Alright, let’s talk about the 500 EXC and the CRF 450. I’ve been messing around with these two bikes for a while now, and I gotta say, it’s been a wild ride. Both are awesome, but they definitely have their own flavors.

So, I started by taking the CRF 450 out for a spin. Man, that thing is responsive! I hit the throttle, and it just goes. It felt like it was revving a bit harder than the 500 EXC, which I thought was pretty cool. And the suspension? Smooth as butter. I couldn’t really tell the difference in handling between the two, to be honest. But one thing that really stood out was the power. The 450 felt like it had more oomph than the 500, which surprised me.
Next up, I hopped on the 500 EXC. This one felt a bit different. It wasn’t as jumpy on the throttle, which some people might like. It felt more controlled, I guess. But don’t get me wrong, it still had plenty of power. I took it over some rough terrain, and it handled it like a champ. The suspension on this one is also top-notch. Honestly, both bikes are pretty comfortable to ride, even on longer trips.
- First Impression: The CRF 450 felt more powerful and responsive.
- Second Go: The 500 EXC felt more controlled but still powerful.
- Ride Feel: Both have great suspension and are comfortable.
After riding both, I started looking into what other people were saying. I found out that the CRF 450 I was riding is actually called the CRF450RL now. Apparently, it’s pretty similar to the older model, just with some tweaks to the ECU mapping and some new looks, like handguards and red side plates. That’s pretty neat, I guess. It explains why it felt so good.
Then I dug a bit deeper into the 500 EXC. I saw some folks comparing it to the 350 EXC, saying that the 350 needs a lot of mods to get it right, but the 500 doesn’t. That made me feel pretty good about the 500 I was riding. No need to mess around with a bunch of mods, it’s good to go right out of the box.
Decision Time
So, which one did I like better? Honestly, it’s tough. They’re both great bikes. If you want something that feels really powerful and responsive, go for the CRF 450. If you want something that’s a bit more controlled but still has plenty of power, the 500 EXC is your bike. Either way, you’re gonna have a blast.

In the end I decided to stick with the 500 EXC, It just felt right for me and my style. But hey everyone’s different, right?
It was a fun experiment, trying out these two beasts. I learned a lot, and I hope you did too. Keep on riding, folks!