dirt bike questions

KMGZ400 · November 7, 2012

i just got a 2003 honda CRF450 the other day for an amazing deal. im an ATV guy, i have 4, so i dont know too much about these bikes. all i know is that its extremely fast and it is supposedly bone stock other then bars

dont know how many dirt bike guru's there are here but just wanted too see if anyone knows anything about these bikes.. like how to properly adjust the chain and proper way to start it since its hard to start.

slimjim2525 · November 7, 2012

To start people say don't touch the gas on a 4 stroke. Let me tell you it's ok. When cold just twist the throttle quickly once to squirt a little gas in. Bring kick start all the way up and give a full kick. When hot don't touch the gas. Make sure youre air filter is clean at all times as any dirt in a 4 stroke will destroy the motor and big bucks to fix. Make sure you're in neutralas they are a bitch to start if in gear. Chain should be 2 finger breadths aboce chain protector on front of swing arm.

KMGZ400 · November 7, 2012

i heard i was supposed to just twist it once too. ohh ok ill have to make sure to do that, all the other bikes i have had have started with a half kick. yeah when i got it the filter was nasty, but i replaced it. first time i tried to start it i didnt realize it was in gear.. pain in the ass.

thanks

Carder09 · November 7, 2012

You have been missing out on the greatest of off road machines lol, I am not a fan of the 4 strokes but if you ever get a hold of a 2 stroke, you thought that 450 was fast, them 250's can run like a chapped ass ape!!!! Plenty of 4 strokes met their demise to my ol' girl, a few "racing quads" also met laws of physics to the bike too. Enjoy it!!!

Prokopchuk_9 · November 7, 2012

i just got a 2003 honda CRF450 the other day for an amazing deal. im an ATV guy, i have 4, so i dont know too much about these bikes. all i know is that its extremely fast and it is supposedly bone stock other then bars

dont know how many dirt bike guru's there are here but just wanted too see if anyone knows anything about these bikes.. like how to properly adjust the chain and proper way to start it since its hard to start.

Nice buy!!! Just keep a close eye on the valves, 02-04s bad for valves going out of spec really fast. Also every 10-15 hours its food idea to re-pack rear shock linkage bearings with grease, dont ignore them. if you do you will pay the price. Ive been down the 4-stroke road before, ended up costing way to much money for my liking. I have an 03 as well. But I own 250r, ultra fast cheap maintenance. Wicked machine. Happy riding. I'm serious, religious valve maintenance will save you huge $$$$.

slimjim2525 · November 7, 2012

You have been missing out on the greatest of off road machines lol, I am not a fan of the 4 strokes but if you ever get a hold of a 2 stroke, you thought that 450 was fast, them 250's can run like a chapped ass ape!!!! Plenty of 4 strokes met their demise to my ol' girl, a few "racing quads" also met laws of physics to the bike too. Enjoy it!!!

Don't listen to this BS. As an ex pro motocross racer who has been around for both 2 and 4 strokes, a 2 stroke will never compete against a 4 stroke. A 4 stroke has a ton of torque and coming out of corner and you have a big double jump right in front of you, you want that torque. Do you see any 2 strokes in pro motocross anymore? Answer is no for a reason.

Prokopchuk_9 · November 7, 2012

You have been missing out on the greatest of off road machines lol, I am not a fan of the 4 strokes but if you ever get a hold of a 2 stroke, you thought that 450 was fast, them 250's can run like a chapped ass ape!!!! Plenty of 4 strokes met their demise to my ol' girl, a few "racing quads" also met laws of physics to the bike too. Enjoy it!!!

Don't listen to this BS. As an ex pro motocross racer who has been around for both 2 and 4 strokes, a 2 stroke will never compete against a 4 stroke. A 4 stroke has a ton of torque and coming out of corner and you have a big double jump right in front of you, you want that torque. Do you see any 2 strokes in pro motocross anymore? Answer is no for a reason.

