Anyone went from KXF or RMZ to the new YZFs?

[adamdf]

I am curios because even though i am really happy with my 250F, i am considering trying to get my hands on a 450F. Let's hear the info and if you were happy with the switch. Also, what didnt you like about the other bikes.

[offthewall]

Well, I never had a KXF or RMZ, but one of my good friends did. Of course, we switched bikes a lot just for fun. To describe the difference between even my old Yami and the RMZ... imagine your RMZ.... now imagine it better in every possible way. And you're done. And a new Yamaha? Miles better than that! More power, better handling, WAY better suspension, infinitely more reliable and it even looks better if you'd ask me. Don't get me wrong, the NEW Kawi's and Suzuki's are good bikes too, but not as good. Just my two cents.

[adamdf]

thanks for that response, however i find your reply a bit vague. Maybe if you could elaborate on the cornering traits on both bikes. Anyone else actually owned both? or ridden the green or yellow bikes back to back with the blue one?

[grayracer513]

I haven't spent a lot of time on either of the new green and yellow bikes, but I have ridden them.

The engines were both very likable. The Kawasaki felt a little more "old school thumper" than the YZF, which is a good thing. Different, but good in its way. But neither revs with the verve that the YZF does, and neither was as smooth.

The trans on the RMZ was spaced wrong, IMO, close between some gears, too wide between others. The suspension is pretty good, something like a CRF. Of the two, I liked the way it handled the best.

The Kawasaki was frankly awful. It dives inside going in and then under power, it pushes coming out. The rear suspension had a bizarre, wallowing feel to it like an older KTM.

The '06 YZ450F, OTOH, has the best stock suspension I've ever been on. The front wheel stays planted even over very ragged hard pack, and the forks especially are better than the the best re-valve job I know of on an older YZF.

The cornering is really a marvel. The bike is as neutral as any MX bike I can remember. It has an extremely light responsive feel to it, and you can ride it just about any way you want. If you like the CRF/quasi-two stroke style of slide in, pivot, and gas it out, the bike loves that. If you'd rather ride it like an old YZF, railing the berm one wheel behind the other, that's fine too. Or something in between. And you can turn inside of almost anything almost anytime. The only thing I can tell you is to get a ride on one. You won't believe it. And no, it doesn't handle like a bigger version of your '06.

[adamdf]

Thanks for the response Gray. Howcome riders on here complain of the kawi handling and then aout 3 out 4 mags picked it up front this year if i remember clearly? Wierd. Oh and about the 450 YZF, so it doesn't handle similarly to my 06 250F? OR is it better? Does it have the same wierd front end feel where it sometimes feels like its not connected to the ground? Then again i have to test more with my rebound settings, still yet to stiffen up the rebound on the forks. But i'm glad to hear your opinions.

[grayracer513]

Howcome riders on here complain of the kawi handling and then aout 3 out 4 mags picked it up front this year if i remember clearly?

MXA didn't. They complained about the rear shock in particular, and fixed the blame on the linkage. They mentioned the same front end behavior, too. And that's unfortunate, because normally the way out of a push is to give it the gas. Doesn't work as well on the KXF as on most others.

Oh and about the 450 YZF, so it doesn't handle similarly to my 06 250F? OR is it better?

Better.

Does it have the same wierd front end feel where it sometimes feels like its not connected to the ground?

Definitely not. The front end feels very connected in the rough stuff, and does not skip or dither or act nervous at speed at all.

The bike is sensitive to setup, however. As delivered, it needs work. But simply pulling up the forks 5mm and setting the sag at 95 makes all the difference.

[barch88]

The bike is sensitive to setup, however. As delivered, it needs work. But simply pulling up the forks 5mm and setting the sag at 95 makes all the difference.

I couldn't agree with that quote enough. I went from the forks stock, at 0, and raised them and it does wonders. My sag is around 97 and it feels perfect for me, I never bottom out or anything and I'm a bigger guy, IMO this bike has the best stock suspension out of all the companies. I rode a KXF 450 and it felt like a unfinished YZF, just wasn't perfect, and the suspension felt horrible IMO. As for the RM-Z, I haven't rode one, but I was going to get one, from my friends view (who owns one), he loves it and says the 4 speed is great.

[adamdf]

I rode a 2006 RMZ450 today again (for the second time). And all i have to say is, this bike corners with confidence! It was great, no nervousness in the corners what so ever. I think that races are won in the corners, so to me a bike should and must feel great switching direction at last minute, coming in hot and pointing and shooting where you want to go and the rmz does this stuff excellently. I need some sort of confirmation that the YZF is atleast comparable with the rmz when it comes to cornering. More opinions, lets hear em, and if you had to change setup, lets hear what you changed. Thanks in advance.

[barch88]

I rode a 2006 RMZ450 today again (for the second time). And all i have to say is, this bike corners with confidence! It was great, no nervousness in the corners what so ever. I think that races are won in the corners, so to me a bike should and must feel great switching direction at last minute, coming in hot and pointing and shooting where you want to go and the rmz does this stuff excellently. I need some sort of confirmation that the YZF is atleast comparable with the rmz when it comes to cornering. More opinions, lets hear em, and if you had to change setup, lets hear what you changed. Thanks in advance.

Alright then...ride the YZF now, if you thought the RM-Z was awesome in corners you will think again once you ride the YZF. It stays planted like a magnet to the ground.

But get what you want, most reason I choose Yamaha is reliability, past experience (great), and handling...it's just a great bike hands down. The Suzuki is great too, so if you can just ride the YZF and compare the two to you're 'feel' and opinion, then you will know for sure what you want.

[adamdf]

Thats the only problem, i don't know anyone where i am that owns one (YZF450). I think i got all the info i was looking for though guys, for now i am real happy on my yz250F (LE) and we'll see how it goes in a few months when its most likely time to try and get on the 450s also. thanks again