450's on trails

[Trajik1002]

I have recently retired racing the 250 two strokes (trx250r and lt250r). Needless to say both were great quads. The suzuki was a bit better when it was running but the trx was much more reliable. (both had many upgrades). But what i would like to know now is honda and suzuki aside which would be better for trail riding? I still want the power when i need it but also be able to dog it on the trails which is why i'm turning to the 450's. I hear the suzuki has little ground clearance for trail riding but with some bigger tires would i be ok? Also i hear the suspesion on the suzuki is better stock but would the trx be ok for hardcore trail riding and hill climbing with the stock suspension? I was leaning towards trx until i heard this. Anyway i hope someone can help me out of this headache. Thanks!

[DBF1972]

Trajik1002,

In my opinion the LTR450 is a much better choice for the "mxer" than being a trail quad. The LTR450 has very stiff front shocks, sits lower to the ground, has mx tires stock on it, and it is about 3 + or - inches wider than the stock 450R Honda. I race quad mx, so it was more of a cut and dry choice for me personally, but if I was to race GNCC or trail ride, I would have to do a few things to turn it into a trail machine. If you want a trail capable machine bone stock, I would lean towards a 450R Honda. They are very good, and reliable. I also think that the stock suspension on the 450R would be fine for trail riding.

Good luck...

[Trajik1002]

Thanks for the info i'll be picking up the trx450r at the end of this week!

[Baracudaaa]

Look at just about every mag over the last 2 months, the Honda has placed last on the track and trail untill you dump good $$$ into the quad. I know its just magazine articles, but the YFZ seems better on trails than the Honda. I am actually suprised how good the LTR is on the trails, I just won an Enduro series race on mine, I doubt I am even a 'c' class rider, but ended up beating the points leader and some 'a' riders. The race was all tight trails, like a GNCC race. Just my $.02

[onesavage]

dang he was easily sold on that trx and i am surprise he knows how to use a computer if he has not done his research through all of the quad magazines which are everywhere just to start. i really hope it figures it out. the ltr will need less work(money) for any enviornment.

[hard one]

I agree with the last guy it is a great mxer, but i am racing woods and harescrambles and it does pretty good.
Its hard to fly over logs and dart threw trees like i used to on my 300ex with dvx shocks but it is a very capable machine best quad i have ever bought!

2002 trx 300ex with mods for sale plus 6 up front with dvx shocks

$1,900 must sell fast in missouri.

[LTandRaptorider]

Yes, the LTR is a VERY capable woods machine. Admittedly, I am used to my almost 50 inch wide LT250R. But I put Razr2s and ITP baja wheels all around, skid plates and hit the trails. I've had the new LT on some rocky, fairly tight trails, only scraped a couple trees. The power is great on it, and a couple weeks ago I hit a muddy hill-climb that others had probs with. Yes, the LTR a couple inches shorter would be great, but I have no qualms with it as it is now. If you go from a narrow quad like the 300ex or Raptor, the LTR will take some getting used to. But I believe most would be happy with it. ;) With just the Cherry bomb mod, removing the spark arrester and air box lid, it is not hard to lift the front end for puddles and logs. I would imagine changing the front sprocket down a tooth would make it even better. Ok, I'll shut up now. :D

[st8jacket]

honda hands down..the 06 has the best pep from the factory ,e-start "dont let the bad press sway you" and a comfortable ride..

[Baracudaaa]

Its impossible to take anyone serious who uses the term 'pep'. I guess every magazine got it wrong then?

[st8jacket]

I dont know about evey magazine,but I know the one I read cleary stated that the honda had the the most power out of the 3.....Sorry for my use of the word pep...I'm not down with today's lingo...
This is loaded question this guy has...There are facts and opinion,and every one has there own opinion,usualy based on there own experiances,not facts...Fact is that the 06 honda does put out the most power,the ltr does have the better suspension out of the 3 and the yfz, well hell I dont know I dont put much thought into them...But your going to have answers swaded by peoples own perefrences and likings....And magazines,I dont put much faith into them,look when the 400ex came all of them stated the were faster than the aging banshee,come on we all know that that is false...you find me a magazine that actually tells the truth...

[Baracudaaa]

Every mag it placed last, over a 2 month period, end of story. Has decent power, but it feels like riding a tricycle unless you put some a-arms+shocks+new axle, etc.,etc., etc.

[st8jacket]

Well your right its too high and narrow,but tricycle...No...
If your a good rider,you can manipulate it enough to be a fair set up stock.....I know I could keep up with 30 guys on a Mx track with the stock suspension,but it was a chore..
And I'm not arguing the point of comming in last on the overall scoring of the quad,just saying the trx has the most H.P on tap from the factory...

[scottwvu]

Originally posted by st8jacket
I dont know about evey magazine,but I know the one I read cleary stated that the honda had the the most power out of the 3.....Sorry for my use of the word pep...I'm not down with today's lingo...
This is loaded question this guy has...There are facts and opinion,and every one has there own opinion,usualy based on there own experiances,not facts...Fact is that the 06 honda does put out the most power,the ltr does have the better suspension out of the 3 and the yfz, well hell I dont know I dont put much thought into them...But your going to have answers swaded by peoples own perefrences and likings....And magazines,I dont put much faith into them,look when the 400ex came all of them stated the were faster than the aging banshee,come on we all know that that is false...you find me a magazine that actually tells the truth...


AMEN brother!!!!!

[rlplive]

I know the suz 450 is a great machine. I would think with the quad being so wide you would get caught up in the tight woods.

[st8jacket]

The zuki is the only quad I have seen in all 29 years of my life that companys offer narrower than stock a arm's..So that must say something about them in the woods...

[Speed_MDS2]

Everybody has their own opinion on what "tight trails" really is, but here in Michigan there is a whole bunch of trials that I don't fit down with my LTR. It kinda sucks when everyone wants to hit a new loop of trails and I can't think about how fun the trips gonna be, instead I'm stuck thinking "I sure hope I can make it through these new trails so I don't ruin the trip". I love the Ltr but if all you do is ride tight woods, I have to say that the 450R and YFZ are better choices only because of the width. If you have the cash to burn and are willing to get new a-arms and axle then the LTR is an awesome quad. If you don't ride tight woods all the time you will love the LTR as it is.

[RIDER11X]

Originally posted by LTandRaptorider
Yes, the LTR is a VERY capable woods machine. Admittedly, I am used to my almost 50 inch wide LT250R. But I put Razr2s and ITP baja wheels all around, skid plates and hit the trails. I've had the new LT on some rocky, fairly tight trails, only scraped a couple trees. The power is great on it, and a couple weeks ago I hit a muddy hill-climb that others had probs with. Yes, the LTR a couple inches shorter would be great, but I have no qualms with it as it is now. If you go from a narrow quad like the 300ex or Raptor, the LTR will take some getting used to. But I believe most would be happy with it. ;) With just the Cherry bomb mod, removing the spark arrester and air box lid, it is not hard to lift the front end for puddles and logs. I would imagine changing the front sprocket down a tooth would make it even better. Ok, I'll shut up now. :D

Agreed! I was along with him on these rides, and it shocked me how well it did. I def. would not hesitate to buy one for trails. It is so quick with the throttle response which makes it all the better in the woods I'm sure. No lag is best when facing woods obstacles. The tires and wheels are a must though!

If I got another sport/ race quad.....the Suzuki 450 would be the one!!!!!!! Awesome machine!!!:macho