2004 CRF450R W/Athena 490 big bore kit

[german88]

Hi All,
Just getting ready to pull the trigger on my first Snowbike project. I found a guy willing to trade me straight across for a few of my toys. He has a 2004 CRF 450 w/Athena 490 big bore kit. I'm on the fence as to whether this would make a decent platform. I'm planning to buy a buddies 2010 Timbersled ST. The bike has zero hours on the rebuild and he did a complete bottom end as well. Just not sure if a carb bike will be ok vs newer EFI and if there is anything else I should be weary of with this platform. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[sodahucker]

I have the 450X set up right now. It has a few things the R doesn't that I wouldn't want to be without. E-start and handwarmers are the primary things I would miss. If you store it inside out of the extreme cold you should be able to kick it, but you'd still be missing the warmers. Some people go without them, but I don't know how.

As far as carb goes, I haven't had any problems. My carb froze once but the bike still started and I just had to let it sit there and warm up. I hear all the EFI guys talking about gas in the oil and I'm kind of happy that I don't have it.

 

[german88]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm concerned about the button also. The bike will be inside my heated garage all winter. 60F. Still worried about kicking til my leg falls off in the middle of nowhere though. Sounds like all other concerns with Carb Vs EFI are not a big deal. Both seem to have there advantages and disadvantages.