Is a CRF450 to much bike?

[Killer McCoy]

Right now i have an XR200 that just dosent do it for me anymore. it bottoms out way to much on jumps and things. I want a new bike for my B-Day and im trying to decide between a 250f or a 450. Ive ridden my uncles WR205f but i think i want something bigger. would a 450 be overdoing it?
I mostly ride on powerlines and fields and gaslines and such. but occasionally take to the woods.(its muddy back there)

(oh ya, im 6ft. 150lbs, play football, i think im strong enough.)
:aj:

 

[70 marlin]

The trend that I've been seeing the last few year's out on the trail has been smaller lighter bikes ridden to there full potential. Get the 250 and ride harder.

 

[nectar]

Hey if you're getting it for your Bday, ask for the crf450....I've never ridden one, but everyone wants one....most of the racers I know wish they had one, cause its very fast and easy to ride. May not be best suited in tight trails, but powerlines and such I think that bike would be awsome with some suspension tweks. Good luck with it.

 

[Killer McCoy]

i want something that can go fast in the open, jump and land good, but can also navigate slippery trails. ive never ridden a 450 but i have rode a WRF250. it didnt seem that it was all that fast though(top speed) my XR beat it. I can handel the power of a 250f just fine. if i were going to get a 250, im lookin at the KXF. Im just worried about the 450 suddenly grippin on the trails and slam me into a tree......

 

[Killer McCoy]

sry for the dbl post. all the trails i ride or have ridden havent been that tight. my friends have 4weelers and only seen them wreck once. and it wasn't bad

 

[nectar]

...just follow the golden rule...ALWAYS keep a finger or two on the clutch lever, and you should be fine....

 

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[23jayhawk]

ive never ridden a 450 but i have rode a WRF250. it didnt seem that it was all that fast though(top speed) my XR beat it. I can handel the power of a 250f just fine.

It's likely there was something not right about the WR you rode if the top speed is less than an XR200. Perhaps it still had the throttle limiter installed, or the stock muffler.

Some of the fastest guys around here race the WR/YZ250F, and I've also started to see the KXF250 show up. Unless you're an expert or have been riding for about 10 years, I'd stay away from a big bore for woods riding. They make insane power, and at 150 lbs you won't need a fraction of what it has to offer.

 

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[Darby]

The crf450 is very easy to ride and feel lighter than it is. You wont regret getting one.

 

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[Killer McCoy]

The WRF did have a stock pipe(it is uncorked though) my uncle hasnt done anything to his bike. the reason im faster in the top speed department is because of my sprocket. thw WRF is WAY quicker than my XR off the start. duh. i looked at the weight of the 250f and the 450 and its only like 16 pounds heavier.

ive been ridin for 4 years. How much of a step up is the 450 from a 250? like power wise?

 

[mxer842]

i rode a crf450 today for the first time and it makes insane power, im used to my yz125 and the 250's but that 450 was a beast, if you can ride one of those things in the woods consistently it is a testimate to throttle control because those things are beasts!!!!!!!!

 

[cujet]

The CRF is no beast. It is a light weight 4 stroke bike with slightly more power than a 250 2 stroke. It also has a very smooth flat torque curve that makes it super easy to ride. I think that is part of the CRF's large appeal.

 

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[jboomer]

Look, everytime someone recommends the 250f to you (which in my opinion would be the better bike for you to buy for the type of riding you want to do--plenty of power and yes, size does matter (especially in the woods)) you argue and say it doesn't have enough power,etc.etc. Sounds like you've already made up your mind on what you want. So, buy the 450.

 

[Nordegg]

I agree with Jboomer. The CRF250 is such a huge step up from the XR200 in suspension and power I can't believe you'd be disappointed with the performance. If the Yamaha didn't feel fast enough I'm going to suggest you were trying to ride it like your XR, low revs and torque: not what it was designed for. On the riding you are doing I'd bet money you'll be faster on the 250, but you want the "big dog". Buy the 450, and buy very good protective gear for the "tree hugs". They're both great bikes (actually so is the Yammie).