Listen here mr "ex-pro" A 2 stroke WILL compete if they are of the same displacement. A 250cc 2t walks all over a 250cc 4t all day. We all know pound for pound a two stroke has more power, they race 450's because of the emissions bullshit and yes they can produce more power than a 250.(I would hope they could) I remember back when they were both in the races 2 strokes still dominated. It's all a political/corporate bullshit that got us into this whole 4 stroke world. You'd think they would have went the other way. 2 strokes are lighter, produce more power per CC and 1/4 the cost of maintaining them..seems to make more sense for racing doesnt it? Have you ever rode a factory 250??? They are blindingly fast. I rode a few cr500's as well, including a cr500 in an 05 frame. What a rocket.

Ive owned them yea they are fast, ya they are torqy. but i stopped after paying thousands to rebuild, i checked valves, timing chains, conpression. checked everything i could to make sure i didnt blow anything up and it STILL happend. twice. once was $1600 the other time was $3000. 4 strokes are ticking time bombs. All the corporations started this 4t bullshit because they can make more $$$$$. Plain and simple.

LONG LIVE 2 STROKES

Squirrely · November 7, 2012

You may need to richen the slow jet, this will help with the hard start.

slimjim2525 · November 7, 2012

You have been missing out on the greatest of off road machines lol, I am not a fan of the 4 strokes but if you ever get a hold of a 2 stroke, you thought that 450 was fast, them 250's can run like a chapped ass ape!!!! Plenty of 4 strokes met their demise to my ol' girl, a few "racing quads" also met laws of physics to the bike too. Enjoy it!!!

Don't listen to this BS. As an ex pro motocross racer who has been around for both 2 and 4 strokes, a 2 stroke will never compete against a 4 stroke. A 4 stroke has a ton of torque and coming out of corner and you have a big double jump right in front of you, you want that torque. Do you see any 2 strokes in pro motocross anymore? Answer is no for a reason.

Listen here mr "ex-pro" A 2 stroke WILL compete if they are of the same displacement. A 250cc 2t walks all over a 250cc 4t all day. We all know pound for pound a two stroke has more power, they race 450's because of the emissions bullshit and yes they can produce more power than a 250.(I would hope they could) I remember back when they were both in the races 2 strokes still dominated. It's all a political/corporate bullshit that got us into this whole 4 stroke world. You'd think they would have went the other way. 2 strokes are lighter, produce more power per CC and 1/4 the cost of maintaining them..seems to make more sense for racing doesnt it? Have you ever rode a factory 250??? They are blindingly fast. I rode a few cr500's as well, including a cr500 in an 05 frame. What a rocket.

Ive owned them yea they are fast, ya they are torqy. but i stopped after paying thousands to rebuild, i checked valves, timing chains, conpression. checked everything i could to make sure i didnt blow anything up and it STILL happend. twice. once was $1600 the other time was $3000. 4 strokes are ticking time bombs. All the corporations started this 4t bullshit because they can make more $$$$$. Plain and simple.

LONG LIVE 2 STROKES

You're a tard. Plain and simple. Uhhhh, and they can still race 2 strokes in AMA motocross but you would get destroyed by a 4 stroke. And the first day I ever raced a 4 stroke was in the open expert class. Lined up right next to a CR 500, and destroyed him by a bike length at the first corner. You might wanna know what you're talking about before spouting off. And you only really ever have to repair a 4 stroke engine after you dumb asses don't clean the air filter good enough or use spray on filter oil and get dirt in the engine. Learn good maintenance and they will last forever.

Carder09 · November 8, 2012

You have been missing out on the greatest of off road machines lol, I am not a fan of the 4 strokes but if you ever get a hold of a 2 stroke, you thought that 450 was fast, them 250's can run like a chapped ass ape!!!! Plenty of 4 strokes met their demise to my ol' girl, a few "racing quads" also met laws of physics to the bike too. Enjoy it!!!

Don't listen to this BS. As an ex pro motocross racer who has been around for both 2 and 4 strokes, a 2 stroke will never compete against a 4 stroke. A 4 stroke has a ton of torque and coming out of corner and you have a big double jump right in front of you, you want that torque. Do you see any 2 strokes in pro motocross anymore? Answer is no for a reason.

