2010-13 450 for trail riding

[cowboyona426]

Who is riding one of these bikes on trails? I'm thinking of upgrading in the near future and even though I haven't been super happy with my 06 ever I think I'll give Yamaha one last chance to make me happy before switching teams. I would just like to hear from the owners of these bikes on major issues they have had to deal with (poor handling, jerky off-idle throttle response, etc), suggested mods/fixes, and whether or not you feel that these bikes are worth converting for off-road.

[the go-devil]

If you don't like the 06 you probably really won't like the 10+ at least in regards the the motor. I ride tight nasty trails and my 06 felt like a tractor compared to my 2012. The 12 is rideable but it's a chore in the rough stuff. I just finished swapping in a complete WR transmission. I believe the lower ratios on first to third is all the 12 needs to be an awesome woods bike. I also use a 9 oz flywheel and that alone wasn't doing the job.

[mhog1234]

I have a 2011, that is setup for gncc (vortex ignition, etc...) racing. I tend to agree with the other response, for really tight, gnarly trails, I think it's a bit of a handful to ride. But honestly, I feel that way with all 450s; for really tight trails, it's hard to beat something like a ktm 300 or 2stroke (I've had both). However, for faster, Gncc type trails (the ones that are a little more open), I love the yz450f. I would say I give it a thumbs up for normal trails and obviously for MX. I really like mine and the reliability is excellent. It just depends on what type of riding you plan on doing the most often.

[the go-devil]

I forgot to mention that I installed a G2 throttle tamer as well, and it works great. It gets rid of about 90% of the "bark" and makes it a lot less tiring to ride. I would say it has about as much of an effect as an offroad heavy flywheel, just in a different way.

[Not2Sure]

He thinks they make great trail bikes.

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Edited July 9, 2013 by Not2Sure

[cowboyona426]

If you don't like the 06 you probably really won't like the 10+ at least in regards the the motor. I ride tight nasty trails and my 06 felt like a tractor compared to my 2012. The 12 is rideable but it's a chore in the rough stuff. I just finished swapping in a complete WR transmission. I believe the lower ratios on first to third is all the 12 needs to be an awesome woods bike. I also use a 9 oz flywheel and that alone wasn't doing the job.

Its not the power that bothers me, its the crap handling.

[the go-devil]

I have no complaints on handling on anything from goat trails to high speed whooped out desert trails. I'm confused about how these bikes are supposed to handle so bad. Personally I think it's just a bunch of BS. The front end does have a light feeling, but I find that to be advantageous for getting over rocks, roots, logs, etc. The 12 still turns way better than the 06.

[grayracer513]

The '06 does tend to push the front if you don't slide forward on the bike, and take a certain knack to initiate a turn with. Otherwise, they're pretty good.

[superretard]

Its not the power that bothers me, its the crap handling.

I have a '09 and a '11. The handling is not crap, yeah it seems the front end it more disconnected than the '09 but far from "crap".

What is "crap" is the throttle response. There is a known fix discussed on the forum here.

[cowboyona426]

I have a '09 and a '11. The handling is not crap, yeah it seems the front end it more disconnected than the '09 but far from "crap".

What is "crap" is the throttle response. There is a known fix discussed on the forum here.

I have a '09 and a '11. The handling is not crap, yeah it seems the front end it more disconnected than the '09 but far from "crap".

What is "crap" is the throttle response. There is a known fix discussed on the forum here.

The 06 and the 09 are different animals though. And maybe my 06 is a Friday 5:00 built bike but after 7 years, 2 suspension revalves and countless hours spent trying to dial it in to handle somewhat like a dirt bike should I've lost hope. I've had guys that are far better/faster riders than me ride my bike and they couldn't give it back fast enough, with the same complaints I have so I don't think its just me.

[superretard]

Easiest way to sum up for me is the '09 handles better than the '11 but the '11 suspension is more compilant especially over jumps. Keep in mind it might be the suspension set up as much as the quality of the suspesnion. On both bikes the suspension is fairly fresh so that takes one thing out of the equasion. The '11 geomotry seems a little off for sure. I'm going to try the engine relocate kit to see if I can get the front to follow better. Keep in mind that it's probably as much me being a crap rider as it is the bikes fault.

Edited July 12, 2013 by superretard

[Crusty Cy]

I think the handling is fine. I agree with the prior post about general trail use vs. tight GNCC type trails. It's certainly a handful in the trees, but I love mine everywhere else. I've never been able to iron out the occasional flameout, but it is a good all- around bike for MX practice and open trails. Get a 2 stroke if your riding areas are claustrophobic.

