CRF450 or YZ450F ???

[Calvin]

I ride a Honda CR250. I am thinking of selling it and buy a new 450 four stroke. Im pretty happy with the CR250, but now i want to try 450 four stroke instead.

Should i choose a CRF450 or YZ450F, and why ?
How are the bikes handling ?

I know there is a diffrence in the two engines, but i dont think it matters that much. Which of the two bikes is easiest to ride ?

I´ve been into MX for five years and im slowly getting better.

Thanks for any serious answer !

 

[burchdogs]

all the tests so far and my buddy who got his about 4 weeks ago love the CRF! Very smooth!

 

[Anssi]

Originally posted by Calvin

I know there is a diffrence in the two engines, but i dont think it matters that much. Which of the two bikes is easiest to ride ?

The engine makes all the difference. The Honda is easier to ride due to its powerband. A lot of people don't mind the fact that it feels like a trailbike. However, I want some hit out of my bike, and that's why I ride the YZ450F.

 

[pbinsm]

Having just come off a 2001 cr250, I had a chance to compare-ride the YZF and the CRF (both 2004's)and chose the Honda mainly because it felt more familiar. I thought both bikes were great, but the honda was a better fit for me ( mainly because I am used to the honda feel!). The power and the handling were incredible (and I was a die-hard 2-stroke rider) and I can't believe how much fun this bike is.

I have no regrets on making the switch to four stroke!

 

[boardadikt]

pbinsm, when you rode the bikes back to back did you think that the YZF had too much power? Was the "hit" that noticeable or did you think that the engines felt pretty much the same. Can you compare the handling betweent he two?

Thanks

 

[boardadikt]

Calvin, from what i've heard the CRF is easier to ride and smoother. The front forks are supposed to be great-the first production bike to have works style forks. Have you looked into the KTM 450SX?

 

[pbinsm]

Powerwise they are close but the CRF is definitly, in my opinion, a little easier to handle(although I would not call it a trail bike!) It does produce some smooooth power! The YZF still has a hit, which might not be a bad thing if you like that kind of power. With that said they both are plenty fast and I would not buy one over the other based on which one might or might not be posting higher dyno numbers.
Handling wise the Yamaha had a heavier feeling to it. I am just off a CR250 and was concerned because of the weight, I would not like the four stroke. The feeling I got was that there is less of a difference, weight wise compared to my cr250, on the CRF, I didn't have a scale with me so I am not talking actual weight I am just talking about how they felt!
I can honestly tell you that I bought the CRF and am extremely happy so far.