questions for turbo guys

[lundracing]

So it looks like I am going to stick with my 2016 st kit since there is not much in the way of changes on the new stuff and I was very happy with my 15 FC 450 bike and see no reason to upgrade, I am kicking around the idea of doing a turbo on it. I am looking for some good info on performance gains reliability and what else has to be done to the stock bike to add a turbo. I know some of you guys are running them and I would like your honest opion on if this is worth the extra cash. Building my bike I learned there were a lot of keyboard racers out there with some not so good info. What brand seems to be working the best with the least amount of hassle. I appreciate any info you have so I can be educated and make the right decision.
Thanks

 

[lundracing]

So I just had another option present it's self. I have a possible opportunity to pick up a used service Honda CR 500. That would get me more power for sure. How have the 500's been working out. How do they hold up to snowbiking. Whats the positive and negitives with them.

 

[Lachoneus]

My .02

My .02 is that the "Service Kawasaki" or "Service Honda" units are NOT generally "worth" any more money than a "regular" CR500 or KX500 as far as snowbiking, or perhaps better stated, not worth A LOT MORE $. In other words, don't pay $2-3-4K more for the bike because it's a "Service Honda." Anyone with an AF (aluminum framed) unit chime in here, same thing -- I'm not sure an AF bike is any better on snow, if anything it might be slightly worse as far as engine vibrations go? Disclaimer, I have NOT spent much time on the snow on a CR500 or KX500, but I did buy and then sell a Service Kawasaki KX500 snowbike, and see KX500 snowbikes in the $7-8K range now (complete with Timbersled kits a few years old). Plenty of videos and guys on this forum running them, seem to be more CR500 guys than KX500, but I'd guess the pros and cons are pretty similar with both bikes. Pros -- cheap to maintain and/or rebuild compared to a 4-stroke, great power; cons -- these bikes are usually older than new or 1-2-year-old 4-strokes, but I don't think that matters on snow like it might in the dirt. They will vibrate more, seems to bother some guys much more than others (most just report they "get used to it."). Hope that helps, good luck.

 

[SEOINAGE]

So I just had another option present it's self. I have a possible opportunity to pick up a used service Honda CR 500. That would get me more power for sure. How have the 500's been working out. How do they hold up to snowbiking. Whats the positive and negitives with them.

Much cheaper and lighter than doing a turbo on a 450. And if you have it set up for top end hp you'll be almost similar in performance to the turbo.

And yes cheap to rebuild, and if you didn't spend a ton buying the bike they retain their value. Might be more work if the one you get still needs work. Some guys run them in steel frames and if you upgrade the forks you don't lose much on handling vs aluminum frame.

I don't even run a carb heater or a lot of the other junk people have done. A nice large BD intake, carb vent tubes with T and rerouted. A 2" bar risers and barkbusters. Really doesn't need much if you want to just ride.

I personally think it is a better option than a turbo.

 

[n16ht5]

After riding a turbo KTM 450SX bike I can honestly say that peak HP numbers do not mean everything on the snow. My CR500 has less "peak hp," but so much more real, useable power that you can use. I can sit with the throttle pinned for as long as I want with the motor singing making 90% of the power of a turbo 450 (my CR is fairly built,) while on a turbo bike you will be working to keep on the pipe without sitting on the rev limiter, and working to keep it from getting too hot/blowing up from pinning it for too long. Also, my CR has more torque down low than either of my YZF's had, and there are no valves to worry about. I did the similar mods to seoniage and dont have issues

 

[cade123]

I have a kx450f with a boondocker turbo. And I have KMS head studs and a lock out clutch those are needed if you want your clutch to last and the head studs are great so you don't blow a head gasket. So far I have 20hours or so on the turbo bike @ 10 pounds of boost and I have not had any issues. Performance gains on the turbo bike are good when the bike is on boost but when off boost its just like riding a normal 450. If I had to buy another turbo kit again I probably would have went with KMS because I believe the KMS makes more hp and torque. I also like the Powercommander With auto tune better than the boondocker box. The guys at KMS seem pretty nice. But also the guys at boondocker have been helpful also.

 

[wwillf01]

My 500 is stone cold reliable ... I personally had to use carb heat of some sort on deep powder cold days and a stat to keep the engine in the 90s .. Mine has tons of power ... I still find the mx 450 4 strokes are great and you don't have to ride as aggressive... I still outclimb or stick with most any bike of ridden with and am about 100 pounds heavier... If you want heated grips and other comforts you need not apply... Also i had to go with a tunnel cooler to stabilize crazy temp swings I have about 170 hours on mine and swap rings out every 50... It's ridden hard... And a 97...

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[AK1000]

KTM 500 with boondocker turbo kit. Bike is all stock with the kit bolted on and stock TS gearing, I also put a 2-1/2"x146" track and wanted to load the motor up without getting to the rev limiter to quick. I also have the higher rpm cdi box that revs to 10k so that helps. Is it worth it? Yes most of the time, there was a bit of tuning to get air/fuel set up(af gauge a must)but when you get into the boost it pulls hard and I can go straight up most things with no problem.
It would depend how you ride, we ride the trees all day and only need the boost maybe 40% of the time. Mostly to get out of a jam or to shoot thru something you cant turn out of.
25 hours or so on the kit, no problems(oil return line seeped once, my fault on install)
Also run 120 octane home brew-$10 a gallon

Id like to ride a big smoker to compare.