is a 450 too much bike for a beginner?

[mineralgrey01gt]

Im buying my first dirt bike tomorrow. I have ridden before but have not been on anything on 2 wheels in about 3 years. This will be my first personal bike and its a super clean crf450r im picking up for a good price. Is this too much bike for someone that doesnt have a lot of seat time on one? I know ill probably never push it to its full potential but then again im not sure about how ill be on a bike. I may feel more "at home" on a bike than a quad. I enjoyed riding the last 450 i rode but didnt ride it hard by any means. I know itll be a learning curve but im wondering if its just too much bike.

[slightlybent47]

Generally a smaller bike is easer to learn on but for someone that likes to ride aggressively and has a tendency to learn fast, will grow into it pretty quick.
It all depends on you and what you want out of it.
Less power is easer to control and just as much fun to ride.

[mineralgrey01gt]

My first quad was a ported and bolt on 250r which would roll out for what was done and i mean roll hard. I mastered that pretty quick and my 450 after the 3rd day of having it i had it down. Now i know a bike is different and it will take me longer to get it down but ill never disrespect the bike. I still dont disrespect my ltr.

[OldGuyonaQuad]

I only know what I'm told and what I've read here when it comes to riding.

Best piece of advice I got when I was considering a 450 was to consider what type of riding you mostly intend to do.

If it's racing, big hills and or wide open trails KYO with the 450. If it's tight twisting trails the 400 might suite you better. Either way GLHF and safe riding.

[mineralgrey01gt]

The riding I do is all open stuff, fields, sand, etc. if I go on tight trails Ill always be on my quad

[bergoff]

You'll be fine. Since you've had a 450 quad you know what the power feels like. I rode big thumper xr650 and 600s for years then bought a super clean 02 crf450r. It didn't was a blast and I miss it at times. I never had any problems in the woods and that's where I mainly ride. Just had to slip the clutch a lot. I sure miss flying out of the woods 4th gear pinned in a wheelie. Just watch the whiskey throttle and you'll be fine. You'll have to post pics when you pick it up.

[mineralgrey01gt]

Thanks for that info. I know it'll feel like more power than my ltr but I'm sure ready to rip it up on it

[slightlybent47]

Originally posted by mineralgrey01gt
Thanks for that info. I know it'll feel like more power than my ltr but I'm sure ready to rip it up on it


Don’t forget, power to weight ratio is much deferent.

[mineralgrey01gt]

Oh I definitely know that. It's a big difference. I'll be leaving in about 45 min to get it. I'll put pics up when I get it home

[mineralgrey01gt]

Here are some pics!

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv91/lilzilla2008/9595ae01.jpg

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv91/lilzilla2008/6648e140.jpg

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv91/lilzilla2008/f346e750.jpg


btw this thing flat rips! Already has me nervous but the throttle is what I need to get used to. After riding quads so long itll take me a little while to get used to this thing lol.

[finsteratv]

sweet man!

[bergoff]

Looks great!! What year and any mods done to it? I like the graphics but change that seat cover.

[mineralgrey01gt]

2006 crf450r with works connection suspension, pro circuit t4 exhaust, break away levers, excel wheels. I plan on changing it one of these days lol

[finsteratv]

let me know if you ever wanna sell those excels, i need em like a hole in the head..But i like em. haha

[mineralgrey01gt]

LOL they are staying on the bike. I want another red one for the rear so maybe one day the rear will be up for grabs lol

[finsteratv]

ive already got an extra....but..let me know! haha

[quad2xtreme]

I had the same choice to make back in October. I opted for a Honda 250 because I felt most comfortable on it versus the 450s I tried.

In reality the big difference was the 250 had a thumb throttle on it and all the 450s had twist. I ended up switching the bike back to a twist right away. I quickly figured out that it wasn't the power of the 450 that made me feel insecure...it was the twist throttle. I still don't feel 100% comfortable with a twist throttle but I only have about 13 hours of total time on the bike. I've been busy doing other stuff.

[mineralgrey01gt]

Thats my thing also. Its trying to get used to the twist throttle which isnt bad just feels "odd".

How did the thumb throttle feel on it? I broke my wrist when I was younger and now when I ride my wrist is always the only thing sore from twisting the throttle. If it comes down to it ill swap it over or put one of those thumb/twist throttle in one on it.