[EWP Zoul]

Ok, I am 37, Spent most of my time on a 2 stroke. Raced Moto-X for a few years, Been out of the riding for a few years (Broken back on a street bike). I got back into racing last year with a 1990 YZ250 racing Hairscrambles...to make a long story short I just purchesed a 2004 CRF450 (new). after so many years on a 2 stroke, what am I in for with the 4 stroke?
Any tips on 4 bangers over 2 strokes will be helpfull.

[crfsonly]

you're going to love it! power rolls on very predictable and there's tons of it. there's some, but not a lot, of compression braking that will take some getting use to. you might feel some of the extra weight...some of that is the torque and rotational mass...there more with the valve train.

good luck and let us know how it goes...ken

[redrider911]

more maintence. More cash for engine rebuild. An arm and a leg for a blown engine!

[crfsonly]

not true! mostly...there is some more maintenance required. oil changes are more frequent but top end rebuilds are same or possibly less. also, blown engines? ask how many CRF owners here have blown their engine and compare that to how many of us have seized a 2-smoke motor. just my .02 worth.

[EWP Zoul]

Thanks for all your feed back. I change the Oil in my 2 stroke after each race so it cant be more than that. As for top ends, well I think we all kept it to the bar just a bit too long once or twice...

[Team Bob]

Check your valve clearance regularly.
Change oil and filter regularly.
Don' t overrev it.
Equal long engine life.

[redrider911]

Dont chop the throttle off the jump. It hurts, bad!

[redrider911]

1995 cr 250 complete blown engine rebuild: crank, bearings, sleeve, piston rings, and such $600 parts only.
2003 crf 250 complete blown engine rebuild: valve train, timing chain, bearings, piston, oil pump, crank, Seals, gaskets etc $1,500 parts only! Plus, twice as long for labor!

[EWP Zoul]

Well I picked up the bike yesterday. Go figure it snowed... Will keep all posted when I get the first ride in, I am thinking this friday if weather is permitting

[EWP Zoul]

Here is the first run update..... I start the bike, with ease let it warm up a bit than take the choke off, It will idle for a few seconds with the choke off, give a small back fire and stall. I tried to increase the idle via the idle screw with the same results. will idle for a few seconds (5-10) give a pop and stall.
If I give it a quick crack on the throtle the responce is great and the exhaust is black?
Is this normal the bike is like 10 minuits old.

[EWP Zoul]

Well, Today was the first ride, After I got the motor up to temp the bike ran like a charm. With all the snow/ice&mud I could only go for 1/2 hour. The torque in unbeleaveable. I cant wate for the snow to be gone and the local track to be rideable. I will post more when I get a chance to do a real ride.

[ockevin]

Zoul,


Glad you finally had a chance to ride. You will love the 450's power.

[doggydan]

Hey Ive got a crf 150f ive had it for 2-3 years and it seams so slow. im 14 but by the time i get a new bike ill be 15 and im wondering if i should get a 450x or a 250x im about 5,11 and I am preaty good on a bike. I have no problem with touching the ground and I have ended up riding my dads XR 650L because my bike is way to small.

[crfsonly]

doggydan...hard to say which would be best for you. either bike is a great bike. if you were my 14 year old, no question about it you would be getting the 250x and NOT the 450x. i think less power at your age is a good thing for LOTS of reasons. i think it's a better bike to continue developing your skills.

good luck...ken

[04 crf450]

i think you would be fine on a 450x, if you are use to the power of your dads 650 you would get board of a 250x really quick