I'm a Vet slow A / fast B enduro competiton rider, 350 EXCF for last couple seasons but i'm thinking about 450 now, I'm a tall guy 210lbs, and i'd like to get more bottom power, tried some mods on 350 (366ccm, some ecu mods) but its still not what i'm looking for. Your review makes me wanna 450 even more now :P subscribed!
Sounds like we had a similar experience. The only time I wouldn’t want a 450 is if I was doing a lot of slow single track, I think I’d be on a two stroke or a 250/350 fourstroke. I think you will find the grunt low end torque of the 450 actually makes it easier to ride. What kind of riding do you mostly do?
@@moto-x we compete mostly on singe-track and mx-style special tests, but these single tracks are like flowing 3rd/4th even 5th gear , I had a 450 XCF 8years ago , but i wasn't racing back then, just easy weekend-warrior rides , I still miss the low rev braap ;) most of guys at my class rides 250F/350, some 300 2T as well, no one is racing on 450 coz everyone say its just too physically demanding to do that, but i think it depends on riding style much, I still want to test 2024/2025 350 EXCF model before I decide, but im leaning towards 450 more and more everyday, btw, 2024 WR450 is on my radar as well, I need to check out your YZ450 vids too :)
Extremely valuable insights and speaks to reality on the dirt for us consumers/shoppers out there that want the best information to make the decision that will best suit reality and preference. I put 172 hours on my 21’ FC 350: in the upper rpm where the “power” is in addition to the chassis binding feel, it gets a bit violent because you have a decent amount of torque/inertia combined with a lot more rpm than a 450. I loved the bike, and will always want light weight being 155 pounds, but especially with this review I will be trying a 450 next. Also just to balance out the debate on motor wear/maintenance: My husky 350 was flawless, granted I wasn’t ringing it out on a track all 172 hrs, but the top end, clutch, valves were stock and felt great when I sold it, pretty phenomenal. My buddies 450’s definitely ware clutches, chains and sprockets noticeably more quickly with all that torque.
This is such a good review. I can’t stand A riders telling C riders they “don’t need a 450” and “can’t use all the power.” I completely disagree with the “don’t need.” I’m slow in corners so as you mentioned I need that torque on corner exit that a fast guy doesn’t need. I venture to say C vet guys need a 450 more and benefit more from them than an A rider does. This 350 being the “perfect vet bike” may be true for a fast vet or a bran new rider but not the guys in the middle.
Thank you! My thoughts as well. I think there’s some vet riders that are just going to have an easier time on a 450, like myself. I prefer the extra grunt and torque and less chassis bind.
This is true if you're a heavier guy but honestly man. If you got a 350 it would create much more corner speed. My brother got a 350 a year ago and he's gotten so much faster this year then the last 3-4 years on his 450's. But we're lighter dudes. I'm 165 lbs and he's 175 lbs. If you're 190-200+, yeah I get the 450 but otherwise, just get faster safely on the smaller bike.
Am up 2 teeth on rear , 2 stroke filter cage, Vortex XPR and still searching for more bottom on mine. Being in Northeaat this is an excellent overview.
@@chadgiesler5156 I have a low hour '17. Have ridden the '24 and there is def better lower end than mine stock, but the Vortex and other mods on mine gets it close. Just ride moto practice days as I am over 55 . Also at 6'3 240lbs probably could use a 450 but feel safer and more in control on this bike. Really tough when tracks are ripped deep or super muddy, but hooks up when firmer.
Your opinion for your skill level.. im Vet A and i love the 350, thing has more power than my kx450 did, can lug it down low or scream it and it pulls everywhere and light feeling so i can ride it harder way longer than a 450.
Exactly Rob! You’re an NESC A vet, so I wouldn’t be surprised. Interestingly enough though, when other A vets have ridden it they preferred the 450s, Like Jesse B #29 so I guess it’s subjective.
@moto-x some guys like to be lazier, i prefer to be more aggressive, i also have a blast on 250 2-strokes and 250 4-strokes. Lurusso likes 250s also where Jesse hates them.
