What four stroke would you get

[AnotherRedHead]

06 YZ450F or a honda CRF450R

[Txstang1]

06 YZ450F or a honda CRF450RWhat color do you like?

[Monsoon X]

get one and put a turbo on it

[eastsidetorino]

get one and put a turbo on it

why not twins?

[SNEAKY]

you already tired of the two stroke?

[Super Coupe]

I would get the honda. Im picking up 06 crf250 this friday. Can't wait.

[F250]

crf450f hondas are built right

[bucky]

I am partial to the Hondas also

[Chrm10SPkZ28]

get the Honda, once i get around to get another dirt bike its first choice on my list

[RyanB]

Why not the RMZ450 Suzuki?

-MattB

[Super Coupe]

http://www.bikepics.com/pics/pics/honda-cr250f-06-bikepics-429729.jpg

NICE!

[Buick355]

If you'll be doing cross country I'd go KTM 450 xcw all the way. You just cant beat KTM for that type of riding. If you'll be doing motocross it's a toss up. If you're going for an 06 model then they're all REALLY good this year. The KTM SX450 has won some shootouts, but some dont like the linkless rear suspension. It is the most powerful and smoothest though. The Honda handles great and is overall a great bike to ride but they've been known to have valve train problems in the past. The Yami is stone reliable and finally got an aluminum frame this year but still hasn't gotten great reviews. Still a great bike as always and probably a 8 or 9 out of 10 in anyones book and you'll have no mechanical problems with the Yami. The Suzuki and Kawi are getting mixed reviews and personally I dont like either beause they're the newest to the MX thumper game and have yet to prove themselves.

[Buick355]

http://www.bikepics.com/pics/pics/honda-cr250f-06-bikepics-429729.jpg

NICE!

I believe that's a CRF250R

[Super Coupe]

I believe that's a CRF250R

Yeah thats what i want.

[Buick355]

Yeah thats what i want. The ultimate thumper IMO is a 250F with an RPM big bore kit. Nearly the power of a 450F but without the 40 extra lbs.

I will probably wont be going back to a 4 stroke anytime soon though. I'm loving my 05 KTM 250EXC....ALOT. It so much more fun than my YZ250F was.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/rpittsley/250exc2.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/rpittsley/250exc1.jpg

[Super Coupe]

man thats a sweet looking bike. I like it a lot.

[12second5.0]

KTM hands down.

[NayNay]

crf with 17" street tires.

or just this aprilia

[spankustang]

Why not the RMZ450 Suzuki?

-MattB


EXACTLY!!!!

[88hatch5_0]

I love the way the YZ 450 handles. I got to ride an 06 YZ 450 this weekend with the new aluminum frame and it handles great. Come see me at I35 Yamaha and I can hook you up on a new YZ 450.

The thing with the Honda is the reliability issue. They are notorious for the valves going out of spec. I know you are fully capable of resetting the valves yourself, but why do it. The Yamahas have proven to be pretty much bullet proof as long as you keep up with the oil changes. Don't get me wrong you do need to check the valves on the Yamaha too, but not near as much, and when you do check them they are usually within spec.

If you don't want the Yamaha I would go with the RMZ 450. That bike handles very well, power is great, and the reliability is still pretty good.

just my .02

[AnotherRedHead]

Im getting the honda.

Why not the 06 yamaha? Its bad ass, my other choice, but not been around long enough to determine reliability and parts are scarce right now esp. Its got new Ti valves and BRAND NEW chassis. Look at the 97 vettes, the 00 zx12s, the 99 busas, all had probs. The honda is a product of 5 years of trial and error perfection.

Why not the RMZ450? Cause its a 4 speed, and RC can make anything go fast.....
oh yeah, and KTM's suck. Exspensive parts, dickhead service, and they are the slowest and worst handling out of the box!

[Super Coupe]

Im getting the honda.

Why not the 06 yamaha? Its bad ass, my other choice, but not been around long enough to determine reliability and parts are scarce right now esp. Its got new Ti valves and BRAND NEW chassis. Look at the 97 vettes, the 00 zx12s, the 99 busas, all had probs. The honda is a product of 5 years of trial and error perfection.

