Jump to content

Anyone pick up a 450FX yet?

By Jlash,
in YZ400F/426F/450F/450FX

 Share

Recommended Posts

Mentor

91kdx25088

Posted
Posted

Got this yesterday. I haven't ridden it yet since I still need to tear it down and grease everything up while it's still clean. I can't wait to get it out.

I've got to give props to Yamaha for stepping up and releasing a model that hits that sweet spot between the YZ and WR.

I'm tired of "YZ-ing" the WR's, and "WR-ing" the YZ's I've had in the past. It's refreshing to just buy the thing and let it be.

Waiting for that review.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Replies 951
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • 55

  • 51

  • 67

  • 75

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Popular Posts

the go-devil
the go-devil

Got this yesterday. I haven't ridden it yet since I still need to tear it down and grease everything up while it's still clean. I can't wait to get it out. I've got to give props to Yamaha for stepp

RMK800
RMK800

Mine also, she put this in a new money clip. Going to order a 450FX tomorrow. I have never purchased anything new. This will be my first ever. That includes all cars, bikes, snowmobiles, etc. Ex

ckny
ckny

I spent some more time on a 450FX today, small MX track, sand track, single track and fast GNCC type terrain. Bike was great, suspension is braking in. Really enjoyed it like I did the first time. Eng

Posted Images

Grand Master

SteveThe Snakes

Posted
Posted

Also, what the hecks the difference between this and a wr? I couldn't find any information telling them apart. Even on Yamahas web site the only difference I saw was suspension and mapping or something like that.

The WR is a green sticker bike in California. So it has a whimpy exhaust needs a competition adjustable ECU. It comes with lights and a fan. There is supposedly a noise restrictor in the air box cover.

So to make them run you need to buy the competition ECU and a pipe then pull out the air cleaner restrictor.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Mentor

91kdx25088

Posted
Posted

The WR is a green sticker bike in California. So it has a whimpy exhaust needs a competition adjustable ECU. It comes with lights and a fan. There is supposedly a noise restrictor in the air box cover.

So to make them run you need to buy the competition ECU and a pipe then pull out the air cleaner restrictor.

so the fx is a wr with less parts that will handle better?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

grayracer513

Posted
Posted

Oh, yes they are.  At least low gear is.  Third is virtually identical in both bikes, with the YZ running 1.278:1 and the WR at 1.312.  Second gear in the WR is 13% lower than the YZ; 1.733:1 compared to 1.533 in the YZ.  Then we get to low gear.  The YZ has a 1.929 first gear, while the WR is at 2.417, 25% lower than the YZ. 

 

Compare that to the 13% taller 5th gear to put it into perspective. 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

cowboyona426

Posted
Posted

Oh, yes they are.  At least low gear is.  Third is virtually identical in both bikes, with the YZ running 1.278:1 and the WR at 1.312.  Second gear in the WR is 13% lower than the YZ; 1.733:1 compared to 1.533 in the YZ.  Then we get to low gear.  The YZ has a 1.929 first gear, while the WR is at 2.417, 25% lower than the YZ. 

 

Compare that to the 13% taller 5th gear to put it into perspective. 

 

I thought I had read somewhere in the 11,000 articles I've looked at on the 450FX that the WR and YZ 1-3 were pretty close, with 4 and 5 being the big difference.  I know in years past the WR had a much lower 1st than the YZ, but thought that gap had been closed somewhere over the years.

Either way, I still want the 450FX in my garage!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Veteran

motocrotts

Posted
Posted

While I am patiently wait for the 450 FX review, I'm wondering since Yamaha is going after orange bike sales why not go straight to the jugular and kick out a 350?  I'd buy a 350 FX in a NY minute especially if it was in the 250 frame.  I'm sick of paying close to 10K for a bike you have to put another 2K into before you can safely ride it.  Although complete my Husky is a fav, I'm just tired of dealing with WP junk.  I think it would be a hot seller.  Thoughts?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Veteran

stroker

Posted
Posted (edited)

My experience with the EFI systems on the Honda CRF's you can easily detune a 450cc Honda to make it run like a Husky 350 (I have done this for several buddies and on my own 450).  We used the 350 Husky as a baseline, I was able to get the 450 to be just as smooth off the bottom, and have better pull on top.  I think once people figure out how easy it is to map the new bikes the desire for a 350 will diminish.  

 

Example: the 2015 and newer CRF450R has a 3 position map switch, you can remap it so that map #1 is standard 450 power, map 2 can be tailor made to mimic a 350, map 3 can mimic about a 400cc.  For offload guys this is a great feature.  It really is amazing how big a change you can make with the programmable ignitions these days.  You can go from total slug to fire breathing dragon with the push of a few buttons on your tuner.

 

I currently run a 2105  CRF250R for enduro, I have the stock map one, a very mellow map 2 (copied the feel of a CRF250x) for really bad conditions, and a harder than stock pull for my map #3.  

