kx450 or yz450f?

[Stickerz]

Hopefully, by the end of this year, I will be able to buy either a 2011 kx250f or a 2011 yz250f, I have read around, and they both seem to have their advantages, anyone have either of these bikes and or suggestions? Leaning towards the Kawasaki... haven't decided yet though.

[Kawasakis]

kx

[Stickerz]

Oops, just realized I totally forgot to change the title.
Lol kawa, you would say that even if i asked between honda and suzuki why do you prefer kawi's though?

[Armadijl]

2 stroke... just cause theyre sick. Naah but i will choose yz since theyre looking sick and running pretty well and im not sure bout the kawa's tho.

[Stickerz]

Lol I'm kinda looking forward to the switch to 4-strokes, my last bike was a 2 stroke, I preferred to ride my dads '99 xr250 lol, I think I like the handling better on the kawi from what reviews and stuff say, the yami seems to be better balanced (front/rear) and have more power, so, i don't know...

[Kawasakis]

Oops, just realized I totally forgot to change the title.
Lol kawa, you would say that even if i asked between honda and suzuki why do you prefer kawi's though?

I watched 2011 bikes reviews and Yamaha was like last or something.
And because they are the best,color,look,everything else! haha Had kawi and loved it,was way better than my current Honda.

[The Fox]

I tried a yzf450 from 2011, for me it's too powerful, I mean I got off the bike and the first thing I asked to the dude that borrowed me that was: "Is the engine stock?!". I tried it on a really hard track (mine lol), maybe on sand its a different thing...was running with half gas everywhere. I tried a kawi 450 from 2009 on the same track and enjoyed it a lot more, way smoother to drive, If I had to choose between the two I would go for a kawi. On the other hand I liked yzf's suspension way more, even if they were not stock, they were sent to a technician, I do not like the low-rear feeling on the kawi, but You get used to.

[Zachkx100]

http://www.racerxonline.com/2010/11/25/ ... 0-shootout

[Jr Dirt Doctor#489]

I'd go with yamaha becuase there more reliable and the BEST color out there...
But idk much about 450s so idk.

[Phathry25]

Honda, I've ridden 4 of the big 5 250f's (no KTM) and they are all unique in their own ways.

The Yamaha is carbureted, making the fuel system easier to work on for the shade tree mechanic. However you will need to re-jet and tune the carburetor. The handling is very balanced, although the stock suspension is a little soft.

The Honda has the most bottom end of all the bikes, however it is pretty front heavy. For me I loved that feeling, and wish I could have gotten a deal on one. For some it may feel unstable or even nose heavy in the air. It turns just as well as the Suzuki, but has a different feel to it.

The Suzuki was turned really well, and the motor was average, it did however need the least amount of RPM to perform. So I would say it was strongest in the mid range.

The Kawasaki (the bike I got) is very strong up top, and average down low, I find myself fanning the clutch coming out of slower corners. Unlike the Honda it feel heavy in the rear, and this makes the bike very very stable. It seems to turn well, but like I said, it's not a feeling I am familiar with and I struggle with it sometimes. The more I ride it the more I get used to it though, and the extreme stability of the bike seem's like a fair trade off.

As far as the KTM goes I would assume it's just as good as any of the above, although I haven't ridden one. I can assume it has the most power, and also turns the most RPM. I've had experience with an '08 KTM and while it was different from the Japanese bikes the build quality was just as good.

Honestly, buy the bike you can get the best deal on. I would pay up to $300 more for the Honda/Yamaha because of the build quality. In working on my Kawi I can't say I have come across any problems yet, but the castings/machined pieces just don't look and feel as quality as the pieces on the Honda/Yamaha's I've owned in the past.

[MiNi]

2010 Kawi 450s have such a hard hit at the bottom, stock, even on the 250s.

[jesplind]

Iam waiting for my honda, which was my decision... Kawas and Hondas felt the same to me (rode a kx125 before) but the kawa felt heavier. Since Im a tecnical rider and likes to move the big around easy I went for it. I liked the yama too but the suspension felt soft as phatry said, and I want good suspension stock. The yamaha just turned around the courners so easy! Damn that was nice but it felt a little unastable...

Thats my view of them

[Stickerz]

Honda, I've ridden 4 of the big 5 250f's (no KTM) and they are all unique in their own ways.

The Yamaha is carbureted, making the fuel system easier to work on for the shade tree mechanic. However you will need to re-jet and tune the carburetor. The handling is very balanced, although the stock suspension is a little soft.

The Honda has the most bottom end of all the bikes, however it is pretty front heavy. For me I loved that feeling, and wish I could have gotten a deal on one. For some it may feel unstable or even nose heavy in the air. It turns just as well as the Suzuki, but has a different feel to it.

The Suzuki was turned really well, and the motor was average, it did however need the least amount of RPM to perform. So I would say it was strongest in the mid range.

The Kawasaki (the bike I got) is very strong up top, and average down low, I find myself fanning the clutch coming out of slower corners. Unlike the Honda it feel heavy in the rear, and this makes the bike very very stable. It seems to turn well, but like I said, it's not a feeling I am familiar with and I struggle with it sometimes. The more I ride it the more I get used to it though, and the extreme stability of the bike seem's like a fair trade off.

As far as the KTM goes I would assume it's just as good as any of the above, although I haven't ridden one. I can assume it has the most power, and also turns the most RPM. I've had experience with an '08 KTM and while it was different from the Japanese bikes the build quality was just as good.

Honestly, buy the bike you can get the best deal on. I would pay up to $300 more for the Honda/Yamaha because of the build quality. In working on my Kawi I can't say I have come across any problems yet, but the castings/machined pieces just don't look and feel as quality as the pieces on the Honda/Yamaha's I've owned in the past.

I've read around a bit, decided not to go with a honda or suzuki, and my last bike was a ktm, i think the uniqueness of the kawasaki or yamaha would fit my riding style best, and think I'll be going with that, but, I will keep watching this and looking at what you guys have to say, thanks for the advice!

[Phathry25]

Out of curiosity, why would you decide against those two bikes? What makes the Kawasaki any Yamaha unique in your opinion?

[Kawasakis]

Color,plastics.