Chinese or Japanese enduro? Selecting a motorcycle by price

Many people, eager to buy an enduro, find it difficult to choose a motorcycle. Having a certain amount of money, people often ask the question: “Which motorcycle should I buy, a new Chinese, an old Japanese or a European enduro?” In this article, as the owner of Chinese and Japanese motorcycles, as well as having close experience with European enduros, namely Beta and KTM, I will try to answer this pressing question.

Content:

• Choosing an enduro motorcycle under 100,000 rubles
• Enduro from 100,000 to 200,000 rubles
• Enduro from 200,000 to 300,000 rubles
• Choice of enduro motorcycle at a price of 300,000 rubles. and more
• There is no difference between Chinese and Japanese motorcycles!

It’s funny, but at the time when I rode a Chinese enduro, they often wrote to me, saying why did you choose a motorcycle from China, it’s much better to take an ancient, but Japanese motorcycle. Then, when I drove an old Japanese car, they pestered me with diametrically opposite statements: “This is a ten-fold Japanese car, it will break down, you won’t find spare parts, and if you do find it, it will be very expensive”... and so on. So it’s almost like choosing a religion, the debate is at least no less heated.

In their own way, both are partly right. In this article, I will try to express my opinion on this matter as fully as possible.

My motorcycles Kayo T2 and Suzuki TS200R
Let's divide motorcycles into several price categories: up to 100 thousand, from 100 to 200 thousand, and from 200 to 300, and from 300 thousand and more.

It is more convenient to use 4t, to maintain - 2t

All you have to do is fill the four-stroke engine with gasoline and you’re good to go. Gasoline is poured into a two-stroke motorcycle mixed with special two-stroke oil, and I know people who ride durable two-stroke light enduros, such as the Suzuki RMX, which have a separate lubrication system, but I don’t know anyone who would use it, because if it If it fails, the engine will be destroyed immediately. Everything is mixed in a tank. Then habit comes, and the premix ceases to be something inconvenient, but still, it’s one whole extra step.

If the mixture is incorrect or on plug routes, when the oil does not have time to burn out, the spark plugs on two-stroke engines die. You should always have a couple of spare candles and a candle holder with you. True, in enduro this is compensated by the ability to use A17DVRM type spark plugs, which cost pennies and are sold in every general store.

Two-strokes are much more prone to carburetor freeze-up in winter. The effects are wonderful: from engine choke to throttle freezing, which is essentially the same as biting the throttle cable.

Choosing an enduro motorcycle under 100,000 rubles

In the price category up to 100 thousand rubles, the choice of motorcycle is clear and there is no alternative, only Chinese enduro. In theory, for this modest money for a motorcycle, you can even find a “purebred” Japanese one, but it will be difficult to call it a motorcycle. Rather, it will be rusty remains of metal and even some kind of plastic, because as we know, polymers do not decompose))) In a word, it will be a complete hemorrhoid, on the restoration of which you will spend a considerable amount, and in any case will go beyond the specified budget. Of course, you can take one, but only if you are a fan of restoring antiquities. But this has a dubious relation to riding a motorcycle. It’s also worth mentioning that Chinese enduro is priced up to 100 thousand rubles. This will be a very entry-level motorcycle. And at this point, you should decide for what purpose you need a motorcycle, for fun rides relatively close to home, or do you prefer tourist outings of several hundred kilometers. I have already touched on this topic a little in the article “The best first motorcycle for a beginner,” I advise you to read it. In short, for rides, I advise you to take the Motoland XT250HS or ZUUM PX220, as they are the most durable, high-quality and generally balanced. If for tourism and comfort, then Motoland Enduro LT, ST or EX.

