So here is my delima... I currently race a 06 CRF450R that has more mods than I can mention.  I have kept my bike in perfect shape but I am getting my butt handed to me on the starts.  I can chase the pack down and finish pretty well, but I wouldn't have to claw my way to the front if I could get better starts.  The input that I am getting is that the newer injected has the edge... I personally cant say for sure, since I have a small fortune in this 06 and could never justify parting with it and starting over.  I have been kicking around the idea of upgrading to the newer 450 but is the performance really that huge?

I have an 09 and I don't think a carb is your problem.  Practice starts.

englertracing, on 20 May 2012 - 02:21 PM, said:

Yeah right!! thanks!  the sand suck here now that I am in florida... I'm used to the north where there is plenty of topsoil...

thanks again!

i rode an 09 and did not notice any great power over a carb 450, just different...a little jerky too.  i installed a 480 BB kit in my 06 and it hauls the mail.  there is enough room in the 06 to go as big as 500cc.  the larger bore smooths out the power, but when you roll it on it continues to pull (lots of power, but very controlable).  nice mod.

Jon-D, on 20 May 2012 - 03:38 PM, said:

thanks!  I was thinking about that too... was just looking at them this week.  I put a moded cylinder head on it just to get away from the typical valve issues they had for about 3 years.  The responce of the injected was kinda what I was feeling out... I have thousands of dollars in this bike and just cant walk away when it is still winning me races.  as englertracing said... I guess I just need to practice my starts in this sand and maybe punch it to the 488.... thanks again!

I love my 06.  I'm thinking of getting a holeshot device but I don't have any first hand experience with them.  Some people swear by them, you might like them.  What kindof traction are we dealing with?  You mentioned sand?

On sandy stuff I always started in first gear, contrary to what everybody says about 2nd and 3rd gear starts. You jump out to about a bike and a half lead in the sand and speed shift the hell out of it about 15 feet off the gate and you'll keep that bike and a half lead.

I am now in Florida and the sand is definately a new monster for me to tackle.  I am actually from PA and the D6 tracks there are mostly topsoil or topsoil/clay mix.  so for me the sand is the worse thing I could have landed in, especially here, deep soft sand.  Up north I was winning Championships, and now struggling to stay in the top 5.

The holeshot device was my next buy as well as trying new tires.  Holeshot device is about the ony thing I haven't added.  Kinda feel wierd about them though... just doesn't seem to make sence, but then again I am kinda at my wits end with these starts.  Tire selection is a little defferent for me since I get mixed info on the tire compounds.  I was leaning towards the MX11 but hear they chunk apart.  So I have been kinda in limbo... also heard the sand race tires dont corner worth squat... then again... wouldn't know...

I do start in second, but admit I have never tried a 1st gear start here since we moved... worth a shot... can't hurt me any worse than what I have going on now.. lol

Thanks everyone for the input!  Anything else please feel free...

rejet the carb sure and tune it.  If you have not gotten a ALJ or R&D power bowl, you are missing out on a lot of potential of the carb there.

where are u at in fl??

grumpy_mx159, on 22 May 2012 - 11:59 PM, said:

North of Tampa.... close to Dade City...

Aww well....I'm on the other coast in palm beach county. I feel ya on the sand man most of my riding was done in PA and western NY. Its a whole different world riding down here

grumpy_mx159, on 29 May 2012 - 05:43 AM, said:

where at in PA?  I am origanially from PA and raced district 6 for awhile... raced some in NY as well.  I Raced at Dade City last night and with all the rain the last few days it was even softer!  I got new tires, and holeshot device... we will have to see what happens at practice thursday night.... I got ate up on the first moto start.  The second start was better... at the last minute I remembered to sit back more... some of those old habits from up north are hard to change...

Ever get to DCMX?

I was in warren county pa about 45 outta erie... Nah ive never been to dcmx but heard its a killer track. I usually hit thundercross mx..you ever go there??

no... never been.  I will be getting out to other tracks soon though... need to do some more track reviews for our website.  If you ever get out this way let me know! DCMX is ok... changes the track every 2 to 3 weeks... keep you on your toes.

Ill post back once I get all this stuff put on the bike and get a chance to ride... should now better by the end of the day on thrusday....

been to blackfoot MX?  Its pretty new... heard good things...