[jim5150]

I ride mainly open trails with jumps and mx tracks. I am in Ga and the trails are really open and hilly with plenty of jumps. At this point my riding is probably 60% trails and 40% mx. At this point I ride no tight trails at all although may as my son gets older.

I currently ride a KTM 200XC and love it although am looking for something more apt to mx. I am considering 450R or a 250 2 stroke. The valve and maintenance issues on a 450R somewhat worry me. I do all my own work and am capable although I hate to work on something just to be able to ride it. I will do routine maintenance as needed.

So, my questions for you guys.

Will a 450R excel in these conditions?

Realistically, how much maintenance for a 450R? How long do oil changes take?

Are the valves as bad as they sound?

Would you buy a 450R again?

Thanks!

[JAWS]

I am going to start you off here although I ride a 450X rather than an R:

The maintenance is similar to any modern water cooled 4 stroke bike. The thing about valves is way over blown. Check them when you get the bike as a baseline and check them periodically as you go. It's easy and you will see when they start to move. You have several shimming sessions before needing replacement. When you replace, go with the Kibblewhites Stainless for longevity.

The 450 R will do very well in open terrain. The tight single-track stuff is where it's stiff suspension and tall first gear will become a nuisance. These are things you can adjust.

The oil change is very little different from any bike with the exception that you have to do it twice because of the split reservoirs. It still only takes about 30 minutes or less once you've done it a few times.

Get one and ride!
Joe

[124]

I would absolutely buy no other bike than another CRF450R. Great bike. I ride a variety from MX to single track in the tight woods.

The maintenance is a little higher than other machines, but this is true of all 4-stroke race bikes. As Jaws said, the valve issue is a little over-inflated. With that said, you will have to replace the valvetrain at some point. How soon depends on how hard you ride, your maintenance routine, and misc conditions. I ride pretty hard and use most of the machine's throttle. I got about 1-1/2 seasons before I upfitted to stainless steel valves. I am now enjoying the increased durability.

Oil changes are no biggie. Again, 2 resevoirs means 2 drain bolts, but besides that, everything is equivalent.
Get one...

[team honda]

i ride and race cross country and mx with my 450R and have no problems at all its a good all around bike

[UteMachine]

I am going to start you off here although I ride a 450X rather than an R:

The maintenance is similar to any modern water cooled 4 stroke bike. The thing about valves is way over blown. Check them when you get the bike as a baseline and check them periodically as you go. It's easy and you will see when they start to move. You have several shimming sessions before needing replacement. When you replace, go with the Kibblewhites Stainless for longevity.

The 450 R will do very well in open terrain. The tight single-track stuff is where it's stiff suspension and tall first gear will become a nuisance. These are things you can adjust.

The oil change is very little different from any bike with the exception that you have to do it twice because of the split reservoirs. It still only takes about 30 minutes or less once you've done it a few times.

Get one and ride!
Joe

I couldn't agree more. The valve thing is so overblown it's become laughable for me. Before I bought my 04 R I went to the KTM/Suzuki dealer looking at RMZ's. I told the salesman I was also looking at Hondas. He basically said stay away, the valves on those things are terrible and will end up costing you a lot of money. I almost didn't get a CRF because of that and boy what a mistake that would have been. Luckily I did a little research just as you are doing and making sure to only ask people who actually own a CRF.

I ended up buying a used bike, I've put a lot of trail mileage on it and my valves are perfectly in spec. When they start to go out, I'll just shim them back into spec until they need replacing. With a good manual and a little knowledge of a wrench you can do all of this yourself. DO NOT be scared of the "bad valve" hype. Take care of your CRF and it will take care of you.

Now, my CRF bucked me over the bars in 4th gear 3 weeks ago, I need to figure out what I did to her to deserve that. Good luck!

[Asmith]

Now my CRF bucked me over the bars in 4th gear 3 weeks ago, I need to figure out what I did to her to deserve that. Good luck!

Maybe she doesn't like modified cooking tools attached to her. (reminds her of being kept "down" in the kitchen.)

[UteMachine]

Now my CRF bucked me over the bars in 4th gear 3 weeks ago, I need to figure out what I did to her to deserve that. Good luck!

Maybe she doesn't like modified cooking tools attached to her. (reminds her of being kept "down" in the kitchen.)

That was pretty funny.

[MadMatt]

DO IT! you will not be dissapointed.

[nedirtbikr]

Unless you're lazy (like the X owners ) and want to start your bike with the "laz-e-button," get the R.

I am a mediocre rider. Ride mostly woods with a little track. With the exception of the R's propensity to stall in tight stuff, this is the bike to have. Stalling can be fixed with flywheel weight or Rekluse (I just haven't done either yet.)

Valves? What valves? One small adjustment right after breakin and they've been solid ever since.

Oil change (with skidplate removal) - 20 minutes tops.

Get one...you'll love it! And YES...I would buy another one.

[crfsonly]

you've received good advice. only thing i would add is the ktm200 you've been riding is more like a big bore 125 in terms of being light and docile. the 450r is light for a 450 but not ktm200 light and has AVAILABLE power that will get your attention. i say available because it is very controllable and predictable power but there is a lot of it if needed.

good luck...ken

[Asmith]

Unless you're lazy (like the X owners ) and want to start your bike with the "laz-e-button,"

Guilty.

[crfsonly]

get one of each the x for days when you feel laz-e and the r for days when have lots of eneRgy

ken

[JAWS]

After watching the In2Deep debacle at KM II last time... count me lazE!
Joe

[nedirtbikr]

I didn't want to sway young skywalker (Jim5150) to the good side of the force by hyping up the button. The daRk side is much more fun. HOWEVER, I will be man enough to admit...that little button would have been nice to have on more than one occasion.

Jim - Ken makes a good point about the 200 vs. 450 weight/power thing. I just recently got the 200 and the 450 is still a monster compared to that 200. The 450 is by no mean a "heavy" bike, in general. But compared to the 200, the 450 is a bit of a Goliath. You'll get used to it. DO IT! DO IT! GO BUY ONE RIGHT NOW! GO! GO! NO EXCUSES!

[Asmith]

I didn't want to sway young skywalker (Jim5150) to the good side of the force. The daRk side is much more fun. HOWEVER, I will be man enough to admit...that little button would have been nice to have on more than one occasion.

I'm going to save all your posts Mark.

And slowly repost them back to you once your knee goes out and you buy an X and rave about how great the X is.