Thread: Greenlaning on a 450EXC?

Hello again.....

I'm looking for a bike to do a bit of greenlaning on, and maybe the occasional visit to Enduroland, but mainly laning. I've done a couple of days of laning before, plus an Ady Smith off-road day, so I'm pretty much a beginner. I'm dithering between a 250 (4T) and a 400/450.

I've hooked up with a few people to go riding with, but all rides will start at least 10-15 miles from where I live, on top of all the road miles I'll have to do between lanes. I can't really afford a trailer at the moment and I don't have a van, so I'll be riding this thing on the road a fair bit! I'm also a big chap, 6'5" in my socks (hence the forum name!).

If I lived closer to the lanes, or could van/trailer the thing about, I'd be going for a 250 no question. But the amount of road work has me thinking about a 400/450.

I've been offered what looks like a very reasonable 450EXC from someone I know and trust. What do y'all reckon - is a 450EXC too much of a handful for a relative newbie or will it be a sound bike for pottering along lanes as I build up time and skills?

Any thoughts appreciated

a 400 or 450 exc will be spot on for what you need

agree, but dont forget KTM's are predominantly built for racing. if it looks more like green laning have a look at the 690 enduro, might be a nice compromise

I got the 450 EXC as my first bike to go greenlaning on. Not been a problem as the throttle goes both ways. Went for the 450 for the same reason as you are contemplating it, no trailer & 10-15 miles to the nearest lanes. Mate of mine starting greenlaning at the same time as me & bought a husky te250. went pop needing a bottom end rebuild, think that was due to the all the road miles we did at 60+ mph getting to the lanes....

I started greenlaning and enduros etc on a 450exc this year and can't fault it one bit... have considered going up to a 525 but don't think its necessary... have considered going down to a 300 exc 2 stroke but didn't feel as comfortable. For all round suitability the 450exc is bang on.

450 is a good allrounder. One of the lads i ride out with has a 300exc and it looks a right animal. It all depends on your riding style some but i think the 450 is a good bike

Oh my ..... I've just bought a 250 EXC Racing 4t. When I pick it up, I'll be riding 35 miles the first day, over a 100 the second, and maybe the same on the third, to get it home (long story), mostly on back roads, though I will stay below 50mph and vary the revs. Should I be worried? Will it wreck it? After I get it home it wil be used on trails only. Help!

Originally Posted by Mosel Mike

Oh my ..... I've just bought a 250 EXC Racing 4t. When I pick it up, I'll be riding 35 miles the first day, over a 100 the second, and maybe the same on the third, to get it home (long story), mostly on back roads, though I will stay below 50mph and vary the revs. Should I be worried? Will it wreck it? After I get it home it wil be used on trails only. Help!

no you wont wreck it. Can't someone pick it up for you.............

The 450 is ideal for what you want it for. I also live far from the nearest byway/greenlanes so decided to go for the 450. Given your size, I think that the extra bit of grunt will be most welcome.
The bike is very easy to ride (I think anyway). One can just cruise about without tapering with gears to much which would be ideal for a beginner. Give it a wrist full and it will become a deranged animal making you sh#t yourself, but smile from ear to ear as you do so....;-)
I also have a Mitas CO2 on the rear as seems to last forever. I travel 30 miles oneway on tar to the Salisbury Plain and it handles it with ease. I have done two enduros and about 1200 miles of which about 350 has been "on road" with this tyre and it still has a bit of life in it yet! They are relatively cheap in comparison to the rest and will out last most.
The fuel consumption is also pretty good as it doesn't have to rev its nuts off if you are doing road work at about +-60 mph. You should see 100miles per 8 litres of fuel which allows you go laning and get lost without worrying to much about where your beast will have its next drink!

Good for it, you know it makes sense..!!!

The 450 is ideal for what you want it for. I also live far from the nearest byway/greenlanes so decided to go for the 450. Given your size, I think that the extra bit of grunt will be most welcome.
The bike is very easy to ride (I think anyway). One can just cruise about without tapering with gears to much which would be ideal for a beginner. Give it a wrist full and it will become a deranged animal making you sh#t yourself, but smile from ear to ear as you do so....;-)

I Agree here, I started out first time with the 450 and loved it , had no problems greenlaning on it at all, still use a 450 now.

Play silly with the throttle and it'll show you ain't no David Knight

Being a big lad the 450 should be the one for you.