Which 450 would be best?

Thumper
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3/23/2016 1:40am Edited Date/Time 3/27/2016 1:12pm
I was originally thinking an sxf350 but my buddies grilled me saying I would just want to upgrade in a year or two just like I'm doing right now. I started riding last year, I bought a crf230f and it's been fun getting used to riding but I dwarf the bike. I'm 6'1" 180 lbs and I need something I can stand up on comfortably, has enough balls to climb hills and sand pits but still be maneuverable and agile enough to rip the trails and tight corners with. Honestly at first the 450's were intimidating and still are a bit but I think I could grow into it skill wise. What are your thoughts? I like HONDA, KTM and KAWASAKI.
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Motofinne
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3/23/2016 1:43am
Are you going to buy a brand new bike or a good used one? I can recommend the KTM 450 2016. The best bike that i have ever been on!
Thumper
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3/23/2016 1:47am
I am thinking brand new. You're talking about the sxf450 not the enduro xcf450 right?
Motofinne
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3/23/2016 1:51am
The SXF yes. I have the SXF Factory Edition. 8,2h on the hour meter and i could not be more happy with the bike!
Thumper
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3/23/2016 2:10am
That's awesome! KTM is quite a bit more expensive than Honda and Kawasaki, are the KTMs really all that much better and for a rider such as myself who isn't going to be racing or hitting too big of jumps is it worth it too pay the extra? Or will I have just as good of a time and have the same quality and reliability on a Honda or kawi?

The Shop

VET176
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3/23/2016 2:15am
You just explained a 250 2 stroke. Go buy one and roost your mates. Cool
Thumper
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3/23/2016 2:25am
Ok that's cool but I've never ridden a 2 stroke. Would it be good in tight wooded trails?
Mr.Sweden
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3/23/2016 3:08am
I would say a 250 2 stroke will beat any 4 stroke in the woods. I ride a kx450 and its a grat bike on the track and to climb hills with but i hate it in the woods. I find my kx450 to heavy in the woods and i stall it all the time so if you are going to ride in sand pits, hills and Tight woods a 250 2 stoke will do fine but if you are going to a track the 450 is a good choice
NHtoWA421
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3/23/2016 3:12am
i dont mean this as a slam by any stretch of the imagination, but at the ability level that you describe i dont think you are going to notice much of a difference between the brands at all. Im going to suggest the same advice i give my friends who are looking to get into the sport. Buy whatever bike, new or used that you feel is the best deal.

used bike with low hours that doesnt look beat, anew, leftover bike that the dealer may cut you a deal on, or a bike with a significant manufacturer rebate. are all good options.

I have ridden all of the 2015 450s at this point and dont have a gripe with any of them.
Superdave19
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3/23/2016 3:38am
If you're primarily doing woods stuff, or non mx-track riding, a 450 is the last choice I'd suggest. The bike you have now is a pussycat- (no offense), but if you've never ridden a 250 two stroke, or a KTM 350, they'll feel like you're ridding a missle in comparison to the CRF230-
3/23/2016 4:41am
Get a yz250f from 13-15.

Imo a slightly used bike for 4-5 grand would be a much better choice than brand new.
Highsider
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3/23/2016 5:19am
Get a yz250f from 13-15.

Imo a slightly used bike for 4-5 grand would be a much better choice than brand new.
Agreed ^^
IWreckALot
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3/23/2016 5:46am
Get a yz250f from 13-15.

Imo a slightly used bike for 4-5 grand would be a much better choice than brand new.
Highsider wrote:
Agreed ^^
I've got the 13 Yz250. . . Damn good bike.
TeamGreen
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3/23/2016 8:12am
2017 Husky FE350
WVUpetro2013
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3/23/2016 10:48am
250sx or yz250. IMO a 450 is whole lot of bike for relatively inexperienced trail rider. Especially the moto version compared to an xcf. A 250 (four or two stroke) would be much more enjoyable and less daunting. Just my .02
jeffro503
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3/23/2016 10:55am
coolhand wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/03/23/129020/s1200_cursom_kx_4502.jpg[/img]


What in the holy hell is that abomination?
Thumper
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3/23/2016 11:19am
Awesome your guys' feedback has helped immensely. I'm changing my game plan and going to check out some 250 2strokes.
Would a 250 4stroke even come close to the power a 250 2stroke has? Wvupetro2013 said either would be fun. I feel like the 250 4stroke is barely bigger than my bike I have already. I want something that I won't have to take another step up from in a year or two.
51xc
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3/23/2016 11:21am
Get a yz250f from 13-15.

