Thinking of going orange....

[TimBrp]

Don't be alarmed the pig is staying in the stable. However, I'm almost sure I'm gonna grab an 05KTM 450EXC for $6400 OTD with tax included and a protection package consisting of handguards, skidplate, sharkfins, pipeguard etc. all for $6400! I looked into the other "modern" 450 4 strokes(the honda and yammie) and the RFS KTM's come out more reliable each time. Nice easy valve adjustments via a valve tappet system(like our beloved Xr's) unlike the shim bucket designs that have proven somewhat unreliable and finicky in the big 4. I need something more adapt to singletrack and tons of guys swear by these bikes here in the tight New England woods(It's a sea of orange out there at the races) I know it's a bit more maintenance intensive than the xr but I'm a nut with that stuff anyway. So what do you guys think? Will I be happy or what? Any opinions(bad experiences) etc.?

[goblin127]

Lets face it Tim, we live in a unique place this New england. I was quite suprised that any one would want to ride a brp competitivly in New England given the bike was designed for flat out desert speed. Anyone out that way given any thought to the Huskeys? Just woundering.

[TimBrp]

Honestly, I don't ride the 650 competitively, unless you call smoking all my buddies on the trail with it competitive. I honestly find the bike terrific for what I do(powerlines, two track etc.) I rode my buddies new Husky TE 450. The cockpit was cramped and the jetting had hiccups like you read about. Standard husky stuff IMO from what I've read up on them. I've had a 99' husky WR250 since July. Come to find out I'm not a two storke guy though. I like being planted with usable power. The huskys don't have a big following here in the states. Parts suck to get and no one wants to work on them.. etc. I can do most of the work to the KTM myself. Plus I needed something light and fast for some singletrack I plan to be doing alot of and the KTM just shines in the reviews. I looked at all the big four and they all have their up's and down's, however the down's are really detrimental. Honda and their supposed valve issue, Yamaha and the weight and front end push, the list goes on. The KTM's just need some fine tuning on the front end to make them turn as good as a Jap bike, that's really all.

[thumpasaurus]

I need something more adapt to singletrack and tons of guys swear by these bikes here in the tight New England woods

One of my buddies bought a new '05 450exc a couple months ago. It is definitely more nimble and easier to ride in the woods vs a BRP. It's light and revvy like a WR/CRF and the power is peakier than the XR's but it's got more than plenty. His is dualsported too and he keeps up w/ me on the street no problem. Since his is new, can't speak for reliability yet. It overheated a lot the first week or so until he jetted it (JD) up and put a fan on it, but that fixed it. Very nice bike though. I don't think you could go wrong on a new one accessorized like that for $6400. In fact the only bad thing I can say about it is re: the seat. It is frickin horrible.

If I were after a pure woods bike.. I like my other buddies WR250F over the 450exc. The wr250 is like riding a jack rabbit in the woods but makes for a buzzy, nervous feeling street ride.

[al_piv]

Go for it, yet get James Dean Jetting kit -- The suspension is out of this world. Only thing you will notice is the seat, it can really do a number on you on long rides. It will require more work yet it is well worth it. If you want to do short dual sports I recommend the TrickDualSport kit.

I bought the XR for long hauls -- The ktm only holds 1.3 liters of oil and the bike is built for racing. The XR is overbuilt and can out last the KTM on long hauls.

Best of luck and enjoy!

[stonewall]

If you haven't already, you should do yourself a favor and at least get some seat time in on a KTM before buying. You mention a planted feeling and that's just something I never could achieve on the KTM RFS. I spent considerable time on both a KTM 450 and a WR450 before I made my purchase. I'm not trying to talk down the KTM because it's an awesome bike but IMO the WR offers better stability, a much more planted feel, and better all around suspension. The '05 WR lost all the top heavy feel of the earlier models and the handling is top notch. As far as reliability goes, I have 2,000 miles on the Yami so far and the valves haven't moved. Other than oil changes I haven't had to do a thing to it. The KTM had several small issues in the few weeks I rode it. The Yami was also only $5700 OTD. I'm not trying to tell you what to buy, you should definitely make that decision yourself, but coming off the BRP I felt much more at home on the WR than the KTM. They're all good though and once again, just my humble opinion.

