What to get next?

[t595]

Some people prefer heterosexuality over a bike that is " r all things 4 every body"

Haha this coming from someone who owns a gasgas

[LankyBastard]

Might be able to get a new KLX450R for a good price, whats the view on these? Any problems?

[Jay GTI]

Not riden one, but have read a few reviews. Seems to be a great trail bike, but needs some work if you were to go racing.

From memory, it's a bit heavy, bit on the soft side suspenders-wise but has a strong engine and reasonably comfortable ergos. It's based on the KX-F450, but has sufficient engine work to make it more reliable and less maintenance hungry.

[ktm84mxc]

Rupe the reason every 1 doesn't have one is itz their choice the same as we all don't drive fords or holdens.
A 300 is easier to ride than a 250 simply because it produces a fatter power curve were most do their riding eg 2500-5000 rpm range.
I didn't say go buy a KTM there are other makes equally as good eg
GasGas, Husky[2t & 4t-300], TM, even a big bore RMZ, KXF, YZF 250......

[Rupe]

Rupe the reason every 1 doesn't have one is itz their choice the same as we all don't drive fords or holdens.
A 300 is easier to ride than a 250 simply because it produces a fatter power curve were most do their riding eg 2500-5000 rpm range.
I didn't say go buy a KTM there are other makes equally as good eg
GasGas, Husky[2t & 4t-300], TM, even a big bore RMZ, KXF, YZF 250......

Wasn't a dig at the bike brand, ktms make good bikes.

I've seen quite a few newish riders go jump on big bore bikes as they think they need the grunt to get through stuff. A smaller bore bike in the same tough stuff requires you to use more skill. and help build on the fundamentals required to ride well, throttle control, clutch, body english etc. Another great factor is you can be more confident on a smaller bike which increases speed.

Those super quick young kids have come through on small bikes and learnt whats needed to get an 85 up a big hill. By the time they get a larger bike everything is in place to do well.

Does that make sense?

[ktm84mxc]

Yep it can make sense if lankyb was a youngster/novice but he isn't. And I thought he was asking for an informed opinion/discussion on the merits of bike choices.
The facts are all of the brands & models are pretty equal you just choose 1 & ride it.
KTM just have the biggest model range even down to choice's in those eg 250's sx, sxf, musquin rep,excf, exc, mxc, 6 day[2t &4t].

[LankyBastard]

All good guys, every bit helps! I would prob put myself in the novice group for dirt riding, been riding road bikes for awhile now (both on and off the track) but and reasonably new to dirt.
Just had someone offer near what i paid for my DR, so seemed a good time to flick it off and upgrade to an actual dirt bike.
I am thinking that 4t might be the way to go for me, purely down to my experience with them, and total lack of knowledge/experience with two strokes. Albeit saying that I'm not one put of by new experiences/learning!!
I will agree that a lighter/less powerful bike would be better, as i know from riding road bikes that you learn core skills much faster when not worrying about whether your over zealous throttle hand is going to cause you grief! Hence my not wanting a 450mxer, (or any mxer really, too snappy, too much maintenance)

I like hearing owners experiences and recommendations regarding their bikes, and any hints/tips/advice is always greatly appreciated!

But after all of this I have been offered a sweet deal on a new 2009 klx450R....

[Rupe]

All good guys, every bit helps! I would prob put myself in the novice group for dirt riding, been riding road bikes for awhile now (both on and off the track) but and reasonably new to dirt.
Just had someone offer near what i paid for my DR, so seemed a good time to flick it off and upgrade to an actual dirt bike.
I am thinking that 4t might be the way to go for me, purely down to my experience with them, and total lack of knowledge/experience with two strokes. Albeit saying that I'm not one put of by new experiences/learning!!
I will agree that a lighter/less powerful bike would be better, as i know from riding road bikes that you learn core skills much faster when not worrying about whether your over zealous throttle hand is going to cause you grief! Hence my not wanting a 450mxer, (or any mxer really, too snappy, too much maintenance)

I like hearing owners experiences and recommendations regarding their bikes, and any hints/tips/advice is always greatly appreciated!

But after all of this I have been offered a sweet deal on a new 2009 klx450R....

just try to ride a few, thats the best way. most dodern bikes are great, just some might suit you better. Good luck

[cheese]

Come out to the WMCC ride in the weekend and I'm sure some of us will let you have a go on our bikes.

[green machine]

Are you fit and strong?,because the KLX will be heavy to pick up in when you're tired,i've been through a few bikes and literally come full circle and couldn't be happier.....started with a DR350 just to learn to ride on,after learning the basics,and with no cows to round up moved to a KDX200,was ok but i didn't like the 2 stroke power delivery(2 stroke fans will be bemused but it's just a fact),then came the 08 KXF250,which i loved so much when the 09's came out i upgraded,nice power,light,predictable and perfect for me.....then after what i can only explain as a brain explosion came the 09 KXF450(only been riding for 2 years at this stage)well it was too much for me and the inevitable happened,broken collarbone and 2 fractured vertebrae,knocked my confidence big time and set my riding level back to square one(Rupe nailed it in his post ).
To get rid of it i swapped it for an 08 KTM EXC450,which i quite liked,although still a 450 it wasn't as brutal as the KXF but a 450 is a 450 and i still got caught out now and again,plus it was heavy as f**k and i really struggled in the bush picking it up,was getting to the stage that riding wasn't fun......so to the full circle part,after xmas i thought f**k this and bought a 2010 KXF250 and my passion for riding has returned two fold and the boys reckon my riding level has increased as well,even to the point of dusting a few of them up at the MR's Maize races,much to my pleasure......this is from a guy that until 4 years had never ridden a motorbike,and these are only my opinions,hope this helps,good luck............

[ktm84mxc]

Well done Green Machine a insightful view.
Yamaha did a lot of work on the optimum size of engine in the late 90's they found a 350/400 cc gives the best in terms of power, torque, control ability & weight etc.
they also saw the American market demands Power above all else hence the 450's made by the manufactures.

[rogerh]

Don't look at the American market. It is quite misleading. A heap of riding over there is done at pretty serious altitude. Less than an hour out of LA and you are at 2000ft. A good day in Colorado or Utah (where there is some really good riding) you will be at 4000 - 9000 ft. Riding a 450 up there is closer to a 250 at sea level.

All the guys I rode with over there (at 6 - 9000 ft) saw a 525 as a mid sized bike power wise, but they also commented that they were pretty afraid of them at sea level.

Local experience is a much better guide. Green Machines experiences provide a pretty good insight.

[LankyBastard]

Hey, thanks for the tips green machine. After spending today at the sandpit have def decided against getting a 450, will be waaaayyy to powerful for my skills. The main downside to the DR is the riding position, due to its road bias the ergo'd mean its very hard to ride standing up, the pegs are too close to the bars, which are themselves too low. Likewise since i'm so used to 4 strokes i think best i stay with what i am familiar with. So looking now at a good 250 4 stroke, and i like the look of a few of the kx250f kawi's that were around today, had a chat to the owners who loved them!