RMZ450 or KXF450

[secondfield]

Hiya folks,

Im new here, and like to hear from any bloke (or bloke'ess) who has experience (or an opinion) on both the above bikes ... Im currently riding an 05' RMZ450, but have been grossly tempted to get an 06' KXF450 due to its cheap price.
I love the RMZ, fresh piston in now and she just rips (my bloody arms out of their sockets too). The only beef I have with the RMZ is that a flywheel weight cant be fitted due to no room under the case cover. Thus she has a habit of compression stalling every now and then when in the tight.
Maybe the 4 speed could do with another gear too...Apart from that, she's the best off roader Ive owned so far (81 PE175, 82 XR200, 85 XR250, 86 XR600, 91 XR 600, 84 IT 175, 96 XR 400, 98 KTM 400). Who said MX bikes arn't good in the bush?.
I can climb hills I never thought possible on this thing (albeit, very ungracefully) :headbang:
Anyway, any Ideas about me flogging my RMZ off for a change to green?
I realise and openly admit I am probably being a wishful thinking tosser to think my riding ability will improve with this decision...
:violin:

[scott411]

ok i have ridden both, and all the later model ones as well of both brands,

of the 2 the 06 KXF would be my pick, smoother power, easier starting, does not flame out stall like the 05 RMZ does (although the RMZ's do get worse when the valves clearence gets a bit overspec, worth checking out if it has nto been done lately,

the 06 KXF is still a 4 speed, they did not go 5 speed till 07, for pure motocross use i actually prefer the 4 speed, but for trail riding and motard the 5th gear is way better,

the KXF will feel a bit fatter in the middle and it will take a bit of getting used to,

both are good bikes, and you are right it will not make a huge difference

[secondfield]

Thanks Scott,

That was most helpful.

One of the reasons I like the RMZ is that it has a 'scooped' out feel reference the rev range power delivery (compared to say an enduro bike or XR). That is to say, the bottom end power delivery is very strong but ends early, the midrange seems somewhat smooth but not enough to break traction often, and the top end of the range feels like a two stroke power band kicking in.
Im on the clutch heaps more than any other bike Ive owned, but like the feel of metering out the power via the clutch alot more often. You seem to have more control over power delivery on this thing.
I guess thats why its classed as a MX bike.

Anybody else feel this way?

Cheers :2thumbsup

[scott411]

welcome to the quick revving mx bikes, 450 mx bikes are like that, thats what makes them so much fun ;)

the KXF is similar sort of delvery, but prob a bit smoother than the big hitting RMZ midrange

[Atomic]

You mentioned "probably wont improve my riding", I went from an 07 RMZ450 to an 08 RMZ250...smaller bike improved my riding big time and its way more fun!
Power wheelies is the only thing i miss with the smaller bike but thats only when using 4th and 5th anyway.

[secondfield]

Thats interesting to hear atomic, I was toying with the idea of going to a 250f of some sort for a bit. I was worried I wouldn't be able to keep up with the boys's (my mates ride 450's) on the fire trails...
I tip the scales at 92Kg bodyweight and am 6'2" (dad reckons he's never seen them stack shit that high before:laugh:).
But Ive heard of bloke's swapping to 250's from 450's and being faster and more confident. Dunno about my size and weight though ...

[scott411]

i have gone back to a 250F as well, you will have no probs keeping up with your mates, very few people can ride a 450 faster on anything but a flat straight peice of land.

[secondfield]

Now you've got me thinking... how'd your change go from the 450 to 250 scott?

[scott411]

i had about a year off and rode both when i came back riding, i chose the 250F as i could ride it faster, and it did not wear me out, i love the 250F, although i do miss the grunt of the 450 at times,

[4stroke]

i rode a husqvarna te 250 on the weekend, it was a lil under-powered for a 120kg bloke but once you got the revs up and a bit of momentum going it was a flyer, was very smooth in the tight stuff, i enjoyed it to be honest, just needs a little more punch tho, im even tempted on a 250f

[scott411]

we have done quite a few 290 kits for people, everybody loves them, a bit more bottom end with out losing anything else

[arj127]

we have done quite a few 290 kits for people, everybody loves them, a bit more bottom end with out losing anything else

Would that mean you couldn't compete in the unders class at clubmeets?? Or would you keep it hush hush

[scott411]

they do not show from the outside, so if you are that way inclined you could not tell anyone ;) most of the people that have put them in have been vet riders so the size does not matter,

and some classes are up to 300cc four strokes (national cross country and enduro champs etc)

and we run support all in now anyway, it would be good to see you back at clubdays,

[secondfield]

Yeah, I hear KTM are offering free upgrade kits to 280cc if you buy a new EXC / SX 250 four off them.

Its interesting how people really notice the weight difference between a 450 / 250f. The new KXF's (450) tip the scales at 111kg fully wet and ready to ride.

Are the frame sizes alot different between 450's / 250's?

[Atomic]

There is only 10kg odd difference between the 250 and 450 but its the lower centre of gravity and also the gyro effect of the smaller engine (i think?) that make a really noticable difference to handling etc.

I swear by my 250 now and only keep my 450 for power wheelies down the beach!

[secondfield]

Sweet, how do you find climbing gnarly rutted hills on the 250, when the only option is to 'point and shoot' they dont bog 2 easily??

Anyways, Ive just heard from a mate who's living in oz .. hes got his KXF250 sitting in the shed with a hole in its radiator back here in NZ. Reckons if I get it seen to I can ride it a bit ...

May take him up on the offer methinks...

[scott411]

i do not have problem on the hills, you need to carry a bit more pace at the bottom, but on tricky hills 450's tend to wheelstand a bit anyway,

as for weight, there are only about 6kg between a 450 and 250, the big difference, but the 250F's are much lighter to ride due to the rotaional force being less, (weight of the crank, flywheel etc)