CA DMV gave me a street title / plate for YZ426- Should I keep it?

[G-BRO]

I am very jealous. Did you get a chance to take it to higher speeds on pavement? The WR 4th and 5th gear would be a nice swap if you ever needed to do a bottom end. All of my plated bikes have 6 speeds. I've never had my 426 on the public roads. Curious to what it would be like

[LA_Thump]

I am very jealous. Did you get a chance to take it to higher speeds on pavement? The WR 4th and 5th gear would be a nice swap if you ever needed to do a bottom end. All of my plated bikes have 6 speeds. I've never had my 426 on the public roads. Curious to what it would be like

i got it up to about 45 or so I was only on back residential streets- don't have the Trail Tech mounted yet so that's just a guess. It feels fine on pavement and the Kendas are really smooth. definitely surpised me.

 

I would want to install a steering damper for street riding in excess of 60mph though, and if it were going to be street only I'd put a lowering link on the rear and firm up both front / back shocks. I agree doing the WR gear swap would be beneficial for highway or cruising. From my short outing today it's pretty fun on the street-  I can see why some folks make them fully 'Tard- I'm sure it's a blast with sport tires and steet-tweaked suspension.

[Nik_Yz400]

How's the plated life???

Have you finished doing all your upgrades?

[LA_Thump]

Hey Nik- Got all my stuff here (lights, stator etc) but no time to put it on. I got the tail light on and the plate, and new tires, but that's it. I'll probably get it all on in the next few months. Any free time I have I've been riding. I got too many damn bikes- they all need attention and riding. lol

[Nik_Yz400]

Hey Nik- Got all my stuff here (lights, stator etc) but no time to put it on. I got the tail light on and the plate, and new tires, but that's it. I'll probably get it all on in the next few months. Any free time I have I've been riding. I got too many damn bikes- they all need attention and riding. lol

nice which tail light did you end up going with? I need to find one for my Yz400... Also what did you use for the pressure switch?

Any links if possible

[LA_Thump]

I got this one off ebay- http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcycle-LED-Lamp-Stop-Rear-Tail-Light-Universal-Enduro-Trials-Trail-Bikes-/221549618212?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item339562e424

I've seen them before and they fit under the fender very nice. has L/R holes for mounting turn signals if you want.  Actually I got two because they tend to get wrecked from off-roading. For the brake switch I got a general Nissin-compatible switch that replaces the banjo bolt on the rear master cylinder. Got it at my local off-road supply shop for $8.  For the front hand control brake switch, I'm not sure what to get- I know I need a master cylinder that has a switch built in, but don't know which one will work with the YZ brake line and hand lever.

[LA_Thump]

you need something like this for the rear master cylinder brake switch: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tusk-Hydraulic-Brake-Switch-for-Nissin-DRZ400-WR450F-WR250F-CRF450X-CRF250X/331489848883

[LA_Thump]

hi all- some new pics of the YZF - installed Kenda tires, headlight, tail light / license holder and a rear fender rack.  I have not wired up the electrical yet - this was just to make sure all the body parts fit. also included a pic of the YZF next to my TTR230 so you can get a feel for the size of headlight fairing vs typical number plate.

 

 

 

 

 

[x_JT_x]

That is a gorgeous bike. I don't think I'd ever sell a beauty like that!

[Nik_Yz400]

Looks good!!!

Can't wait till my bike is plated

[x_JT_x]

By the way your chain looks tight ? may just be how the bikes sitting though.

[LA_Thump]

By the way your chain looks tight ? may just be how the bikes sitting though.

Thanks JT!  Yep good eye, chain is a bit tight, was mucking around with a 14T front vs a 13T front sprocket and I just wheeled it out of the garage for some pics. Definitely going 13T / better for trails (which is most of what I'm using the bike for right now).  14T is better on the street for top end.

[G-BRO]

What a bad a$$ machine. Good for you. Let me know when you sell it ☺

[LA_Thump]

What a bad a$$ machine. Good for you. Let me know when you sell it ☺

Thanks GB-  I'll only part with it if it's not working out for me on the trails. So far it's been a fun bike, but I have not had enough free time yet to really get some long / serious riding in.

[G-BRO]

Well now I'm hoping you don't like it so you'll sell it to me!

[LA_Thump]

LOL!!!  I just went out the back of my house and hit some trails- damn this thing really woke up with the 13T front and 50T rear- freaking wheelie machine without even trying. Anyway, that's what it needed for edging up the steep narrow stuff. Still plenty of gear up top for speed but I'd want a 15T up front for open desert or dedicated street.  really nice range though just with three front sprockets (13, 14, 15) and a 50 rear.

[G-BRO]

LOL!!! I just went out the back of my house and hit some trails- damn this thing really woke up with the 13T front and 50T rear- freaking wheelie machine without even trying. Anyway, that's what it needed for edging up the steep narrow stuff. Still plenty of gear up top for speed but I'd want a 15T up front for open desert or dedicated street. really nice range though just with three front sprockets (13, 14, 15) and a 50 rear.

I'm curious about comfortable cruising speed with that gearing or say like 14/50 or 14/51. I've never had a speedo on mine and haven't had the opportunity to road ride it

[LA_Thump]

If I were mostly open road riding I'd run a 15t. If I were doing say half street half dirt I'd run a 14t. the 13t is for treacherous steep trails and tight stuff.  The 50T rear seems to be the most flexible in regards to getting a different range by swapping the front sprocket- which only takes like 10 minutes.

[LA_Thump]

hey all hope you had a good 4th and are getting some good riding in. the YZ426F has been a blast. I've gotten in some good rides and it's a hoot to just jump on it from my house, ride it on the roads 20 miles or so to new trails.   For my riding though I find myself using the TTR230 more, actually, since it's better suited (for me) to the tight trail stuff. the YZ just wants to GO GO GO so I find myself wresting with it a bit much.    I've decided to part with it, posted an ad on CL in the Palm Springs area (search Palm Springs CL for "plated YZ426F" and you'll find it. 

 

IMO this bike should go to someone who can get more dual-sport use out of it than I can. bike runs great, super strong, fires right up all the time even when hot. I'm including the nifty rear rack and all extra parts.