Million Dollar Question

[SicRipp83]

All the 450r's are great, yet from 04-07 thier are alot of changes, im in the process of retiring my 400ex and i was woundering if you guys/girls think that its worth it to buy a BRAND NEW 07 or find a used one? whats your guys take am i better off with a used one??

[CHEVYZ]

Buying used is always a risky situation. I would just get one new. Unless you need drastic changes done to the bike from the get go, and in that case used would be a good choice because you can usually pick up a bike with alot of aftermarket parts for about the same as a new bike, you are better off with a good, solid new bike.

[gotwarrior]

I would buy a used one. Atv's go down in value really quick. If you look hard you can buy a race ready one pretty cheap...

[honda4life72]

i got my 05 new for 4900 about a month ago...it was overstock

[keller45]

I like the 05s better personally. Alot of people are still using them and some of the top GNCC riders are scraping up all the leftover 05s

[danniheyj82888]

The only reason I wouldnt buy a used 450r is because it is such a high performance engine that if it wasnt taken care of and had the regular maintenance done to it, it could crap out on you very early. I like the satisfaction of being the first owner so I know it has been taken care of properly!

[TarheelRedRider]

I would just buy an over stock. I just bought my 05 for 4600.00 and dropped about 2700.00 in after market parts. Now I have a brand new 450 with all the parts I want on it for about what an 07 would cost, give or take a hundred.

[ghott]

Use a "Desireability Quotient."

Benefits/Risks (Benefits over Risk).

04/05's are pretty much the same.
06/07's are pretty much the same (except colors).

Between 04/05's, and 06/07's drastic changes were made of course...engine, suspension, plastics, frame, etc.

Weigh ALL OF THE benefits and risks associated with each year you are looking at.

Example: Benefit of a 2005 Model = Low Price
Risk of a 2005 Model = Maybe the crank bearings will fail.

[400exrider0004]

I would go with a 2006 from a dealer unless you are wanting a white or black bike. You can them for a good price and you get the benefits of have a 06-07 because of the changes

[QuadPunk450R]

If you dont mind buying something that immediately drops almost a couple thousand dollars when you leave the dealer then buy new. If you dont mind buying one for less that some goofball might have rolled down a hill then buy used. A leftover is probably your best bet if you can find one much cheaper or a used bike thats 100% stock that somebody brought to the dealer for all the maintence. If you buy used you should definitly try to get the stockest bike you can find.

[ATVRacer19]

Hey,
I know exactly what your going through... I just was in the same situation to find a bike for the 2006 race season. I was needing a 450 instead of my 400ex. If you listen to anything in this message listen to this. FROM 04-06 ALMOST EVERYTHING CHANGED ON THE BIKE. FROM 06-07 THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS COLOR, GRAPHICS AND THE STICKER THAT SAYS WHAT YEAR IT IS. the choice of what year you want realy depends on what riding you do. my friend has a 04 and i rode his at the dunes and to tell you the truth, i wasn't verry pleased. when i rode the 06 i could see why i was getting beat on my EX. for sand and MX the 06 or 07 is by far better. Buying a used one is up to you. I have bought quite a few used bikes. And if they blew up it was after I did work on the motor. my only advice is to make sure the bike you get is in great shape and dont buy the first one you see... I would rather pay 1G and get the performance parts myself then pay 3 thousand for a new motor.

I hope this helped you out.

[SicRipp83]

i run gncc u think and 05 would be good my locale dealer actually has a left over

[exrider44]

Most people dont keep the bike stock so either year will do. I am sure you can get good hp out of the 04 and 05 motor Ive read posts on here that it does very well modified.

[quadwanter]

buy used...just wait around for a while something will come your way...i got mine used and i've been extremely pleased....if you buy used buy it off someone in the forums...you can track their posts to see if their engine went to chits :scary: i got my bike for a lil over 4 grand and it looked like he guy rode it probably 5 times. Found a good deal and the guy was legit.

[400exrider707]

I would personally just buy a used one, as most pro racers are having problems with the 06/07 models. Besides the electric starts not starting, they are also having tranny problems.

I picked up my 05 last year (yes it was less than a full year old) for $3600. I have less than $5000 into it and I am very competitive on the local circuit.!!!;)

[Nate_450R]

i am extremely pleased with my 04' that i picked up just a few months back. had only 2 tanks of gas ran through it. if your wanting to get the most power, i have heard that the 04'-05' are capable of producing more power. thats just what i have heard.

[CHEVYZ]

Keep in mind exactly what was said.....the older models are CAPABLE. Realistically, most people will never see it because of the extensive list of mods necessary. It is actually much easier to get MORE power from the newer models. So, just saying, if you are looking for power do not go by what the bike may be capable of, but instead go with what will "suit" you best with your needs and budget.

[TRX450R2]

I have had both and found the 06 has more power- higher compression ratio stock and then fit the cam out of the 06 CRF450R engine and rejet to 185 main, cut the back half of the airbox lid, remove the exhaust baffle, and then you have the Hrc kit ! Go hard!