Why not the RMZ450? Cause its a 4 speed, and RC can make anything go fast.....
oh yeah, and KTM's suck. Exspensive parts, dickhead service, and they are the slowest and worst handling out of the box!

Smart man. Honda is where it's at.

[88hatch5_0]

glad we could help

[SNEAKY]

Im getting the honda.

Why not the 06 yamaha? Its bad ass, my other choice, but not been around long enough to determine reliability and parts are scarce right now esp. Its got new Ti valves and BRAND NEW chassis. Look at the 97 vettes, the 00 zx12s, the 99 busas, all had probs. The honda is a product of 5 years of trial and error perfection.

Why not the RMZ450? Cause its a 4 speed, and RC can make anything go fast.....
oh yeah, and KTM's suck. Exspensive parts, dickhead service, and they are the slowest and worst handling out of the box!
i thought Yamaha started the 4 stroke MX bike craze back in 98 :confused:

but my buddy's crf does ride great. i really do not think you can wrong with any of the new 450's.

[Buick355]

You're right, Yamaha was the first to make the 4 stroke a serious MX race bike with the 98 YZ400. Honda didn't get into the game until what? 4 or 5 years later? And Honda has had reliability issues with the CRF's ever since it hit the showroom floors. I'm not saying the Honda is a bad choice, but if reliability is a big issue then the YZ450F is the bike to look at hands down. Look on Thumpertalk.com in the CRF forum and do a search for the word "valves" and see how many threads come up. Then go to the YZF forum and do the same search and compare. You'll see what I mean. If you could take a Honda chassis and suspension and put a YZF motor in it it would be the ultimate 4 stroke IMO.

[Super Coupe]

You're right, Yamaha was the first to make the 4 stroke a serious MX race bike with the 98 YZ400. Honda didn't get into the game until what? 4 or 5 years later? And Honda has had reliability issues with the CRF's ever since it hit the showroom floors. I'm not saying the Honda is a bad choice, but if reliability is a big issue then the YZ450F is the bike to look at hands down. Look on Thumpertalk.com in the CRF forum and do a search for the word "valves" and see how many threads come up. Then go to the YZF forum and do the same search and compare. You'll see what I mean. If you could take a Honda chassis and suspension and put a YZF motor in it it would be the ultimate 4 stroke IMO.

So what about the crf 250 motors? Same?

[Buick355]

So what about the crf 250 motors? Same?

Yup. Actually the CRF250's are worse. The cam profile is too steep and it causes the faces of the valves to wear way too fast. The 5 valve system is just better. Lighter valves with lighter rate springs and better geometry. I rode the piss out of my YZ250F and it never needed a valve adjustment. I checked them every 3rd oil change. Maybe they've corrected this problem on the 06's, I dont know but if you buy a CRF expect to put a set of valves in it every year or two if you ride a lot....and they're not cheap.

[Super Coupe]

Yup. Actually the CRF250's are worse. The cam profile is too steep and it causes the faces of the valves to wear way too fast. The 5 valve system is just better. Lighter valves with lighter rate springs and better geometry. I rode the piss out of my YZ250F and it never needed a valve adjustment. I checked them every 3rd oil change. Maybe they've corrected this problem on the 06's, I dont know but if you buy a CRF expect to put a set of valves in it every year or two if you ride a lot....and they're not cheap.

I was reading up on it and they say just check them every 10 hours and if you are having trouble keeping them in spec then its time for new valves.

[AnotherRedHead]

dont listen to mr ktm junkie honda put new seats in the crf motors this year, they are just as good as any others. Plus, plenty of aftermarket company's flood the waters with bad ass Ti valves and other parts to better yamahas stuff in performance, and reliability. The yam is a bad ass bike dont get me wrong, but your telling me HONDA, isn't as reliable if not 10 fold? Gimme a break man....maintainence is a different thing than reliability.....