@@robkeller8008 I couldn’t agree with you more, spot on! But let’s it face it, you’re not a slow vet rider, you still rip! I’ll swing over next time I see you at the track. Scott Carter says to say hello as well 👍
@moto-x I practiced and hung out with Scott when we were teens.. definitely helped me get faster when he would get behind and mess with me.. Tell him hello back. Also this is why they make all different size bikes, we have plenty to choose from, i have 250, 350, and 450, all give a different sensation and it keeps it fun for me
@Moto-X amazing video & a great message One question imagine the 450 made a free roll mood that stops engine braking or minimises it . Then Two stroke will lose the one thing that makes 2 strokes fun.🫨 Funny fact is if the smokers rage in the comments imagine a 450 with only a rear brake no engine braking 🫣
Interesting perspective thanks! You must really hate 250 4 strokes lol. I'll have to see if anyone around here races 350s and what they say. I'm assuming it's better than a 250f? Great video.
I don’t hate 250s at all lol. The 350 is a great bike, and yes I’d choose it over a 250. However, I do believe the 450 has some advantages for certain types of riders and also riding styles.
Interesting listening to a vet riders perspective. Honestly i think your hurting your rider progression being on a bike that powerful. Because your using the power as a crutch to lug yourself out of the corners while on a 250f or 350 you have to ride harder and more aggressive to be fast. But as long as your having fun riding thats the main thing
Thanks for the comment. I would have said the same thing last year but after putting legit time on both I’m way better on the 450. The 350 requires you to ride it in the upper rpm’s, if I’m doing that I’m on a two stroke. Trust me, I tried to drink the 350 holy water but it’s just not for some folks.
@@moto-x understandable dude for vet riders to be competitive it might be better to have a bigger bike. I'm in my mid 20s and love my sxf250 just feels confidence inspiring how hard and aggressive you can ride it. I tried riding someones FC450 last year and honestly it scared me a little just how fast it accelerated when I actually opened the thing up.
NHMX love to see it, great review and insight
I'm a Vet slow A / fast B enduro competiton rider, 350 EXCF for last couple seasons but i'm thinking about 450 now, I'm a tall guy 210lbs, and i'd like to get more bottom power, tried some mods on 350 (366ccm, some ecu mods) but its still not what i'm looking for.
Your review makes me wanna 450 even more now :P
subscribed!
Sounds like we had a similar experience. The only time I wouldn’t want a 450 is if I was doing a lot of slow single track, I think I’d be on a two stroke or a 250/350 fourstroke. I think you will find the grunt low end torque of the 450 actually makes it easier to ride. What kind of riding do you mostly do?
@@moto-x we compete mostly on singe-track and mx-style special tests, but these single tracks are like flowing 3rd/4th even 5th gear ,
I had a 450 XCF 8years ago , but i wasn't racing back then, just easy weekend-warrior rides , I still miss the low rev braap ;)
most of guys at my class rides 250F/350, some 300 2T as well, no one is racing on 450 coz everyone say its just too physically demanding to do that, but i think it depends on riding style much,
I still want to test 2024/2025 350 EXCF model before I decide, but im leaning towards 450 more and more everyday,
btw, 2024 WR450 is on my radar as well, I need to check out your YZ450 vids too :)
250 is plenty for me! I did have a 310 Husky and that was the greatest bike ever but I only road off road and raced GNCC. Now I just ride for fun.
Extremely valuable insights and speaks to reality on the dirt for us consumers/shoppers out there that want the best information to make the decision that will best suit reality and preference. I put 172 hours on my 21’ FC 350: in the upper rpm where the “power” is in addition to the chassis binding feel, it gets a bit violent because you have a decent amount of torque/inertia combined with a lot more rpm than a 450. I loved the bike, and will always want light weight being 155 pounds, but especially with this review I will be trying a 450 next. Also just to balance out the debate on motor wear/maintenance: My husky 350 was flawless, granted I wasn’t ringing it out on a track all 172 hrs, but the top end, clutch, valves were stock and felt great when I sold it, pretty phenomenal. My buddies 450’s definitely ware clutches, chains and sprockets noticeably more quickly with all that torque.
Spot on! Thanks you for the input! I love the 350 as well, but for me, if I can only have one bike it’s a 450.
This is such a good review. I can’t stand A riders telling C riders they “don’t need a 450” and “can’t use all the power.” I completely disagree with the “don’t need.” I’m slow in corners so as you mentioned I need that torque on corner exit that a fast guy doesn’t need. I venture to say C vet guys need a 450 more and benefit more from them than an A rider does. This 350 being the “perfect vet bike” may be true for a fast vet or a bran new rider but not the guys in the middle.
