dirtbikes

[Been 2780]

Ok well im going to be getting a new dirtbike and im not shure which one to get. i have narrowed them down to 3 different choices. either the yamaha 2007 yz 450f, or the kawasaki 2008 450, or the honda crf 450....i would like a unbiased opinion on this please.....-Aaron

[mx757]

have you raced / ridden before? 450s have an insane amount of power. unless youre planning on racing week in and week out i would honestly go with something a bit more managable.

of the 3 you posted though you really cant go wrong with any of them. my dad has the 08 crf and likes it, but he is pretty biased towards honda. they do have the HPSD steering damper system, and new 22 mm triple clamps which make the bike turn tighter without losing stability.
the yzf is what i would go with because of its smooth power and perfect ergonomic package for my (im 6 foot, 175 lbs)
i do see a lot of kxf's being raced locally as well with a good bit of success.

it still comes down to what kind of riding are you going to do. If youre not going to race the pro or b cl**** pick up a used 05-new yz250 2 stroke and youll have way more fun (the 2 strokes are lighter and more flickable) and youll do it much much cheaper. the 2 strokes are also easier and less expensive to maintain.

[Been 2780]

i dont really want a 2-stroke, and i dont really want a bike that is used.i might plan on racing later on...but rite nowit would be more of a trail bike....theres a lot of huge hills where i live and i want a LOT of power so i can go up them no problem ihvent really riden a 450, but i want something to grow into tall wise and power wise. i know it has a lot of power , but i can learn to use it..

[garchpaul]

i dont really want a 2-stroke, and i dont really want a bike that is used.i might plan on racing later on...but rite nowit would be more of a trail bike....theres a lot of huge hills where i live and i want a LOT of power so i can go up them no problem ihvent really riden a 450, but i want something to grow into tall wise and power wise. i know it has a lot of power , but i can learn to use it..

Ride Red Baby, You will never regret it...............

Hmmmm! an Eagles fan from Arizona?????

[mx757]

i dont really want a 2-stroke, and i dont really want a bike that is used.i might plan on racing later on...but rite nowit would be more of a trail bike....theres a lot of huge hills where i live and i want a LOT of power so i can go up them no problem ihvent really riden a 450, but i want something to grow into tall wise and power wise. i know it has a lot of power , but i can learn to use it..


if youre trail riding a 2 stroke 250 is the way to go. they are lighter and easier to flick around. plus cheaper to run and maintain. My 05 yz250 is amazing. it still holeshots over a class of 450s with no problem. anything 125 and up is going to be about the same size with the seat height and all, so physical size wont matter. also try to stay away from 4 strokes if youre riding in a noise controlled area. 4 strokes are insanely loud and are getting a ton of riding areas in colorado shut down sadly.

[Been 2780]

if i where to get a yz250 why would i get a 2005? why not a 2008 model?

[mx757]

05 is the year yamaha put the 125 and 250 on aluminum frames. Since then the bike has been refined a bit every year but is essentially the same platform and motor. Now obviously the 08 is going to have the latest and greatest updates but if you can find a leftover 07 or 06 youll get a better deal on essentially the same bike.

[colintrax]

if you want to ride trails don't!!!! get any of those bikes they will severly overheat. I'd say a Kawi Klx 450 its meant for trails but is still very raceable.

[mx757]

2 strokes wont overheat on the trails as long as you arent revving the crap out of them, which you dont wanna do on the trails anyways. look at the gncc (offroad) series. most of the riders in that series run 2 stroke 250s because they are lighter, snappier, and handle better than the 4 stroke counterparts.

[colintrax]

ok here is a long list of things
Handling
1.Yamaha
2.Honda
3.Kawasaki, very aggresive handling
4.Suzuki
5.KTM

Motor
1.Kawasaki
2.Honda
3.KTM, LOVES to rev
4.Suzuki
5.Yamaha

Suspension
1.Yamaha, Generally best 2nd best froks best shock
2.Kawasaki, Best forks 2nd best shock
3.SUzuki
4.Honda, really bad forks and shock is harsh
5.KTM

Reliabilty
Please note my dad is a motorcycle mechanic and works on all these everyday. So I should know.:p
1.Kawasaki
2.Yamaha
3.Honda
4.KTM
5.Suzuki
Also all of them are about the same but some are a little more relibale than others.

[Been 2780]

i think im gonna go pick up sometime this year a 08 yamaha yz250....what other things should i get and what should i know about this bike

[colintrax]

again 4 strokes reqwire more maintanice and cost more (now and later), and you should get a KLX450,decent racer Great trail bike.
Add on list
Brakes:
1.KTM
2.Yamaha
3.Honda
4.Kawasaki
5.Suski
Please note KTM and Yamaha are about the same and the others are about the same.
KTM still makes two strokes.

[Been 2780]

ya umm thats why im getting the 2008 yz 250.....its a 2 stroke i dont really want a kawasaki anymore... besides.......yamahas are awesome and also u are saying that 4 strokes require more maintainence , and they cost more.....then why are u telling me to get a kxl 450??? its a 4 stroke

[colintrax]

sorry, just trying to give you info because I don't know you and the KLX450 is just my 2cents

[mx757]

the klx450 is a decent bike, but its still going to be a tank. try out that yz. its a blast. just watch out the 1st time you open it up man. the thing will try to rip your arms out of their sockets when it hits. have fun :)

[Been 2780]

mx757 is there anything that i should get right away when i get the biike?

[colintrax]

have you got one yet?

[Been 2780]

my parents are still talking about it.....

[mx757]

mx757 is there anything that i should get right away when i get the biike?


depends on the terrain you are going to be riding. if youre going to be on mainly hardpack and trails, a flywheel weight will help so the bike doesnt hit so hard and spin the back wheel. If you are riding on prepped mx tracks a v force reed valve, fmf factory fatty pipe and shorty silencer, and suspension mods are all good upgrades. my 05 yz250 has all sorts of goodies on it. pipe and silencer, reeds, race tech suspension, vortex cat 5 sprockets, bars, top clamp, tall seat, white plastic, and custom graphics.
you really dont need all that stuff for playing, but since i race (or was until i got hurt) i want my bike to be as strong as possible.

as far as gear, dont cheap out on a helmet or boots. make sure you get a good high quality snell certified helmet, but also one thats affordable. If you crash hard enough to make yourself loops, you want to be able to throw that helmet away. its done its job.

[colintrax]

fulmer makes some good helmets(only knocked out once.)
if you have the money get the garnaes, or FOX tracker it you can't afforad expensive boots.
Belrays HRII 2stoke oil is the best! with bellray gearsaver trans fluid.
I'd suggest you get a neck brace or donut.
you will definatly need goggles for a track.
also simple green helps cleaning.

[master_of_desaster]

for get 2 strokes...

[colintrax]

um. why?
I've got a two stroke and love it, my dad has a four stroke and loves it, "personality"