03 vs 04 YZ450F!!

[nightwhler]

NEED HELP!! I have been shopping around for an 03 or 04 YZ450F and I've heard different opinions about each. To be honest, I have heard no bad about the 03 or 04, but then I had a guy tells me the 04 has engine output problems. He said the mfr. tried to tune the engine down in 04 and thus has a lower output than the 03. Is this true? So far both bikes are pretty close to the same price. I just want the best bike for my money. I'm just getting back into mx and value the tt opinion. Is there anything else I should know about either bike? The two that I'm looking at are basically stock, except the 03 has X-country suspension.

THANKS!!

[Batman]

As I understand it the '05 was detuned a bit but not the '04 . I've got an '04 and have no complaints about the power .......and I weigh about 210lbs !

[Ga426owner]

The 03 had some clutch chattering problems - the 04 is a slightly more refined 03 - both a great bikes - I would buy the newest one you can afford with the lowest hrs.

[450GN]

i have an 04 yz450 and have raced an 03 down a paved road and the power was very close i would say but i had just a slight edge from being 5 lbs lighter... so i dont think the 04 was detuned much if it was...

[tnl]

Like Batman said. The 05 was not DETUNED! The power band was just altered to deliver a more useable power delivery rather than a big hit in a shorter time frame like the 04 model. Try to find out what the engine spec's are with the 2 years and then look at dyno tests. I'll bet the bhp between the 2 are pretty close along with gearing and other critical componets. Unless you're an "A" racer or Pro, do you thing it would make a difference? I don't know anyone that rides efficiently enough to benefit from an extra 1 hp. Just my opinion though!

[offrodeo]

Doesnt the 04 have a flywheel that is 5 oz heavier? Ive heard that the 03 is the fastest out of them all

kevan

[Batman]

Like Batman said. The 05 was not DETUNED! The power band was just altered to deliver a more useable power delivery rather than a big hit in a shorter time frame like the 04 model. Try to find out what the engine spec's are with the 2 years and then look at dyno tests. I'll bet the bhp between the 2 are pretty close along with gearing and other critical componets. Unless you're an "A" racer or Pro, do you thing it would make a difference? I don't know anyone that rides efficiently enough to benefit from an extra 1 hp. Just my opinion though!

I knew someone get on me if I used the word "detuned" ! Bottom line , these things all haul ass and I agree , buy as new as you can afford .

[BigDesto]

03 has more of a punch compared to the 04! ?

[Ga426owner]

Doesnt the 04 have a flywheel that is 5 oz heavier? Ive heard that the 03 is the fastest out of them all

kevan

you will need the flywheel weight on the 03 to make it hook up better.... ?

[rbm33]

the 03 will win in a drag race but the 04 will win around a track every time. the 03's had some significant problems that were resolved in 04 and for some reason my 04 turned better than my 03. i thought the frame geometry was the same, maybe it wa the larger forks.

[BigDesto]

Remember BOYS and GIRLS it's the rider!!! ?

[grayracer513]

The '03 and '04 have nearly identical engines. The only difference is the 5oz heavier GYT-R flywheel that came with the '04. If you can find an '03 with a stock flywheel, and then decide you don't want to add weight to it, I'll be surprised. Either of them will move your eyes back in your head a ways.

The '04 is a couple of pounds lighter, has Titanium pegs, and 48mm forks vs. the '03's 46mm forks. The fork is a pretty worthwhile improvement; the rears are about the same.

Otherwise, there's very little difference. If I were shopping for one, I'd try to get the '04, only because of the forks and minor refinements, but I would take another '03 if it was set up right. ?

[yz_for_me]

grayracer hit it on the head. From a performance standpoint, the forks would be the only big reason to go for the '04. The '04 has 48mm forks vs. the 46mm on the '03. From what I'm told by guys who've ridden both, the '04 forks are significantly better. The other main differences between the '03 and '04 (heavier flywheel and improved clutch) are relatively minor and easily/cheaply upgraded. If the price and condition are relatively equal, I would definitely go for the '04. But if the '03 were in better shape or significantly cheaper I wouldn't hesitate to buy the '03.

[bikinnotdykin]

i think you should just get an 83 yz 80 that should be enough power for you!!!

[stroker101]

both are awesome bikes. from what i have heard...the 03' model had a hard hit because of a light flywheel. some people bought and installed heavier flywheels to lessen the so called hit. the flywheel on the 03' i had was 6 oz. heavier than stock. the 04' models came with a heavier flywheel to address the "HIT" issue of the 03' and to make them more trackable (more rider friendly) more people felt that it de-yuned the bike and felt as if the 04' honda crf450 actually felt more like the 03' yammy yz450f.

[Dan450]

I have an 03 , I put an 04 flywheel on to lessen the hit and make it more ridable 4 me (im only light 10 stone) and helped stop it from stalling at realy low revs.

So yes the 03 does hit harder, but the 04 has better forks.

The yzf 450 is like the cr500, the first ones are the fastest (hardest hitters) after that they mellowed them down for mer Mortals to ride.

[00YZ426FMRCD]

the 03 will win in a drag race but the 04 will win around a track every time. the 03's had some significant problems that were resolved in 04 and for some reason my 04 turned better than my 03. i thought the frame geometry was the same, maybe it wa the larger forks.

RBM - I bet my 00 426 is faster than your 05 CRF 450 in a drag race. Also, I have a PW80 running nitros that will take any 450 in a Drag race... Also to hear a honda rider mention that an 03 YZ450 had significant problems is one of the funniest things I have heard since reading posts on Thumpertalk! ? Good one! Keep up the comedy!

[Batman]

RBM - I bet my 00 426 is faster than your 05 CRF 450 in a drag race. Also, I have a PW80 running nitros that will take any 450 in a Drag race... Also to hear a honda rider mention that an 03 YZ450 had significant problems is one of the funniest things I have heard since reading posts on Thumpertalk! ? Good one! Keep up the comedy!

OK , lets meet all of the CRF guys somewhere and settle this like men ! Unfortunately the CRF's seem to out number us by about 2:1 but if you're right about the YZF's power we should be able to out run em' !