400XC-W v. 450EXC v. CRF450X v. Anything
Well the title pretty much sums up what I'm considering here. My skill level is pretty low-intermediate, and while I live in SoCal, land of the desert, I do prefer to hit the tight twisty single track when I can (which isn't very often). So I'll have to be able to take the bike pretty much anywhere. However, I will be holding onto my 200EXC as well, so maybe my thumper won't have to be as versatile.
I have very good throttle control, so don't really expect the bikes to come out and bite me despite the fact that my previous bikes (KDX220, KTM200EXC) have less power than what I'm looking at here.
Performance wise, I imagine that all bikes would have enough power for me, but am curious about the characteristics of their suspension systems. I am also extremely worried about the mysterious valves that these thumpers have :] If there are any significant reliability differences between these, please let me know!
Finally, I've spent some time on the CRF450R and thought it was fantastic - that riding experience was what got me interested in all of this thumper stuff in the first place.
It's my understanding that these bikes are fairly similar at least, so I do appreciate any info you all can give me :] Looking forward to joining both the 2T and 4T clubs!
1) Your physical size (both height and weight are important)
6' 155lbs. 26 yrs old.
2) How physical / aggressive are you?
Medium to low aggresiveness when riding. I like to tool around and hang out.
3) what do you plan to ride- MX/SX tracks, woods, fields with friends or ?????
Everything. Trips to the rockies, local deserts (less dunes and more rocky desert - but still some dunes and deep washes will be in there). NO MX/SX.
4) Do you have any riding experience?
I am very experienced. But not very fast! Hahaha...
5) Do you think you will race ?
Only recreationally, if at all. I won't push myself beyond my comfort zone to place better.
6) Are you mechanically inclined and will you be doing your own bike work?
I HATE maintenance. I can adjust my chain, clean air filters, change tires, check and change oil, and screw the idle screw. Everything else is mysterious to me.
7) Do YOU have a preferance to a brand/ motor choice (2 or 4 stroke)?
See question 10. Also, I was very impressed with my friend's CRF450R at Ocotillo. So thumpers only this time around.
8) Do you have a dealer close by your home that you might use and what brand(s) does he carry?
ALL brands are in play.
9) How much do you plan to spend on a bike?
Doesn't matter.
10) Do you live in California?
Unfortunately yes.
11) Anything else that you think would help form an opinion
Did I mention that I don't like maintenance? I will be keeping my 200EXC for the REAL gnarly twisty trails. So any bike I'm looking at now will fortunately not need to do that kind of work. I also want a bike which doesn't need to be rejetted everytime I go from Southern California to the Rockies.
Well the title pretty much sums up what I'm considering here. My skill level is pretty low-intermediate, and while I live in SoCal, land of the desert, I do prefer to hit the tight twisty single track when I can (which isn't very often). So I'll have to be able to take the bike pretty much anywhere. However, I will be holding onto my 200EXC as well, so maybe my thumper won't have to be as versatile.
I have very good throttle control, so don't really expect the bikes to come out and bite me despite the fact that my previous bikes (KDX220, KTM200EXC) have less power than what I'm looking at here.
Performance wise, I imagine that all bikes would have enough power for me, but am curious about the characteristics of their suspension systems. I am also extremely worried about the mysterious valves that these thumpers have :] If there are any significant reliability differences between these, please let me know!
Finally, I've spent some time on the CRF450R and thought it was fantastic - that riding experience was what got me interested in all of this thumper stuff in the first place.
It's my understanding that these bikes are fairly similar at least, so I do appreciate any info you all can give me :] Looking forward to joining both the 2T and 4T clubs!
1) Your physical size (both height and weight are important)
6' 155lbs. 26 yrs old.
2) How physical / aggressive are you?
Medium to low aggresiveness when riding. I like to tool around and hang out.
3) what do you plan to ride- MX/SX tracks, woods, fields with friends or ?????
Everything. Trips to the rockies, local deserts (less dunes and more rocky desert - but still some dunes and deep washes will be in there). NO MX/SX.
4) Do you have any riding experience?
I am very experienced. But not very fast! Hahaha...
5) Do you think you will race ?
Only recreationally, if at all. I won't push myself beyond my comfort zone to place better.
6) Are you mechanically inclined and will you be doing your own bike work?
I HATE maintenance. I can adjust my chain, clean air filters, change tires, check and change oil, and screw the idle screw. Everything else is mysterious to me.
7) Do YOU have a preferance to a brand/ motor choice (2 or 4 stroke)?
See question 10. Also, I was very impressed with my friend's CRF450R at Ocotillo. So thumpers only this time around.
8) Do you have a dealer close by your home that you might use and what brand(s) does he carry?
ALL brands are in play.
9) How much do you plan to spend on a bike?
Doesn't matter.
10) Do you live in California?
Unfortunately yes.
11) Anything else that you think would help form an opinion
Did I mention that I don't like maintenance? I will be keeping my 200EXC for the REAL gnarly twisty trails. So any bike I'm looking at now will fortunately not need to do that kind of work. I also want a bike which doesn't need to be rejetted everytime I go from Southern California to the Rockies.
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