[jcooksey]

I am new to the X models and was wondering what size rear wheel is the preferred rear wheel 18 or 19 ?
Thanks Jim

2005 CRF450 X

[JimDirt]

18" is standard and preferred , it is less prone to pinch flats , and because of a taller sidewall , has more flex so it is better at gripping obstacles that you would encounter Off-Road , as well as give a plusher ride than a 19"

On a side note , a 18" and 19" are the same overall size , the only difference is in the sidewall , you want less sidewall on a MX track because it keeps the rear end from getting squirrely because of the side flex that you would get with a 18" taller sidewall

[jcooksey]

Thanks I thought that might be the case. I have two 19 wheels and one 18 wheel . You helped me make my decision, we have nothing but rocks here in Southern Nevada so the 18 makes all the sense in the world, I just wanted to hear somebody else say it.

[JimDirt]

You can still do it with a 19" , but what i would suggest is to take them and put a Tubliss in them , this will eliminate the pinch flats , i use my 450R for off-road as well as my 450X , and the R has a 19" and does fine , but i run a Tubliss at about 10 psi and it does fine , but the ride is a little bit stiffer because of the lack of sidewall , so square edge stuff hits a little harder

I run a Tubliss in my 18" as well at about 7 psi , i also just put the new Kenda Equilibrium , its a cross between a knobby and a trials tire , its excellent for single track and will still do ok in sand (not deep sand , but it does ok)

Forgot to mention

Welcome to the site !!

[jcooksey]

Hey on another subject I picked up a 2005 450 x with a blown stator for a good price. My question is if you run the bike without the battery will it take out the stator?

[JimDirt]

No , as long as none of the unhooked wires do not touch any metal to ground/short out on , the battery is mainly for the starter , the lights have their own separate part of the stator , so they are powered by that and the ignition is powered by its own separate coils in the stator

But do not cut up the harness , doing so will make it really hard to sell the bike if you choose to do so at a later date , since no one wants a hacked up bike , especially when the wiring is hacked , but the stator on its own is not really any different than that of a 450R , just with the added lighting coils , so it will run on its own , but you will just not have the convenience of the button to start it

[jcooksey]

I thank you every little bit of info helps, I have been doing KTMs for so long I am having to relearn the Hondas.

[JimDirt]

Yea , completely different beast's , just follow what the majority does to theirs on these forums , the recommendations are tried and true , so if you do the recommended mods and add-ons , you will be happy , i have had mine since new in 05 (its a 06 , but i got it in summer 05) , pretty much been trouble free , its funny i have ridden KTM's and i liked them (both 4 strokes and 2 strokes) , but i don't think i could get rid of my 450X for one , or get rid of it for any other bike for that matter , maybe get one to go along with it , but not , either or