[TimBrp]

Thanks for the opinions guys and keep em' coming!

[JackAttack]

If you haven't already, you should do yourself a favor and at least get some seat time in on a KTM before buying. You mention a planted feeling and that's just something I never could achieve on the KTM RFS.

Great advice.

The KTM will never feel as "planted" as the BRP. This is something that really screwed me up when riding KTM's.

[Roll_it_on]

TimBRP,

First of all I don't think you will regret going to a 450 over the BRP for type of riding you are talking about. I added a 450X recently for the trail riding I do up in Northern Ca. I was amazed at how much faster and longer I could ride this new bike over my 650R on trails. It feels like a feather in comparison and the power is good let alone the electric start which saved me the other day on the side of a ugly hill . I have a couple of buddies that have owned the 450X since they came out and have ridden and raced them weekly harder than I ever could and have had zero issues with reliability which kept me away at first. Now I know why I hardley ever saw anybody else on the trails up here on 650R's. I love my BRP and I will keep it for dual sporting since it can't be beat for that. Go for it. Either a WR, CRF, KTM can't be a bad choice since they are all great bikes. I went with Honda since I was able to have my 450X plated from the dealer and I thought there might be some emotional issues for the BRP to share garage space with with another bike let alone something other then honda. Let us know what you decide.

[TimBrp]

I'm thinking the KTM. I'm gonna bite the bullet and do it. If I don't like it, lesson learned. IMO, there's no easy way to learn anything. But believe me the XR isn't going anywhere. I love the bike. I think the planted feel may come from the xr's "wet" weight of around 310lbs. Yah think!? LMFAO!

[Old_Man_Time]

In 04 I bought a 04 525EXC and it immediately became my bike of choice in the woods. My XR650R remained my bike of choice in the desert. But the other day I rode a 510 husqvarna. If I were buying a bike tomorrow that is what I would get. So take a look at the husqvarna 450 before going Orange. Yellow and blue may be a better choice.

[Stinson]

I wouldnt rule out the WR, My brother has a BRP I had a 03 WR450 and now ride a 05 KTM 525exc. The WR and the 5 valve engine is hard to beat. The real only upsides that I find on the KTM over the WR is I have a plate, which I couldnt do on the WR in my state and 6th gear. The KTM is more expensive to maitain, and seem to need rebuilding sooner than the WR. I think im just as fast on the KTM as the WR but I guess Ill find out what last longer. Cya Stinson

[wr450fyamaha]

if u ride a 650, you gonna want a 525.

[TimBrp]

if u ride a 650, you gonna want a 525.

What makes you say that? I'm looking to go smaller/lighter. The 525, so I hear, can be a bear in the tight trails.

I'm looking for a bike that can do the tight nasty trails, singletrack, and still shine in the open stuff. The WR, so I've heard is a bit on the pudgy side. When you're doing 60 miles of singletrack all day, weight is a big concern.

[wr450fyamaha]

well, the 450sx weighs 231 and the 525sx weighs 234, i didnt think 3 pounds would make much of a difference. for adding 75 cc's, i think 3 pounds would be just fine. The 525 is about the closest you can get to the unmatched low end balls of the 650....so i would say thats the better one.......its just 3 pounds.

[wr450fyamaha]

my bad, its actually a 1.76 pound diff.

[Roll_it_on]

Tim,

I am still amazed at what the 450's put out with regards to HP so that won't be an issue but the weight is something to watch out for. You already have the power/torque monster 650 so a lightweight trail bike I'm sure will be a welcomed addition.

[TimBrp]

well, the 450sx weighs 231 and the 525sx weighs 234, i didnt think 3 pounds would make much of a difference. for adding 75 cc's, i think 3 pounds would be just fine. The 525 is about the closest you can get to the unmatched low end balls of the 650....so i would say thats the better one.......its just 3 pounds.

The 450 will feel lighter and be better mannered in the singletrack. A 525 + 2ft wide trails=trouble.

[wr450fyamaha]

yeah........i guess you may have something there.....but when i ride my cuz's drz400e, i cant stand it, it has no power compared to my L.....even though the l weighs a hundred pounds more.

[huntmaster]

I like KTM's but hate orange! Perhaps the new Polaris influence will have some impact here and improve that situation? The addition of beer holders will be useful too!