 

[woodsy]

MY OPINION - The CRF is NO BEAST!! It has the most ELECTRIC awesome power of ANYTHING I have ever ridden! Yes, there is ALOT of power there but you dont HAVE to use it!! It doesnt come on like the early model CR500's and all of a sudden NAIL you to a tree. Handling is second to none - TOTAL MAGIC!!
No doubt about it - if I could afford one - I WOULD HAVE ONE!!
Woodsy

 

[Uchytil]

WOODSY & CRFS

Woodsy, Are you speaking of the 250 or 450? I'm beating my brains out on the YZ250F, CRF250R, CRF450R, and, believe it or not, XR250R. I like the power of the moto bikes and plan to keep my CR but am looking for a MI trail bike that will keep me outa the trees (and the Ottawa ER where I've been due to Cedar Creek trees that jump out in front of me). Really, which one were you speaking of?

 

[70 marlin]

Woodsy, Are you speaking of the 250 or 450? I'm beating my brains out on the YZ250F, CRF250R, CRF450R, and, believe it or not, XR250R. I like the power of the moto bikes and plan to keep my CR but am looking for a MI trail bike that will keep me outa the trees (and the Ottawa ER where I've been due to Cedar Creek trees that jump out in front of me). Really, which one were you speaking of?

Wow Those tree monsters have a bad habit of that? They got me the last time I was there. It was hiding in this big fluffy juniper bush. :ugg:

 

[woodsy]

I am speaking of the CRF450 - hands down AWESOME! Now let me elaborate on what I would do to it. 1st - BUY THE OVER SIZE EXTERNAL OIL TANK!! Now on to preparing for those AWESOME Michigan trails with kick stand, lights, light coil, Clark 3 gallon tank (these bikes get astounding fuel economy but the extra fuel is still required), 18 inch rear wheel for MUCH bettertire selection, RAD GUARDS and SKID PLATES, all the "little" stuff to make it "street legal" and then I would either get the tranny upgrade (wr tranny) or spring for one of the "auto clutches" and gear it UP a little (I am getting LAZY in my old age)!! :) :) Its fun to dream!!
I want you to know that my statement that "affordabilty" is my barrior is NOT about intial costs! I have seen MAJOR big bucks go out the door in topend and crank misshaps with both the YZF's and the CRF's - they are just made to "light" (not weight but strength) for hardcore woods riding in my opinion! Another issue for ME to consider is that these modern fourstroke wonders DO NOT take to kindly to having trail trees grab you like 70Marlin is talking about! A real close riding bud of mine, who's CRF450 I have spent some time on :), had a 1/2 inch branch rub his raditator cap and bent the goose neck beyond belief (I was behind him on my KX when this happened) - rebent it with his HAND and the flat surface of a axle wrench to get it home. He had rad protection and He DID NOT run into a tree - it was just a small branch hanging in the trail - we were both SHOCKED!! ALL HE DID WAS BRUSH IT!! If you ride hard, on occasion you WILL have to "throw a bike away" - experience has shown me that this act could easily get REAL expensive to do that with a one of these bikes!
BUt still, IF I could afford one, I would have a BRAND NEW CRF450 in my garage!! Oh heck, I would have 2, one stock - one Woodsy "WOODS WEAPON" :) :)
Woodsy

 

[70 marlin]

Hey woodsy. You want a rush and if you promise to be nice to my rear tire. You can show me the Blue Lake trail and we'll swap bikes. I always wanted to try that 500 out for size.

 

[woodsy]

Hey Marlin - I WOULDNT MISS THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR LOVE NOR MONEY!! Your on big guy!! Ahh, is your bike even borke in yet?? I promise to go easy on your tire :) The only reason that my bike was throwing pieces of tire last time was cause Mark was "teasing it" - it wasnt my fault! I would REALLY love to ride that Husey and Blue Lake would be the place to do it! No need to worry about the KX either - it is "broke in" and will treat you real nice!
Sounds like fun - do a "Sundance" will you!!!
Woodsy
Hey 40plus - come ride with us sometime - your "name" sure seems appropriate for the groups I ride with (ohhhh brother, I'm going to catch it for that one :) )