2022 CRF450RL, Always been a Honda rider, just picked this up two weeks ago from the original owner, in very great shape, full FMF pipe and tuner, Moved up from a 1996 XR400😊😊 that I’ve been riding for the last 10+years, I’m getting older, it was time to move up… Thanks for the great comparison, job well done 👍
Have the Fe 501s and loving it so far. I probably should have gone for the Honda reliability, but just love the Look, lightness, power and the Husky name. Really the only downside I see is the vibes, but I doubt the Honda is that much better. These big singles just tend to be that way when you squeeze them for power.
Damn. What a fantastic review. I have a killer, macked out 501. Had I known beforehand that the bike would wreak havoc on my arthritic hands and wrists I would have bought the Honda. But as they say: "it is what it is." Keep up the great work Rodney. Peace out!
I’ve owned both completely modded. Your evaluation is spot on. One additional point is the Honda has a better instrumentation/dash. I sold the Honda due to preferring the KTM off-road.
Awesome comparison, great to get context of bike issues owners are already aware of, thanks so much, I ride the Honda, my buddy the Husky, what you say is spot on!
That was probably the best review i have seen for these bikes .I have an older 525exc and looking to buy a used 450ktm I also have a CRF300L which i use on longer trips. I totally agree with your observations on which bike does which thing better.Thats why i have both😀
Great review Rob! I'd love to try a Husky 501 someday, sure looks like a fun bike, especially all Taco'd out. It would have to be an addition as I can't imagine giving up my Honda.
Love my RL but of course had to do the SX1 and exhaust. After those mods it definitely made a huge difference. I think you can't go wrong with either bike though. They are both awesome machines and just comes down to your preference.
@@billdirtadventures6321 Bought 701 used and next bike also. A LOT of ktm's for sale, not many 450's within 100 miles of me. What year 701? Is the lighter 450 easier to ride in rockier trails, easier enduro, and tighter UTV/ATC trails? Not necessarily single track. I would think the 450's suspension is far superior...
I sold my 701 for my 450RL and couldn't be happier. It's 90% as good on the street and blows it away in any kind of dirt. The handling and suspension is leagues better.
I've owned both, the KTM 500 remains. IMHO it's the better overall bike but the Honda is no slouch and can be had for less. If you ride tarmac more or wide open in the desert then the Honda is the bike, if you ride technical trails and more enduro style or BDR rides then I'd lean KTM. The 500 has a massive leg up in resale for those who care, they hold their value exceptionally well and they sell quickly on the second hand market. The Honda on the other hand can be had with
I ran into 2 guys on KTM 250 XCWs when on my 450RL. Love my bike but one of them let me take their bike for a spin and I fell in love with it. I’ll be keeping my 450RL to be able to go from forest to forest easier but I’ll be using Dirt Legal to register a 250/300 2 stroke once I buy one.
If you have a 450 RL or a Kato 500... You are winning I've Run Ktm 450 and 500s xc-w for a long time, now my dirt bike is a plated 350xc, and am looking for a going into winter deal on a 701 for future BDR rides :) If I had a RL, I'd be happy too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( I think I used up 5 XR650Rs)
"If you want to ride your bike more than you work on it, get the honda" lol too true! I actually have to put together some service videos soon to promote something but I haven't because I haven't had any maintenance items to do, ill just "pretend" I guess...
Ktm or Husky 500 for me if you want to get some Super moto wheels and have an incredible ride on the street then change your tires out if your going for a dirt ride.
Pretty fair analysis but I will say the heat from the honda has nothing to do with the dual piston rings. It's all tune. Mine runs as cool as anything out there with the AIM ECU.
Of course if there is a lean condition it will make any exhaust hotter than hell, but honda will even talk about those challenges even with good tunes. I have extensive time with all the ecu including the aim and those maps, and I found the exhaust hotter than my ktm ever was with the same power.
Very nicely done & it's a legit comparison between these two but the KTM will require you to get valve checks or other dealer required checks more often than Honda. I guess a lot of folks have the money so it's not a big deal but for me it's a long shot for me to afford the 10K for the Honda. But I do like the machine for the highways speeds I'd need to have just to go the speed limits. All that said, most of us could make do w/ whatever bike we wound up with, there's so much after market stuff for every bike & a bunch of people doing all their bikes up. It's almost like a cult following for every bike = that IS Kool to me. peace
Are you the T-Dub Kid? Just going by voice. Anyhow, having owed both bikes, I couldn't live with the engine vibration level on either one and sold them in short order. They would literally give me headaches and blurry vision. Now I have a EXC350F which also vibrates a lot, but is tolerable. If either Honda or KTM wanted to really up their game on these bikes, they would balance them properly like all the DRZs, DR650s, Xls, 390s, and 690s that have been built over the years. On suspension, I found the KTM was much better than the CRF, particularly the fork. The fork on the CRF was way too stiff, enough at max soft. The 500 exc-f suspension was sweet. A big down side to the KTM is that all the street legal components are obvious afterthoughts thrown on a dirt bike, with little if any regard to function, longevity, or interference with existing controls.