Imo a slightly used bike for 4-5 grand would be a much better choice than brand new.
Highsider wrote:
Agreed ^^
IWreckALot wrote:
I've got the 13 Yz250. . . Damn good bike.
drop 10lbs and get yourself a yz250f from '13 or newer. (unless you go faster than herlings who is about your size, than do whatever you want Grinning )
Thumper
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3/23/2016 11:31am
Drop 10 pounds? I'm already skinny af, man. No can do. My last submission remains unanswered
kiwifan
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3/23/2016 11:38am
I could play favouritism and say buy a 2016 KXF450F they rock...but look for the best deal from your local dealers, dealer support is much more important that the bikes themselves (at a certain point in riding ability), a rider at your level will not be able to differentiate over which bike is better anyway.
kiwifan
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3/23/2016 11:41am
Thumper wrote:
Awesome your guys' feedback has helped immensely. I'm changing my game plan and going to check out some 250 2strokes. Would a 250 4stroke even come...
Awesome your guys' feedback has helped immensely. I'm changing my game plan and going to check out some 250 2strokes.
Would a 250 4stroke even come close to the power a 250 2stroke has? Wvupetro2013 said either would be fun. I feel like the 250 4stroke is barely bigger than my bike I have already. I want something that I won't have to take another step up from in a year or two.
here is the thing, 2 strokes are fun but also 2 strokes and (in most cases) harder to ride fast than 4 strokes....dont get me wrong I love 2 strokes and even own one, but I go faster on a 4 stroke (mind you mine is seriously modded)
Zaugg
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3/23/2016 11:50am
Might I suggest a '16 450 XC-F. It's almost as light as the SXF and yet it has the 18" rear for trail and the all important larger tank and kickstand. Smile It's only a little heavier than the SXF but I think it's still lighter than the other 450's. It's gonna have all the handling qualities you want plus with the slightly-wider-than-the-SXF gear ratio, so you can open it up.

A buddy of mine has one and he loves it. Rides offroad and track and he says its super fun. Might be something to consider.
Thumper
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3/23/2016 11:52am Edited Date/Time 3/23/2016 11:56am
Why are 2strokes harder to ride fast?
3/23/2016 12:02pm
Two strokes take skill and are fun but a 250 4stroke can do way more than a 125 can. Newer 250f's have power similar to a weak 450 from ten years ago.

A yz 250 would be a great bike as well but I'm still more of a 4 stroke guy, low end torque is nice to have.

I got a 450 and it's just over kill on everything. Id love to trade to for a 250f but my wife would kill me.
RCC104
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3/23/2016 12:03pm
Thumper wrote:
Awesome your guys' feedback has helped immensely. I'm changing my game plan and going to check out some 250 2strokes. Would a 250 4stroke even come...
Awesome your guys' feedback has helped immensely. I'm changing my game plan and going to check out some 250 2strokes.
Would a 250 4stroke even come close to the power a 250 2stroke has? Wvupetro2013 said either would be fun. I feel like the 250 4stroke is barely bigger than my bike I have already. I want something that I won't have to take another step up from in a year or two.
The difference between your CRF230 and full blown 250F 4-stroke MXer will be HUGE. Even though the displacement may seem similar, they are totally different machines with different purposes. For comparison, your 230 is probably pumping out about 16HP... a lot of the 250Fs are up around 40HP.

My family had a CRF230 we all shared. My wife loved to ride that, so I eventually stuck her on the 250F I had at the time.... scared the crap out of her. Hasn't been on a bike since haha.

WVUpetro2013
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3/23/2016 12:09pm
Thumper wrote:
Awesome your guys' feedback has helped immensely. I'm changing my game plan and going to check out some 250 2strokes. Would a 250 4stroke even come...
Awesome your guys' feedback has helped immensely. I'm changing my game plan and going to check out some 250 2strokes.
Would a 250 4stroke even come close to the power a 250 2stroke has? Wvupetro2013 said either would be fun. I feel like the 250 4stroke is barely bigger than my bike I have already. I want something that I won't have to take another step up from in a year or two.
yes the cc size is similar between your 230 and a 250 four stroke, but that is about where the simialritys end. A mx 250f or ktm 250xcf are liquid cooled high performance engines. They would be much more comparable to a 250 2-stroke than a crf230. I consider myself a B rider in woods racing and would have plenty of power on a stock 250f. I have a 250 2 stroke just for the enjoyment of it though. Both are get options.

Also another thing to consider is the chassis. You may not be aware, but most 250f would share a similar chassis of their 450f counterpart. So seat height and general ergonomics would be similar. I would highly doubt you would find a need to switch in a few years. If any of your buddies have any full size mx bikes, I would try them before making the purchase. It would likely pay dividends in your decision.
resetjet
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3/23/2016 12:29pm
450 is a nightmare in tight trails. Its the low end thats the problem. Newer ktm or yamaha 250f
Thumper
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3/23/2016 12:37pm
resetjet wrote:
450 is a nightmare in tight trails. Its the low end thats the problem. Newer ktm or yamaha 250f
Would a newer 250f keep up with my buddy's brand new KTM 200 2stroke? He's about the same size and skill lvl I am.

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