Pros and Cons on year 450s

[woodsridn400]

I have a 400ex right now and looking into getting a 450. i dont know much about the 450s at all. I have herd that some ppl like pre 05 better than post. Just trying to get some opinions on the pros and cons on the different years. I ride mostly trail, maybe some scrambles next year but do have a local mx track that i like to hit up also. Any help wouold be gladly accepted

thanks

[MR4Engine202]

the differences between the 2 are moderate....seeing as you like woods riding more than mx id say you would be better off with an 04-05 model, the 04 05 has a smaller bore and a longer stroke that makes it slightly smoother through the power....it also has an oil cooler unlike the 06 up keeping temperatures down more in tight woods riding, as well as having longer upper a-arms than the 06 making the steering knuckle shorter causing less bump steer, but most notably the carburetor on the 04 05 is a keihn 42 and the 06 up is a 40mm fcr, a non fcr carb also gives the 04 05 engine a more smooth power....now any year you get you will be happy with the machine and you can adapt any of the parts from ether machine to work with the other...hope this helps

[woodsridn400]

yes very much so, i have a 400ex modded out pretty far and just doesnt have what the 450s offers. Im not one of those 400 guys that think mine is faster than 450s lol. ive rode some 450s and just the geometry is so different just from stock. So looking to get rid of the 400. i guess ill suffer without the reverse.

[DnB_racing]

I have owned an 04 an 05 and an 06 and I like my 06 much better then the -05, but I have the 05 spindles on the 06 to help steering! I just like the higher revving lighter flywheel quicker response feel of the +06 and the high gears are geared a little higher also for a better top end! its a littl longer for a more stable feel on hill climbs but thats just my opinion!
plus mine is so modded right now I think the money I spent on it would make any year fine!! its all in what you want!
you can get some great deals on some nice 04s and the money saved will buy some nice parts to make it the way you like

[MX450]

04/05
Better front end geometry (spindles)
better trans
oil cooler

06+
fcr carb, lighter flywheel (quicker revving)
longer swingarm, can use much better aftermarket linkage
higher compression

[dran714]

get a kicker any year i love my 05, but the newer e start sucks the one way clutches go out batteries always dead.. but you can find some new old stock still on the showroom for like 4 grand cant beat it!

[atvracin74]

i have a 06 kicker and love it... they are cheaper and i like to think run better also weigh less :)

[woodsridn400]

do all the parts interchange between the different years? Like some said that 06+ has longer swing? can u swap that out easily? Looks like ill be looking at the older model just cause there cheaper and have the oil cooler for the woods.

[wild250rman]

Originally posted by woodsridn400
do all the parts interchange between the different years? Like some said that 06+ has longer swing? can u swap that out easily? Looks like ill be looking at the older model just cause there cheaper and have the oil cooler for the woods. i have a mint 05 with maybe 5 hrs on it that i bought a complete take off 08 swinger, shock and linkage for that i would sell all for 3,500.00... parts have not been installed yet.

[fmfhonda250r]

I have had 15+ 450r hondas and i like the 04-05 better once all built. Stock for stock the newer quad is better