They are all pretty similar as far as reliability goes. You can't go wrong with either one. The KTM however will be easier to get street legal.

 

How about any of the other brands is there any to just stay away from? I'm kind of thinking I'm going to buy a used bike that's already street legal.
How about parts availability is ktm difficult to find parts for or more expensive then others?

 

If you do a little digging you'll see that people have converted every brand to a daily driver or a weekend hooligan machine, so it's all about your personal preference. If you wanna build it your way and put on the parts of your choice, i would suggest a WR450 or a CRF/CRFX 450, then convert it and deck it out with the parts you want, or if you wanna just wanna hop on a bike and go, get a KTM 450 EXC/SMR, or a Husky 450 TE/SMR and those bikes will already come plated with lights and speedo etc... and they come with top of the line components already. Those 2 will be more expensive for both parts and labor, so if that's a factor stick with the Jap bikes. But the price difference in parts for Jap vs Euro bikes isn't major. But you would notice the $ difference over time for sure. Where you'd pay $75 an hour labor rates at one Jap bike shop, You'd go to a ktm or husky dealer and their labor rates can exceed $100 an hour sometimes.

 

Where you'd pay $75 an hour labor rates at one Jap bike shop, You'd go to a ktm or husky dealer and their labor rates can exceed $100 an hour sometimes.

Just buy a service manual and learn to do it yourself. Then you save big bucks for tires and oil changes, cause you will need a lot of both.

 

From my research, the WR450 was by far the way to go. The CRF burns oil without swapping the piston to the quad version (from what I read), KTMs cost about $10k new and don't depreciate much. Also- how many ktms do you see on the road? The ones I've been around are broken often. I had a husky 610, and if their street bike is that horrible (mine blew the motor plus a thousand different issues) I can't imagine what their race bike is like.

I took the DR-Z and put $1500 into it and now it makes 48hp and I can ride it every day with NO fear of it breaking. However, it is still around 300 lbs. I'd look into the XRR as well.

 

From my research, the WR450 was by far the way to go. The CRF burns oil without swapping the piston to the quad version (from what I read), KTMs cost about $10k new and don't depreciate much. Also- how many ktms do you see on the road? The ones I've been around are broken often. I had a husky 610, and if their street bike is that horrible (mine blew the motor plus a thousand different issues) I can't imagine what their race bike is like.

I took the DR-Z and put $1500 into it and now it makes 48hp and I can ride it every day with NO fear of it breaking. However, it is still around 300 lbs. I'd look into the XRR as well.

I have had great luck with my WR's. Mine hardly ever catch a break and if they do it's only for a day at the most. The WR is the cheapest to convert compared to the other Japanese brands. The Honda does require a bit of modification to the engine before it's reliable. The WR engine is already up to the challenge. The KTM is not a bad choice either. Like someone said earlier, they're pretty much ready for a license plate in stock trim with no hassle. Depending on what state you're in the WR is no problem either. Here in Tx I haven't had any problems at all with getting a plate. BTW, I have ridden my 426 for two years almost daily and gone on several extended rides without having to adjust the valves. Those weren't easily riding miles either.

 

Wr all the way and never look back. I'm currently searching for one. Can't beat the reliability of that 5 valve head.

 

+1

 

+1000

 

If Hwy is being considered at speeds over 60mph, you may want to look at a bigger cc like the Husky 610 or KTM 625 or 690 aka the LC-4 motor

Just a thought

 

Also, the newer WRs are fi, if that makes any difference to you.

 

Only the 2012 is FI...

 

Anybody have any input on the KLX450R? Unfortunately im unable to ride a bike thats not kawie green so my options are limited.

 

My first bike was a Kawasaki, it was a POS, my last enduro bike was a KDX200 and it was an awesome bike.
I'd say that if you are limiting yourself to only a Kawasaki then you probably answered your own question, you limited your options to pretty much the KLX450R so I'd just search for it on here I know there are a few of them, the fact that there are a thousand more WRs than KLX450s should tell you something though....

 

No comment

 

How abou a klx400 then? I've heard they are great bikes. :lol:

 

I wAs just messin with the no comment. I personally don't like any Kawasaki products, but thats just me hating them from working is a shop for a few years. The klx400 is just a green drz. Good bike

 

On them, in a shop. Stupid iPhone. I can't type with this friggin thing in a case. Look forward to stupid replies from me for awhile

 

You should change the title of the thread then. The Kawi 450 is not on par with the others. I love Kawi watercraft and I still have one Kawi track bike, but when something happens to it a R6 will take its place. Sorry, but I'm not a big Kawi motorcycle fan. I have owned a few and they're just not for me.