Thanks for the feedback. Is the 450R really that tippy? From what everyone is saying, it sounds like it does not handle as well as a 250.

 

My 06 handles great for me I have ridden a 250r and they also rip but I will take my 450 any day over the rest

 

i was reading about the 06 450r and it said they have more ponies and redesigned a few other things. how do they compare with previous models?i love to see honda updating their stuff like this. i honestly hope they dominate the other 450s in this class![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

It does have more power but I dont know how much in hp # s but I will say it will beat a 04 that I had hands down and handles better

 

ok. .....the 450R is NOT tippy, even the 04/05 models which some ridiculous ones in our sport look down upon as obsolete crap now. anyway, a stock 660 raptor is tippy a 450R-NO.

to me, the 450R does not handle as good as the 250R. it prob has to do with the rider position on the older R - you are lower to the ground and feel like you are "in" the machine instead of "kinda in it" like on the 450R. some say im wrong, some say im right- i dont care. all i know is that my 20yr old 250R will turn on a dime, is better balanced, is lighter, and will ride, like someone said 'like its on rails.'

the 04/05R is not bad and is far superior to some others but there are some shortcomings: transmission ratios(although they actually lowered 5th gear -unnecessary, IMO) supposedly fixed for 06. swingarm-too short-fixed for 06. front end gets squirlley at high speeds- newfrontend geometry is said to correct this on the 06. shock rates revised (though the fronts were fine on the 04/05 just the rear had issues), and higher compression, different exhaust system, airbox, titanium valves instead of steel, FCR carb, and can you beleive electric start.

the 06 R is supposed to be better, but i havent had a chance to ride one yet. if it is all it is cracked up to be, then it should have been the bike honda released in 04. will i get one? maybe, maybe not. i dont regret going 4stroke (they're actual places that have eliminated 2strokers) My 04 is still a fun bike with alot of quick power for a 4stroke and almost paid for..and it does handle really good and better if you adjust your shocks correctly (but squirrleyness still shows at very high speeds)..but to say it handles better than my 250R and give it the crown that the 250R had- i just cant do it quite yet.

if you can keep your older R, do it and get a new 450. but hey, if you can, ride ALL of them 1st. the YFZ is a great bike and is as close to the older R in terms of center of gravity but they are not as smooth. you may even want to see how the new quadracer 450 does- im a honda fan but this bike is gonna rock. im glad that honda has made improvements and they seem to be waking up now... thats my .02.

 

i also have one eye on that suzuki.love to see competition... that will make them continually improve their respective machines. i would love to see a sporty 600cc manual clutch 4x4 to compliment the r in winter months though.

 

It is utterly amazing what my wife's 265 powervalved bike runs like, even with the TRX-6 pipe and the stock size 34mm carb. There is no way in hell I would ever get a new 4-stroke when you can have handling and power like that. You can still put good shocks, a-arms, and a good top end on an R and whip butt with it less then buying a new 4-stroke. If you race then you are stuck with what you have to get. For us older people who dont care about motorcross the old R's or even LT's are a good choice.

On another note, one day parts will be discontinued (a lot already are) and you are left struggling to get whatever you can. I just bought new cases for her drag bike so I wouldnt be left out when they go. I have to say given a choice I like the power of the Yamaha 4-stroke over the Honda. I dont ride all that hard so handling is not a huge issue.

 

I kept the 250R, but it seldom gets ridden now that I have the YFZ.......................

 

Me too. I hope you bought them from servicehonda. I saved a ton of $$ by buying my cases from them. What year is your wifes quad? The guy I ordered from said that the cases for the '86-'87 models come with the bearings already pressed in but the '88-'89 cases don't. Glad I have an '86!

 

Trust me, keep your R. I was considering a 450R a little while ago then realized what I was going to be giving up. I've been pi$$ed the past 2 weeks because I thought I was going to have to sell my quad to pay for college, but I found a way around that....so Im keepin her! But back to your question, like twentycharacters said, nothing feels like a 250R. My brother just got a new Z400 and I don't like the feel of it compared to my R at all. I took some measurements....the seat height is 3.5 inches taller, the width is 4 inches narrower (granted I do have +1 a-arms), and the wheelbase is 2.5 inches shorter. Its a great trail machine, but these newer bikes just don't feel right to me. You sit IN a 250R, but you sit on these newer bikes. Maybe the new Zuki 450 will be different, but the 450R and YFZ just feel unstable and unsafe to me compared to my R.