I currently have a 2001 and 2002 raptor and am looking for a better jumping machine. How would the 450R compare, not only in jumping, but also in cornering,wheelies, etc? Anybody doing serious trail riding with this machine also? How hard to kickstart? Any insight would be appreciated.

 

I do not own a 450R, but I can definitely tell you it will corner better than a Raptor because it has a wider and lower stance making it more stable in turning. It is probably the current wheelie king at this point in time except maybe for the 400 or 300EX. Jumping will depend on how big of a jump you like. Huge jumps will probably tax the rear suspension, but other than that it can jump great. My friend has a CRF450R and it kicks effortlessly so don't worry about that. The only problem that most people enounter with kicking a thumper over is that when they are warmed up and you stall one, they can be harder to restart right away. Just be patient with it and don't go to kicking it like a 2-stroke.

 

Kicking the 450 is not a pain at all. It starts right up first kick most of the time.

 

I'm an old man, 35, so I keep it under 6-8 feet over 30-45 feet. Biggest to date is a 60 footer that hurt like hell when I landed, both wrists hurt for a week (landed on top of second double instead of downside). I am looking for a bike that can handle these size of jumps without bottoming out. Last time I hit the track, I jumped a 50 foot step down and my lower A arm bolt sheared and lost my left front tire. Got my newly minted three wheeler stopped before I endo'd but scared the crap out of me. I've lost confidence in the Raptor for jumping, and looking at options other than Yamaha.

 

Yea. Kickin it is easy most of the time.

 

i have a 450r and its bone stock in the power separtment except for a 13t front sprocket.
i can tell you that there is really no comparison between these 2 machines. i didnt jump the raptor but i can pretty much guarentee the honda jumps better. cornering goes to honda easily. the raptor felt very top heavy in the trails although it was very comfortable to ride at moderate speeds. one thing i thought was weird was that the rear end looks more narrow than the front ?power again goes to honda. the rappy got some power make no mistake but the honda is in a different league. the raptor may get the honda by a 2 or 3 mph on top but thats all gearing. the honda accelerates way harder than the raptor.
on the rappys side the suspension did seem really nice for cruising thru the woods and the seat was very comfy. the electric start is very very nice as if i stall i got to get to kicking. not really a big deal but it can be a pain once in a while (like the guy above said if ya stall it will take a few more kicks to get her fired)
the rappy has reverse which is also very nice especially if you like to "explore" trails. alot of times i would be out picking my quad up and spinning her around while my buddy was already sitting there waiting for me . haha
if it s straight performance you want then go with the honda if you just like to cruise some trails the rappy may be a better choice becasue of the e-start and reverse

 

Thanks for the input, now I've just got to sell one of my Raptors to finance it.

 

I do mainly trail riding with my 450 with occasional trips to the dunes. It is a great trail bike (go to a 13 tooth front spocket first) and I have really thrown it around on the trails. I always thought that my 400ex jumped great until I started jumping my 450. I will soak up any landing, even real crooked ones. Kick starting it is easy.
Hopefully you can find someone to take one of your Raptors off your hands.

 

i rode the 450 a few times and it feels much better than the raptor.

 

Yeah. I think it handles much better than the raptor. Low center of gravity helps