Need Bike advise

[rkymtnman]

All you motocross / trail bike riders - need some help.

The family is just getting in to bikes. It has been 20 years since I have been on a dirt bike and after all the fun we have been having at the track, it is a shame we didn't get in to it earlier.

I am stuck as to a bike for me. I can't decide between a track/race bike and a strictly trail bike. I would guess that for every day we spend on the trails, we would go the track twice. Would a race bike be that much of a handicap on the trails? Would a trail bike be that much of a handicap at the track?

Is there really that much difference between a WR/YZF, KXF/KLX, CRFR/CRFX besides a kick stand and the magic button? I'm looking at 450's and will never race it.

 

[teeroy]

I have a 450X, the differences from that to the R:
-wider ratio transmission
-magic button
-kickstand
-8 less hp, wider torque curve (have the HRC "R" kit on mine)
-18" rear wheel on the X
-different frame geometry
-larger fuel capacity
-higher ground clearance
-taller seat height

you will not notice much difference on the track unless you are a hardcore motocrosser, the X is very capable. the e-start is awesome, especially if you're old like me but still like to ride hard....

 

[Long Gone]

I purchased a CRF450X as well. I like it a lot, but if I were spending much time on the track, I would go with the R and lower the gearing for the trails. The headlight is a bonus on the X model. Most of the guys I ride with are on the racer models and ride trails most of the time. There is a differance in the weight and weight distribution. Good Luck, you won't go wrong either way, it is all fun.

 

[theultrarider]

The mx versions are also sprung/valved way stiffer than then the xr/wr types. If you are agressive, I would deffinetely lean to the mx bike. the button is nice, but I would ony really miss the headlight....No wait, I live in Alaska and it is daylight all summer!!! I son't need a stinking headlight on a bike! Seriously though, the headlight would be my biggest decision and I think you can add that to the mx bike. Have fun riding with your family.

 

[xrated]

no lots of "trail" guys. Some ride mx bikes without touching the suspension...they ride hard and like the power band. Other guys ride trail race bikes. Others ride mx bikes and redo the suspension.

If you like a hard aggressive hit go moto and find a suspension guy. Otherwise go trail

I ride a yz125 and love everythign about it in the woods minus the lack of hit in low gears without piping it. Easy fix when I replace the sprockets this winter though.

 

[rkymtnman]

Thanks for the info guys. So it seems from my point of view, the biggest issues to me would be suspension differences and greaing differences. That said, would the gearing of a mx bike be a handicap to me on trails? I'm an old man and not overly aggressive / LOL but I'm sure I'll ride beyond my ability because I'm also not that smart. Seems easy enough to change either the suspension or the gearing so since there are FAR more used mx bikes on the market - that is the direction I will likely go. I suspect there is a trade off to some extent in reliability between the engines since the race versions seem to put out more power - is this a true statement?

Thanks again for the advise.

 

[summitboy]

If your going to ride trail mostly i would stay with the WR/CRF-X etc. Go for the 450 for sure. My money is on the 09 WR 450. I ride a KTM 450 EXCR and we ride some pretty tight gnarly single track here in Calgary. They are all great bikes ! Find a good used deal if possible and save yourself some money ! New is just a loss !

 

[theultrarider]

Reliabilty is not an issue with the 4stroke mx bikes. My boy races 250 and 450 f's and we have had no engine issues with them. We ride blue(yami). Being an old guy, we all grew up with the old addage that there is nothing more gas and go than Honda. Well times have changed. Nobody on the tracks we race has made it a whole season on a red one without major engine failure. Usaully they drop a valve, which takes out a piston, which takes out a rod, which takes the head and cases. I hate to say it, but it is very true. I am sure there will be others that will try to defend the honda's, but I have seen it time and again with them. The early Suziki's also had big valve issue's. They have since gotten much better. The yami's and Kawi's have been gas and go machines. Like was said also, go with a 450. You may not ever need or want all the power it will give you, but you will be shifting alot less and both clucthes and motors will last you alot longer. Good luck on picking a bike.

 

[offroadmatt]

I love the way a KTM rides and anybody honda or yamaha would have to agree that they make the best woods bike. They do need some work to make them a track bike but it could be done. Like they have said if your going to ride track mostly get in R its easier to smash around the trails on a R and stall it a few times then to come up short on a triple because the gearing is all wrong. The nice thing about KTM is that the valves can be adjusted without removing the cam. No shims needed just a set screw.

 

[swrev]

Personally I prefer the mx bikes, quicker throttle response and stiffer suspension. However I rarely see anything other than a track (and not enough of that lately-should change once my kids get a little older). I have ridden a couple of the newer four stroke bikes, 450 and 250, in the trail/off road versions on a track. I really liked them. Only on big jumps did the suspension suffer, and it really wasn't bad, they did not bottom harshly. Stick with the 450 if you get the trail version, the 250 bikes really seem to lose to much when not in the mx bike. For trail riding, I would stay away from the mx bikes that had 4 speed transmissions (don't recall what years but I think Honda and Yamaha both switched between 4 and 5 gears on their mx bikes-no idea on the other brands).

 

[rkymtnman]

Great info - that's just what I was hoping for. I am already sold on the 450 after riding a 250x, 250r and 450r (all CRFs) the past several weekends. I'm pretty much a Yammie person - but not so much that I couldn't do any of the others. I am mostly deciding between a yz450f/wr450f and a kx450f/klx450 but certainly haven't ruled out CRFs. Problem is - there are VERY few trail bikes available in the used market and many many MX type bikes for reasonable prices so I'm guessing price and availability may dictate my purchase.

Thanks again.

 

[Jaynelson]

Just finished 2nd season on my Honda 450X....love it. I strictly ride gnarly BC woods tho, no track. Checked valves twice now, shimmed the 2nd time, no big deal. Gas and go so far. Brakes and susp. are good out of the box....better than other stockers I've ridden in other brands. They all make a good bike IMO....pick your colour.