[SparksXR426]

If you like to push hard in the tighter stuff, I mean second or third gear with trail openings that leave a foot or less of space past your bar ends, pick something else. Tight harsh switchbacks give the bike fits, you never know exactly where the bike will exit a turn under throttle. If the stuff you ride is more open and flowing you'll probably think its great. The Injectioneering mod is a must do.

[zeuszuki]

Rad guards, GYTR enduro skid plate, brake snake, woods map and small increase in idle speed, 96 octane fuel, 13x50 gearing. 2nd gear and above trails with the occasional drop into 1st gear, the bikes a weapon. Anything constantly tight, forget it, that's what enduro 2 strokes are for

[WouldsAssassin]

If you don't like the 06 you probably really won't like the 10+ at least in regards the the motor. I ride tight nasty trails and my 06 felt like a tractor compared to my 2012. The 12 is rideable but it's a chore in the rough stuff. I just finished swapping in a complete WR transmission. I believe the lower ratios on first to third is all the 12 needs to be an awesome woods bike. I also use a 9 oz flywheel and that alone wasn't doing the job.

DId you swap transmissions on the 06 or the 12?

If the 12, can you share what you did to complete the swap? I am interested in doing a WR swap on my 11.

[the go-devil]

DId you swap transmissions on the 06 or the 12?

If the 12, can you share what you did to complete the swap? I am interested in doing a WR swap on my 11.

I did the swap on the 2012. I've been planning on adding a post to the WR transmission swap section of the FAQ which would include more details than what is currently there right now for the 2010+ models. That will probably happen this week. Stay tuned.

[WouldsAssassin]

I installed the GYTR offroad flywheel on my 2011. I got to test it on steep mt singletrack this weekend. The bike is so much better for offroad work. The engine and power delivery is much smoother. While I think I miss the snap it had with the stock flywheel, the smoother power is much better for trail work. I'm probably faster and more consistant with it too, it's definitely less fatiguing.

Aside from the obvious smoother power delivery the flywheel also made the bike much easier to start. Usually 2 kicks from what would sometimes take 4 or more.

Currently I'm using the "drivability" map from Yamaha. It works very well for the steep, technical ST I like to ride. The transmission is my only complaint. Next time out I'm going to play with mapping and see if I can adjust the engine response to keep the benefits of the drivabilty map but enhance the performance overall.

Edited August 8, 2013 by WouldsAssassin

[superretard]

So am I the only one running 12 front sprocket?  I'm at 12/50 right now, I think. Maybe I liked the 13/50 better, just because it seemed smoother. Thinking out loud here.

Edited August 8, 2013 by superretard

[cowboyona426]

I installed the GYTR offroad flywheel on my 2011. I got to test it on steep mt singletrack this weekend. The bike is so much better for offroad work. The engine and power delivery is much smoother. While I think I miss the snap it had with the stock flywheel, the smoother power is much better for trail work. I'm probably faster and smoother with it too, it's definitely less fatiguing. Aside from the obvious smoother power delivery the flywheel also made the bike much easier to start. Usually 2 kicks from what would sometimes take 4 or more. Currently I'm using the "drivability" map from Yamaha. It works very well for the steep, technical ST I like to ride. However, I'm going to play around with mapping and see if I can adjust the engine response.

 

How is the handling of your bike on the trails, and have you done any suspension mods?

So am I the only one running 12 front sprocket?  I'm at 12/50 right now, I think. Maybe I liked the 13/50 better, just because it seemed smoother. Thinking out loud here.

Nope, I'm running 12/49.

[WouldsAssassin]

Without going on a tyrade of poor formulation of opinions, I will say whenever I buy a new bike I never expect it to be anything like my old bike. As a rider I have to learn the new bike and not fight its design. Absolutely the most important thing is suspension setup. I am 6'4" and 215 pounds dry so my suspension has been completely redone. The springs, valves, and oil are different than stock. Once that is done it's time to adapt to the new bike. After 40 hours now the bike is a blast. It is a race bike no doubt about it. The faster I ride the faster I feel I can ride. I'll putt along in 1st gear for a mile with no problems but when I hit 3rd it just wants to cut through the trees and rail turns.

When I notice any handling quirks I may start to criticize the bike but I quickly realize it's my fault and have gotten lazy. I find I'm sitting in the middle of the seat. On the next turn, I pull myself forward (like I'm supposed to), drag the front brake a little (like I'm supposed to) and it cuts like a knife (like it's supposed to).