I use to have a very nice modified CR500. They aren't that bad once you get use to them. It's hard to keep tires on them though. But that was a long time ago. Nowadays the new CR 450's have more HP than the CR500's (stock). I believe the '09 is rated at 56HP. A good running modified CR250 is hard to keep tires on too. My last one had nothing but super top end. They will spin the tire in any gear and lift the front end. Some of you guys that are new to bikes and the KLX is your first bike, or have been DS'rs or regular dirtbikers all your life have no idea what your missing. Only reason I quit is because its becoming impractical. Its too time consuming to load up and ride somewhere, not that many places to ride to begin with, and a few other things, espeically since I'm out of the FMX business now. The DS was just the way to go for me now. It's nice to ride from your garage door to the street then right to the trail. Thats priceless. Though, it would be nice to get a CR and throw a Baja Designs kit on it. I just hear its such a pain to get them road legal or I would do it in a heartbeat.
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ASIAN CHEERLEADER

 

That's why I bought a KTM EXC which is 50 state street legal off the dealer floor. Plenty power to feed the HP junky in you after you "derestrict" it, but it's a woods bike so it won't have the MX'er hit like a CRF450R. But most folks don't really want that hit for the woods.

Since I had a Kawasaki at the time, I wanted to lean hard toward the KLX450, but alas, it is not street legal here in the U.S. If it was, I would have bought it in a heart beat. But I didn't want to have to hassle with getting plate which can be a pain. So I went European and haven't had any regrets at all - it's been a solid bike, now nearly 4000 miles with zero problems.

Check in on the Husqvarna TE's also as well as BMW's new 450. Similar deal there.

 

Opinions on the 09 310 from Husky.

 

Looks pretty sweet. They are probably onto something with the 310 displacement. Lots of folks say the 450 is too much, but the 250 is not quite enough.

But I still like the new Husaberg FE450 with the central engine/crank and the fuel tank low in the frame, carrying its weight low and putting the spinning gyroscopic forces of the crank at the bike's pivot point mostly nullifying its adverse affects on turning. IMO, that is the most innovative dirt bike out right now.




One thing is for sure - you can hardly buy a bad bike these days.

 

My thought too. All the 450's I've tried are just way too much to exploit 100% at my level. I'm no "Knighter."
I can get 100% from a modern 125 2 stroke though. Soooooo much more fun than a 450 IMHO.
The 300 may be a happy compromise, and a sneaky move towards a new premiere class in MX/Enduro racing.
The Husa' innovations are the way forward.
Add that to the BMW CS and swingarm pivot system and we may be getting close to handling nirvana.

 

Wow!! both of those are real beauties!!!

 

Boy that 310 is nice!

 

I love all of those Euro bikes, problem is they cost an arm and a leg. There was an EXC here for sale and even used it cost about as much as two used 250's.

As long as your a full grown man and your not a beginner to motorcycles a 450 is by no means way to big. Especially for a road / trail bike. And they are even lighter than our bike. It's win win. It just feels like too much because your use to riding this green turd with wheels that Kawasaki calls a bike so much. Heavier bike, smaller engine, corked up, less power. With a machine you intend to ride on the road you want as much power and engine as possible so you don't have to ride the crap out of it and you can take it easy..... as long as its size and weight don't compramise your off road capability. And the production 450's today do not, as previously mentioned.... they are lighter.
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Kitchen Measures