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Dirt Bike Brands - Other
Help I can't decide 200 or 450
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[QUOTE="zeboe, post: 455524, member: 29384"] I'm thinking of getting a new ride and wanted some opinions on the 03 200 E/XE verses the 450. A little background: 1st I’m SLOW, but I am getting better. 2nd I currently ride a well-used 97 250exc hand-me-down. 3rd This was my first summer in 20 years on an off road bike. Yes you might be thinking, “The dude is going though a midlife thing”. Himmm, maybe but it started when I was 24. The last 16 years I’ve raced road coarse & short track cars. What’s my point you may ask? I’m very completive. 4th Having rediscovered my first motorized love, cycles, I soon realized I could still ride well enough to have some serious fun. I also realize I no longer bounce well. The 25 extra lbs I’m carrying contributes to that big thud sound when I crash! 5th I have always had a passion for endurance events. So far this summer I entered and finished 3 enduros and 2 H/S. I was even lucky and clueless enough to have finished 3rd in my first ever enduro. To recap: I’m 40+, slightly (25lbs) over weight. I get tired quickly but I have lots of stamina. I’m completive to the point where I am motivated to improve my skills and be completive in my class. I ride an older well-used 250 and I’m also a realist so I know I will probably never be an A rider. Maybe one day with work I might tiptoe into the B ranks. Ok, enough background I need to choose my weapon! I had my heart set on the 03 200 but the more I read in the mags and forums the more I seem to want the 450. I know the 200 and 450 both have strengths and weaknesses. Although I have never ridden the 200, from what I can glean from the forums I think the quick handling and lightweight would be the way to go. On the down side (maybe) I’m not sure if the "125 on steroids" would be well suited for my love of the 250's low end torque. In my last enduro I found myself really lugging the old 250 in some nasty root covered hills. The 200 strikes me as a thoroughbred race bike that is somewhat less forgiving if handled by a novice. The 450 on the other hand, a thoroughbred among its peers, seems to be more forgiving and versatile. And yes the little red button keeps calling me! My perceived downside to the 450 is the weight or bulk. I really want something more nimble and crisper turning than my old 250. Again I’m working to improve my skills so being the easiest to ride is not my only factor. I want a machine that will reward me as I get better and be fun to play with in the off months. I can’t decide I want them both!!! Thanks Z :yeehaw: Ooo the power of the banana [/QUOTE]
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Dirt Bike Brands - Other
Help I can't decide 200 or 450
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