TRF Forums

I have been riding superbikes for years and have always wanted to get into the off road scene.

Well I have £3000 to spend and have been looking at what bikes to get. I have narrowed my search down to a Honda CRF450x or KTM 450/400/525 EXC.

The plan is to spend around 2 on the bike and then 1 on new kit, the main expense being helmet and boots.

Having done a bit or Reasearch on these bikes a lot of people have said the 450 can be a bit of a handful. I don't mind that, in fact I quite enjoy a frisky bike so it's definitely going to be the 450.

A few years ago I had a race tuned KTM 640 LC4 super moto on the road. It was immense fun but a bit of a pig to start. I had problems with the "sprag clutch bearing" whatever that is! So have been a little put off by KTM's since. However, they seem to get good reviews so won't rule one out completely.

What do people think? I have tried to find a buying guide for these bikes but can't find one anywhere.

I am 5-11 and 11 stone 10. My aim is to go green lanes, perhaps visit a motocross track once in my life and love the thought of doing some Hare and Hounds on it. I am also based out Coalville way so if anyone knows of some good green lanes they can point me to that would be great.

Thanks in advance.

Dirtbikes require more maintenance than roadbikes. As a guide if roadbike years are tortoise years then dirtbike years would be dog years!

What might be enjoyable friskiness in a roadbike is likely to be a liability on a trailbike and for the newcomer the same for H+H as well. An accidental tweak on the throttle is one thing on pristine tarmac, on a trail it's likely to send you into nearest ditch/tree/wall/rock/hole -take your pick!!


with £3k I'd suggest getting a £1500 bike (my personal preference would be for a 2 stroke trailbike), budget £500 - £1k to bring up to scratch, spend leftovers on kit and as much training as you can with what's left.

A hefty 450 will be a real handfull on most H+H circuits - you'll be quicker on a smaller and less powerfull bike. Less is more on the dirt.

All dirtbikes consume parts.

KTM parts (particularly consumables) are generally cheaper than Honda, and much easier to get hold of.


(BTW I once managed a Honda dealership)

After a few hours on a 450 on H&H you'll be really really knackered. Go for something lighter weight. 2 strokes are generally lightest. A mate of mine recently sold his EXC 450 & bought a EXC-F 250. He loves it's lightness. Haven't seen him since he has done his first H&H on it to see how he got on though.

I wouldn't go for a 450 for my first trail-bike. 250 will be loads. You can always move on up a year down the line if you think you need to. (you'll out the 250 for much the same you paid for it)

I'd get a CRF250x or WR250f. You should pick up something in very reasonable nick in your price range. You should be able to sort your riding kit for £500.00 or less.

Hi, I have a 2010 ktm 450exc.
I've use it for H&H enduro's, motocross & trail riding with no problems.
This is by far the best bike I've owned its a great duel sport bike.
I have had two CRF's, a CR125, KX125, RM250 & KTM400.
The CRF 450 is a good bike but its around 15kg more than a 450 ktm!!

try and get a test ride on the ktm 200 lovely bike fast and light and handles well on the dirt.your be a lot faster on 200 than a 450.

Thanks for all the advice but decided on a CRF450x. I want the reliability of the Honday and want something decent on the roads between the green Lanes. Plus I can turn into a decent supermoto when I fancy it.