yz450f 04 vs 08

[Will.A.R.]

I ride a 2004 had the chance to ride a 08 today. I noticed the front end felt extremely light on the 08 compared to my 04. My practice track has pretty deep whoops and I had no problem keep the front end up on top with mild throttle on the 08 where as my 04 is a major chore keeping the front light. Both bikes are stock suspension in good condition with clickers on both set factory. My sag is about 3 and a half but I did not check the 08.Is this simply a weight distribution difference or what? I liked the 08 and wonder what I can do to improve mine.

[yz133rider]

I had an 03 yz450f and keeping the front on the ground was a major chore, keeping it light was never an issue. Maybe your bikes tune is off a bit and not running 100%.

[Will.A.R.]

Don't have any problems lofting the front wheel. It'll power wheely in 4th off idle. Speed wise mine actually felt stronger than the 08. I'm pretty anal with maintenance on it. I'd just never ridden a newer yz450.

[galligar]

Ride a 14 you'll think that 08's a pig

[Will.A.R.]

I'm in trouble with the wife already for riding the 08. I'd really be screwed with the 14. Gonna ride them both again this coming weekend and see if I can figure it out.

[Bremer120]

You're asking what would cause a light front end on the 08' right? They are fairly different from one another (your 04 and the 08). The 08 is aluminum frame causing it to be lighter and has some of the best suspension from the factory that any stock bike comes with. That might be why it flys through whoops easier. To make your bike perform like the 08 I would start with the suspension swap first.

Edited February 26, 2014 by Bremer120

[Bremer120]

Also sag should be closer to 4" or about 100-105mm. That would also cause a heavy feeling front end because your rear is hiked up putting more weight on the front end. If you loosened the shock up to 100mm it will feel more balanced.

[Will.A.R.]

Just looking into the why. The weight between the two is not too much different. I just wasn't expecting such a dramatic difference. Just want Ed some opinions of those that have ridden both. Pretty happy with my 04 but it was nice to easily stay on top of the whoops with practically no effort. Think maybe later this year I'll just pick me up 07 to 09 to rebuild.

[grayracer513]

Sag on an '08 should be 95-100, not 100-105.

The light feel is just that; a feel. It has more to do with geometry and suspension than aluminum.

[Will.A.R.]

Hadn't checked the sag on the 08. I'll have to do that when he brings it to my track Sunday. I realize its relatively stupid and pointless but I'm gonna do videos of both and slow them down and watch "things work". Maybe I'll learn a thing or two.

[f150jokerstyle]

Having just come off a 03 fully dialed in for me suspension and the whole 9 yards and going to an 09. The 09 just gets the job done with less effort everywhere. To be honest I never rode my 09 stock. From the first time I rode it I gave it all the same treatments my 03 had. So it's still an apples to apples comparison kind of. 

 

O and my selling point for the wife is that the maintenance on the newer bike will be cheaper so in buying it I was actually saving money. I gave her the grand total of what the rebuild cost of my 03 was due for using all OEM parts like I wanted to do and it was just about 1k less than my 09. 

[grayracer513]

I realize its relatively stupid and pointless but I'm gonna do videos of both and slow them down and watch "things work". Maybe I'll learn a thing or two.

 

On the contrary, video is an extremely useful suspension analysis tool once you figure out what to look for.

[Bremer120]

Sag on an '08 should be 95-100, not 100-105.

The light feel is just that; a feel. It has more to do with geometry and suspension than aluminum.

I was referring to the sag on his 2004 that he said was 3.5 inches (roughly 90mm). I'm not sure what sag is supposed to be on that bike but 100mm sounds closer

[grayracer513]

I was referring to the sag on his 2004 that he said was 3.5 inches (roughly 90mm). I'm not sure what sag is supposed to be on that bike but 100mm sounds closer

 

On the '04, 100 works if you pull the forks up about 7-10 mm

[Will.A.R.]

I've played with the sag on my bike(04) and have it set at a happy medium. All other things being equal my uneducated assumption may indicate two much compression damping on the rear or too much rebound damping on the front. I'm learning so I don't know. Gonna play with it Sunday.

[grayracer513]

Coming off of a steel 450 onto a Gen2 bike with the aluminum frame, the biggest thing you will notice is that the bike is very sensitive to changes in setup.  The smallest change can be noticed if you pay attention.  The other thing is that they like the rider well forward when cornering.

[Will.A.R.]

Yeah I could tell that when I rode the 08 my friend has. My 04 does everything I want. Lord knows its faster than I can tame. Lotta fun though. May be rediculous but really just wanted an 06 up to match my daughters 250f. In all honesty I don't care for the 5 speeds either ?

[TX-SANDMAN]

 

The other thing is that they like the rider well forward when cornering

my 2 cents .... I rode my firends 06 yz450f back to back with mine this weekend - ever though I have done it many times.  steering not as sharp, more top end power - 06 pulls to the moon.  The forks on the 06 are a little better than my 05 forks and the stock 04 forks really are BAD!!!! 

 

By the way Will.A.R --- you do need the bike - "less time in the garage honey"