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 Post subject: Re: 450 Bike Advice?
PostPosted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 7:39 pm 
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300 cc
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Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 12:43 pm
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Location: North Yorkshire
Yep i would say the 690 is a real tool!

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 Post subject: Re: 450 Bike Advice?
PostPosted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 8:36 pm 
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200 cc

Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:13 pm
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Location: Cambridgeshire
Sherco 4.5i

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 Post subject: Re: 450 Bike Advice?
PostPosted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 8:58 pm 
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125cc

Joined: Mon Jun 01, 2009 8:28 pm
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Stalled, half way up a snotty hill, just about balancing and knackered from picking it up for the third time in a row is not a good time to be using a kickstart.

With that budget, don't even think about about starting it with anything heavier than a thumb.


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 Post subject: Re: 450 Bike Advice?
PostPosted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 9:31 pm 
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50 cc

Joined: Fri Aug 12, 2011 9:41 am
Posts: 8
Thanks for the info...

Went to a KTM dealer today who advised me to go for the 450 exc.

Told to stay away from the 530 as it would probably bury me and be uncontrollable..

Gotta say Im liking the look of the 690 now tho too.....

Think orange is the way forward for me... :)


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 Post subject: Re: 450 Bike Advice?
PostPosted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 9:39 pm 
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650 cc Monster

Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 3:08 pm
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If you can find one, a CCM 404DS.

Has the 'comp' version of the DR-Z400 engine, and KTM-esq suspension which you can adjust to suit your weight.

I got a nearly-new one for £2k.


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 Post subject: Re: 450 Bike Advice?
PostPosted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 10:04 pm 
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650 cc Monster
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Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 6:34 pm
Posts: 4279
Location: East Sussex
Jaytt wrote:
Thanks for the info...

Went to a KTM dealer today who advised me to go for the 450 exc.

Told to stay away from the 530 as it would probably bury me and be uncontrollable..

Gotta say Im liking the look of the 690 now tho too.....

Think orange is the way forward for me... :)


Curious advice :?

450 exc is a high maintenance bike compared to a dedicated trailbike (ie the 690)

The 350 exc was reckoned to be the better bike for most riders than the 450 by TBM mag.

If I remember correctly, changing the exhaust to an Akra saves 3kg + on the 690.

For 70% road I would personally go for a trailbike as opposed to a competition focused machine. I've done a few multi day uk trailrides with others using 450exc's. The 450's are superior on the dirt - 690 went everywhere they did tho (not as quickly or elegantly but that's probably due to rider :oops: ). However by mid afternon the 450 riders were fatigued and saddle sore whilst the 690 was still comfy and untiring.

A CCM 404 would also offer similar comfort.

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 Post subject: Re: 450 Bike Advice?
PostPosted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 9:52 am 
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300 cc

Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:38 pm
Posts: 543
Location: Lancashire
Its easy this one KTM 400 the do all well :!: puts the power down real smooth bulit proof engine no issues on road I could go on.
Having started With TTR 600 Then GG 200 2t The 400 is the best bike I have ridden ask the guy who sold it to me.
He went to a Husky 390 then KTM 250 2t now wants back to the 400.
By the way I am 6ft 1" and 16 stone of pure Kebab.

Not trying to make a comparison my friend :)


If you want any more info pm me.

Andy C


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 Post subject: Re: 450 Bike Advice?
PostPosted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 11:24 am 
I find it hard to believe that a dealer would reccomend anything from their enduro range considering the use that has been suggested. I would go back and ask them for an estimate of servicing costs as if you'd be bringing it in each time. I guess that as the bike is to replace your Aprilia that it might be expected to do some of the work that that did.
We put some big mileages on our enduro bikes (both KTM RFS engines) and we buy filters and oil in bulk to keep cost down but it still takes a lot of time and inclination to keep abreast of it.
JP I guess you do your own servicing, how often do you do an oil and filter change? I'm a big fan of the 690 and it's also in the budget set.
There's a lot to be said for running two bikes the same and seeing as you already have a DRZ400 in the family you already know the servicing costs.

Cheers, Rob


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 Post subject: Re: 450 Bike Advice?
PostPosted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 4:08 pm 
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650 cc Monster
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Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 6:34 pm
Posts: 4279
Location: East Sussex
I get the 690 serviced by the dealer so as to maintain the warranty. As I do 9000miles + a year on it I like the peace of mind the warranty brings, it includes EU breakdown cover too.

Doing the sums the 690, with main dealer servicing costs, still works out cheap for the mileage I do. No doubt a budget commuter roadbike would be cheaper still, but then that wouldn't be anywhere near as versatile (or fun!!) as a 690.

Service intervals on later 690's are every 7500km, valves every 15000km.

I'm 6ft and 90kg. I also run an '02 KTM 200 EXC-GS (autolube trail model). I occassionally use this to commute (espescially when it's snow/ice) and for extended trail trips. I do my own servicing on this (what little there is!). Can't fault it either. Cheap to buy, not too thirsty for a 2t, doddle to maintain, happily cruises at 60. Tops 70 with little fuss (14/44 gearing). Done numerous 12hr + days on it. Not as comfy as the 690, it's fine for long days of mixed riding though. I've used it to road ride to Salisbury plain from Sussex (3hrs) which was about as far as I'd want to road ride it. I use motorex 10/30 fully synth gearbox oil as this keeps a good clutch action for 500miles +. Fitted it with an FMF Gnarly torque pipe and run mitas c02's which last ages. Not what most would think of for loading with camping gear and doing a few days trailriding with 3hr road sections on. With a few changes it's worked well for me though.

Most dirtbikes can be used as a dualsport, the greatest factor to consider is servicing intervals. No point getting a dirtbike for 70% road use if you have to rebuild it every 1000miles!!

With a £5k budget you could get a 2t trailbike AND an older big trailie. 2t trailbike could do the majority of your 30% dirtbiking, Big trailie could do the 70% roadwork and the odd foray onto easier trails.

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 Post subject: Re: 450 Bike Advice?
PostPosted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 6:29 pm 
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200 cc

Joined: Fri Apr 10, 2009 12:53 am
Posts: 289
Hi,

I have a 2010 KTM 450, I sevice it every 10hrs apx 300miles.
The book says every 15hrs, but I like spending money lol. :lol:
Engine & gear oil 1.5ltr apx plus a ktm oil filter cost around £20.
I replace the screen filters every 30hrs and the kit cost around £20

I use the bike for Motocross, Enduros & Trail Riding, with no problems.
The bike is good on the road, but kills rear tyres!!

However I only go on the roads when I have to, and would get a trail type
bike if I were useing it on the road more.

For 5k you could buy two bikes, DRZ or TTR for road use and a older KTM 450,
Best of both worlds :D

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