 

I am certain that the Yamaha tuner will allow you to achieve the same results.

 

and I fully agree, KTM/Husky is a lot of marketing hype, they are way overpriced for what you really get, the suspension (white power) is junk compared to showa or kayaba.  Plus the bikes cost more to begin with, I really do not get why they sell so well.  I have owned 5 of them over the past 20 years, they were all poorly suspended and had plenty of little issues.  Always end up back on Japanese bikes and took a huge beating when I sold off my km's.....

Edited by stroker
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Veteran

stroker

Posted
Posted

If you ever get a chance to play with a 450 and the tuner, pull out the ignition advance between 1,400 rpm and 5,000 rpm, then taper it back to standard advance between 5,000 rpm and redline.  (I have not used the yamaha tuner, only the honda one, I have been told the yammie one is easier to use, but not as sophisticated (you cannot go in as fine an increment of tune range as you can on the honda system) but the end result should be the same.

 

 Do not mess with the 0 - 1,400 rpm range, that is your "starting block" if you play in that zone it may cause hard starting.  Once you get the hang of using your tuner, you can start to fine tune this block as well.

 

 

For offload use, or just trying to "tame the beast" for nasty conditions:

 

(1) Use max retarding of ignition advance.  You taper it down from standard advance, start taper the ignition advance down at 1,400 RPM get to max retarded setting the program will permit (the programmer shows the safe adjustment range),

 

(2) Maintain max retarded ignition advance till about 5,000 to 5,500 rpm

 

(3) They you can start to taper it back up again if you want a strong pull available say 3/4 to full throttle, otherwise, leave it as in step (2) above right to redline.

 

Then you can fine tune fuel settings to match, you can also restrict the air intake and use a quieter muffler.  This combo will make a YZF or YZF450fx feel very much like a 350.

 

 

Once you get comfortable with how easy it is to make big changes, you will see just how versatile the new bikes really are.  The programmable ignitions are a game changer, especially for converting 450cc fire breathers into fun enduro racers or trail bikes (or novice friendly mx bikes) 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Veteran

motocrotts

Posted
Posted

My experience with the EFI systems on the Honda CRF's you can easily detune a 450cc Honda to make it run like a Husky 350 (I have done this for several buddies and on my own 450).  We used the 350 Husky as a baseline, I was able to get the 450 to be just as smooth off the bottom, and have better pull on top.  I think once people figure out how easy it is to map the new bikes the desire for a 350 will diminish.  

 

Example: the 2015 and newer CRF450R has a 3 position map switch, you can remap it so that map #1 is standard 450 power, map 2 can be tailor made to mimic a 350, map 3 can mimic about a 400cc.  For offload guys this is a great feature.  It really is amazing how big a change you can make with the programmable ignitions these days.  You can go from total slug to fire breathing dragon with the push of a few buttons on your tuner.

 

I currently run a 2105  CRF250R for enduro, I have the stock map one, a very mellow map 2 (copied the feel of a CRF250x) for really bad conditions, and a harder than stock pull for my map #3.  

 

I am certain that the Yamaha tuner will allow you to achieve the same results.

 

and I fully agree, KTM/Husky is a lot of marketing hype, they are way overpriced for what you really get, the suspension (white power) is junk compared to showa or kayaba.  Plus the bikes cost more to begin with, I really do not get why they sell so well.  I have owned 5 of them over the past 20 years, they were all poorly suspended and had plenty of little issues.  Always end up back on Japanese bikes and took a huge beating when I sold off my km's.....

I agree with you on the mapping.  Stock my Husky was rather weak but all the KTM maps work.  Bud of mine is a mech and he richened the circuits and even kicked in an accelerator pump feature so to speak.  Results, no stalling, runs cooler and has great power for hill climbs.  It's still no XCF, but I didn't want one of those anyway.  My concern with the Yam 450FX is their going to say it's heavy especially with the e start.  De-tune a 450 too much and you have a BETA.  No power and more weight.  My thoughts were the softer 350 in a 250 frame would be a hoot.  Not sure how much you could tune the 250 before reliability issues rear their head.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Proficient

KTMfinrider

Posted
Posted (edited)

and I fully agree, KTM/Husky is a lot of marketing hype, they are way overpriced for what you really get, the suspension (white power) is junk compared to showa or kayaba. Plus the bikes cost more to begin with, I really do not get why they sell so well. I have owned 5 of them over the past 20 years, they were all poorly suspended and had plenty of little issues. Always end up back on Japanese bikes and took a huge beating when I sold off my km's.....

When it comes to off road bikes there is ktm and yamaha. Dont ever mention Honda in same breath than these two. ?

Edited by KTMfinrider
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Reply with:

ThumperTalk

Register a new account Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...
Terms of Use
Copyright
Privacy Policy