With about 6 rides on the YZ 450 here is my honest opinion.I will not sugar coat it because I purchased it these are straight up pro's and con's.
First off as most people know Yamaha has a reputation as a good all around package and there reliability. They might not be the BEST in one area but I would say they are above average in ALL area's.
When I got the bike home from Roseville Yamaha (thanks Pete!) I tore it down and greased everything. Like every other new bike I've purchased in the past the linkage,swing arm and head set had a very small amount of grease so I greased everything packed my wheel bearings and headed to E st the following morning.
My first half of a lap on the track I was trying to figure out the gears , I am coming off a RMZ 450 (4 speed) so i was used to not shifting a whole lot each lap. The YZ motor was super smooth and electric feeling. I did a couple laps pulled off and let the bike cool down. After a couple short motos I headed out to start really opening the bike up and see what it was all about. The bike has a great motor, one lap I would come in and downshift into 2nd and just get on it and rev the bike out then the next lap I would come in 3rd gear and it had no problem pulling me out and going straight into the meat of the power. The stock gearing seems good for
track like Est, Prairie City, Riverfront ect.. Maybe a tooth up in the rear if you want more of an abrupt hit or for tighter tracks. I felt confident jumping the YZ in just a couple laps it feels like a 250 two stroke in the air and the biggest thing I felt was the traction the bike had when hitting the faces of the jumps..The clay faces on the jumps can get pretty slick but never felt like I was gonna wash out.Cornering the bike was a little bit of a different story. I don't know if it is the stock front tire (739) or that the bike is way under sprung for my weight and was all stock settings but it does not like to turn.Coming off the RMZ which would stick like crazy glue in turns and ruts I felt I had to really set up always from the outside coming into the turn and gradually move into the inside line.. I came into a right hander before the finsih line and the bike just washed out and and I did nice face plant. I went in and raised the forks up and it helped a little but I think after I change out the front stock tire for a 756 and get the suspension and sag set it will turn just fine.
Overall in stock form I give the bike a 7 out of 10. With minor modifcations this will be the perfect 450 for me I am very happy with my choice.
Hoss
Factoryphoto.com
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