450 Trike Opinions

[matty]

For those of you who have a 450 trike I'm wondering what you think of it and if they are worth the money. I've been debating building or buying one.
I already have a 250r, 350x and I'm currently rebuilding a Tri-z but would love something different that no one else around has. I mostly trail ride and switch between my 250r and my raptor. Basically, are the 450s decent trail riding machines or should I spend my money else where?

[86T3]

Are they worth the money? That all depends on what you pay for one. I love mine, there isn't anything comparable to one. Mine trail rides great. I went for a 40 mile ride a couple weeks back with my buddy who was on an 86 250r. We switched up for a bit the R did everything mine did and it was fun getting back on a 2 stroke, but I'd take my 450 10 times out of 10. The suspension is great and the power is incredible, you're never in the wrong gear. The best part is that I can get every part right at the dealer, no searching ebay or craigslist for discontinued parts. I tried uploading a couple pictures but my phone isn't working correctly tonight, look through my started posts to find the thread on my Kawasaki if you're interested in seeing it

[loganm]

Don't build one if its gonna be a hack job. There is a prime example of what not to do on here. At the expense of their feelings I won't post a link, but it looks like a hackjob, it's bad.

[Louis Mielke]

My 250r has been on the shelf in the garage ever since i built a 450. Won't be going back for a daily rider thats for sure.

[atctim]

A 450 conversion is a different animal than any Stock Honda trike. I like them and think there is nothing better for racing and trail riding. I now have 2 of them. One for flat track and ice racing and one for MX and trail riding. They are fantastic. I love all 3 wheelers and have many vintage ones - but when it comes to riding / racing - I spend most of my time on the 450 conversions.

[keister]

Personally, I don't love the 450R as a trail rider.
For me they are too rev happy and require a lot of clutch work.
I prefer the chug-a-lug tractor power of a 350X or Big Red.
Other people (the 2 posters above, for example) love them on the trails.
It all depends on your riding style.

The two best things about them are:
They rev out about as fast as you can shift so they are a blast to ride fast - a 450R puts a smile on your face quickly.
If you break or wear out a part you can buy a brand new OEM replacement (kwad or dirt bike part) instead of a crappy used eBay part.

[matty]

Thanks guys this is exactly the type of info I was looking for. I think the 450 is exactly what I'm looking for and will suit my riding style. I almost always take the 250r over the 350x but after a long ride the vibrations do get annoying.
I do want to take my time and do research so I don't end up with a hack job. I'm thinking of spending around 10k and want to end up with something very nice.

[86T3]

10k is a hefty budget, you should have something very nice for that much. I have a lot less than that in mine and am very happy with it. There are lots of people who will help you with your build here or on the modern trike hybrid page on facebook. Good luck, keep us updated.

[big specht]

What year/brand 450 should people stay away from?

[atctim]

You could always look for a used TPC - they do come up from time to time. They are about 1/2 of your budget used.

[BOB MARLIN]

I'll let you know how much I like the 450, after I get mine done.

[atc007]

I think TPC sells the do it yourself conversion kit for around $2500. I don't know what he charges for the conversion if you send him your trx 450 frame and he installs the kit.

Beadle , 86T3 and others here would know first hand what he charges.

[oldskool83]

I think if you just pick up a clean 450F dirtbike and then pick up some atv parts and swap and mod things its not hard. You can save money and just use OEM stuff like a 250R front end at 1st. You do not need inverted forks if your gonna be bashing trees in the woods at 15mph.

todays atv rear fenders and seats are so slim you can adapt so easy with a few welded on tabs. Really the biggest thing is a swingarm...you can have a custom one made to line up or just use something off an alike atv and machine to fit. Nothing is hard if you take your time and tackle 1 thing at a time.

Honestly its harder to redo a vintage bike with new parts and make it still look vintage.

The kawaka alum frame 450 is honestly prob the coolest mode darn 3 wheeler I have seen. It makes TPC's look 10 years older...plus if you have ever road an aluminum framed machine you wont go back to steal unless you get a free blown up bike.

Also most 10 year old 450 dirtbike you can get normally clean with a rebuilt motor for $2,000 maybe $2,500 max. There is honestly no way you can go over $4000 if you with nice clean used parts, take your time and pick up parts over time.

I bought a YZ426F with a title for $1000 last fall to get me thru the rest of the season...it had 3wheeler potential all over it but it was a heavy pig compared to an aluminum framed bike. So yeah you can build anything nice if you take your time. Hell I got parts from every Japanese maker in my kx100 200x build and that was way harder then basically figuring out a seat rear fenders and a rear end on a 450F or 250F for the matter.

Good luck in what you decide. Like anything people who want instant gratification can buy a TPC...people who want it done their way can build their own.

[loganm]

You're wasting your time if you're going to a 450 and keeping conventional forks. A 450s performance potential is far beyond the limits of a conventional fork. Why anyone would go to the trouble of building a trike with a modern engine only to use completely outdated suspension technology is beyond me.

If you think a 450 is bad for trail riding maybe try a heavier flywheel and crf450x cam, if they are different.

[atctim]

My first 450 had traditional 250R forks on the front - I didn't mind. Let me tell you two advantages of conventional forks on a 450. #1 You can lower the front end a ton without shortening the forks. #2 they are way lighter!