i wasnt suggesting he go with one..i was just stating which i liked best lol.

 

From your list, I pick the Honda for desert. I like the Yamaha for the track (properly moded), and the Kawi for the trail (riding any of the very revy 450's on a tight trail, isn't the greatest idea).

The guys camped next to us at Glamis last time had Suzukis. Several of them had already had to do rebuilds, and none of the quads were that old. Makes one wonder what's going on with this machine. Personally, knowing that I wouldn't take a chance with one......

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: reconranger

From your list, I pick the Honda for desert. I like the Yamaha for the track (properly moded), and the Kawi for the trail (riding any of the 450's on a tight trail, isn't the greatest idea).



The guys camped next to us at Glamis last time had Suzukis. Several of them had already had to do rebuilds, and none of the quads were that old. Makes one wonder what's going on with this machine. Personally, knowing that I wouldn't take a chance with one......</end quote></div>

Yeah I don't know what that is about..... but rebuilds are NOT the norm on the LTR. I know a few people with early models that are still running perfect....

 

Still think it's all in how you drive them. I know a guy with a 400 rebuilt 2 times over in last few years. Him along with another guy I know, it wouldn't make a difference what they rode 450R, LTR, a friggin sherman tank. They would tear them up.

 

agree , some people just don't know how to treat a quad.

 

If their riding the desert a lot then its probally the sand eating them bikes up...sand gets everywhere in bikes and chews them apart...i know this guy that raced every weekend last yr and beat the hell out of his ltr and the top ends still tight....its all in where you ride and how you ride it.

 

I have '06 YFZ-450 and use it to trail ride.... FAST! I have the suspension set soft and geared down from 14T to 13T pinion gear. It climbs hills with authority in 2nd gear, handles great around the trails, and has plenty of getty-up-and-go to get your adrenine going!

I would stick with the Honda or Yamaha, both are well engineered, dependable, have a large support base and have plenty of aftermarket parts available. I think the Yamaha is a great all around quad, but try and ride a few differnt ones and make your own choice.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: sluckman

I would stick with the Honda or Yamaha, both are well engineered, dependable, have a large support base and have plenty of aftermarket parts available.</end quote></div>

Isn't this the same for all major brands? I can't think of one that isn't all of those.

 

id say that the ltr is the undisputed king of mx
the yfz and trx are great all around
and the kawi is slow by comparison
ktms are super-fancy but sooooooooooo expensive
and i still cannot stand the can-am

just my 2 cents

 

LT230sman, I think that KTM definitely brings something new to the table, but after much thinking, I am still somewhat confused by them. I mean, they are revolutionary as you don't have to modify a SINGLE part really to race. But I mean, for the price difference between a KTM and... say.. a standard YFZ, you could build the YFZ up to be just as good if not better than the KTM. Then you would have your say in parts, and colors, and it would be YOUR quad, not just a store-bought racer.

Plus half the fun is installing the parts yourself LMAO.

just some opinions of mine. the KTM is definitely a great quad, and stock for stock, it is probably the best 450.