Listen here mr "ex-pro" A 2 stroke WILL compete if they are of the same displacement. A 250cc 2t walks all over a 250cc 4t all day. We all know pound for pound a two stroke has more power, they race 450's because of the emissions bullshit and yes they can produce more power than a 250.(I would hope they could) I remember back when they were both in the races 2 strokes still dominated. It's all a political/corporate bullshit that got us into this whole 4 stroke world. You'd think they would have went the other way. 2 strokes are lighter, produce more power per CC and 1/4 the cost of maintaining them..seems to make more sense for racing doesnt it? Have you ever rode a factory 250??? They are blindingly fast. I rode a few cr500's as well, including a cr500 in an 05 frame. What a rocket.

Ive owned them yea they are fast, ya they are torqy. but i stopped after paying thousands to rebuild, i checked valves, timing chains, conpression. checked everything i could to make sure i didnt blow anything up and it STILL happend. twice. once was $1600 the other time was $3000. 4 strokes are ticking time bombs. All the corporations started this 4t bullshit because they can make more $$$$$. Plain and simple.

LONG LIVE 2 STROKES

You're a tard. Plain and simple. Uhhhh, and they can still race 2 strokes in AMA motocross but you would get destroyed by a 4 stroke. And the first day I ever raced a 4 stroke was in the open expert class. Lined up right next to a CR 500, and destroyed him by a bike length at the first corner. You might wanna know what you're talking about before spouting off. And you only really ever have to repair a 4 stroke engine after you dumb asses don't clean the air filter good enough or use spray on filter oil and get dirt in the engine. Learn good maintenance and they will last forever.

For such the professional, you must have went really far in motocross, so far we should all know who you are and you should be famous with lots of money and a direct sponsor from one of the big manufactures of the industry. I bet you even got to help build and design these bikes we ride today huh? Man, I wish I could grow up and be like you instead of lead a military life. Oh the choices of the world.

Prokopchuk_9 · November 8, 2012

You have been missing out on the greatest of off road machines lol, I am not a fan of the 4 strokes but if you ever get a hold of a 2 stroke, you thought that 450 was fast, them 250's can run like a chapped ass ape!!!! Plenty of 4 strokes met their demise to my ol' girl, a few "racing quads" also met laws of physics to the bike too. Enjoy it!!!

Don't listen to this BS. As an ex pro motocross racer who has been around for both 2 and 4 strokes, a 2 stroke will never compete against a 4 stroke. A 4 stroke has a ton of torque and coming out of corner and you have a big double jump right in front of you, you want that torque. Do you see any 2 strokes in pro motocross anymore? Answer is no for a reason.

Listen here mr "ex-pro" A 2 stroke WILL compete if they are of the same displacement. A 250cc 2t walks all over a 250cc 4t all day. We all know pound for pound a two stroke has more power, they race 450's because of the emissions bullshit and yes they can produce more power than a 250.(I would hope they could) I remember back when they were both in the races 2 strokes still dominated. It's all a political/corporate bullshit that got us into this whole 4 stroke world. You'd think they would have went the other way. 2 strokes are lighter, produce more power per CC and 1/4 the cost of maintaining them..seems to make more sense for racing doesnt it? Have you ever rode a factory 250??? They are blindingly fast. I rode a few cr500's as well, including a cr500 in an 05 frame. What a rocket.

Ive owned them yea they are fast, ya they are torqy. but i stopped after paying thousands to rebuild, i checked valves, timing chains, conpression. checked everything i could to make sure i didnt blow anything up and it STILL happend. twice. once was $1600 the other time was $3000. 4 strokes are ticking time bombs. All the corporations started this 4t bullshit because they can make more $$$$$. Plain and simple.

LONG LIVE 2 STROKES

You're a tard. Plain and simple. Uhhhh, and they can still race 2 strokes in AMA motocross but you would get destroyed by a 4 stroke. And the first day I ever raced a 4 stroke was in the open expert class. Lined up right next to a CR 500, and destroyed him by a bike length at the first corner. You might wanna know what you're talking about before spouting off. And you only really ever have to repair a 4 stroke engine after you dumb asses don't clean the air filter good enough or use spray on filter oil and get dirt in the engine. Learn good maintenance and they will last forever.

Look buddy, obviously what I meant is that a 450cc 2t vs a 450cc 4t the two stroke will win everytime. Two strokes put out twice the power of a four stroke per revolution of the crank, it doesn't take a brainiac to figure that out. They use 450's now because they can, I bet if they were allowed to race a 450 two stroke they would. You have made it very obvious you have no clue what your talking about and you're full of shit. No way a 450 beat a cr500, maybe a factory 450 against an older one. Put a 98-99 500 with a pipe in a 03+ frame it would smoke any stock 450. I know it will, hell I've seen ktm 300's beat 450's.

