[Steve WyethMember]

Bugger off you little bum twiddler! It’s the last time I’m riding with you. Especially when you get naked on my lawn and let Champo hose you down in front of my neighbours!!

[Steve WyethMember]

Ask some guys for a swapsy and see what you like….it was said by someone else here but really is the best advice so I felt worth the reiteration. Riding should be fun, only you can make it that way……

[Steve WyethMember]

Jeffro the 530 and 570 are almost identical in weight to their 450 counterparts and will be significantly lighter than a DRZ. Maintenance is the same as the 450’s though.

I rode Tom’s 530 for a good hour or so last week and it was certainly fun to ride. If I went back to a 4t it would be 530/570 for me.

If you think power/torque of either of the above is comparable to the DRZ something is very wrong

[Steve WyethMember]

Also, a lot of people that complain and bag out modern four strokes haven’t even owned one. I did change to a 2 stroke because it was heaps of fun to ride, however, a top end on the 450 was at the back of my mind. I don’t think it needs one, it’s just that you never know until it happens.

As an all round bike that can cut sick on the fire trails, hit up some longer rides, race a series or Pony Express, rip up single track, shred hills and even munch some tar when asked I agree with Mr Blue, you can’t look past a modern 450…pick a colour.

Nobody has mentioned either that the power of a 450 isn’t really much more vicious than a DRZ. I mean it is more powerful but it’s not like riding a nitro meth drag car through the bush. My GIRLFRIEND learned to ride bikes on my 450 :laugh: There are also a number of ways that they can be easily tamed down as well which nobody has mentioned.

Stop being a big fairy, buy the Maico 700 and get on with it :laugh:

EDIT: KLX is good, a bit heavier than the other 450’s but better service intervals so could be suited to the original poster. Green450 and Corey8 both punt theirs well. I had a go of Green450’s bike and the power is as good as any 450, the ergo’s I found to be a little more relaxed though.

[Steve WyethMember]

I wasn’t going to do it but I feel it’s time :laugh:…….my 08 KTM 450 now has over 8,000Km’s on the clock amassed over almost 2 years of riding. Valves have been checked once, have never been adjusted and are still in spec. Most people that know me will tell you I used to rev it (like riding a gear lower than required for engine braking) and it’s been a great bike.

Also, there are some XR riders here that do oil and filters every 500Km or so and since that they take twice the oil of most modern 4 strokes that adds up. Sure they probably won’t admit it, but I know it for a fact.

Also Blue, you weren’t quite correct with the WR-R comment, they have service intervals of something like 4,000Km (or similarly stupid figure) before even recommending an oil change. Dan D used to change it at about 1000km or so just because he felt bad about it! That’s also how long he leaves the oil in WRF450 before changing and he doesn’t have any issues. I also don’t why TM are higher maintenance than the other 2 strokes of similar ilk (please don’t refer to Coley as your source of info as I think we all know he was ‘special’:laugh:

All that said, if you get a new bike c-e-l it sounds like a DRZ will suit you, although as others have said, I think your view of modern 4 strokes has been somewhat tainted by your previous bad experience with a hotted up 250.

[Steve WyethMember]

A decent rider will be able to ride any bike at a good pace, they would just be faster on a newer, purpose built tool.

For a valve and 2 tyres to costing $1000 I’d say you were well and truly done. That’s what? $750 for a valve shim? :laugh: You could do the whole top end for that…..

From what you’re saying I’d just keep your XR and upgrade when you have honed your skills. A DRZ may be a bit a newer and have an electric leg but is it worth all the hassle and effort to change for a bikes that weighs the same and has similar(ish) performance? Especially considering unless you buy a completely sorted bike (like Chops) you’d have all the work to do to it?

Can’t you get a starter kit for the XR off the supermotard version if you can find one?

EDIT: TB stop being a cry baby, you are happy to dish some crap out, stop whining when you get it back. Geez, I thought I’m supposed to be the whining pom!

[Steve WyethMember]

Austblue wrote:

Quote:

Not quite the bite I was looking for but you’ve taken the hook at least so it worked

Read my post after a coffee and you’ll notice I don’t compare the maintenance between any bikes and nor did i say my bike was maintenance free. Going by the OP’s last post he has been misinformed so why not put it out there and let him make in informed decision rather than one based on what some polka dot wearing tractor driver told him at the pub? :laugh:

If you’re going to say everyone should buy an xr because of their longetivity then I’m not going to waste my time, sorry. If the OP said hey I ride fire trails and like to dabble in fast single I’d say sure go for a DRZ but if he’s looking to be a fast rider in all terrain then look to what the racers are riding. Heck even Baja isn’t dominated by XRs anymore.

To spell it out very clearly, I’m asking what does the OP consider high maint because although it may be higher on a WR than an XR it still doesn’t take much to spend an hour (being generous with time there) in the shed changing the oil and filter after every 3 rides or so and checking valves takes 10 minutes unless you’re silly enough to through dirt and nuts in the open case.

My TM may be new with only around 1000kms but you can’t stand and argue that a 2t is more maintenance than a 4t just like I wouldn’t stand and say that my TM would last as long as an XR but then who’d compare V8 supercars maint schedules to an SS commodore’s.

:laugh:

I’m surprised you bothered to reply Trent, I thought you would have known the futility of the situation by now?

Let’s all just tell him to keep the XR and be done with it, then we go about our way misinforming other people until the Oracle bestows his supreme knowledge again :laugh:

[Steve WyethMember]

Chops DRZ would be a great bike if he wanted to sell. All of the work, none of the hassle. I’ve ridden a few DRZ’s now and Chops was by far and away the nicest in the bush.

The newer 450’s don’t require any more maintenance than you mentioned. They will need valves checked/adjusted every so often (like once a year, not once a ride, dependent on mileage of course) but it’s hardly a big deal for a lighter, faster, more involving bike if that’s what you are after.

As AB said, if you’re happy with your XR the DRZ will likely be the best move.

[Steve WyethMember]

Ollie wrote:

Quote:

Also a big thanks to Madmac for the lend of the Kato 450,bike was sweet all weekend and was a pleasure to ride,cheers mate

Ollie

Keep meaning to ask how Mac was getting on with Matty’s old bike, nice to hear she’s getting some use.

[Steve WyethMember]

I actually missed voting but if I had my vote would have been with Crash. There isn’t a better deserving person.

Well done mate

[Steve WyethMember]

Have a great day mate and enjoy Melbs

[Steve WyethMember]

:laugh: at TB and the XR bullshit :laugh: :laugh:

[Steve WyethMember]

Cheers and Happy Birthday you big moley mole!!!!

[Steve WyethMember]

Dan D quit OBT but then re-registered.

My account just disappeared last week, Poof! :laugh:

[Steve WyethMember]

Happy Birthday goat lips!

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