Motoland XT250HS

Third place: Honda CRF450R 2021 dirt bike

Honda CRF450R 2020 dirt bike

Place, according to the riders: 2-5-3-3-3-4

While the bike has been completely redesigned for 2021, the Honda CRF450R has also been redesigned for the 2021 model year. The fork and shock absorber have new components, and the bike's center of gravity has been lowered by moving the electric starter battery to the lower part of the air cleaner housing. The biggest changes have occurred in electronics. The Honda CRF450R still boasts three ECU maps, but like the Austrian bikes, the Honda now features a three-mode traction control system. Using the buttons installed on the steering wheel, you can select more than ten settings.

The Honda's powerband is wide and easy to use. The Honda CRF450R can feel like a no-compromise dirt bike or an easy-to-ride motorcycle, depending on the rider's chosen combination of map and traction control settings.

A light, fast and maneuverable motorcycle - this is how the Honda CRF motocross bike is perceived on the track, since it reacts very well to the rider’s movements and changes direction in a fraction of a second. However, we noticed that the Honda required specific settings for each track - we were unable to achieve universal settings that worked well in different conditions. Overall, we liked the bike with the fork lowered 2mm at the triple clamps and the rear shock's rebound force increased by a click or two.

Advantages of the 2020 Honda CRF450R

• Versatile power range that can be easily adjusted
• Good ergonomics
• The motorcycle loves turns
• Great looks

Disadvantages of the 2020 Honda CRF450R

• Clutch lever force is high compared to other motorcycles
• Suspension tuning requires more attention on every track
• Not very confident behavior on fast, uneven sections
• When braking, the rear shock absorber does not always work as expected

Honda CRF450R 2020 dirt bike

Pros of the 2021 Honda CRF450R, according to riders

The Honda is very well balanced. I like the performance of the suspension. The motorcycle has a convenient engine power range with a lot of settings.

The Honda crossover feels slim, light and very compact. Easy to maneuver. There are no noticeable gaps in the engine's powerband. I like the aggressive nature of the engine.

Very powerful engine with a very wide range of settings. I love good handling and it's very easy to maneuver.

The Honda CRF engine is a monster, but you can change its character with the press of a couple of buttons. I like the ergonomics and handling.

Fantastic engine: tuning is the easiest of all the bikes. The CRF is versatile and has good maneuverability on the ground and in the air.

This bike is a lot of fun to ride. I like the engine and its character - it has no weak points.

Cons of the 2021 Honda CRF450R, according to riders

The pickup on the lows is not very strong, regardless of the chosen card. The bike has a bit of yaw when cornering, but handles well.

The Honda is good at cornering, but sensitive to the right setup. This motocross bike requires effort to set up for every track.

The Honda loves cornering, but it's too twitchy for me. With better suspension he could have fought for first place.

The handling of the Honda CRF450R is not as stable as other motorcycles. The CRF chassis is a bit of a stretch and takes a while to get used to.

The motocross bike is great when changing lines quickly, but its stability is not so good, especially when braking - the fork is too soft.

Enduro motorcycles from 100,000 to 200,000 rubles

At a price of 100 to 200 thousand rubles, you can take mid-level Chinese, which are quite okay. More mature suspensions and brakes are installed here. The engines, although not top-end, have quite reasonable power, which, by the way, are never inferior to their Japanese counterparts, but more on that later. At the lower end of this price segment, in the Chinese camp, motorcycles with a 172FMM engine from Zongshen rule the roost. It is simple, reliable and quite powerful, considering the price of course. This time I will not highlight any specific brand, since for a specific price you can choose motorcycles from different manufacturers that are approximately similar in characteristics and price. You can find out more about enduro motorcycles and more on our website motolifeshop.ru, or consult me ​​about choosing a motorcycle https://vk.com/id33761688, I am open for communication. As for Chinese motorcycles at the top of this segment, there is not much choice. Or Motoland XR250 PRO or again Motoland WRX250 Lite WFA, which I recently took for myself. Oh yes, there is also the Motoland XT250STW. All these motorcycles are united by the Zongshen 170MM-2 engine, which, in fact, is the brother of the 172, but has 4 valves instead of 2 and liquid cooling.

Enduro classification

Soft enduro

Other names: light enduro, light enduro, soft enduro, lite enduro.

