride the Suzuki will tell you to get the Suzuki.

Guys who ride the KTM will tell you to get the KTM.

Guys who ride the Kawasaki will tell you to get the Kawasaki.

Guys who ride the Honda will tell you to get the Honda.

Guys who ride the Yamaha probably will sit this one out.

Good luck!

^^this ,honestly there is no right or wrong answer these days

A little off topic, but does anyone know if the front wheels from the 09-12 crf fit on the 2013. I know the rear wheel changed.

Yes

pick a color and go, i would personally pick green or red.

If you are a clubman/intermmediate and can get a good deal on a honda then go for it, yes the Honda does not produce at much HP as a Kawasaki/KTM, etc bu at your level you would not miss that HP, if anything the Hondas powerband will suit you better. Unlike others in this thread I doubt you will need to hop it up to get more HP, if it has been mapped weell with decent pipes thats all you need.

I doubt you will have many problems associated with reliability with the Honda, they have a very good rep.

Without being able to test ride the bikes, it makes it more of a pick your color. Good info Team Green.
I've always favored red and green, but right now yellow and orange would be very interesting to ride.

Get the Honda, throw the dual exhaust into the dumpster, set sag, go.

There all decent now days, go for best price or financing, i picked up a kawi last week, 36 months, 0% interest

What this guy said,

They are all good solid bikes, just buy one ride it and enjoy the smile that it puts on your face, at Clubman, intermediate pace it is more about the rider than the bike!

All the bikes are EFI so getting the power to suit your style can be adjusted if needed, no one sticks with stock suspension, your local suspension guy can get you sorted out there, stick the bars, grips, and pegs that feel best for you and go ride.

I had the chance to ride a '13 CRF yesterday and was very impressed. It wasnt set up for me but I could tell if it was it would be a great bike. Not sure why everyone was saying it is down on power. I have a '11 RMZ 450 that has motor work, Yosh and it didnt feel too down on power compared to that. The motor felt very electric. It is night and day better than the '12 CRF that I had and I did everything possible to get comfortable on that before selling it.