New KTM 450 xcw Or 500 xcw

[Ken S 164]

Looking to trade in my rmz450 this week.

The KTM 450 and 500 xcw are the same bike-weight-engine except the piston and cylinder.

Price difference is only a couple hundred bucks.

I've read and heard the power of the 500 is awesome, maybe to excess. The 450 a little more controllable.

I'm a low intermediate level rider who mostly rides single and double track.

Which would you buy and why?

Thanks, Kenny

[Oracle 195]

I'd go 500, but that just me. I have plenty of reasons why but I'm sure there are plenty of guys here who have plenty of reasons to endorse the 450 too.

[hobiee 28]

If you are going to be riding mostly single and double track stuff then its the 450 hands down. The 500 is fantastic but it's more of an open desert bike. I own both and the 500 is just a bit to much in the tight stuff. The 450 is plenty of power, you will never really want for more. It revs a tad quicker and is more responsive to user input handling wise. If you are going to be dual sporting it well then I would go with the bigger displacement.

[Ken S 164]

Thanks for the input.

Anyone else?

Leaning hard to toward the 450.

As long as the financing works out I'll be breaking it in tomorrow afternoon.

[PastaPilot 17]

450

[Goofy Footer 539]

Just curious, any reason you're not looking for a street legal EXC?

What about the WR450 green sticker efi bike?

[Ken S 164]

The xc-w doesn't have the smog bs. It'll get a plate.

[hobiee 28]

The xc-w doesn't have the smog bs. It'll get a plate.

Better mapping and electrical system as well. Smart move. I did the same.

[blakeNY9 0]

Looking to trade in my rmz450 this week.

The KTM 450 and 500 xcw are the same bike-weight-engine except the piston and cylinder.

Price difference is only a couple hundred bucks.

I've read and heard the power of the 500 is awesome, maybe to excess. The 450 a little more controllable.

I'm a low intermediate level rider who mostly rides single and double track.

Which would you buy and why?

Thanks, Kenny

They both have electric start so either way you're coming out ahead!!!

[AATA 0]

Sounds like you may have purchased it already, but I would go with the 500. There's not a huge difference in control or ease of riding. You just have to be a little easier on the throttle at times, but it's not like one handles extremely better than the other in the tight stuff, like say a 300 2 stroke. Everyone said the same thing when I bought my old 450 and I regretted not buying the 530 every time I rode in the desert or went down a wash. This time I went with the 500 and have no regrets. My .02.

[blakeNY9 0]

Could always save some money and go with something like this...

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/4723615949.html

[hobiee 28]

That's nice but a lot has changed in five years

[REV5 0]

Why not the husky fe450 or fe501. "The iron fist"

[blakeNY9 0]

No there's an idea! Go Husky!

[Bagstr 287]

Ken, You owe us a report.

Did you stick with the old bike or break in new tires.

[xxxinsd 0]

I have the 450xcw and I can't imagine needing more power than that. Add the recluse and trails get easier and funner