Motorcycles of this class are also called dual-purpose motorcycles. They are designed for driving both on asphalt and off-road. As a rule, these are motorcycles with a title. They are ideal for driving in rural areas, trips to nature and fishing, driving on light off-road conditions, and dirt roads. In addition, they perform well when driving on asphalt, especially when the quality of that same asphalt leaves much to be desired. You can easily overcome potholes and curbs with them.

Differences between universal enduro and cross bikes:

• More weight
• Less power

Videos from rides that Chinese enduro bikes handle just fine.

Hard enduro

Other names: extreme enduro, hard enduro.

Hard enduro motorcycles are designed for serious off-road use. The full capabilities of these motorcycles are revealed by experienced riders on “insurmountable” off-road sections - long climbs, rocks, narrow forest paths - this is their element. Motorcycles are more reliable. The suspension is energy-intensive and soft. There is an electric starter that makes life easier in difficult areas.

Motorcycle Features:

• Advanced cooling system that helps with long rides at low speeds
• The seating position is lower than that of motocross motorcycles

Mileage, like motocross motorcycles (and pit bikes), is measured in engine hours. Given the more severe operating conditions, these motorcycles have to be serviced more often.

Video from hard enduro race in Georgia to give you an idea

Cross motorcycles

Other names: motocross, cross-country

We put hard enduro and cross country next to each other, and this is no coincidence. In fact, they are often confused. But these are really different types of motorcycles. Cross-country shoes are designed for participation in sports competitions on cross-country tracks. They have a stiff suspension to withstand jumps, they do not have an electric starter, because it is not needed, just as the headlight and other electrics are not needed. All for the sake of lightening the design, because this is sports equipment and it is intended for racing.

Key Features:

• Stiff suspension settings for jumping
• Cross racing engines produce maximum power at higher speeds
• In order to reduce weight, there are no lighting equipment or batteries, the cooling system is as light as possible
• There is no electric starter - the motorcycle starts once before the race, and if it stalls, it loses
• Sharp steering
• The seating position is as high as possible for the sake of cross-country ability, while even a tall person cannot always confidently reach the ground with both feet

Thus, it becomes clear. Cross-country motorcycles for passing sports tracks with jumps and turns at maximum speed in the shortest possible time. Hard enduro bikes for off-road/mountain/rugged terrain/difficult long climbs. It's not uncommon at a hard enduro event to spend time queuing with other bikers, watching your opponents try to get up the hill.

There are enough such episodes in this video.

Touring enduro

Motorcycles of this class are designed for traveling without restrictions. They have a comfortable fit for comfortable driving over long distances, a large power reserve, energy-intensive suspension, and off-road tires. They are comfortable enough for driving around the city too. You can find a lot of additional equipment on them: protective bars and grilles, saddlebags, windshields, headlights - the list goes on and on.

They are so popular that in some countries they occupy leading positions in terms of sales in absolute terms.

Usually these are heavy, powerful motorcycles. And their main disadvantage is their weight. It’s quite difficult to lift more than 200 kilograms, and falls always happen off-road.

The Expert-Moto motorcycle showroom does not have purebred touring enduros. However, there is a good and, most importantly, budget alternative - Bajaj motorcycles - coming straight from India, from the same factories where KTM motorcycles are produced. Dominar, Pulsar and Boxer - all three models can become your ticket to the world of motorcycle travel. For example, watch this video. 15 hours on Dominar on not the smoothest roads.

Comparative table of motocross and enduro motorcycles.

Enduro motorcycles from 200,000 to 300,000 rubles

But in the 200-300 thousand category, when it comes to choosing a motorcycle, everything is not at all clear. Here are both top Chinese and Japanese enduros, which are not so old anymore and have very “fun” characteristics. But let's take things in order. On my YouTube channel “Moto Life Enduro ” there are quite a few reviews of top Chinese enduro motorcycles. This is the best that Chinese manufacturers offer. There are modern suspensions, excellent brakes, and powerful engines. In addition, all the advantages described above, such as the easy availability of both the motorcycles themselves and spare parts, have not gone away. Prominent representatives of the class are the ZUUM CX300R and Avantis 300Pro.

