what year 450 to buy

[rev-man]

im buying a 450r within the next week. i need to know which year is the best. i can get a 05 from one of my buddies for 2400 or i can get an 06 for 3000 from a dealer.

which is the best out of those two years.

i do not race i ride trails, highways, bacroads and drag race my friends every now and then

thanks for the help

i would get the 06 for electric start if you ride trails

[rev-man]

im not really worried bout having kick start i just wanna know which motor is more durable cause i hear the 04/05 have crank issues

[Lquad71]

mine has been raced for 3 years and never replaced the crank since mid season last year...it didnt blow, we just did motorwork and decided to put a new crank in...the trani's on the 05 are much stronger than the 06.

[rev-man]

so you think 05 is better?

[Wayner]

Originally posted by rev-man
im not really worried bout having kick start i just wanna know which motor is more durable cause i hear the 04/05 have crank issues

My brother has an '04 that has a cam, high compression piston and a few other things. Has never had an issue with the crank. Quad is trail ridden hard and occasionally raced at the local track.

I have an '05 with a full exhaust and a few other mods. Same thing. Haven't had an issue with the crank.

Could happen tomorrow, but have been very happy with it.

[MX450]

If the 05 is in good shape and not ragged out, get it, save the 600 bux for other mods, nerfs, skids, pipe, tires ect..

If its worn out, do yourself a favor and buy the 06

Either one you get, keep your oil, air filter clean and valves adjusted and it will treat you well.'

I love my 05 but if your just trail riding I dont think there is enough of a diff in the two to get one over the other, get what will save you money, but not just up front, in the LONG run as well.

Personally I like the kickstart, 2nd kick every time :macho

[rev-man]

whats the easiest way to tell if they have been ragged out or not. i dont have to much knowledge on the 450's

[Latemodel32]

change you oil reg and check the oil filter for shavings on the 05....06 have tranny issues..There is no perfect quad out there they all have there flaws

[450rJam]

06 +

stronger motor (12.1 comp. instead of 10.5) and electric start is nice (you can add kicker if you like)

and add the hrc kit and it will scream (more power than you can use in trails)

ONLY thing I like better about the 04/05 is the turning radius

only 06+ tranys that have let go where extreme builds

04/05 cranks have gone with no mods, no warnings, and anywhere from 10 to 200 hrs and on well maintained quads

check for sale sections (paper, craigslist, ebay, mags)
you will find the 06+ holds resale better for a reason

and honda has not upgraded anything worth mention since 06 so you will have the latest greatest honda has to offer

just my opinion

[Ichoptop]

both have pros and cons. Just check for a well maintained used machine. If possible check fluids, test ride, pop the hood and check for any basketcase wiring, check brakes and pads. Flip it up on its tail and look at the frame to make sure it straight, see how banged up the bottom side is. Check for dings in the wheels and wear on the tires. See when the last time the suspension was pulled apart, cleaned and greased.

all the same stuff for any quad no matter make and model.

personally I have had an 04 and two 05s. Never had a crank issue and I abuse my quads on the trails.

proper care of any machine is mandatory if you want it to have a long life.