Thread: looking at a honda trx450

looking to buy a honda trx 450 from the neighbor first anything to know about these like what problems they can have ? there's two bikes ones got 37,000km other 40,000 the 37,000 bike is seem fine bar it has a horrid rattle from the engine almost sounds like big end bearings going or something major so wont touch this one don't think? but the other bike 40,000 engine wise is fine but it needs brake work no brakes work on the rear or the front also there's a rod that runs down by were your feet are through the engine i think and the bushes are stuffed in it and it slides around abit the other 37,000 bike already had this fixed as it seems like a common problem. but other than that seems needs brake work and this bush replaced its around 2000 to maybe 2004 looks like this one Honda TRX450 2004 | Trade Me so basically anything to be aware of ?

Good model, just look at wheel bearings, brakes, diff bearing and seals, cracks in the frame. Check for oil leaks, electics all work etc. They were one of the best models made before they went to electric shift and cocked it all up

Originally Posted by crzyman

Good model, just look at wheel bearings, brakes, diff bearing and seals, cracks in the frame. Check for oil leaks, electics all work etc. They were one of the best models made before they went to electric shift and cocked it all up

The old ones were a lot better than the new ones. 40000km is getting up there. I hope you are not paying too much for it.

looking at offering 1600 as it needs brake work, and bush replaced. do you think that is a fair price?

Just Make sure no engine noises when hot ,,,there cylinder liners can come loose and we do replace valve seats on the odd one too,,,generally have a tappet type sound

well this one was cold and rattling as hell the one i wont touch but the other seemed fine.

buy a can-am with a winch on it far better ground clearance Can-Am Outlander 500XT 2012 | Trade Me

What do u want it for? The hondas dont do river crossings to well, and are not the most comfortable to ride but are pribably the most reliable... Ive had The suzuki kingquads and are a much nicer ride on the rough and very good in the water.. Have a yamaha 660 grizzly now and thats just a machine with everything and real comfortable to ride.... Id place the trx I had before the kingquad well at the bottom of the list as an allround hunting/fishing bike.... Weather it just didnt appeal to me, I just did not enjoy riding the honda.....

Adam

just general bike for round the lifestyle block harrowing the paddocks etc so will be towing harrows a trailer if needed i mean its not going to be as amazing as a grizzly etc as its not Independent rear etc but will do what i need at a fair price. had a look at prices for parts and there not to bad considering my old ltf250 parts seem bit dearer, also appreciate everyone's views thanks

Obviously it should more than suffice for which you ask of it, definitly a good lifestyle block/farm bike.. They are a popular bike for a reason .....

Im a mechanic at a honda bike shop, i rate the 450s highly, as someone said the sleeves can cum loose and maybe a valve seat not that often in the model, things to look for, is it a 2wd/4wd model? if so make sure it works as it can fail, also the front driveshaft coulpling strips out and and those kms if not been serviced correctly the center shaft through the motor could be on its way. Check swingarm bearings etc, brake are easy as to fix anyway, i think $1600 is a good buy for a tough workhorse bike, not as comfy as a suzuki but last 3x as long, my 2 cents anyway, .