06 to 15; how much difference between them?

[78sharpshooter]

I ride an 06 and am considering a 15 and wanted to get some input from those with saddle time on both to see what the good and bad (if any) there is between them. I plan on doing the demo day at cahuilla in 2 weeks but would like to know what I can expect to feel on the new YZ.

[YZCas27]

I ride an 06 and am considering a 15 and wanted to get some input from those with saddle time on both to see what the good and bad (if any) there is between them. I plan on doing the demo day at cahuilla in 2 weeks but would like to know what I can expect to feel on the new YZ.

Hey bud what's up I had a13 now have a 14 the difference is night and day.

[crf917rider]

To me the diff is not that much the 06-09 was a pretty good bike that really rides and turns like the 14 the 14 feels lighter and has fuel injection but my 08 yz450 was one of my all time favorites

[JS264]

06 is a total turd compared to a well set up 14+ IMO

[crf917rider]

06 is a total turd compared to a well set up 14+ IMO

How so ?

[atropine]

I rode an 06 and a 14 back to back thru the desert yesterday. Even for an old slow gomer like me the difference is significant. I owned a 2006 previously, currently own a 2010, and was riding a friend's 06 and 14 yesterday. Assuming they are both set up ideally, the power and throttle response of the EFI motors are still much better. The EFI motors do seem easier to stall, but I remedied the issue in large part with a GYTR flywheel. For other reasons, I added a Rekluse clutch and that solves all stalling problems. I also just had Injectioneering just modify my throttle body- I haven't been able to test it out yet, but it should make the bike easier to just poke around on in technical stuff. The handling of the 14 chassis feels about as improved over my 06 as my 06 felt over my 02 YZ426F. Just easy to turn and fling around.

[YamaLink]

Just the 06 vs 08 comparison is pretty big. Front end handling and overall bike feel.

[grayracer513]

I own an '06.  If the OP ever owned a steel framed Gen1 YZ450, he knows how big a difference there is in the handling between that and the '06.  There is AT LEAST TWICE that much difference in the handling of the '06 and the '14-'15 (and even the '15 is subtly improved over the '14).  Not so much in suspension or engine as in handling, but the handling is a big improvement with respect to cornering behavior.   Some people have trouble with it because it's also quite different than the earlier ones, and they have trouble adapting to it, but it's very, very much better as relates to MX. 

 

The engine is an unbelievable beast.

[78sharpshooter]

Thanks for the input. Yes, I had an 01 Yz426 before getting the 06 and felt the difference was huge so I am pumped to try the 15 next weekend.

[YZCas27]

Thanks for the input. Yes, I had an 01 Yz426 before getting the 06 and felt the difference was huge so I am pumped to try the 15 next weekend.

. You should see the difference in my 14s 250 and 450 handling you would expect some with the smaller bike but it's a huge difference.

[78sharpshooter]

So I just tried the 15 yz450 and the handling, suspension, and brakes were great but there was one major issue; the power of the motor feels very weak and the low end grunt is simply non existent. It almost felt like there was a flywheel weight on it because it was so slow to rev. I talked to a few other guys right as they got off the bike an they all said the same thing.

[Goforaride]

So I just tried the 15 yz450 and the handling, suspension, and brakes were great but there was one major issue; the power of the motor feels very weak and the low end grunt is simply non existent. It almost felt like there was a flywheel weight on it because it was so slow to rev. I talked to a few other guys right as they got off the bike an they all said the same thing.

are you serious? This is the highest hp production 450 to date. It flat out rips. Maybe the bike you rode was re mapped to take out some of the off idle twitch or wheel spin but there is nothing slow or weak about the 14-15 yz450f motor. Maybe the power delivery is just so much better than what your use to that it felt slower Edited October 12, 2014 by Goforaride

[78sharpshooter]

I couldn't believe it either which is why I stuck around to talk to other guys who tested it and they said the same thing. I wish it had the power because I was planning on buying one this weekend.

[Navaho6]

I suspect that you can change that with mapping.  I had an efi WR450 and the different maps had a huge effect on performance.  Powerbomb header could help as well, I'm told.  WR came with one stock.

[JS264]

The one you rode must have been broken, cause I've ridden the 2009 and prior bikes and they are totals pooches compared to my '14.

[Goforaride]

The one you rode must have been broken, cause I've ridden the 2009 and prior bikes and they are totals pooches compared to my '14.

Exactly!! I have the 14. It's not slow to rev. It's not slow to do anything! It's more bike than any of us mortals will ever use.

[New to 4S-Joe]

So I just tried the 15 yz450 and the handling, suspension, and brakes were great but there was one major issue; the power of the motor feels very weak and the low end grunt is simply non existent. It almost felt like there was a flywheel weight on it because it was so slow to rev. I talked to a few other guys right as they got off the bike an they all said the same thing.

 

 I agree with the guys on here that say something was wrong with the bike you rode. I have 2011 Suzuki RMZ 450 and follow the RMZ450 forum, but I've watched all the video's and you can tell the Yamaha has a monster Motor! A guy in the RMZ 450 forum who rode all the 15 bikes claims the Yamaha was his favorite because the motor is  a monster! Yamaha makes a good motorcycle I would not be afraid to buy one! He posted in the 450 shootout post if you want to look it up!

[atropine]

I agree with everything above- something had to have been jacked up on the bike you rode. My friend's 2014 is bone stock, not even had the ecu map adjusted. It RIPS! I have piped and remapped my 2010 and the 2014 is still noticeably faster. Compared to the carb'ed bikes (we have both owned 2006 YZ450s) we both are in agreement that it is no contest.

[souliog]

My story is a touch different...Sold my 06' YZ450 to get a new 2013 HONDA CRF450 thinking there is no way a 7 year newer bike could be slower.....DEAD WRONG!!!!! My 06 was all stock except for jetting and a smaller rear sprocket. The 06 had a crazy top-end pull in 3rd gear.

 

But in the end I would never go back. The chassis and handling of the new bikes are in a different league. Get that 2015 YZ450!!!!!

[78sharpshooter]

I want to get this bike really bad because everything is great but the low end. I talked to a guy who went from an 07 to the 14 and he also said that the lack of snappy throttle response took some getting used to. Does reducing the fuel number and increasing the ignition really pick up the low end reaponse? The best price I have found is $8700 OTD