Would you go Honda or KTM for a Dualsport?

Honda all the way. KTM's are great, as long as nothing ever breaks, or you want to do some factory upgrades at some point. At that point KTM will be very expensive. I worked on my grandson's KTM when the motor came apart, and the dealer prices were nothing short of outrageous. KTM's are excellent machines, but you pay dearly for that. Competition would be a tougher call, but with a Dualsport, no contest.

I second the motion. With those being the only 2 options that is. I am a Yamaha guy, so that leans me towards the WR series. Dont cound out the Suzuki DRZ series either, they have a pretty good following. If the only options are what you are providing, without a doubt the Honda. Bulletproof machines.

KTM has owned the off-road oriented dual sport market for so long, it is kind of a no brainier to go orange. I'm sure the L will be great, but you already know KTM has it all dialed.And this coming from a KLR Rider lol.

Honda seems to be heavy and underpowered.

I have not ridden a 450L yet...With that said, if I were to be spending a KTM amount of money for a dirt bike, it would be a KTM. Sorry Honda, and I ride RED.As I sit here typing, the 500EXC is the only real competitor to the 450L that I'm aware of. I've been seeing the 500 everywhere, and with good reason. It's a great bike. Tons of power, light weight, electric start (with kicker backup), 6spd, the list goes on. Spending ~$11k for a dirt bike with blinkers is nuts in my book though. A friend of mine has a few year old 500EXC, and I had an opportunity to get a steal on a used one (that I didn't take). With a little help from the aftermarket, they can be everything you want. In my eyes, the 450L is trying to get a piece of the 500EXC pie. You just have another manufacturer doing the exact same thing as the first one. What Honda should have done is not kill off the XR650R; they should have added electric start and made THAT street legal. the old technology 650R is still pulling big prices in my area. Big power, easy maintenance (key item), aluminum frame even.I currently ride an '07 XR650L (yep air cooled, steel frame, conventional fork, 340lb, 25yr old technology). It replaced my modded XR400, and have had a list of Honda XR and CR, and even a Kawasaki (KLX650R) in the past. A good riding friend of mine swaps bike frequently so I've had the opportunity to ride an assortment (KXF, KLX, KDX, WR, YZF, DR, DRZ, CRF, the old Husq...) and honestly KTM has done a **** good job of making a "1 bike fits all". I expect the 450L to do the same.

Your thoughts on the New Honda CRF 450 L | Good Sam Community

32 Replies

morphrider
Explorer
Nov 03, 2018
I second the motion. With those being the only 2 options that is. I am a Yamaha guy, so that leans me towards the WR series. Dont cound out the Suzuki DRZ series either, they have a pretty good following. If the only options are what you are providing, without a doubt the Honda. Bulletproof machines.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Nov 03, 2018
Honda all the way. KTM's are great, as long as nothing ever breaks, or you want to do some factory upgrades at some point. At that point KTM will be very expensive. I worked on my grandson's KTM when the motor came apart, and the dealer prices were nothing short of outrageous.

KTM's are excellent machines, but you pay dearly for that. Competition would be a tougher call, but with a Dualsport, no contest.

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Your thoughts on the New Honda CRF 450 L

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