It can be dangerous

Almost all modern four-stroke engines are fuel-injected. It seems that we are just getting to the 2t injectors. Although not having to use a battery is more of a plus than a minus.

It’s not scary to sink a two-stroke boat, but with the caveat that it’s in clean water. The motorcycle is brought into combat condition after drowning in about 15 minutes. Moreover, the four-stroke rides further on the emulsion, and the two-stroke can go further almost the same way as it went down. This “almost” refers to a possible emulsion in the transmission, but there is usually such a small breather there that for it to form, the motorcycle must lie in the water for a decent amount of time.

Even a child can change the piston in a 2t. There is no timing belt, and this is a big plus, both from a repair and diagnostic point of view. More than once I saw a picture when a tired valve broke off, the mushroom fell down - and the owner received Stalingrad. This simply doesn’t happen on 2t.

Choice of enduro motorcycle at a price of 300,000 rubles. and more

But at a price of 300+, it’s quite possible to choose a European motorcycle. If you want something fresh, fresh in every sense, then you should add another hundred, or even two, and take a KTM, Husqvarna or, for example, a Sherco. But for 300+ thousand rubles, a European hard enduro will still be far from ideal, but you can find one that is quite lively. A good friend of mine took a KTM EXC350F last year. Yes, it was quite shabby, but over time a friend restored it. Also, for this money it’s already possible to grab a quite “strong” Japanese car, fresh from the year of manufacture. But this time, in all respects, the Europeans will win.

Fifth place: Husqvarna FC 450 2021 dirt bike

Husqvarna FC 450 2020 dirt bike

Place, according to the riders: 4-4-4-3-4-5

For 2021, the Husqvarna FC 450 gets several changes that make it a good all-round motorcycle. The Map 2 engine settings are new, allowing the engine to produce high power over a wider range, while the optional air filter housing cover that comes with the bike allows more air to flow through and improves engine performance. For 2021, Husqvarna has distanced itself from sister brand KTM and developed its own suspension tuning. The fork and shock now provide more comfort than last year's firmer suspension.

The new Husqvarna FC 450 motocross is a friendlier, easier-to-ride version of the motorcycle for 2019. Some riders liked the new settings, while others noted that the suspension was more suitable for enduro than motocross. With the new suspension settings, the bike's center of gravity shifts more during acceleration and braking than a '19 or new KTM, and it's not a pleasant feeling.

It's hard not to compare Husqvarna and KTM. The Husqvarna FC 450 is easier to ride than its orange sibling as the bike is narrower around the radiators and the composite subframe offers more comfort.

The engine has good power distribution across revolutions. It is best to keep it at maximum torque, as excessive revs cause a lot of vibration. Husqvarna's engine mapping settings force lower revs, which makes the bike feel heavy on the track even though it's one of the lightest on the scale.

Advantages of Husqvarna FC 450 2020

• Plenty of torque in the mid-range
• Two ECU maps and traction control with steering wheel controls
• Excellent Pro Taper steering wheel has a comfortable shape and dampens vibration
• ODI grips
• Magura hydraulic clutch

Disadvantages of Husqvarna FC 450 2020

• The nature of the engine makes the bike feel heavier than it is
• Suspension settings too soft for fast or heavy riders
• Steering wheel pad - why not Pro Taper?
• The fuel tank cap is sometimes very difficult to unscrew
• A mechanical spring fork would work better than an air fork

Husqvarna FC 450 2020 dirt bike

Pros of the 2021 Husqvarna FC 450, according to riders

I love how stable the Husqvarna FC 450 is and how well it grips the trail. The engine has good power throughout the rev range and a clear character.

The bike is good for everyone: it is stable, but at the same time it is not afraid of turns.

