KTM 450 vs 525 (tested back to back)

[dirtWarp]

Hi there!

Now that I've collected the new-to-me 2009 450XCW, I thought I would tell you about my 1st impressions.

The 450 probably weighs the same as the 525.
The 525 has a scotts damper and huge bar risers mounted.

The 525 feels much more like an XR compared to the 450. It's probably the fact that it feels taller with the bar risers and the extra bottom end torque that it seems to have.
450's ergos are a leap ahead and bike feels much smaller.

The 525 is geared very tall.
The speed of 525 @ 7500 RPM = 150KM/h
The speed of 450 @ 7500 RPM = 130KM/h
Sidetrack came to ride both bikes back to back and remarked the same about the 525's extra bottom end and that the 450 wants to be revved

I suggested that we do a drag race down wapadrand road to test :ricky:

DUDE, I was on 450.. from 1st, the 450 pulled at least 1 bike length on the 525 and as I shifted to 2nd, the bike pointed skywards.
So much so, I had to tap off.
As I shifted to 3rd, bike pointed skywards yet again and kept on pulling away from the 525 to 4th.

We then did a 2nd gear roll-on drag. Same thing; 450 pulled significantly harder.

I contribute this to the different sized sprockets as well as the fact that gears 1-2-3 are closer range on 450.
4th and 5th are basically the same ratio as on 525, whereas 6th is actually a longer gear on 450.

I will hopefully do my 1st trip on the 450 this weekend.
I will need to pretty this 450 up a bit.. nothing that I don't enjoy doing though  :mwink:

*Edit* the seat on the 450 is so much more comfortable. Its a tad wider + softer  :thumleft:
Some pics:

 

[sidetrack]

 

[dirtWarp]

 

[Brakenjan]

 

[SandMan]

 

[dirtWarp]

 

[SandMan]

 

[dirtWarp]

 

[SandMan]

 

[tau]

 

[Chukudeer]

 

[dirtWarp]

 

[Chukudeer]

 

[dirtWarp]

 

[Chukudeer]

 

[iwasJohnST]

 

[sidetrack]

 

[Chukudeer]

 

[LouisXander]

 

[dirtWarp]