Crf 450r??

[AZ800]

Looking at getting a new dirtbike...and where else to come for advice than SW?
Looking for a good trail bike. Came off an old KTM MX350. It was fast and reliable, but the susp was shot and parts are hard to come by anymore.
Have been thinking a new(er) KTM 300 2stroke would be a good replacement. Need something with some snort, as I'm 200lbs and ride at 8-10,000ft elev.
Came across a good CRF450R (all stock), '05 model, but the only 4 stroke I've ridden was a YZ 426 when they first came out. At that time it seemed pretty heavy compared to the 2 stroke.
How does the newer CRF 450R compare weight wise? Am I gonna notice the weight? Good trail bike? I'm sure it has enuff low end grunt.

 

[Chubbydog]

If your looking for a trail bike, I'd try and find that KTM300 like you mentioned. I've read nothing but good reviews for it. You won't find a owner of one that says it's not the best bike he's hever owned.

Any of the newer 450's are going to be good bikes if your looking for a 4stroke. They all have there up's & down's, but they all do the job. The 450 EXC is a good trail bike also with the 5 speed. The SX is more for track, and dunes.

The Honda I believe is the lightest of the 450's by a few lbs. The Yamaha has the best suspension, the KTM is the fastest with the best brakes, the Suzuki turns the best, & the Kawi is just a good at everything, but not the best at anything. At least that's what I've got out of the shootouts I've been reading over the last year or so.

 

[redlineguy]

The 09 KX450F Motor is CRAZY!!! + it is EFI so that will be nice a 8,000 feet











.

 

[AZ800]

The 09 KX450F Motor is CRAZY!!! + it is EFI so that will be nice a 8,000 feet











.

Sounds sweet, but I'm looking to spend $3g's or less.
4 stroke carbed bikes should be pretty much plug and play right? No messing with jetting once it's set?

 

[xrated]

KTM 300.

There's a reason it wins shootouts and why DirtRider(imo the best trail mag) is in love with it.



Now if only KTM would put EFI on the smokers, then I could give up my Yami ways.

 

[Killerk]

The 05 450 is a good bike.
Ask the owner when he has serviced the valves and how far they were out.
Don't over rev them or you will have valve issues.
The 05's and older were hard on valves.
The crf450's suspension is great, but not real plush for the mountain trails... You will notice all the little bumps, rocks, unless you do some suspension work.
The 450's have a lot of tourque, but they do not chug at low RPM like an XR.
If it is very technical, slow riding, you will kill the engine a lot, and overwork the clutch.
You can gear down, which will help, but like I said, it is no XR.
Completely depends on the type of riding you will be doing.
I love my 06 crf450 in the mountains, but it is by no means the best bike for the tight technical terrain.
My dad has an 06 crf450r, and prefers his xr250 in the mountains.
Jetting should not be an issue.
From what I have experienced, the 450 should be pretty good for you suspension wise... The yamaha's seem to be undersprung to me.

 

[Jaynelson]

I ride an 06 CRF 450X in the mountains....it works great! This will be season 3 of everything from longer logging road rides to go camping, to technical stuff on tight, steep mountain bike trails. Ride is butter on the X, not sure about the R....I cranked up the springs a bit for my 220lbs, but that's expected. There are times in the tight stuff I wish it was a bit lighter, and I would definetly look at a 300 2 stroke KTM....but considering this bike has been 100% reliable and rides good, I see no reason to change. The mid-range is f'in HUGE, the low end could be a little beefer...but overall great bike. XR's were definetly good chuggers, but not nearly the suspension or performance of the CRF....depends what you want to do with it.

If I rode only the tight stuff, defiently would do better on a 250X or R....but it's nice to have that 450 power when you whack it open on the logging roads. Or when you're bailing from the cops enroute to the trail because you were too lazy to load it in the truck.....the usual stuff.

 

[rockymking]

The X seems better suited than the R for the conditions you describe. Difference between off-road and track bikes is a big deal.

Off-road/enduro:
Heavier flywheel, easier to lug rpm's w/o stall
More forgiving suspension, plusher then track suspenders
S/A exhaust, USFS approved
Headlight/tailight, JIC

The CR-F can be modified to become a woods weapon, but it'll cost you.

 

[gilpin_doo]

Thrall, just get a TW...here is my Zongshen TW conversion I did. This is a sweet little bike. It won't win any races, but is stable and can climb just about anything. Check out that rear tire...

 

[rockymking]

Thrall, just get a TW...here is my Zongshen TW conversion I did. This is a sweet little bike. It won't win any races, but is stable and can climb just about anything. Check out that rear tire...

Wow ... a Chinese copy of a Yamaha TW200. That'd turn some heads at the trail head parking lot. Pretty cool man.

 

[hurleyboarder21]

I had an 03 CRF 450r that I sold 2 years ago (only because I was living at home and needed money to move out) and rode mostly mx tracks and dunes. I rode some woods here and there, but not a woods guy. I loved that bike. Tons of power, the lightest in its class, and outstanding fit and finish. But, like I said, I mostly rode mx tracks and dunes, so I can't really tell you how it was in the woods. I do know that the 450R has the suspension set up for mx, but a few hundred bucks (or less) and you can have the suspension revalved and setup for woods riding, not really a big deal. Anyway, you really can't go wrong with any of the newer bikes, they are all pretty good. Thinking about getting another bike (crf 250r) for strictly track riding, but until then I'm good on my completely modded crf50.

 

[cubby]

IMO go with the wr450 from yamaha

 

[yammerhammer]

My buddy has a newer (08?) CR450F-X and I just bought a 09 WR450F. Though we've not done a side by side compairison we both did have to do some MODS from the factory to get them to run. My Yami more so than his
Honder. Point is, they run like crap unless these mods are done. Besure these
mods are done if you're looking at used trail rated bikes because they all have the same issues. The WR is also a dog without the "Free Mods". Check thumpertalk for info.

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=440372

 

[cookie-eater]

I have a 06 crf450r and love it but I cant say that I have rode it in the woods much, I am more of a dune guy and it runs very well on the dunes but I weigh right at 130 lbs and it takes me more places then where I want to go. Good bike tough.