[Buick355]

dont listen to mr ktm junkie honda put new seats in the crf motors this year, they are just as good as any others. Plus, plenty of aftermarket company's flood the waters with bad ass Ti valves and other parts to better yamahas stuff in performance, and reliability. The yam is a bad ass bike dont get me wrong, but your telling me HONDA, isn't as reliable if not 10 fold? Gimme a break man....maintainence is a different thing than reliability.....


Apparrantly you haven't been keeping up with things in the 4 stroke world over the last few years. The CRF's have been dropping valves like crazy. Like I said they may have addressed that issue for the 06 CRF's. Yamahas have Ti valves stock, and it is rare that a Yamaha ever drops a valve or even needs a shim. And I'd hardley call doing $600 valve jobs regular maintenance. I cant count how many people I've run accross that have grenaded thier CRF motors because the valves wore so fast and they didn't check them often enough.

[Super Coupe]

Apparrantly you haven't been keeping up with things in the 4 stroke world over the last few years. The CRF's have been dropping valves like crazy. Like I said they may have addressed that issue for the 06 CRF's. Yamahas have Ti valves stock, and it is rare that a Yamaha ever drops a valve or even needs a shim. And I'd hardley call doing $600 valve jobs regular maintenance. I cant count how many people I've run accross that have grenaded thier CRF motors because the valves wore so fast and they didn't check them often enough.

They will all wear out fast if you don't keep up with maintenance. I bet I won't have many problems with my honda. Especially with the valves.

[AnotherRedHead]

06s are all good. Thats not gonna affect my decision. Although I just went and saw the 06 yz450f and boy is it nice. But its got alot of trick parts from the factory. Honda all the way, if Im wrong, I'll just sell it and buy a yamaha :)

[busted90]

Go with the RMZ450 Suzuki I have rode one and liked it but as far as which one to go with that would be your choice. Once you have a bike set up for your riding style they are all the same save for the seat to foot peg location and if you want to you can also change that. What ever you go with just take the time to set up the bike for your riding style and you will love your machine.
Go luck.

[kenny c]

<------ just bought an 06 crf450r.... it's awesome.. I switched from a 96 kx250 to this bike and it's crazy how much better it is.. IMO...the suzuki handles a little bit better in corners, the yami may be a little bit more reliable, the kawi is a little bit off, and the ktm is great for older riders not doing sx

any new 450 will be great...it's just a matter of color choice


crf450f hondas are built right

no such bike... they make r and x models

[88hatch5_0]

Apparrantly you haven't been keeping up with things in the 4 stroke world over the last few years. The CRF's have been dropping valves like crazy. Like I said they may have addressed that issue for the 06 CRF's. Yamahas have Ti valves stock, and it is rare that a Yamaha ever drops a valve or even needs a shim. And I'd hardley call doing $600 valve jobs regular maintenance. I cant count how many people I've run accross that have grenaded thier CRF motors because the valves wore so fast and they didn't check them often enough.

you are exactly right!!

Indeed the Honda was supposed to have addressed the valve issues for the 450R, but you still have to wonder. You are going to love the CRF just not the maintenance.

[CodyY]

KTM all the way. Read shootouts and dyno's all you want to, but when the maintenance bill comes, and you realize that it's not a drag race, the CRF is not the best bike for an amatuer or intermediate rider. It's definatly not the best bike for a beginner MX rider.

KTM 450xc The swiss army knife of motorcycles.

[AnotherRedHead]

I bought an 06 CRF450R too late :D

[Buick355]

I bought an 06 CRF450R too late :D

You bastard!! have you ridden it yet? I bet it's an awesome bike. Maybe if we ride sometime I can take for a spin and thrash it for you ;)

[AnotherRedHead]

You bastard!! have you ridden it yet? I bet it's an awesome bike. Maybe if we ride sometime I can take for a spin and thrash it for you ;)


im going riding now if anyone wants to come call me 469 767 7978

[Super Coupe]

http://myspace-967.vo.llnwd.net/00557/76/93/557973967_l.jpg

I am ready to ride . Got to get me some gear this weekend and Im hitting up some tracks! :)

ARH. Look forward to riding with you sometime on mx track.