Hello Honda fans,

I'm considering a 450 based Machine. It boils down to

- KFX450 (Looks sharp, but not a big fan of Kawi and the bike is a little unproven)
- Can-Ams DS450 (I love BRP stuff...)
- Finally the Honda 450R

I have ridden ONE 450R and I can say I like it much more than the YFZ450 (I would never own one.. just such a harsh miserable ride.. albeit they are fast). It was an 04 model and I think it had an HRC kit. It was agile, comfortable and ran well. I heard there are changes such as head light ( I like the older style more) and they reduced the stroke but gave it a high compression. Personally.. I prefer the longer stroke as the 04 model to my memory wasn't as rev happy as the YFZ.

I've got my eye on Ebay right now for on an 04 model..it looks very clean and well kept.. but I think the guy is asking a bit too much for it. Wants $3800.00, bear in mind I saw an 05 go for almost that and it was electric start. Is that a fair price? What do they go for at the dealers? I may be riding red soon.

 

On 2004-05 models TRX450R the bore & stroke was 94.0X64.8 , in 2006 that was changed to 96.0X62.1 .. Completely changed transmission also , an 04 won't come close to an 06 or newer model ..

 

I have an 04, and lots of my buddies have 06's. We also have one KFX thrown in there, a few YFZ's. None of the 450's are great trail quads, simply because they all have engines that like to rev, and don't want to go slow. But, for open country and fast fire roads, they are great.

The engine on the 06 and after is more like the dirt bike engine. I think they went conservative with the 04/05, then realized it wasn't necessary and just switched over to the other engine. Frankly, I can't tell a lot of difference between my 04 and the others. Personally, I'm hoping for fuel injection in 09.......

The KFX is nice, but I don't think it has anything special that would make me get rid of my Honda. The YFZ's are also nice. As for "harsh rides", it is a simple thing to change out springs and have shocks retuned to your personal preferences.

 

Is 3800 a goo deal on an 04? Any prob on the first year production of this quad?

 

04/05 virtually identical so i dont know who had an 05 with estart..when neither year had it. while not trail happy its not impossible. it will be more volitle with the 06- b/c of the engine. no probs with first year model for me...good, reliable fun bike- but not a legend.