This argument is pointless, it's impossible to argue with unintelligent people. And by the way I'm a red seal tradesman, my bikes I had were maintained meticulously. They blew up because the Kawi I had was one of the years they had bad piston skirts, and the other one was a bad ring...I could have done it cheaper but since I was in there I did timing chain, valve job blah blah blah. For an ex-pro that's "been around for 4t and 2t" you shir sound like a cocky 16 year old...

HEMICAT · November 8, 2012

I've often had this debate for snowmobiles. I always compare the new 4-strokes to a diesel in a vehicle- more torque, heavier, slower revving and better on fuel, but doesn't handle as good, and a 2-stroke to a gas vehicle- lighter, quick revving, high HP, sportier handling.

I'm for the 2-stroke camp- I hope it never dies.

slimjim2525 · November 8, 2012

You have been missing out on the greatest of off road machines lol, I am not a fan of the 4 strokes but if you ever get a hold of a 2 stroke, you thought that 450 was fast, them 250's can run like a chapped ass ape!!!! Plenty of 4 strokes met their demise to my ol' girl, a few "racing quads" also met laws of physics to the bike too. Enjoy it!!!

Don't listen to this BS. As an ex pro motocross racer who has been around for both 2 and 4 strokes, a 2 stroke will never compete against a 4 stroke. A 4 stroke has a ton of torque and coming out of corner and you have a big double jump right in front of you, you want that torque. Do you see any 2 strokes in pro motocross anymore? Answer is no for a reason.

Listen here mr "ex-pro" A 2 stroke WILL compete if they are of the same displacement. A 250cc 2t walks all over a 250cc 4t all day. We all know pound for pound a two stroke has more power, they race 450's because of the emissions bullshit and yes they can produce more power than a 250.(I would hope they could) I remember back when they were both in the races 2 strokes still dominated. It's all a political/corporate bullshit that got us into this whole 4 stroke world. You'd think they would have went the other way. 2 strokes are lighter, produce more power per CC and 1/4 the cost of maintaining them..seems to make more sense for racing doesnt it? Have you ever rode a factory 250??? They are blindingly fast. I rode a few cr500's as well, including a cr500 in an 05 frame. What a rocket.

Ive owned them yea they are fast, ya they are torqy. but i stopped after paying thousands to rebuild, i checked valves, timing chains, conpression. checked everything i could to make sure i didnt blow anything up and it STILL happend. twice. once was $1600 the other time was $3000. 4 strokes are ticking time bombs. All the corporations started this 4t bullshit because they can make more $$$$$. Plain and simple.

LONG LIVE 2 STROKES

You're a tard. Plain and simple. Uhhhh, and they can still race 2 strokes in AMA motocross but you would get destroyed by a 4 stroke. And the first day I ever raced a 4 stroke was in the open expert class. Lined up right next to a CR 500, and destroyed him by a bike length at the first corner. You might wanna know what you're talking about before spouting off. And you only really ever have to repair a 4 stroke engine after you dumb asses don't clean the air filter good enough or use spray on filter oil and get dirt in the engine. Learn good maintenance and they will last forever.

For such the professional, you must have went really far in motocross, so far we should all know who you are and you should be famous with lots of money and a direct sponsor from one of the big manufactures of the industry. I bet you even got to help build and design these bikes we ride today huh? Man, I wish I could grow up and be like you instead of lead a military life. Oh the choices of the world.

Yeah well I was in the Army reserves for 11 years also and did a stint in the middle east too, so you don't me either.

slimjim2525 · November 8, 2012

You have been missing out on the greatest of off road machines lol, I am not a fan of the 4 strokes but if you ever get a hold of a 2 stroke, you thought that 450 was fast, them 250's can run like a chapped ass ape!!!! Plenty of 4 strokes met their demise to my ol' girl, a few "racing quads" also met laws of physics to the bike too. Enjoy it!!!

