My 2008 Yz 450f Review

[Ga450owner]

I think the 08 pipe is a flawed attempt by yamaha to give up power for the sake of noise. I also think the people who decide for me and you that the 98 db is too loud need to go to Suches NDakota for a harley road fest.....or to a nascar race.....this is total crap..

Stupidity and big brother at it's finest

[SCIENCE]

I think the 08 pipe is a flawed attempt by yamaha to give up power for the sake of noise. I also think the people who decide for me and you that the 98 db is too loud need to go to Suches NDakota for a harley road fest.....or to a nascar race.....this is total crap..

Stupidity and big brother at it's finest

Call it what you want, but the evolution of loud four strokes is leading to the closing of many private/public tracks and riding areas. Check out Honey Lake MX in NorCal. Larry Wosick has been served w/$250K in noise fines from one of his recent races. Do any of the 450's need to be faster and louder? Yamaha's design may not be the best, but at least they recognize the problem.

I agree that it is "Big Brother", but our sport doesn't have the "lobby" if you will, to fight the sound issue effectively. As mainstream as SX/MX is becoming, it will still never get the leverage that NASCAR/Drag Racing and even Harley's get. Remember NASCAR comes to an area 1 or 2 weeks a year and is gone. (on top of that the $ it brings to an area dampens the sound concerns) We ride our tracks/riding areas etc all the time and to the neighbors/business' etc the sound has gotten much more offensive w/the evolution of 4T's & loud aftermarket exhaust. Europe has strict db rules and it works fine and the bikes still have plenty of hp. I'd like my kids to have somewhere to ride in the future.

[Huckster]

Plus no one that I know rides up and down the street in their NASCAR car. I commend Yamaha for taking action. IMHO noise is the #1 problem that this industry is facing and if we do not do more about it, there will be more and more Honey Lakes. Heck, almost every D34 track is under attack by the communities because of this. If we want to be able to ride, we need to understand the issue and work to resolve it and so what if it comes at the cost of a weaker bottom end of 2-3 hp.

[grayracer513]

I haven't seen it up close yet, but at least it is an attempt. Stopping by my dealer today as he says he may have one this week.

Take a look:

http://www.motocrossactionmag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=3C64793A1A204AF0AF3E7ECC2A3CD20C

I think the 08 pipe is a flawed attempt by yamaha to give up power for the sake of noise. I also think the people who decide for me and you that the 98 db is too loud need to go to Suches NDakota for a harley road fest.....or to a nascar race.....this is total crap..

Stupidity and big brother at it's finest

I don't think 98db is too loud, either, just as I don't think that going to 90db would satisfy anyone. The plain fact is that people hate motorcycles, and one of the reasons for it is the lack of consideration for anything or anyone that is demonstrated by some of the members of our community. NASCAR drivers don't run their cars down the street, or practice jumping the same pile of dirt for 3 hours in the field behind a housing tract. The sound is just a tangible excuse.

[TooFast]

I'd like for someone to put an 06 YZ450 OEM exhaust on the 08 YZ450 and see if the bottom end power comes back with the smaller diameter head pipe and less restrictive muffler.....

[djtroy]

Just rode an '08 YZ-F 450 back-to-back vs. '07 CRF450 @ 4200' altitude...interestingly, the jetting on the YZ at this altitude (clear day, low relative humidity) was spot on....As the bike broke in, I could start to draw some comparisons: The yamaha has a small, almost compact feel (and I'm only 5'8''/165#) to it and would turn underneath anything on the track. Incredible front-end stick, doesn't want to stand up in the ruts, etc...I would have to say it rivals the Suzuki in turning prowess. The suspension has a firm, well damped feel to it, but still too green to make any final judgments...definitely equal, if not better than the Honda, especially on rough corner exits. Brakes are awesome, with great feel, and the clutch is light with superb modulation. Trans shifted quite stiffly, I'm hoping that will improve with time (as is usually the case with Yamaha).

Now the power: The Honda initially felt faster, especially in the lower mid-range...As the day wore on and several of us switched off riding the 2 bikes, it became apparent the Yamaha and the Honda were dead even in the amount of power from the upper-midrange to the rev-limiter (both with stock exhausts). However, at the very bottom, the Yamaha has just a bit more, then it is flat for a bit, then pulls hard with a nice hit. I love that hit, as it allows me to turn with the rear wheel and pivot out of corners. The Honda's power is more linear, very smooth, but no hit, (IMO) which I crave. I actually use LESS clutch with the Yamaha as I tend to run a gear high, then use the clutch to pivot out of the turns. The power characteristics really reminds me of a 2-stroke YZ 250, about '01 or '02. So, in summation, I personally liked the bike, it fits me and my riding style well, so I am picking one up next week.

As for the pipe, I'm leaving it on, because they can't hear me coming!

Its amazing to me how some people think this bike has good low end power and hit. This bike has NO HIT at all. The power is so smooth and lacking, its the furthest thing from having a hit.

To address the guy that says 5% of the people on here can use 100% of the power is not right. If the bike is slow its slow. If I turn the throttle wide open and think to mysef I wish this was faster then I would say im using 100% of the power at that moment.

[Ga426owner]

Call it what you want, but the evolution of loud four strokes is leading to the closing of many private/public tracks and riding areas. Check out Honey Lake MX in NorCal. Larry Wosick has been served w/$250K in noise fines from one of his recent races. Do any of the 450's need to be faster and louder? Yamaha's design may not be the best, but at least they recognize the problem.

