Yeah I sometimes ride with a friend who has a 525, he rides up almost vertical hills around 40 ft high, well at least 30

too scary for me

[8D]

 

I'm actually very seriously looking at the 08 530 EXC-R. Not many dealers here in calgary, but I'm going to buy it state side anyway since our dollar is par. (way cheaper in the states). I just have no clue if its street legal or not. Its only like a 400 dollar difference between the 450 and 530, and they both weight about 250 dry. I'm so in like sin!

 

That thing will be monster.

 

too much you think? I'm pretty big myself.

 

I doubt it's too much - just gotta get used to it.

 

I figured with taht much displacement, i'll never be unsatisfied. plus its only like 300 or so more than the 450. I'm drooling over this thing, just emailed my local shop to see how much they're selling it for. Probably 2 grand more than what I can get it stateside for [:'(]

 

I was originally looking at getting the 525 but chose the 450 because it was purported to have a lighter feel on the trails which is where I am most of the time. I'm not sure how much if a difference it would be since I've never ridden a 525. But with a cylinder and piston replacement, you can turn an '07 450 into the 525 very easily. Not sure you can do that with the '08, though, since I think the 450 and 530 now have different strokes lengths I'm pretty sure. Either way, I'm sure it won't leave you wanting anything more.

 

I would definately be on the trails most of the time too. I'm not sure how you mean a heavier feel with the 530? Perhaps 450 is all a guy really needs.

 

They say the heavier feel comes from the heavier piston that requires a bit more throttle control and also has a greater gyroscopic effect making it harder to turn. Again, I don't know how real these actually are. I spoke to a fella that owned a 525 and his buddy has a 450 and they would switch off every now and then and when he'd get on his buddy's 450 he said it was like taking ankle weights off, even though they both have the same listed dry weight.

But I think there will be a much bigger difference between the 08 450 and the 08 530 because the 08 450 now has a larger piston but shorter stroke. I think this changes the 450 characteristics quite a bit and the comparison above may no longer hold, or it may be even more pronounced. That'd be something I'd be looking into if I was going to buy an '08.

 

something to think about for sure, thanks for the input. i am a bigger guy and i can literally throw around the KLX on the trails. I do like how it runs so much heavier wouldnt be what i'm after, but i'd probably take the trade off. I guess you'd have to try it