LTR 450 or TRX 450

[jmack3986]

After looking into the cost of rebuilding my R from the ground up i have given a lot of thought into just purchasing a new 450. I can get either the LTR or TRX for same cost. What I want to know is reliability and the performance is on both machines. and what upgrades should i be doing first to get them MX ready.

[300rman]

better off dumping the money into the 250R and building it up. 300CC bigbore, better suspension etc. i know a lot of guys with 450's, and every one has blown up.
did you see that article that pitted the TRX250R against the 450R? they are nearly equal, and thats without anything done to the 250R....not even a pipe.

[KASEY]

I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU RIDE WITH BUT I KNOW ALOT OF 450'S STILL GOING STRONG,,,, i have an 04 thats ridden hard and it still purrs like a kitten,, i know some 450's that have blown too.. but 90% of that is the rider / owners fault,too ... if you take care of a 450 it will last years... maybe not 20 like a 250r but along time,,,

[NOS_350X]

the difference is a small rebuild on a 450 is 2k
250's defently dont go like those do when they blow.

I race flattrack and see the 450's going all the time, and typically its just about a whole new engine.

The Lt has some good features, If your a c level racer the lt is perfect, thow a pipe on it, buy some shocks and tear it up.

The honda (IMO) has the aftermarket backing and suits a pro caliper racer much better you can easly make it EXACTLY what you want.. With a-arms, axles and stuf easy to get and readily avaliable.

[jmack3986]

My R is currently set up for mx but i was going to do a build on it where everything is going to be swapped out. frame a arms and swingarm, and the suspension. The set up that is on the quad now is PEP fronts, and ohlins rear. I was looking at a 450 for the simple fact that it is now the standard. My r is currently blown up with the bottom end out of it. I always throw out the bottom end on 250R's. I was looking to see what was better out of the 4 strokes.

[rdlsz24]

If you are looking to race mx, the Suzuki comes set up for that already, which will save you money down the road. The Honda will needed to be widened, etc. Both motors are strong. Suzuki gives you EFI over the carbed Honda.

This is from 08, but they are pretty much still the same: http://www.mediafire.com/file/01ttdntmtzd/450_Shootout.pdf

Rob

[atctim]

WOW - how did this become a 2 stroke vs 4 stroke debate? Thanks 300R Man!!!!!!!

Being the Honda guy I am - I can honestly say for MX straight out of the box - I'd go with the Zuk - hands down. However - with that being said - I would choose the Honda for a trail machine with small amounts of MX. How much of both will you be doing? You can take the LTR straight to the track as she sits. It all depends on your situation - I gotta ask - will this quad be dedicated to MX only?

[atctim]

they are nearly equal, and thats without anything done to the 250R....not even a pipe.

Did you even read the article?? You better re-read the article. http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php?108230-Cool-DirtWheels-article-89-250R-vs-09-450R-Honda&highlight=dirtwheels the 250R has a pipe on it!

[oldskool83]

i would rebuild your 250r, why do you throw your bottem end away if the motors blown, new bearings and seals and gasketes and your on your way again.

you might want to just looking a yamaha 400/426/450 motor and stuff that in the R frame, i know them motors are very realiable. the LTRhas some tranny issues with 2nd going out from what i read up on them. was going to trade for one but didnt then.

anymotor should last the 4 stroke will need more attention then the 250r.

its never cheap to build a bike ground up but it will last along time, im not here to say if 2 stroke are better then 4 strokes but i will say i like the torque outta a 4 stroke motor which is non existant on a 2 stroke it seems.

but i say if your racing amature run the 250r and just rebuild it.

[jmack3986]

Well after looking at everything yet again i should have looked at the KTM I want to keep the 250R but i always blow up the bottom end. Bearings don't tend to last long. I like 2 strokes on Bikes but The 4 stroke fits a ATV better in my opinion. And after investigating both the LTR and honda i did a little more research into the 450SX atv by KTM read the reviews and watched the debut test ride at red bug and I decided to Go ahead and get that. I plan on selling my 250R which i just got a new LRD pipe for here soon. I will be taking the quad to some trails but i ride strip piuts so its open trails. even tight spots i can still get through easily with 50" width. but mostly will be used on tracks. all the trail areas by me are 60 inches wide.