I like the Husqvarna better than the KTM motocross, it's easier to ride fast, it's thinner around the radiators, and it has the most comfortable handlebars.

I love the Husqvarna FC 450, it's easy to ride and more comfortable than the KTM. The Pro Taper handlebars are better than KTM's Neken handlebars, insulating your hands from engine vibrations and trail surprises.

I like the predictable behavior of this bike. I always know how the motorcycle will react to my movements. The WP air fork provides good comfort and is highly adjustable.

The optional air filter housing cover is a good thing and provides another tuning option. It's like an additional map to the engine ECU.

Cons of the 2021 Husqvarna FC 450, according to riders

With these brakes you need to be careful in corners, and the suspension is quite soft: on large jumps you want more rigidity from the suspension.

The new softer suspension settings provide comfort, but the motocross bike needs to be stiffer for heavier or faster riders. Below me, the bike's suspension makes too many unnecessary movements.

The engine is not powerful enough at low speeds. I drove map No. 2, I wish it was more aggressive.

Three years ago I liked the Husqvarna and KTM ECU settings, with them the engines loved high revs. With the settings of recent years, the bike feels heavy.

The weak point of the motorcycle is the ECU settings, they give the feeling of a heavy motorcycle. The good thing is that there is a real difference between card #1 and card #2.

First place: Yamaha YZ450F 2021 motocross motorcycle

Yamaha YZ450F 2020 dirt bike

Place, according to the riders: 3-1-2-4-1-1

The Yamaha YZ450F doesn't look like an all-new motorcycle for the 2021 model year, but it does get a ton of major changes. An all-new chassis and a more compact engine, as well as a redesigned suspension, give the YZ450F significant performance gains.

Although the rear-sloping cylinder and top-mounted air cleaner housing create an unusual powertrain sound that takes some getting used to, the engine's powerband is virtually flawless. The YZ450F engine doesn't lack power or torque. The Yamaha Power Tuner app allows riders to customize the bike's powerband to their liking, while a handlebar-mounted button lets you choose between two engine maps.

The new chassis and revised Kayaba suspension components provide the best handling characteristics the YZ450F has ever had. The vague front fork feel in corners that the Yamaha has always suffered from has disappeared—no rider complained of a lack of front wheel control when entering or exiting a corner. Stable at high speed, the Yamaha has excellent cornering performance.

The suspension is still class-leading, with the Yamaha Kayaba components having the best combination of soft early-stroke performance, good mid-stroke force, and hard-impact resistance. With the stock suspension settings, the bike suffered from too much weight shift fore and aft as the forks and shock had excessive travel under braking and acceleration. We made a few tweaks to the compression and rebound damping settings in the fork and shock to calm the bike down and provide better stability, and...we were delighted.

The 2021 Yamaha YZ450F delivers top performance in every category, has tons of customization options, and is our winner for the 2021 450cc motocross bike category.

Advantages of Yamaha YZ450F 2020

• Excellent distribution of engine power throughout the entire rev range
• Convenient settings with the Yamaha Power Tuner app
• New convenient engine map switch
• Best in class suspension
• Significantly improved handling when entering and exiting corners

Disadvantages of the 2020 Yamaha YZ450F

• Even though the bike is narrower than before, the YZ450F still has the feel of a wide bike.
• The air filter needs to be cleaned more often than traditionally positioned filters

Yamaha YZ450F 2020 dirt bike

Pros of the 2021 Yamaha YZ450F, according to riders

The power of the Yamaha engine is very well dosed. The motorcycle behaves well in ruts, the front wheel always retains grip. Overall a very comfortable bike that is easy to ride fast.

The YZ450F performs well in the roughest parts of the trail. The engine is amazing and much easier to drive than previous models.

In corners this is the best Yamaha YZ450F I have ridden. The engine is flawless, without any weak points. The best YZ450F ever.

The Yamaha has the best engine of any bike and the best rear wheel grip. The cross-country YZ450 turned out to be the most convenient and comfortable for me.

