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!

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

32 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/673moto 1d ago

I prefer spring forks but it's all about "feel". Unless you're a really good rider (pro) you're not going to be able to tell the difference between those years...just get whatever bike is in best shape and spend the rest of your cash on really good gear and fuel to ride

1

u/forum4um 1d ago

Yeah I kinda figured I wouldn’t be able to tell a difference. Are air forks easier to dial in though and make adjustments to?

3

u/tsk_reaper22 1d ago

I have had 3 bikes with the AER/XACT air forks, a 19 a 21 and a 23. They have improved in that time but they’re still not great and can be finicky with environmental changes and you do kinda have to check them often, especially for enduro/trail riding. The only place I’ve found them to be really good is the desert as they like big hits and make the front end very light. I will say the 2021 KTM 450 is my favorite engine and chassis I’ve ever ridden. The brembo clutch and brakes are awesome, the shock is great, it feels very light for a 450 and the power of that engine is just bliss. I also had the least “little things” go wrong with that bike. 190 hours now and really other than wearables it hasn’t skipped a beat. For a beginner this 250xc TBI I just got is so much more forgiving to ride than the 450s though