[atctim]

WOW - isn't there a HUGE price factor difference - maybe that is not an issue for you - but I know there are some SMOKING hot deals going on right now on leftovers for the Honda and Zuk.

[jmack3986]

6500 on a brand new 07 suzuki and 9k for a 09 ktm 6.3k for 07 honda. i like the Ktm after watching videos and seeing it in action it made me smile. i am not a big fan of Jap bikes anymore since i bought my husky. KTM uses good parts to start with and provides a better product.

[jmack3986]

6500+ to redo the 250R to get it the way i want

[oldskool83]

there is a reason race quads cost 10-15K. are your wants going to = out with that your needs are if your build the 250r? i know its a dumb question to ask but its a logical one. do you need a HRE frame to race or new a-arms or can you use used items to build want you need? just somthing to think about, i know it took me a few years to realize what i really need for my style of riding vs what i really want.

i myself like the look of the ltr450 and its set up for what you need prob right now in stock trim.

[rdlsz24]

Those new KTMs are awesome and mopping up in 450 comparisons left and right. Here is another test, in the woods again, but Honda is not in this one: http://www.mediafire.com/file/0ljgnzcnmdn/ATVSport_450Test_May2009.pdf

Rob

[300rman]

Prime example.....07? trx450, oil canges, valve adjustments etc......BOOM
my buddies quad. blew up in november, just getting around to tearing it apart.

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/147/l_5b4396aa5dbd4acca9dbce2c948778ff.jpg

[NOS_350X]

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g285/NOS_350x/P50501231.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g285/NOS_350x/S5031440.jpg

Same story, they just dont stay together, dosnet matter the brand. The head and clutch was still good, thats it.

[jensenracing77]

what class will you be running in MX? all the 450s can be made to be competitive. also there is much truth in the fact that 450s like to blow up. most is due to the misunderstanding of these engines. you need to keep them fresh just like the 2 strokes. if you run MX i would rebuild the top end every year. if you are a front runner in A class, you had better rebuild the top end mid season and the top and bottom end at the end of the year. there is a major difference between B class and front runners in A class. if you are a front runner in A class then the Suzuki is no better than any other 450 because the stock shocks and A arms need to go anyway. i have little experience with the KTM but they do make durable stuff.

[oldskool83]

so far evey 4 stroke needing a motor rebuilt ive seen all the pistons upsidedown in the motor. thats the 1st trx450r ive seen like that but ive seen 3 yfz450's in person that ended up ever worse then that.

[smokinwrench]

Its a tough decision to make, I was running a R years ago. I thought I needed the newer and better. I got a Banshee (I hated it), then a 400ex,(it was good but they only go so fast), then I got a Troy Lee Predator (still best overall quad I have ever owned) then I got a 525 Outlaw (unreal fast, awesome handleing, to many break downs) now I'm back to a modified R and think its great.

I have come to the fact there is NO perfect quad, I searched for years for it. Buy what you like and be happy. Spend the extra few $hundred$$ and buy the extended warranty and trade every time it runs out. Thats what I was doing but the Predator never had anything wrong, I should have kept it.

[300rman]

only problem is that quad motor i posted a pic of above was never raced or rode extremely hard. he should have gotten along a little longer than that.

[jmack3986]

Motors blow up it happens to all. the biggest thing i took into consideration is I want a newer machine where I can get better equipment. there has been a huge change in ATV racing world. And anymore I am just ready to make a change. I like the 450's power and after looking at the yamahas and other brands and seen the problems i decided to go with the KTM do to the fact that they have a great 450 motor that doesn't tend to blow up all the time. Another thing that a lot of riders don't do is proper break in period. a lot of riders that blow up their quads take em home and ride them real hard for a fresh motor which causes excessive wear and excessive dmg that is unseen. I am a person that changes my oil every 2 rides religiously to help prevent dmg. Not to mention that when i break in a quad i do the heat up cool down idle for the first 3 hours and change the oil. I have found this method to be very efficient to keep a good life in the motor. I know i am going to blow up a top end eventually but I keep on top of maintenance. The fact that my R blew up was a factor that i had no control over.