I agree that it is "Big Brother", but our sport doesn't have the "lobby" if you will, to fight the sound issue effectively. As mainstream as SX/MX is becoming, it will still never get the leverage that NASCAR/Drag Racing and even Harley's get. Remember NASCAR comes to an area 1 or 2 weeks a year and is gone. (on top of that the $ it brings to an area dampens the sound concerns) We ride our tracks/riding areas etc all the time and to the neighbors/business' etc the sound has gotten much more offensive w/the evolution of 4T's & loud aftermarket exhaust. Europe has strict db rules and it works fine and the bikes still have plenty of hp. I'd like my kids to have somewhere to ride in the future.

i hear ya loud and clear:applause:

....but the reason these places are getting fines and shut down is because developers are putting homes and businesses closer to these tracks and riding areas....eventually they will all be shut down due to populations living in to close proximity to tracks....unfortunate but true...?

sorry to hijack thread ...

[MotorBoatin]

Maybe this is the whats instore for all of us down the road...at least for MX

http://www.wirmx.com/picsvideos.htm

[Ga426owner]

not a bad idea.....indoor SX/MX.....

weather is never a problem

24hr operation

cool it down with AC

heat it up with heaters

ventilate the exhaust out

bring a set of ear plugs....it probably echos like a biach

[sejoha]

take a look at www.twobros.com

http://www.twobros.com/Cust_Service/Dyno_Charts/dyno_2008_yama-YZF450_SO.pdf

There you will find a dyno chart comparing the YZ450 stock with the TB full system. If this is correct the stock "can" is for sure the reason for the mellow low end power.

There is a huge difference in the power output between 4k-6.5k.

At 5k the TB system delivers + 7Hp ?

Not sure about the noice level though.....

You can also find dyno charts for the 2006 model and these confirms that this year the Yamaha 450 had quite an engine.......

http://www.twobros.com/Cust_Service/Dyno_Charts/yama-YZF450_SO.pdf

Still considering a -08 though...........

AJ

[grayracer513]

I'm always wary of the dyno charts produced by speed equipment manufacturers. Typically, the trick is that they test a stone stock unit that hasn't been tuned or jetted or optimized in any way, then compare that to the same bike with their stuff on it that's had the whole treatment.

[jim598]

just got a new holeshot device and it won't work on the 08. they changed the groove at the bottom of the outer fork tube. its very narrow now.

[polarbear]

Call it what you want, but the evolution of loud four strokes is leading to the closing of many private/public tracks and riding areas. Check out Honey Lake MX in NorCal. Larry Wosick has been served w/$250K in noise fines from one of his recent races. Do any of the 450's need to be faster and louder? Yamaha's design may not be the best, but at least they recognize the problem.

I agree that it is "Big Brother", but our sport doesn't have the "lobby" if you will, to fight the sound issue effectively. As mainstream as SX/MX is becoming, it will still never get the leverage that NASCAR/Drag Racing and even Harley's get. Remember NASCAR comes to an area 1 or 2 weeks a year and is gone. (on top of that the $ it brings to an area dampens the sound concerns) We ride our tracks/riding areas etc all the time and to the neighbors/business' etc the sound has gotten much more offensive w/the evolution of 4T's & loud aftermarket exhaust. Europe has strict db rules and it works fine and the bikes still have plenty of hp. I'd like my kids to have somewhere to ride in the future.

I AGREE WITH THE NOISE CRAP.... THINGS IN OUR COUNTRY ARE GETTING WAY TOO OUT OF HAND. TOO MANY MORONS THAT NEED TO CALM DOWN. ALL THE LAW SUITS ARE RUINING OUR RIDING AREAS. YAMAHA IS TRYING TO GOOD THING SO THAT ALL THE ******** CAN CALM DOWN. ALL I CAN SAY IS SINCE I MOVED TO WORK IN MEXICO IT SURE IS NICE TO HAVE MY OWN TRACK. HAVE RIDERS, RACES AND NOT WORRY ABOUT LAW SUITS. WWW.FREEWEBS.COM/HELLTRACK. WHO KNOWS WHERE THINGS ARE GOING TO BE LEGALLY WHEN I MOVE BACK???

[Kevin117]

i have an 06 yz450. is it even worth it to upgrade to an 08?

[Ga426owner]

not in my humble opinion unless you just need a new bike.....new power charactersitics and new handling & suspension to sort out...?

there just is not a night and day difference in the 06-08.....I will wait for 09

[Huckster]

I am not sure if they are just trying to sell bikes, but according to Langston and Dubach, there is a big difference between the 07 and 08, at least in terms of the way it turns.....

If you want one, buy one.

[djtroy]

I am not sure if they are just trying to sell bikes, but according to Langston and Dubach, there is a big difference between the 07 and 08, at least in terms of the way it turns.....

If you want one, buy one.

According to me there is a huge difference in the way it turns. If your a decent racer than its a good difference. If your a weekend warrior, forget it.

I am getting the quick turn throttle so I can get to wide open quicker. Im hoping this will help a bit.

[grayracer513]

I am not sure if they are just trying to sell bikes, but according to Langston and Dubach, there is a big difference between the 07 and 08, at least in terms of the way it turns.....

According to the published information in the manual, the head angle of all three bikes is the same, but the '08 has an increase in trail that would correspond to the use of a 24mm clamp offset, rather than the 25mm used on the earlier bikes. This could be done either with the clamps, or by moving the axle back in the fork leg, as Honda has done a couple of times. Either way, it looks like Yamaha has incorporated yet another of Dr.D's recommendations into production, as he's been saying that the 24mm clamps were the way to go for the '06 for some time now.

[Huckster]

He said the reduction in weight of the front brake caliper had a lot to do with it as well.

[grayracer513]

That is, of course, an improvement, as would be any reduction in unsprung weight, but I'd be shocked if the new caliper was 12 oz lighter than the old. It's a positive, and a contribution, but "a lot o do with it"? No. Front tires vary in weight more than that.