Posts
105
Joined
9/16/2013
Location
Dietrich, ID
US
Edited Date/Time
2/19/2014 8:35pm
Im hoping to pick up a new bike this summer. I am dead set on a 450. I currently own a xr600 which is my everything bike, I desert it, I mess around on a very small mx track I made in the sage brush, but obviously it is way less than ideal for that with the stock suspension and I dont want to dump the coin into the suspension and still have a very old platform.
With that said, I wont be able to go over $5k and likely $4k will be the highest I can go. So likely '10 and older. Thats where Im not sure what to go with or look at mainly? My buddies have crf's 02, 05, both with regular maintenance have had lots of valve trouble. Other than that, great bikes. YZ, RMZ, KTM and KXF's are all nice but arent the older yz,rmz, and kxf's all 4 speeds? When did they go to 5?
Out of all of them after lets say 2006-2010, which is the least maintenance? Were any of them EFI before 2010?
I rode a 03? YZ450f for about a month that my buddy left in my garage, lol, and really liked it other than the 4 speed thing but it seemed a bit week compared to the crf's Ive ridden. Also what has the best stock suspension out of them? Most adjustable? I am very large (fat) but am losing weight but still will be very large after I lose weight. Need something that will be good until I can upgrade the suspension....Im sure anything is going to be HUGELY improved over my pig but I dont want something really really soft.
Sorry for wall. Thanks
With that said, I wont be able to go over $5k and likely $4k will be the highest I can go. So likely '10 and older. Thats where Im not sure what to go with or look at mainly? My buddies have crf's 02, 05, both with regular maintenance have had lots of valve trouble. Other than that, great bikes. YZ, RMZ, KTM and KXF's are all nice but arent the older yz,rmz, and kxf's all 4 speeds? When did they go to 5?
Out of all of them after lets say 2006-2010, which is the least maintenance? Were any of them EFI before 2010?
I rode a 03? YZ450f for about a month that my buddy left in my garage, lol, and really liked it other than the 4 speed thing but it seemed a bit week compared to the crf's Ive ridden. Also what has the best stock suspension out of them? Most adjustable? I am very large (fat) but am losing weight but still will be very large after I lose weight. Need something that will be good until I can upgrade the suspension....Im sure anything is going to be HUGELY improved over my pig but I dont want something really really soft.
Sorry for wall. Thanks
The RMZs turn very well in corners and mines a 2012 and I have to say it's fantastic in my opinion, but then again, I'm sure I'd like any bike I ride.
If you're fussy with what the bike feels like, ride one.
You can't go wrong with any brand, and contradictory to what the guy said above, FI is much simpler and easier. Yes, there are more electronics, but it's so much better than fiddling with a carb if it's not jetted right.
Again, I'm sure any brand is alright. Yamaha, Honda, Kawi, KTM, Suzuki, any of them will last if you aren't really racing it on the rev limiter 24/7.
It's more of the condition of the bike than the brand. Post some up from your local CL and we can judge them if you'd like.
When you find one that says fresh top end, is that a bad thing? Would it mean that the bottom end might not be far behind in needing a rebuild?
I'll post back up likely when I am 100% in the market and ready with cash to buy for some comparisons.
The Shop
The quality of the bike can usually be shown through the way the guy writes and describes it. If he takes time to write it, describes what's wrong with it, if anything, and the ad makes you feel depressed because you're buying a guy's favorite thing, then do it.
In the mountain west fuel injection can be very convenient. Not having to fiddle with jetting when making large changes in elevation (very possible when mountain trail riding) or when riding at cooler temps in the spring and fall.
From my experience a vet raced bike is usually a pretty good buy. Vets usually have more money to spend on upgrades, maintenance and aren't hard on things. I am usually the as concerned buying from some one that just play rides as much as a hard core racer.
You can easily pick up a 2008 Honda CRF 450 for less than $4,000. In 2008 the 450 Honda not only swept the reviews but in MXAs opinion would have won the '09 shoot out hands down. I went through this same thing a couple years ago and noticed that to get a better bike than the 08 I would have to spend at least $1000 to $1500 more. You can pay for ALOT of upgrades for $1000 - $1500.
I have ridden Yamahas, KTMs and now a Honda. One thing that I have really enjoyed is the limitless number of options to help improve the bike. I'm a taller guy (6'3") and the IMS low boy pegs are awesome to help open up the cockpit.
Good luck and if you have any additional questions I would love to help.
kx went 5 speed in 06 though which is cool but Id have to give up FI.
Did any of them come with hour meters stock?
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