LTR 450 or TRX 450

[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.

[NOS_350X]

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.