Is this a good trade(CRF-450R)

[MATTXR250R]

Hey guys, Its been a long time since I have been on here.

I have an 06 Honda 400ex ATV I bought new in May of last year so I have almost had it a year. I want to get back into the dirt bike scene so I was looking to trade it for a Honda CR250R or Yamaha YZ250.

Well a guy sent me an email and said he would trade is 2003 Honda CRF-450R straight up for it and that it had the engine just rebuilt,new crank,piston,bearings,etc...I am in the process of figuring out why it was just rebuilt to that extent. I wouldn;t mind having a CRF-450R but is this worth it?? Of course I still have some questions I have to get answered from him and will fill you guys in accordingly but I mean I don't know if its resoanalbe.

I mean it is 3 years older,for some reason seems to have the whole engine rebuilt,some of the plastics replaced. If the engine was rebuilt it was either A. Rode Hard or B.Engine blew up. And the same story on the plastics.

A little insight would be helpful. Thanks guys

Matt.

[low430]

Originally Posted by MATTXR250R

Hey guys, Its been a long time since I have been on here.

I have an 06 Honda 400ex ATV I bought new in May of last year so I have almost had it a year. I want to get back into the dirt bike scene so I was looking to trade it for a Honda CR250R or Yamaha YZ250.

Well a guy sent me an email and said he would trade is 2003 Honda CRF-450R straight up for it and that it had the engine just rebuilt,new crank,piston,bearings,etc...I am in the process of figuring out why it was just rebuilt to that extent. I wouldn;t mind having a CRF-450R but is this worth it?? Of course I still have some questions I have to get answered from him and will fill you guys in accordingly but I mean I don't know if its resoanalbe.

I mean it is 3 years older,for some reason seems to have the whole engine rebuilt,some of the plastics replaced. If the engine was rebuilt it was either A. Rode Hard or B.Engine blew up. And the same story on the plastics.

A little insight would be helpful. Thanks guys

Matt.

And does he have proof of the rebuild? where was it done? what is their reputation?

[MATTXR250R]

Hey thanks for the reply. I will have to find out if he has proof. If so I will have to give the company a call and kinda feel them out and see if I can get some reviews on the place

Is it even possible a worthy trade? If not I don't want to keep asking him questions although I have sent him an email back trying to find out why he want to trade it,who did the engine work,etc,etc.

Matt.

[Oklahomarider]

An ATV for a dirt bike will always be worth it.

[Woody_393]

Hey Matt, welcome back. Good to see you.

Here are my thoughts and I have no idea was the 400ex is worth, but this might help you make a more informed decision.

Around here 2003 CRF450's are going for around 3000-3500 (3500 would be mint - similar to what this guy is trying to sell you if it's indeed true). So if you can get more from you EX than that, I wouldn't do it.

You have to also remember that for that same $$ you could get a really nice newer CR or YZ250.

As far as the rebuild -- I'm not surprised it's been rebuilt, I rebuilt mine -- Not necessarily because it needed it either (well, it needed valves).

I would just make sure to find out what parts were used, e.g., what piston, what vavles (stock or SS, and if SS, which brand), etc, and as previously stated, why it was rebuilt.

[char393]

Matticus!!! Holy cow, it's good to see you posting.

The rebuild doesn't necessarily surprise me either, but I'd want proof of the work that's been done. Like Woody, I'd want to know how much quads and bikes are going for in your area. I know around here I've seen '04 450f's for around $2500-$3000 (Yamaha and Honda's).

You might be better off selling your quad and buying a bike outright. All depends on what the prices are in you area.

Try and stick around this time, ah?

[MATTXR250R]

Woody,Hey man...thanks for the welcome back. Hope you have been doing great. Thanks for the insight,Very much appreciated. I got some thinking to do on this but now after reading your message have more insight on what I am exactly needing to think about.

CHARMANDER....I can't believe I actually have made contact with you this quick. I got my own computer now so i can get on the net on a regualar basis now after work so I plan to stick around.

BTW guys..according to NADA under my current Zip Code it says the Avearage Retail for these two bikes are the following:

2006 Honda TRX400EX-$2,860
2003 Honda CRF-450R-$2,745

So the value of the CRF is only $115 bucks.

The reason I was thinking about trading instead of selling is because I have a Trip up to Hatfield Mccoy in West Virgina to ride from 5/30-6/2 so I wanted to try and get a bike before then so I thought trading would be the best way to accomplish that.

[Macho393]

I say no..not a good deal

[Woody_393]

I can understand the desire to trade -- it's a lot easier too.

If it were me in your shoes, find out all the info you need to, and then make your decision. I think you are headed in the right direction for sure.

[crfjedi393]

The rebuild on a 2003 is no surprise. I've rebuilt both top and bottom on my 2004 250F. We ride pretty much every weekend and I may even rebuild it again before I buy a new bike.

[Aus_Rider_22]

Hey Matt!

Good to see you around.