Two pretty different bikes The Honda would be a good deal at about 7,500 bucks as it's really just a more modern version of a DRZ 400 and I mean slightly more modern. The KTM is for guys who ride off-road and need a license plate to get there. The Honda is more for guys who ride dirt roads.
Do you ride one of these bikes? Comment below which one you ride!
2022 CRF450RL, Always been a Honda rider, just picked this up two weeks ago from the original owner, in very great shape, full FMF pipe and tuner,
Moved up from a 1996 XR400😊😊 that I’ve been riding for the last 10+years, I’m getting older, it was time to move up…
Thanks for the great comparison, job well done 👍
Great content…I’m trying to choose between the two and this vid just shows you can’t make a bad choice between them.
Have the Fe 501s and loving it so far. I probably should have gone for the Honda reliability, but just love the Look, lightness, power and the Husky name. Really the only downside I see is the vibes, but I doubt the Honda is that much better. These big singles just tend to be that way when you squeeze them for power.
This is a hell of a review. Probably the best one comparing these two bikes to date
Thanks amigos!!
Most honest down to earth reviews out there straight to the point of what normal people wanna hear, thank you.
Damn. What a fantastic review. I have a killer, macked out 501. Had I known beforehand that the bike would wreak havoc on my arthritic hands and wrists I would have bought the Honda. But as they say: "it is what it is." Keep up the great work Rodney. Peace out!
Absolutely the best comparison I’ve seen of these bikes. Thanks dude.
Best comparison video I’ve seen on these two bikes and I’ve watched ALOT of them, great job. Also love the intro and the edits man hella creative 👍🏼
Great review! Very detailed comparison, thank you.
I’ve owned both completely modded. Your evaluation is spot on. One additional point is the Honda has a better instrumentation/dash. I sold the Honda due to preferring the KTM off-road.
Awesome comparison, great to get context of bike issues owners are already aware of, thanks so much, I ride the Honda, my buddy the Husky, what you say is spot on!
Awesome review. I’ve put 650 hrs on my 2012 500 since buying it used 4 years ago. It always puts a big smile on my face.
You ride as much as I do. LOL Have you done a top end?
You are proving yet again that these 12 onwards 500 motors are both powerful and durable, with minimal maintenance.
That was probably the best review i have seen for these bikes .I have an older 525exc and looking to buy a used 450ktm
I also have a CRF300L which i use on longer trips.
I totally agree with your observations on which bike does which thing better.Thats why i have both😀
Great review Rob! I'd love to try a Husky 501 someday, sure looks like a fun bike, especially all Taco'd out. It would have to be an addition as I can't imagine giving up my Honda.
Great comparison.
Great review. I'm looking for a Enduro for occasional weekend's. I have other bike's for the daily commute.
If I was commuting on it during the week, I'd go the Honda. If I was wanting to rip on the weekend only, I'd do the KTM for sure.
well said
I'm 54 coming from a 13 DR650. I bought a 24 501S in June and have been super impressed.
I have a 2019 CRF450l. It was hard to get used to the flameouts at first but after adjusting the idol speed and 2k miles I hardly notice it anymore.
Same, amazing bike. I ended adding a Vortex and full Yoshi which just opened it up a bit.
So pissed off I didn't put a blue seat on it! Love it!
Great to know, glad I bought the 24 husky. I was on the fence
2023 450rl loving it
FMF 4.1 and vortex ecu.👍👍👍
Did I mention
Riding at 60 years young 🎉🎉
Good job Rodney,
3 rings on the Hondo piston
Very well DONE! thanks very much! My heart is with Honda, but... I love my ktm EXC-F. especially opened up with the GET 👍
Thought the Hondo had 3 rings on its piston. Good review. Ended up getting 2016 500exc. So far it's been very reliable and very, very powerful.
Think he means 2 compression rings vs the single on the ktm
Both have a single oil scraper ring
Love my RL but of course had to do the SX1 and exhaust. After those mods it definitely made a huge difference. I think you can't go wrong with either bike though. They are both awesome machines and just comes down to your preference.
@lancerambert Yes, and I also did the smog delete. Definitely made a difference in performance and eliminated the backfiring
The Husqvarna is gorgeous
Appreciate the comparison! Trying to decide which one and if keeping the 701 after a purchase makes sense.
I sold my 701 and bought a 2022 RL with 369 miles. Saved money on initial cost and put the SX1 ecu and exhaust on. Happy so far!
