Hope I made the right choice!

[bashn]

Well, I just put a deposit down on a '03 YZ450F. I should see it in August. I've been riding a 250F for 2 years now and just want more power for starts and jumps. Anyone out there regret a switch from the 250F to 426 or 450? I'm a 180lb 6' senior novice. I've improved quite a bit riding the 250F, but I'm frustrated trying to compete with the big bores on the starting line and straights. I used to get top 5 starts consistently, now I get bottom 5 pretty consistently. I just hope I don't loose the cofidence gained by riding the 250F.

Mark

[Shawn_Mc]

It'll probaby take a couple of rides before you get used to having your arms stretched, but pretty soon you'll feel foolish for not doing it before.

Your a big guy, you have no place on a "125".

[Hokie]

A fellow enginerd in Boulder I see!

You won't regret it. ?

[mikeolichney]

Hey Hokie, hows it going? Boulder enginerd #3 here. I really miss my YZ426. I have been riding a CRF450 since the Berthoud HS series was over. Its a really cool bike but I SUCK on it. I just dont get it. I get arm pump after 3 laps. I can't corner worth a damn. I bought the 20mm offset clamps, and that helped some. But I still can't get around the Berthoud track in under three minutes on it. I used to go out last fall on my 426 and ride 20 laps nonstop in 58 to 59 minutes, which is well under 3 minutes a lap. And I can't even do ONE lap under three minutes on the Honda.

I think I am headed for a YZ450F, that or getting my clock cleaned in the HS series.

Get that shoulder well.

[sirthumpalot]

Well.. you'll get more power that's for sure! ?

[bashn]

Mike,

I rode a CRF450 for a few laps at Berthoud last week thinking I was going to buy one. I've had a lot of time on my '99 YZ400, so I was ready for a killer ride. I thought the CRF felt like a twitchy XR600. The engine just wasn't willing to rev like a Yamaha, it vibrated quite a bit, and was much harder to control around soft berms. The 426's I ridden felt like my 400, only with more power and better turning manners. Riding the CRF made it clear that the best choice for me personally, was to stick with a Yamaha. I can think of a lot more positives than I have time to list about the Honda, but I don't think I could ride one faster than my 250F!

Mark

[westladog]

You guys are all insane. How can a person make a "wrong" choice when the CRF450R and YZ426F/YZ450F are the best 4 strokers you can buy?

[Vanilla_Gorilla]

easy, going red is wrong. 'nuff siad.

[Dan_Lorenze]

You can't really go wrong with the CRF or the YZF. Both bikes are better that all of us, and we can set them up to our liking. I think the 250f is easier to ride and has a real consistant power delivery compared to the 426. I have to be honest with you Bashn, from what I have heard (none of us have ridden the bike) is that the 450 will be a powerhouse. It will be a handfull for you. But you just might fall in love with it.

DL ?

[BlueBlur426]

Heh, I used to be a red rider but for two reasons I switched to blue. One is the biggest of all...money. Second was I did get to ride a CRF and it just did not feel as explosive and fast as a 400/426F. Neat bike, I loved everything about it except the way it delivered its power.

Danny

[Hokie]

Originally posted by mikeolichney:

Hey Hokie, hows it going? Boulder enginerd #3 here. I really miss my YZ426. I have been riding a CRF450 since the Berthoud HS series was over. Its a really cool bike but I SUCK on it. I just dont get it. I get arm pump after 3 laps. I can't corner worth a damn. I bought the 20mm offset clamps, and that helped some. But I still can't get around the Berthoud track in under three minutes on it. I used to go out last fall on my 426 and ride 20 laps nonstop in 58 to 59 minutes, which is well under 3 minutes a lap. And I can't even do ONE lap under three minutes on the Honda.

I think I am headed for a YZ450F, that or getting my clock cleaned in the HS series.

Get that shoulder well.

I was going to sell my 426 and get a new YZ450 in the spring, but I did not get any bites on the 426. So I'm going to keep it until I get to ride a YZ450 and a properly set up CR450 (only ridden a stock one) then go from there.

Should be back to 100% in November, nothing like a 2 hour HS as your first race back!

[Boit]

As a very satisfied '00 426 owner, I have followed the new 450 design with keen interest. I was hoping that Yamaha would separate the crankcase from the clutch/transmission lubrication. Maybe in a year or two. Hopefully, plug fouling will not plague the new 450 and Yamaha will have the carb settings sorted out. Buyers should have an idea that jetting is kind of generic and some changes may need to be done according to altitude and fuel choices. The bottom line is that someone MUST allow me to spin a few laps on their 450!!!

[westladog]

Originally posted by Vanilla Gorilla:

easy, going red is wrong. 'nuff siad.

You are an i..t 'nuff siad

[bashn]

I have the option with my dealer to switch to a '03 250F if I choose. Either way, I'm gettin a NEW BIKE! ? After what the 250F has done for me I probably should get another 250F. Hopefully I'll get a change to spin a few laps on a 450F before I have to choose.

This isn't going any easy decision...

Mark

2000 DRZ400

2001 YZ250F

2003 YZ???F

[Dodger]

Hey bashn, what dealer are you getting your bike from????? Please don't say CO Powersports.....

Dodger ?

[mikeolichney]

Try TNT up in Laramie-you will save money