[300rman]

When my CR top end blew, it was because of lack of maintenance on my part. needed a bottom end, but thats another story. the thing is that most of the time when a 2 stroke lets loose, its the rings and it doesnt take out cases and cylinders when it goes. If the thumpers held together, you bet your sweet ass i'd have one. but you can also bet that i;d have my CR too. i love that bike with all my heart. 450 isnt that much faster, its just a helluva lot smoother.

[jmack3986]

I love the fell of a 2 stroke but the 4 stroke is a lot smoother and broader power. There is less feathering of the clutch. I am excited and can not wait to pick up my KTM 450. I just need to get the R sold. so many extra parts plu slots of upgrades to make it race ready

[jeffatc250r]

Dont liisten to all the hype on the 450's not lasting long. I know of a bunch that are still going strong 4-5 years in now. Its just like anything, beat the snot out of it and bang it off the rev-limiter all day and it will eventually say FU. Although im a honda lover, I must admit that I got a hard on for one of those new zukes. But the ktm looks like a nice bike too. Comgrats on the new cart.

[yammer hammer]

I would have to say the trx 450r for me pleze.

[krazykane]

i have looked at a lot .buddy of mine works for honda dealership near by and i was talking to him about the 450 .so when i went there i looked at the can am 450 .he was telling me anothe rone of are friends got a honda and about 3k in it and if i piped the can am i would run with it or beat it .just an opinion.me i have a t3 and love it but i cant wait to get my 4 stroke running .but that might me just wanting another toy up and running .

[Greiver430x]

I have a KFX450R and love it have had it 2 years now no major issues. I dont take it out everyweekend but when I do I ride it HARD. I had it out a a Patucky ride at brapps and stayed with all the guys with 4 snows on. even took it up a gnarly hill that I only saw myself modx and somone with a gtyr yammi with studded tires make it. I also should say I always change oil every time i take it on a hard ride especially if it is adusty trail. and I chage my filter everytime also. Takes about a quart of oil and a 5 dollar filter, I change it more then needed probably but at least I have piece of mind I wont be stuck 10 miles in the woods. All mechanicall things eventually fail, some more than others, but preventive maintenence accounts for alot.

[The Goat]

All mechanicall things eventually fail, some more than others, but preventive maintenence accounts for alot.

I really wanna give you an award for that.

how people don't understand it is beyond me.

[Greiver430x]

Thanks Goat people may disagree, will my 450 grenade one day who knows but I know by maintaining it I can help prevent that. All I know is Ive had my kawi for 2 years now and I take care of it, pay atention to your machine. If it doesnt seem like it has its normal power or its making noise, SOMETHING isnt right. Change your fluids, including your coolant not just your oil. Keep water and dirt out of your motor, these new 4 strokes rev like crazy throw some sand or water in the intake and boom, DEAD. I may be wrong but for something to shred a piston with no warning seems to be a stretch. You cant run the hell outta motor for years without any top end Rebuild and expect it to not let loose. You just gotta maintain them. Its like my buddy who drag races his 68 Valiant, he is constantly ripping his motor down the harder you run them the more upkeep you have to do.

[dirtbiken]

If you want a 450 a trx or a ltr, and it cost the same money to but these. and then put more money into them, why dont you just buy a race ready ktm 450? it would proabbly be around the same price after you get all the after market parts for the other 450's. If it was me I would get the 450 ktm. comes with a already stock racing engine, racing clutch, protaper handlebars, nerf bars, and many more parts. a custom exhaust that is like a performance one and sounds just like a fmf or procurcuit.

[jmack3986]

Bought the KTM and love it. went down early in the season and i am just healing unable to work. the KTM is a mean machine. I got my 250R back up and running and was surprised by the power my R has. it will keep up with the KTM in both power acceleration and. maneuverability

[ltrchad]

I'll be at trikefest im bringin my 09 ltr

[dirtjunkie85]

Go with the KTM they are by far the best stock race quad you can buy right now.

[jmack3986]

Love my KTM its a beast
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f230/jmack3986/101_1305.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f230/jmack3986/101_1303.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f230/jmack3986/101_1304.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f230/jmack3986/101_1302.jpg

[Jason Hall]

Man, I really love the KTM 450 & 505sx, I want one BAD!!!

[jmack3986]

they are awesome. I love it.