Don't listen to this BS. As an ex pro motocross racer who has been around for both 2 and 4 strokes, a 2 stroke will never compete against a 4 stroke. A 4 stroke has a ton of torque and coming out of corner and you have a big double jump right in front of you, you want that torque. Do you see any 2 strokes in pro motocross anymore? Answer is no for a reason.

Listen here mr "ex-pro" A 2 stroke WILL compete if they are of the same displacement. A 250cc 2t walks all over a 250cc 4t all day. We all know pound for pound a two stroke has more power, they race 450's because of the emissions bullshit and yes they can produce more power than a 250.(I would hope they could) I remember back when they were both in the races 2 strokes still dominated. It's all a political/corporate bullshit that got us into this whole 4 stroke world. You'd think they would have went the other way. 2 strokes are lighter, produce more power per CC and 1/4 the cost of maintaining them..seems to make more sense for racing doesnt it? Have you ever rode a factory 250??? They are blindingly fast. I rode a few cr500's as well, including a cr500 in an 05 frame. What a rocket.

Ive owned them yea they are fast, ya they are torqy. but i stopped after paying thousands to rebuild, i checked valves, timing chains, conpression. checked everything i could to make sure i didnt blow anything up and it STILL happend. twice. once was $1600 the other time was $3000. 4 strokes are ticking time bombs. All the corporations started this 4t bullshit because they can make more $$$$$. Plain and simple.

LONG LIVE 2 STROKES

You're a tard. Plain and simple. Uhhhh, and they can still race 2 strokes in AMA motocross but you would get destroyed by a 4 stroke. And the first day I ever raced a 4 stroke was in the open expert class. Lined up right next to a CR 500, and destroyed him by a bike length at the first corner. You might wanna know what you're talking about before spouting off. And you only really ever have to repair a 4 stroke engine after you dumb asses don't clean the air filter good enough or use spray on filter oil and get dirt in the engine. Learn good maintenance and they will last forever.

Look buddy, obviously what I meant is that a 450cc 2t vs a 450cc 4t the two stroke will win everytime. Two strokes put out twice the power of a four stroke per revolution of the crank, it doesn't take a brainiac to figure that out. They use 450's now because they can, I bet if they were allowed to race a 450 two stroke they would. You have made it very obvious you have no clue what your talking about and you're full of shit. No way a 450 beat a cr500, maybe a factory 450 against an older one. Put a 98-99 500 with a pipe in a 03+ frame it would smoke any stock 450. I know it will, hell I've seen ktm 300's beat 450's.

This argument is pointless, it's impossible to argue with unintelligent people. And by the way I'm a red seal tradesman, my bikes I had were maintained meticulously. They blew up because the Kawi I had was one of the years they had bad piston skirts, and the other one was a bad ring...I could have done it cheaper but since I was in there I did timing chain, valve job blah blah blah. For an ex-pro that's "been around for 4t and 2t" you shir sound like a cocky 16 year old...

I have raced 2 strokes and 4 strokes for many years before retiring in 2008. Raced since 1993. I was so skeptical of 4 strokes that I didnt buy one like most people until they were out for 3-4 years. It was when I was getting my ass beat week after week by these four strokes by people I used to beat easily. I bought one because I was sick of finishing 5th-10th. Got a CR450F and went out and went 1-1 on the very first day I had it.

Yes a 2-stroke has a power advantage cc for cc, but you can never make up for the torque advantage of a 4 stroke as the just keep pulling when a 2 stroke goes flat or you have to shift. Torque gets you going, HP keeps you going and since motocross is a relatively slow sport, the torques is a huge advantage.

And about the maintenance thing, I had to learn that first hand the hard way as I had always thought I cleaned and oiled my air filters correctly until my 450f shit the bed and brought it to a motor shop. The motor was full of fine gritty dirt, and they showed me the proper way to cleanand oil a filter. After that I never had another problem.

KMGZ400 · November 8, 2012

i personally am not a fan of 2 strokes because all of the 2 strokes i have ever seen have been hard to start and unreliable. and im not one for the noise and smoke. this ranges from kx65's to 440 sleds that my friends have.

thats not to say whether a 2 stroke 250 or 4 stroke 450 is faster then another. i have ridden many lots of bikes before but like slim jim said, the torque is amazing on this bike.

as for me though. im probably not going to buy any ATV or dirtbike ever again without fuel injection.