Get the 06 with the HRC kit installed....It will beat an 05 with the HRC kit.....

06 has higher compression so a new piston is not immmediately needed...

Which ever one you buy,,,make sure you get the HRC kit installed......they make a huge "factory warrantied" improvement


My vote is for the 06 with the HRC installed

 

I went through this earlier in the year when I eventually bought my '06. The '05 was a grand cheaper. Some ppl said I could get the older model and use the $ to mod it. That might be true, but there is a significant change to the motor and the swingarm is 1/2 inch longer for the new model. They also changed the air filter and carb and air boot to a much better design. There is also a difference in the HRC kit for '06 in that they included a much better mx/xc cam and a larger headpipe that can also work with aftermarket slip-on mufflers. By the time you mod the '05, you end up spending more in order to get the same thing.

Here's what you'd need to do to the '05 to get it even with an HRC kitted '06.

Full exhaust $450
Cam $130 ( HC2)
Porting $350
12:1 Piston $150
Longer swingarm $400
Airbox assembly and filter $200

You could argue that the swingarm isn't mandatory. Still, you've spend more and can't sell it for as much. You lose money. Lastly, do a search on the number of '04/'05 crank bearing failures on the 450R. If you're one of the unlucky ones... BIG $.....

Go with the '06 and be happy.

 

My 2 cents. if the 05 has an oil cooler that is a huge advantage for those of us who ride in the hot desert, cooler temp means more power... I understand the 06 has higher compression and different bore/stroke this just means the cyclinder walls are thinner and the the compression takes its toll on the bike... for speed 06 for reliability 05