@@billdirtadventures6321 Bought 701 used and next bike also. A LOT of ktm's for sale, not many 450's within 100 miles of me. What year 701? Is the lighter 450 easier to ride in rockier trails, easier enduro, and tighter UTV/ATC trails? Not necessarily single track. I would think the 450's suspension is far superior...
I sold my 701 for my 450RL and couldn't be happier. It's 90% as good on the street and blows it away in any kind of dirt. The handling and suspension is leagues better.
I've owned both, the KTM 500 remains. IMHO it's the better overall bike but the Honda is no slouch and can be had for less. If you ride tarmac more or wide open in the desert then the Honda is the bike, if you ride technical trails and more enduro style or BDR rides then I'd lean KTM. The 500 has a massive leg up in resale for those who care, they hold their value exceptionally well and they sell quickly on the second hand market. The Honda on the other hand can be had with
I ran into 2 guys on KTM 250 XCWs when on my 450RL. Love my bike but one of them let me take their bike for a spin and I fell in love with it. I’ll be keeping my 450RL to be able to go from forest to forest easier but I’ll be using Dirt Legal to register a 250/300 2 stroke once I buy one.
Where is that last shot at of you guys heading down that mountain? Looks incredible
Great review bro. How is the vibration on the Honda?
For the 500...Best Dualsport Bikes power package which includes tuned stock ecu and an open exhaust tip among other things...65hp $700
Wish these bikes could make 65 with bolt on’s but just not reality
@TACOMOTOCO Hey Taco! A stock factory claim for the 2025 Husqvarna 501s is 64hp...is this a false claim as well?
@@TACOMOTOCO ☝️?
If you have a 450 RL or a Kato 500... You are winning
I've Run Ktm 450 and 500s xc-w for a long time, now my dirt bike is a plated 350xc, and am looking for a going into winter deal on a 701 for future BDR rides :)
If I had a RL, I'd be happy too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( I think I used up 5 XR650Rs)
Skip the 701 and just get a 450RL.... The Honda blows away the 701 in dirt and is 90% as good on the street.
Aesome review 🎉 getting the Honda 😂
"If you want to ride your bike more than you work on it, get the honda" lol too true!
I actually have to put together some service videos soon to promote something but I haven't because I haven't had any maintenance items to do, ill just "pretend" I guess...
Lol!!
"If you like red, get the Honda!
😂😂😂
Ktm or Husky 500 for me if you want to get some Super moto wheels and have an incredible ride on the street then change your tires out if your going for a dirt ride.
Pretty fair analysis but I will say the heat from the honda has nothing to do with the dual piston rings. It's all tune. Mine runs as cool as anything out there with the AIM ECU.
Of course if there is a lean condition it will make any exhaust hotter than hell, but honda will even talk about those challenges even with good tunes. I have extensive time with all the ecu including the aim and those maps, and I found the exhaust hotter than my ktm ever was with the same power.
Very nicely done & it's a legit comparison between these two but the KTM will require you to get valve checks or other
dealer required checks more often than Honda. I guess a lot of folks have the money so it's not a big deal but for me
it's a long shot for me to afford the 10K for the Honda. But I do like the machine for the highways speeds I'd need to
have just to go the speed limits. All that said, most of us could make do w/ whatever bike we wound up with, there's
so much after market stuff for every bike & a bunch of people doing all their bikes up. It's almost like a cult following
for every bike = that IS Kool to me. peace
Yup
Are you the T-Dub Kid? Just going by voice. Anyhow, having owed both bikes, I couldn't live with the engine vibration level on either one and sold them in short order. They would literally give me headaches and blurry vision. Now I have a EXC350F which also vibrates a lot, but is tolerable. If either Honda or KTM wanted to really up their game on these bikes, they would balance them properly like all the DRZs, DR650s, Xls, 390s, and 690s that have been built over the years.
On suspension, I found the KTM was much better than the CRF, particularly the fork. The fork on the CRF was way too stiff, enough at max soft. The 500 exc-f suspension was sweet.
A big down side to the KTM is that all the street legal components are obvious afterthoughts thrown on a dirt bike, with little if any regard to function, longevity, or interference with existing controls.
Why would Honda put a different cam in this then the R that seems super inefficient from a manufacturer POV
To make it last longer. A race engine vs a dualsport engine.
Helll yaaaa brother
24 350 excf
Great video much appreciated
Honda in my opinion is cooler
Two pretty different bikes The Honda would be a good deal at about 7,500 bucks as it's really just a more modern version of a DRZ 400 and I mean slightly more modern. The KTM is for guys who ride off-road and need a license plate to get there. The Honda is more for guys who ride dirt roads.
I've done 27000kms on mine, my opinion: way better bikes out there
Ha Ha If you like orange buy the KTM. If you like red buy the Honda. I guess that solves that. I'll get red one!
Where the F is Yamaha. Great products. No risks taken
It’s not street legal in the US
If you like red, get the GasGas
KTM #1 =)
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