Started looking for a new bike (Need Suggestions

[twotracks]

I am going to buy a new bike in the near future and need some "objective" input. I say objective because I am looking for advice from people who aren't going to be brand dependent. I understand we all have our favorite brands but let's face it, most all bikes these days are good bikes. Ok, enough said.

I am looking for a bike that can do a variety of things. Woods (enduro & hare scrambles), weekend trail riding, and on occasion go to the local motocross track.

Im fairly tall (6'3", 180lb) and am looking for a 450cc 4 stroke. I am looking at all brands (I will probably post this on Honda and KTM as well).

1) I initially wanted to buy a WR450 because of the seat height. My only concern is the weight. Reliability?

2) Honda Im sure has a good bike, but what about the amount of oil they hold. Also, woods riding (too much hit)?

3) KTM EXC This bike looks like a really good bike, but the price is unbelievable. I read from posting the suspension isn't very good either. Is it worth the price?

I want something that will last me a minimum of 5 yrs as well.

Thanks for your help...

[gfergtr74]

I have the WR and am very happy with it. With that being said I worked at a KTM shop and have to say that those bikes are incredible. Yes they are very expensive when compared to the other four but that EXC is an awesome machine. The Honda scares me because of the oil capacity as well. If I was in the market for a new bike I would either buy the WR again or the EXC.

[wjc2003]

I have a wr450 and I think it is kind of heavy and big for real tight trails here in western Washington and for MX too.It does quite well in the desert or more open trails and roads.Like any open class bike,it is a good hillclimber.I have never tried a KTM.My next bike will be a Honda 450.

[MN_Kevin]

next bike will be a Honda 450.

So will mine.

The KTM's are GREAT bikes!

The 04's have the revised shock...and I would buy one in a heartbeat, IF I HAD THE CASH .

[DOGBITE]

Ktm's are great ,but with the extra cost you could put that into your jap bike and have one hell of a machine. ?

[coldweld]

KTM are not the most reliable engines[ Fantastic bike though ]

Honda Gearbox????? Kickstart only[ Ex Fireblade owner ]

Yamaha Do's not feel noticeably heavier than my 400,

Looks bigger though. ?

[mtrablue]

wow, you do want a do-it-all bike. first off the honda is a mx bike. i know you know that but, the woods bike does not exsist yet. i asked the honda rep and he didn't know a thing about when ( or if ) it might be out. unless you want to wait.........

yamaha, ktm, good debate there. how are your area dealers? i would hate to have to drive a long way for ktm parts knowing my yamaha dealer can get parts in three days. if the dealer is not an issue i'd think the ktm might be a better choice right out of the box. i love my WR but i'm not sure i want to spend much time on a motocross track with it.

[Carlisle1972]

I have had ktm's, yamahas and Hondas, Wait til the honda 450x comes out. Im much more impressed with the engineers at honda. It will probally be a year or so, you wont be sorry read up on the 250x's, the chasis, engine and suspension are suposed to be the best combination ever in a bike, they say it can do anything well and they feel super light Dirt bike mag says it is 7 lbs lighter than the wr250 but it feels like 15 lbs.

[MN_Kevin]

how are your area dealers?

This is a very, viable variable...va-va-va >> say that fast!! ?

Parts discounts can go a LONG WAY when you need them.

The place I bought my WR is out to sell bikes only. After that, they don't give a crap. The ONLY reason I bought my WR there, no one else had them (late in 1999).

My WR is brutally heavy. If a CRF weighs 35# less (ya...I know headlight, tailight, speedo)...Man, I just don't think I would voluntarily pay for all the extra weight.

Our Senoir Moderator Bill shares my feeling on this as well. He was looking at a YZF250.

I'll tell ya, if you do ANY woods riding, the WRF / CRF-X 250 may warrant a long, hard look...

[tigerowner_ut]

I am going to buy a new bike in the near future and need some "objective" input. I say objective because I am looking for advice from people who aren't going to be brand dependent. I understand we all have our favorite brands but let's face it, most all bikes these days are good bikes. Ok, enough said.

I am looking for a bike that can do a variety of things. Woods (enduro & hare scrambles), weekend trail riding, and on occasion go to the local motocross track.

Im fairly tall (6'3", 180lb) and am looking for a 450cc 4 stroke. I am looking at all brands (I will probably post this on Honda and KTM as well).

1) I initially wanted to buy a WR450 because of the seat height. My only concern is the weight. Reliability?

The WR is very reliable. The only real trouble was the lack of a starter clutch on the 03 model

2) Honda Im sure has a good bike, but what about the amount of oil they hold. Also, woods riding (too much hit)?

If you want an enduro, buy and enduro. I constantly hear "oh the CRF is so much lighter..." That is just great, it needs a suspension revalve, lighting system, flywheel weight, 18" rear wheel, spark arrester that meets 96db, frequent valve adjustments,....

3) KTM EXC This bike looks like a really good bike, but the price is unbelievable. I read from posting the suspension isn't very good either. Is it worth the price?

I want something that will last me a minimum of 5 yrs as well.

Thanks for your help...

You get what you pay for in a KTM. The bike is ready to race stock. The WR is also race ready with just a few dollars spent. The biggest drawbakc of the WR is that the weight is carried a bit higher than a CRF or a EXC but you get used to it. The fact is that the Yamaha WR won the ISDE, KTM dominates the US and is in the top 2-3 in the World Enduro Championship, the Husky TE450 is the World Enduro Champion. Any of these bikes is a solid choice. Buy the one that fits you the best. If you like KTMs check out the 300, so you have to mix the gas.

[twotracks]

Ok, Here is what I have gathered so far.....(in a nut shell)

WR450 Vs KTM EXC

KTM's are supreme woods and trail bikes and the weight distribution is much better compared to the WR even though the weights are very similar (weight is the biggest complaint I have heard about the WR except for jetting issues and noise). The KTM components are top quality, but both bikes have decent suspension that works well.

So, that being said I am really leaning towards the KTM's, but I am unclear about one thing.

How reliable is the engine and tranny on the KTM's (Yamaha's engines are proven and very reliable, or so I have been told). I understand that there is quite a bit of general maintenance that has to be done on the KTM.

1) Oil changes frequently (every 3 rides?)

2) Top end inspections and valve adjustments every 25 hours

3) etc.....

If I am going to spend that kind of dough, I need to know that I can ride this bike for years... I can't trade every year on a new bike and expect to still be married. I need longevity (regarding bikes)...

I appreciate all of your comments, so keep'em comming cause I am learning alot about each bike.

[Rocky_Mountain_Racer]

Since 2003 the KTM exc's motor and tranny have become very reliable. The valves do need to be adjusted every 3 or 4 months depending on usage. Pretty easy to do as they just use an adjusting screw and lock bolt.The bottom shock bearing called a heim joint usually needs replacement once a year. The rear wheel bearings don't last to long, need to be replaced 3 or 4 times a year. Change the oil on a regular basis and the bike should last for years. ?