First of all if you want the short version, Get Your Name on a List To Get The New 450 EXC, MXC or SX you will not regret it.
For the last year and a half I have been riding a 01 520 MXC. I could not get the suspension to work for me so I had new springs in the front and rear and revalved both. By the way I weigh 190 without my gear and 200 or 205 with. I also had to change the stock tank to a Clark which worked much better especially in the tight stuff.
Today I took the 450 EXC out to the Tillamook, Oregon area where they have a good combination of tight trails, rocky hill-climbs and some wide open trails.
The power on the 450 is awesome, it is right in between the 400 and the 520. On the tight trails it was great because I never felt out of control even if I grabbed too much throttle. On a couple of hills I never had to worry about power in fact I was shifting up to the next gear on a few of them. 1st gear is way low and second is ok but in the tight trails I wanted a little lower gear ratio, like a 51 or 52 on the back, comes with a 50. Then I could use 2nd and 3rd a little more. The bike had plenty of power even if you lugged it down in 2nd or 3rd. Not like the 520 but still very usable. Since I was breaking it in I keep my top speed down but it feels like there will be plenty when you need it. Again not as much as the 520 but more then I will need.
I was always uncomfortable in the tight stuff on my 520 but not on this 450. It is almost like night and day. The 450 is very slim almost like an SX model and it turns great. I did not even set my sag and the forks were at the top of the triple clamps, so it might get better with some experimenting. The weight is about the same as last years but it sure feels lighter and you can throw it around with no problem. I can not believe the difference.
The suspension worked very well and I think I can work with the stock springs and setup. The front was very stable and after a couple of adjustment with the clickers they were fine, they did not dive and soaked up all the small stuff with no harshness. The rear felt good and tracked real well so for now I will leave it alone.
Some little things I noticed, the brakes were better. The rear did not grab as much and the front was real strong. The hubs and the frame are gold and the hubs are bigger. The gas tank is only 2.4 but after 36 miles I still had half a tank so I am sure I can get 50 miles before reserve which will be fine. The new Digital speedometer is way cool but will take some time to figure out, have to read the book. The power is very smooth and no lag or hesitation on the bottom and the jetting seems just about right, I was at about 1500 ft and 70 degrees today. You may be able to get more with jetting but I will save that for another day.
Well that's about it for now, sorry I have gone on so long but I know a lot of people are curious about this bike.
One last thing I Do Not Miss My 520 At All.
Lee
For the last year and a half I have been riding a 01 520 MXC. I could not get the suspension to work for me so I had new springs in the front and rear and revalved both. By the way I weigh 190 without my gear and 200 or 205 with. I also had to change the stock tank to a Clark which worked much better especially in the tight stuff.
Today I took the 450 EXC out to the Tillamook, Oregon area where they have a good combination of tight trails, rocky hill-climbs and some wide open trails.
The power on the 450 is awesome, it is right in between the 400 and the 520. On the tight trails it was great because I never felt out of control even if I grabbed too much throttle. On a couple of hills I never had to worry about power in fact I was shifting up to the next gear on a few of them. 1st gear is way low and second is ok but in the tight trails I wanted a little lower gear ratio, like a 51 or 52 on the back, comes with a 50. Then I could use 2nd and 3rd a little more. The bike had plenty of power even if you lugged it down in 2nd or 3rd. Not like the 520 but still very usable. Since I was breaking it in I keep my top speed down but it feels like there will be plenty when you need it. Again not as much as the 520 but more then I will need.
I was always uncomfortable in the tight stuff on my 520 but not on this 450. It is almost like night and day. The 450 is very slim almost like an SX model and it turns great. I did not even set my sag and the forks were at the top of the triple clamps, so it might get better with some experimenting. The weight is about the same as last years but it sure feels lighter and you can throw it around with no problem. I can not believe the difference.
The suspension worked very well and I think I can work with the stock springs and setup. The front was very stable and after a couple of adjustment with the clickers they were fine, they did not dive and soaked up all the small stuff with no harshness. The rear felt good and tracked real well so for now I will leave it alone.
Some little things I noticed, the brakes were better. The rear did not grab as much and the front was real strong. The hubs and the frame are gold and the hubs are bigger. The gas tank is only 2.4 but after 36 miles I still had half a tank so I am sure I can get 50 miles before reserve which will be fine. The new Digital speedometer is way cool but will take some time to figure out, have to read the book. The power is very smooth and no lag or hesitation on the bottom and the jetting seems just about right, I was at about 1500 ft and 70 degrees today. You may be able to get more with jetting but I will save that for another day.
Well that's about it for now, sorry I have gone on so long but I know a lot of people are curious about this bike.
One last thing I Do Not Miss My 520 At All.
Lee
