Which bike for my girlfriend?

maDDtraPPer said:

It's a given I want my GF in one piece but I also want her with me on my adventures.
Been looking for a while and budget is now a factor. Dealer has offered great pirce on 2009 450 and you can get lower seat for it, and the mapping can be tuned down. (you can finance new...)
There's a new 2008 FE550 out the door for $7800, and there's a used 2006 FE450 for around $6000 with only 25 hours on it and it's minty.
Shes quite capable on the street and hasn't dropped her KTM 690 SM. Actually she is better on the throttle than me I find the KTM fuel injection to be very abrupt and lacking manners but she does well with it. She has never been offroad. Thoughts?
It's going to see some dual sport riding, but mostly sand beaches and single track, not too technical. I forgot to mention she like the colour orange...but it's my money : )

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I'd say that 09 450 with the mapping switch would be a great choice for her. While I have not ridden a KTM, I find the Husaberg Fuel injection to be flawless. The 06 450 would also be a good option for you as your bikes would share most parts, and the 06 450 is also a fine bike. I would not recommend the 550 for the tight work as the 450's would be more nimble, with the 09 being the most nimble.

Sorry but a girl should be resrticted to a Honda Melody or a bicycle whilst outdoors. Indoors she could be allowed to widen her horizon to the kitchen sink and the cooker, if she's the modern type, the microwave.

Hey Brad, she would want to be pretty confident for the 550, but all bikes deserve respect because they can all catch you out.

there would have to be some de-tuning for the 450, im thinking the proper enduro end cap (you guys may get them in a more de-restricted version than in EU or Aus), throttle stopper to put a bit of a lid on how far it can be revved (rider capabilities depending).

has she ever ridden your six fiddy? if she has, how did she handle it? personally I would have thought an EXC200 would be a better lighter package - even though its orange.

Azza.

How about the 650 super enduro? that is meant to be pretty manageable and will have no issues with the distance? or otherwise you may have to look at a 2010 390? - that would be hard to handle having one of those in the shed!

Azza.

She rides a 690 right now. That's not exactly a step through Honda 90!! Those things rip!

The only disadvantage of the 550 is longer stroke, the 450 has a shorter stroke. The 550 is very user friendly down low, and only really rips when you get into the upper mid range.

However, if the used 450 has been lowered, and only has 25 hours on it, I'd say that would be a great place to start. The lower seat height and lower CG of the 06 will give her the confidence she needs to get started trail riding. Yeah, it might sing a little on the road sections, but, it sounds like that is going to be limited anyway. Remember, it has a 6 speed just like your 650, and will probably cruise comfortably at 55mph all day long with stock or even slightly lower gearing.

Then if she really likes the trail riding thing, then think about the new 390 later on. There is so much info on the 450's and they are quite bullet proof. And with the 06 you can put a fan on it and never have to worry about over heating in the tight stuff as well if she needs to go really slow or has to take her time getting over and around obstacles which requires a lot of clutch work and thus more heat.

If it was me, and I was putting my GF on a dirt bike and trying to make life pleasurable for her to go trail riding, I'd put her on the 06. I'm sure she'll be happy with it. You could even put some lower rise bars on it, unless it has them already to make it fit her better. The clutch pull on the 06's are less than the new bikes as well.

the autolube KTM200excs were a great bike and it was a sad day they stopped making them in about 2003. perfect bike.

regards

Taffy

I think it's obvious which ones calling out to you..

Get the 450.

It fits her (so she'll be more confident)
It's got common parts with yours (less spent on extra spares)
It will use exactly the same tools on the trail.

She less likely to leave you behind than if she were on the 550...



BTW... I'd push the dealer down on price as well. "It's old stock but I'll take it off your hands..blah, blah, blah.."



Do you think when she's finished with you she'd like to spend some time with us colonials with funny accents.....dream girl by the sounds of it.

The local dealer here has a new 06 FE450E on the floor $5898USD. They also have a used 06 FE450E with 17 hours on the clock for $4000 USD. If interested I could take a look at the used bike and probably send pictures. I'm sure either bike could be delivered to F3.

Trapper

She'll be fine with the 450. My wife rides a 380...and it was her first bike. It sounds like your lady has some experience and the lowered used bike would work perfect. However, if you were 90% road riding, and 10 jeep trails, the 550 would be a better mount, simply due to the motor not having to work so hard. I you call Dave, 403 362 6401, he said he had a deal on a new left over 08 550.

either way, you will find the best solution, for both of you

I have a 04 fe450 I bought a tall seat and cut two inches out of it Where do you live in BC I am on Vancouver island

Dave at GASGAs in Victoria has a used plated 07FE450 for sell with both street and dirt set up

http://www.gasgaspacific.com/bikes_used ... hp?a_id=50

Frank

Forgot to mention I know two guys that are looking for supermoto setup on the island if you decide to buy the bike and what to sell it