Thank you! My thoughts as well. I think there’s some vet riders that are just going to have an easier time on a 450, like myself. I prefer the extra grunt and torque and less chassis bind.
This is true if you're a heavier guy but honestly man. If you got a 350 it would create much more corner speed. My brother got a 350 a year ago and he's gotten so much faster this year then the last 3-4 years on his 450's. But we're lighter dudes. I'm 165 lbs and he's 175 lbs. If you're 190-200+, yeah I get the 450 but otherwise, just get faster safely on the smaller bike.
I also say this, but I now have a 450 and love it but there are pro's and cons between the bikes was my point. Dirt bikes are fun nonetheless! Haha.
Am up 2 teeth on rear , 2 stroke filter cage, Vortex XPR and still searching for more bottom on mine. Being in Northeaat this is an excellent overview.
What year and model is your 350?
@@chadgiesler5156 I have a low hour '17. Have ridden the '24 and there is def better lower end than mine stock, but the Vortex and other mods on mine gets it close. Just ride moto practice days as I am over 55 . Also at 6'3 240lbs probably could use a 450 but feel safer and more in control on this bike. Really tough when tracks are ripped deep or super muddy, but hooks up when firmer.
Did you go 2 tooth’s taller on rear sprocket that helps a lot for the 350
Especially with the vortex
I did, but then I felt I lost any length to the gears. For the terrain and tracks we ride the 350 lacked the low end torque.
I agree
Your opinion for your skill level.. im Vet A and i love the 350, thing has more power than my kx450 did, can lug it down low or scream it and it pulls everywhere and light feeling so i can ride it harder way longer than a 450.
Exactly Rob! You’re an NESC A vet, so I wouldn’t be surprised. Interestingly enough though, when other A vets have ridden it they preferred the 450s, Like Jesse B #29 so I guess it’s subjective.
@moto-x some guys like to be lazier, i prefer to be more aggressive, i also have a blast on 250 2-strokes and 250 4-strokes. Lurusso likes 250s also where Jesse hates them.
@@robkeller8008 I couldn’t agree with you more, spot on! But let’s it face it, you’re not a slow vet rider, you still rip! I’ll swing over next time I see you at the track. Scott Carter says to say hello as well 👍
@moto-x I practiced and hung out with Scott when we were teens.. definitely helped me get faster when he would get behind and mess with me.. Tell him hello back. Also this is why they make all different size bikes, we have plenty to choose from, i have 250, 350, and 450, all give a different sensation and it keeps it fun for me
@Moto-X amazing video & a great message
One question imagine the 450 made a free roll mood that stops engine braking or minimises it . Then Two stroke will lose the one thing that makes 2 strokes fun.🫨
Funny fact is if the smokers rage in the comments imagine a 450 with only a rear brake no engine braking 🫣
Interesting perspective thanks! You must really hate 250 4 strokes lol. I'll have to see if anyone around here races 350s and what they say. I'm assuming it's better than a 250f? Great video.
I don’t hate 250s at all lol. The 350 is a great bike, and yes I’d choose it over a 250. However, I do believe the 450 has some advantages for certain types of riders and also riding styles.
Interesting listening to a vet riders perspective. Honestly i think your hurting your rider progression being on a bike that powerful. Because your using the power as a crutch to lug yourself out of the corners while on a 250f or 350 you have to ride harder and more aggressive to be fast. But as long as your having fun riding thats the main thing
Thanks for the comment. I would have said the same thing last year but after putting legit time on both I’m way better on the 450. The 350 requires you to ride it in the upper rpm’s, if I’m doing that I’m on a two stroke. Trust me, I tried to drink the 350 holy water but it’s just not for some folks.
@@moto-x understandable dude for vet riders to be competitive it might be better to have a bigger bike. I'm in my mid 20s and love my sxf250 just feels confidence inspiring how hard and aggressive you can ride it. I tried riding someones FC450 last year and honestly it scared me a little just how fast it accelerated when I actually opened the thing up.
@@Nick169x definitely wish I could turn the clock back to your age, enjoy it my friend 👍
what 450 did you end up getting ??
2024 YZ450, rode them all and love this one