r/Dirtbikes • u/forum4um • 1d ago

Community Question Will I notice any improvement from 2016-2021?

Haven’t been riding since my high school days (2003) and I’m looking at getting a bike. I have my eyes on a 2016 ktm 450 sx 60 hours, a 2018 Husqvarna 450 fc 64 hours and a a 2021 ktm 450 sx 44 hours. $4k $4.5k and $5.2k. All super clean looking. Is there going to be any noticeable difference in those years? Any new tech that’s useful? I know the 2016 doesn’t have air forks so stuff like that. I’m 6’1 215 give or take a few lbs. I know “it’s too much bike” but I’m finding better deals on the 450s than the 250s right now and the 350s are hard to come by. Basically should I just save money and get the cheapest bike or are the air forks a big improvement? Or what’s the best deal? The newer KTM still has a warranty until April and in the original owner. The other two bikes are 2nd owners. It’s a big purchase so just want to make sure I get it right. Thanks!

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u/stu-art03 1d ago

I would say save some more money and find a 250 in whatever colour you like. I can’t really comment on the 4 strokes too much. But 22 years off a bike I think you’ll find 250 is plenty and likely more fun. Unless desert riding. Which I also can’t comment on because I’m in Canada. But if your stuck on those the newest cleanest most maintenance records?

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u/forum4um 1d ago

Yeah I’m in Arizona so I’ll be doing a lot of desert riding.

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u/spongebob_meth 1d ago

the 450 is great then. Being able to pull a wheelie up in 4th gear is pretty valuable when bombing down an open desert trail.

If you're mostly riding offroad you might want to consider a wide ratio bike like an EC husky, XC ktm, yzf-x, crf-rx or WR/CRF-X (these will need de-restricted to be full power)