09 450sx engine reliablity

[jdr]

im looking at an 09 450sx but ive been seeing that there is a lot of motor issues with it the one im looking hasnt been raced and im not going to race it just mostly trail ride it so is it going to be reliable i have a 2010 ktm 450sxf and its been great i would be trading straight across for the 450sx so im looking to get a quad again i would like an xc but they are kinda hard to find in my area any thoughts

[kiwi-craig]

Coming off a rappy, go with a 525 xc, you sure wont look back........... and will be worth the effort to locate one. SX will feel gutless in comparison to the rappy and the SX needs a strong maintenance regime. XC will be just like the rappy, change the oil and enjoy

[jdr]

i assume the majority of people having motor issues are racing theses quads right. so if im just trail riding moderatly hard on this quad will i be ok or am i going to be rebuilding it at 40-50 hours

[squirrelracing]

From what I understand, you will be rebuilding at some point no matter what. I trail ride also and am very happy with the 525 I picked up Monday, gonna ride with my buddy on the Raptor this weekend

[5lblmbn2009]

i pushed an aftermarket piston too far and it blew up on me on an xc. i went with stock for the sake of longevity. it is not cheap to rebuild a top end on an xc and that is getting parts from polaris which was way cheaper. i couldn't imagine an sx top end bill... i am sure you will like either one, the sx will probably take differant riding style and feel differant at first. good luck, ride hard, and have fun either way.

[bh84]

THe SX is very reliable if you maintain it properly, i lost a hi comp piston on the weekend after 15 hours race time. If you arent racing look forward to 40 hours easy, ive seen 35 out of a stock piston racing.

[Kawie450r]

how much is it to rebuild the top end on a sx?

[5lblmbn2009]

depends on what all gets ruined when the time comes. look at like partspitstop or something and see what they have for prices if they even have any. keep a good maintenence record and maybe it won't happen.

[kiwi-craig]

Religious air filter maintenance, and for trail use run Rotella and change it out every 5 - 10 hrs max, you should see between 80 to 100 reliable hrs on a stock engine. the Stock factory SX piston is by far the best for top end longevity.

One of the best things you can do is to swap the SX clutch pack for a Honda CRF setup (fibres and steels) the ktm pack sheds a bucket load of friction fibre which really degrades the oil quick. I'm amazed at how clean my SX oil is after the clutch change.

the SX is one "quick" ride..........

See the post in the SX section on the 6 simple but important things to do on an SX to keep it healthy.

[jdr]

ok thanks guys might be getting it tomorrow !!!!

[DJJ22]

I had 80-100 hours on stock 450sx mostly raced and track time till replaced the piston. I always use 100% synthetic oil and change air filter every ride.

[ScramblerXLE]

I had 80-100 hours on stock 450sx mostly raced and track time till replaced the piston. I always use 100% synthetic oil and change air filter every ride.

I'm with you. Motorex full synthetic for me, and change the air filter every time I go out. My KTM XC has been a great bike.

[Raine450]

My 2009 450sx has just cracked a piston. It has done around 100 hours (not racing). What causes this to happen? Would a ktm replacement part be better than other kinds?

[997GT3]

My 2009 450sx has just cracked a piston. It has done around 100 hours (not racing). What causes this to happen? Would a ktm replacement part be better than other kinds?

100hrs is awesome.I would be happy with those numbers.Get another KTM OEM piston if you want longevity again.

[sticko2]

My 2009 450sx has just cracked a piston. It has done around 100 hours (not racing). What causes this to happen? Would a ktm replacement part be better than other kinds?

i didn't even get 30hrs out of a cp piston. the stock ones are the best. i have 2 450 pistons in the for sale section.