HRC kit installed, otherwise stock (for now). The machine is superb!

Did a couple hours break-in riding this morning. Hot starts? Easy, no throtle, one kick with the hot start lever pulled. Cold starts? You have to be careful not to even touch the throtle. Full choke, one or two kicks, then use the CHOKE LEVER to maintain the idle. But, if you kill it during warm up, it will take 20 kicks to get it going again!

The flywheel is light, so you have to rev it out quite a bit on takeoff. Gearing is HIGH! Trail riders will want to go one or two teeth bigger in back. (I think going one tooth smaller in front would be overkill.) I can see myself maybe going one tooth bigger in back, even for desert, but I will have to put in more saddle time to decide.

Power? Climbed the worst hill I know of with real AUTHORITY! Second gear (like I said, it IS geared high), half throtle, tons of power in reserve. This is long, steep, nasty stuff! (I live at the mouth of San Timoteo and Reche Canyons for you locals, so you know what I mean!) Power delivery reminds me of the Raptor more than any other bike.

The bike is well balanced. Flies level. Front end is light and lofts easily, but not at all "wheelie happy". The engine is revy, and there is not much engine braking. So, this bike is not going to be the best choice for a slow technical ride, or slowly putting down the trail with the kids.

Suspension is nice, particularly the front end! Stock preload is pretty close for me, at 190 lbs. I don't know who decided on the stock settings for the rear, but the rebound damping is way to fast for any kind of riding. I was getting bucked pretty bad in the whoops. Turned the damping in one full turn, and it got lots better. But, will need more fine tuning later after the suspension is broken in.

Took off-cambers just fine. Corners great. Easy to muscle the bike around on the ground or in the air. Like riding a plush Blaster.

 

Nice review!! How is it compared to the Z in terms of comfort, handling, stability, and power. I'm sure the power is night and day difference but I just gotsta know!!!!!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I rode one this weekend.I was just wondering if it was just me or is the steering a little heavy? It was lowered with 1" wheel spacers.I have ridden a yzf and they have a nice light feel to the steering.Just curious.

 

Thanks for the report, please keep us updated with further ride reports.

 

Thanks for the info, I've been hearing alot of people recommend dropping down one tooth on the front, but like you said - dropping one or two teeth in the back would make more sense. I'll just have to see how the current gearing fits my style.

This is what I like about the forum- usable information...... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Great report reconranger, i remember you said it wasnt wheelie happy, can you get the front end to lift if you put a little arm power into it? If you havent noticed, im a wheelie freak [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

A real good review.

 

wow good report with alot of info in it thanx, makes me want the 450r more

 

The TRX is like the Z400, just more so! The Z handles light compared to the 400EX, and the TRX handles light compared to the Z.

A couple of days ago, I did a long trail ride in the snow (yes, we do get snow in our mountains!), with the kids. I was on the 400EX, which handled admirably. But, after being on the TRX, the EX just seems like a SLUG!

As for the "wheelie happy" thing, my local hills are tall and near vertical (they would be called mountains in many parts of the country)! If you are going to wheelie a bike out from under you, this is the place where you are going to do it .....ok, I have done it. I just sit a little forward on the TRX, and the bike sails right up. In fact, it is nice to have a light front, because some climbs will have an overhang (always at the very top, of course). If you can't pop the front over the overhang, you are toast!