Unles you've ridden and are sure you want a 450 then I wouldn't be pressured into the trade.

You could sell your EX and get a very sweet red or blue 250.

I would look at local prices for the 250's and then decide. You could get a newer 2-stroke instead of the 5 year old thumper.

[joe346CBMX]

Originally Posted by Macho393

I say no..not a good deal

i agree. '03 450 is expected to be rebuilt but an alomost new 400 ex quad compared to a 5 yr. old mx bike not a good trade. You'd be better off to trade it in on a new bike or sell it and bike a newer less used bike IMO.. MX bikes have lots of wear and stress put on them. things like wheels, bearings, frame... you just be careful buying used mx bikes. Depends how it was ridden and maintained a lot.

Case in point: we have an 05 TRX 400ex we use as a family sparingly for trails, pit riding and snow/sled pulling and non racing lower rpm fun. We bought it new as a leftover in summer 06 and it has about 10-11 hrs on it. The 04 CRF450 I had for 2 seasons had 80 plus races on it and broke hubs, and wore out a variety of parts...

[MATTXR250R]

Guys thanks alot for the replies. The responded with the following Email:

"It started as a top end rebuild, but honda's came stock with valves that were made of 2 different metals. the expansion factors of the metals wasn't the same so the valves would "mushroom". it now has stainless steel valves that are 100% better. While the engine was torn down the crank and crank bearings were replaced. I haven't owned the bike very long. I know it was never raced it was trail ridden. i have never raced it, i only trail ride. The seals that were replaced you have to do when you break the motor down. I will take some pics of the bike this afternoon and send them to you. I just want to get back on 4 wheels. The bike also has new chain and sprockets on it. It is by far the fastest bike i have ever ridden. Tons of torque. But being a four stroke you don't have to keep it revved up all the time. I live in raleigh, but am willing to meet you half way. Charlotte is 3 hours or so from my house.

thanks,
Brandon"


After my first bike at 16 years old which was an XR250R..which wasn't fast by any means..I went to a CR250R..plenty of fun and PLENTY FAST..then I went to a YZ125 which I loved every min of riding it..had enough bottom to be fun on trails and would flat out rip when you wanted to..then I got my 400ex which just has a pipe on it and I tell you what..I love the 4stroke..the XR250R just didn't have enough HP or Torqe..the 400ex pulls hard and has tons of torqe..i never touch the clutch except for starting off and shifting gears..you can lug it down into a turn in 3rd gear running 10mph and hit the gas and BRAAAAAP you come right out of it never touching the clutch. The YZ125..would be 2nd gear and alot of clutch fanning..I didn't mind that at the time..but now..i don't mind being a but lazier so I am sure the 450 would be great.

I rode a 450 one time..although it was a WRF-450R. It was to heavy but had lights and a battery,etc.

This 450 seems to have mainly been trail ridden which wouldn't be as bad as MX but like you guys said..my 400ex is 5 years newer.

Hmmm...maybe I could offer him to cough up some money as well???

[cowboyona426]

Matt, one word for you- YAMAHA
Honestly I think it all comes down to what you really want. It seems odd that an 06 quad and an 03 bike are so close in value, I would expect the quad to be worth more. That CRF would probably make a really nice ride for you, and if you are wanting to get back on a bike then you'll probably be very happy with it. However, keep in mind as with anything used, there are probably going to be demons pop up from time to time- tired bearings, stuff like that that might need replacing.

[MATTXR250R]

Hey Guys, He sent me some pics of the CRF. Here goes:

[cowboyona426]

It looks pretty clean to me, chain is too loose though. I also don't see a sparky, so I'd question how much time he spent in the woods unless it was on private land.

[psycho393]

Looks pretty clean in the pics. If he has receipts for the parts and the rebuild I'd say the motor is probably going to be pretty bullet proof. The biggest thing about a rebuilt motor is how much time it has on it since (showing that it still runs and works good say 10-15 hrs is a good number in my mind, two strokes, only need 5 IMO) and having receipts for having a trained mechanic having done the work. Even if the place isn't that great and the bike has 10+ hrs on it since I'd say your probably ok.

IMO 4 wheels for 2 wheels is always a well worth it trade.

[Woody_393]

I'm going to go against the grain and say -- DO IT!

That bike looks to be in great shape. That is stock graphics, stock pipe, stock, stock stock... you get the idea. I'm sure it has some hours on it, but they do not appear to be hard hours at all. The coloring (anodizing??) on the clutch cover isn't even worn off, and that's usually the first thing to go.

I would ask about the sub-frame on it as well (they bent easily), and the radiators (also bent easily).

So request a picture of each radiator, and a picture of the bike from the back.

[Woody_393]

Wow, just notice the STEEL bars too. Unless they took all that off, and then put it all back on after flogging it, that bike was not used by a racer. Those bars would never suffice for anyone that was serious at all.

[Jordan #241]

4 wheels for 2 wheels is always a good trade!