AMTRA.com.au

Hi guys and girls :)
Looking at giving the old xr350 a well deserved break (well it is 28 years old this year  ;D ) Have been looking at wrf450 and klx450 both 08 models with around 1400 to 3000km I have around $8000 to spend would appreciate any ones experiences, do’s and don’ts and any other bikes I should be looking at.
Thanks heaps Darren

Go the 2 banger mate, they are awesome.







































































As far as the 4 banger goes, I would go for the WRF 450.

Either bike would be good, the WRF has the established reputation but the KLX as a trail ridden enduro gets very good reports.

I rode Geoffs KLX and liked it, although not the same punch as my own WRF (which I think Geoff may work on once the leg heals).

Hopefully you can get a ride on each to see what works for you.

Keep the XR though.

Mat.

Mate I have had a KLX450 08 model for about 8 months, its pretty well rounded and will treat you well. No problems come to mind at all, I purchased mine with a heap of extras so you should get a good one with some good gear included for around the money you are planning to spend. Also have a new KTM300 in the family which is even better but late ones are bigger bucks than your budget or if they are cheap its for a reason, usually all the wrong ones. Cheers

STAY REDCRF450X! you should pick up a good 08 onwards in your price range. Ignore the screams of valves as if you pick up an older bike you will proby find that the head has already been fitted with s/s valves.

Hi Darren,

Having seen you ride, both bikes would be perfect. If it came down to it i would go the WR, just as it has a proven track record. For a little more thna $8000 you might be able to even go new if there are some leftover last years stock.

What about a WR250F? Remember these 250's have much more power than you 350 and could be a good thing to ride.

Don't rush into it Dazza, look for a while I picked up a WR450f with all the good bits already on it for $7500 with Reg but no roadworthy with only 450kms [genuine] It was an 08 and I bought it just over a year ago, love it ;D Its not the bike its the rider :o :D

Hi Darren, going from a XR350 to a modern day 450 is a massive jump, 450's are a lot of bike and not something that i'll be riding any time soon. The majority of people i ride with that are on 450's can't ride them properly in the bush and are beaten up by the end of the days ride.
Currently i'm on a Husqvarna TE310 and it's the perfect bike for me, it's similar in weight to a 2 stroke, handles like its on rails and has plenty of power, maybe you should give some consideration to a mid size thumper like the Husky or a Sherco 3.0 or a Berg 390 or a ktm 400.
All of these bikes are easier to ride than a 450 and there should be plenty of used ones around in your price range.
All the best with the decision and bike shopping!
Oh and dont write off the 250's they are awesome bikes with heaps of power if ridden right

you should get a few test rides in next time your out on a ride. I would be happy to give you a go on my 450x and I am sure others will do the same to help you decide which way to go. I got off a '96 xr400 onto the crf and what a difference. it will be good to welcome you int the 21st century.
it's a good idea to try some different engine sizes 250/450/310 4bangers 250/300 2 strokes.
 

You can have a ride of the 250X next ride I am on, or the WR450 depending on what I bring.

Lots of good 08/09 CRF250X's for your budget or less, and a valve change to SS is around $300 so not expensive.

I like riding the 250X, it seems to have more in it than the WR250F.

If you want a more trail oriented bike I would not write off the WR250R, a good bike with much lower maintenance needed to keep it in shape.

Thanks Guys
This give's me plenty to think about
Darren (buck rogers move over)

Any one out there know about engine hours as there is a few bikes out there that I would like to look at but having no km's just hours is holding me back from looking at those particular ones .
Would like to know what would be high in hours so I can stay clear thanks in advance.
Darren  ??? :-[

Just work out how long you normally ride for and then you know how many rides it has had. But has it been thrashed or taken easy ? hard to tell this one.

The CRF has just gone 900 km, and has 25 hrs on it. That should be a good sort of guide as it has been a mix of riding. Out at Cobaw it was about 3 hrs for 100km, out in the desert it was around 7 hrs for 500km on the WR. So you could work on 25 hrs/1000km as a rough guide.

DRZ400.