Amazing engine. You can drive it fast or slow: it always pulls great. The suspension provides comfort and excellent resistance to strong impacts. Overall the bike is well balanced.

Cons of the 2021 Yamaha YZ450F, according to riders

The engine doesn't pull very well at low end. It wakes up closer to the average range.

A dirt bike should be narrower. For me this is a big problem in turns because it is difficult to move forward.

When I first got on the bike it was too soft, I was surprised that the standard settings could be like that. Fortunately, the screwdriver solved all the problems and the suspension worked perfectly.

It takes a while to get used to the sound of the Yamaha YZ450F as the air filter sucks air between your legs. This makes the bike a little noisier, but you can get used to it.

The suspension needs to be firmer and slower to calm the bike down. But it is easy to customize with the help of adjustments.

Second place: Kawasaki KX450 2021 dirt bike

Kawasaki KX450 2020 dirt bike

Place, according to the riders: 1-2-1-5-2-2

Winner among motocross motorcycles in the 450 cc class. 2019, the Kawasaki KX450 receives no major changes for 2021, with the exception of all-green plastics. The KX450 boasts good engine power distribution across the rev range and is the only Japanese motorcycle to feature a hydraulic clutch. ECU cards change like flash drives - one is standard, smoother, and the second is aggressive. In our opinion, the standard map does a great job throughout the entire rev range.

The Showa suspension is very effective on this Kawasaki KX450, the bike has good stability at high speed and is not afraid of cornering. The Kawasaki feels light and responsive on the trail. All riders commented on how reliable the bike was at speed and praised the KX's predictable nature. The chassis and suspension are very well balanced, the bike does not try to change its trajectory when braking or accelerating. The bike feels narrow and moving your body forward or backward is easy.

Of all the motocross bikes tested, the Kawasaki KX450 has the most ergonomic adjustments. Other bikes also have four-way adjustable handlebars, but the Kawasaki is the only bike that offers two-way adjustable foot pegs. Great option for tall riders.

A couple of testers ranked the KX450 first, and Kawasaki engineers were right to keep the bike unchanged for the new season. This is a bike for a winner.

Advantages of Kawasaki KX450 2020

• Wide power band with high torque
• Excellent suspension balance
• Great looks
• Excellent blend of stability and handling
• Hydraulic clutch ensures constant performance

Disadvantages of the 2020 Kawasaki KX450

• The clutch and front brake levers are strangely shaped
• Rear brake tends to overheat
• Changing ECU maps takes time
• Renthal handlebar with a diameter of 22.2 mm can be bent if dropped

Kawasaki KX450 2020 dirt bike

Pros of the 2021 Kawasaki KX450, according to riders

Excellent fork and shock settings that give the bike good balance. You take the line you want and the engine responds instantly throughout the rev range.

The KX450 may not be the fastest dirt bike, but the power delivery is impressive, the response is crisp, and there's plenty of power throughout the range. The bike feels light and nimble.

The Kawasaki KX450 engine is very powerful and has no weak points. The motorcycle handles very well. I changed almost nothing in the settings, and I liked it.

Kawasaki inspires confidence. The bike is powerful, stable at speed, and cornering is no problem.

Great engine and easy to drive. The motorcycle has the most comfortable and stable chassis.

Kawasaki has a low center of gravity and high levels of comfort. The motorcycle corners very easily. The engine has no weak points.

Cons of the 2021 Kawasaki KX450, according to riders

I was putting some effort into getting the Kawasaki KX450 into the corners. Perhaps the fork was too soft for me.

I think the clutch and front brake levers are too thin. Like Japanese chopsticks.

For me, the rear brake on the 2021 model was a problem, I was afraid of overheating it while racing and being left without a rear brake. I replaced it with a smaller diameter brake from the 2021 model and that resolved the issue.

The suspension is too soft. If I were to motocross race this bike, I'd at least tighten the forks.

The fork's resistance at the end of the stroke could be stronger. I didn't like the flu.