friend needs a bike

[thomasgangross]

so i had traded my quad for bike, which worked out great

and im trying to get a friend of mine to do the same, he has a 06 raptor 700, and he wants a 450 only

so if you see anyone looking for trade there bike for quad straight up, please post a craigslist link on here or somethin

[ajd187]

Just my opinion, but I'm going to throw it out there anyway.

Unless your friend is a big dude (like over 6-5, 250lbs) he probably doesn't need a 450. Quite honestly a 450 would probably scare him, it's a different world than a Raptor 700.  I would bet he thinks he needs the HP but he doesn't.  A YZ250F, an XR400 type trail bike,  or any brand of 125 would be a better choice.

There was a guy on here who rode a raptor 700, then switched to bikes.  He got an RMZ450.  I think he rode it twice.  It made him crap his pants both times pratically, and he ended up selling it. 

[lucescrewz]

Im going to have to agree here, as a guy who has been riding for OVER 25 years, not only is a 450 a whole lot of bike for a great rider to hold onto, its a horrible bike to learn on.  Granted I love my 450, but at the end of the day its me thats dragging ass watching the guys continue to tear it up on the 125's and 250's.  my$.02

[redrider911]

My .02: I raced the 250 class (back in the 2 stroke days). I started in 1996. 2004 comes around and I want a 4 stroke, so I assumed I would get a 450 to stay in the same class. I test rode a crf. I rode up the shute to the starting gate at area 51, clicked 3rd and whacked the throttle and nearly fell of the back. It's a lot of bike. It can get out of hand really fast, and throw you into the ground much harder than the 250 2 stroke. I have seen it many times where kids that feel like they need a big bike, and I've heard them brag about their big bike. I've also seen them eat shit because they can't handle it.
I love my 250f and would be more than happy to let someone ride it before they make a decision on a bike. Maybe Matt will let your buddy test ride his bike as well.
The geometry and physics of a bike are different then a quad. If you land goofy, you can twist the throttle and dart it into a tree or off the face of a jump, and it happens instantly on a 450.

[redrider911]

My buddy has a rmz 250 for sale that has been sitting in my garage. I think it's an o6. He is asking 2200 or something for it. (I think to much) I'm sure he would take 1900 for it.

[gokawi03]

My .02.. I have owned a 450 and will own another. Only because of my size, experience and strength (that's not being cocky by any means). It is not a beginner bike. I would highly recommend talking to him about this. I had a rough time on the 450 at first until I learned how to take control of the bike. They can be very scary. I owned a CR500 and they were very comparable in my IMO. Rough times on that bike as well.

[ajd187]

My .02.. I have owned a 450 and will own another. Only because of my size, experience and strength (that's not being cocky by any means). It is not a beginner bike. I would highly recommend talking to him about this. I had a rough time on the 450 at first until I learned how to take control of the bike. They can be very scary. I owned a CR500 and they were very comparable in my IMO. Rough times on that bike as well.

Yeah you are good candidate for a 450.   Experienced, fast rider and you are sized well for one as well.

Remember how we talked Cory into taking his first ride on taht 450 at the Hogback Harescramble?  LOL WTF that was crazy.

[gokawi03]

HAHA, yeah that was not planned out to well. The was such a sweet RMZ to. I think going that size ruined the whole bike experience for him also.

[bardeenm1]

I vote he goes with a 250 2 stroke.  just so happens i have one for sale!  no trades though!

[jaked308]

I have to agree that I'd advise him to not get a 450.  Yeah, he may win a drag race on one, but I doubt much else.  It's a lot of bike for an experienced rider, and way to much for a novice.  A 450 quad is totally different than a 450 bike.  I'd suggest a 250F or 250 2-stroke.  He'll be a better/faster rider on the smaller bike. 

[thomasgangross]

all i asked for was help lookin for a 450, i found a few bikes that guys are willing to trade

but for your concerns he is a big guy, bigger than chris actually

he has rode a yamaha R1 since 2003

lets just say he does know what hes doin

[redrider911]

Fair enough. I don't know of any at this time but I will keep an eye out.

[redrider911]

all i asked for was help lookin for a 450, i found a few bikes that guys are willing to trade

but for your concerns he is a big guy, bigger than chris actually

he has rode a yamaha R1 since 2003

lets just say he does know what hes doin

Bigger than me? Everyone is bigger than me!

[ajd187]

LOL.  In a group of guys all over 6 foot you were the shortest one that day.  But I'm pretty sure you were standing on lower ground, I'm thinking that has to be teh case since you are only about an inch shorter than me.

Back on topic, I think your friend woudl do OK on a 450 if he has street bike experience on a 1000.  450s are kind of the 1000s of the dirtbike world.  That means that generally they are more than anyone needs, but still fun if you are careful. 

[thomasgangross]

wow, maybe chris isnt such a big guy after all haha