Personal Shootout This Weekend

[917 rider]

ive ridden both and i own the yamaha. the honda is a great bike with bad valve problems i have a close friend who works at the bike shop and he wont even sell me one but if you dont care about that it is a great bike as far as how they ride must people have it wrong. Yamaha rewards people who know how to ride motocross. The faster you are the better the bike and that is how i ride if you dont ride hard its like driven a jet plane slow the honda to me feels more like it has a every person power to it must people would not agree honda does have more low end but that is not where we ride now is it the yamaha has a race car engine thats bullet proof but if you just cruise around you will think its slow same for the handling i will bet the yami has better mid and top and it makes it power a differnt way when you ride a honda you will think its five years ago the yamaha ten years from now the honda just chugs around for vet rider i would chose the honda becouse it is easier to go at a decent pace but if you want to ride hard then go with the yz and anybody who thinks it slow see you at the track:p

[rickallen124]

So, the yamaha motor is similar to a 250f in that it's a mid and up motor and the honda is more of low to mid motor. The honda is more of torque motor which works best for short shifting and the yamaha is more of run through the whole power curve in each gear type motor? The question for someone coming of a 250f is, is the YZ450 a 250f on steriods and maybe is easier to adapt to versus the grunt of the crf450 of the bottom? Or is the honda easier because you can put it in a high gear and just use the torque to get around the track?

[mxpimp18]

ive ridden both and i own the yamaha. the honda is a great bike with bad valve problems i have a close friend who works at the bike shop and he wont even sell me one but if you dont care about that it is a great bike as far as how they ride must people have it wrong. Yamaha rewards people who know how to ride motocross. The faster you are the better the bike and that is how i ride if you dont ride hard its like driven a jet plane slow the honda to me feels more like it has a every person power to it must people would not agree honda does have more low end but that is not where we ride now is it the yamaha has a race car engine thats bullet proof but if you just cruise around you will think its slow same for the handling i will bet the yami has better mid and top and it makes it power a differnt way when you ride a honda you will think its five years ago the yamaha ten years from now the honda just chugs around for vet rider i would chose the honda becouse it is easier to go at a decent pace but if you want to ride hard then go with the yz and anybody who thinks it slow see you at the track:p

Punctuation FTW

[unpride]

I have an 07 RMZ 250 and an 07 YZ450F if your coming off a 250F go with the Yamaha. The bike is sooo easy to ride the power is very predictable and the bike just makes you a better rider. I took my RMZ out last week and truthfully I dont want to ride it anymore. The YZ450 is just alot more fun! Now that im used to the handling there is nothing about a 250F I like anymore. The only thing I want to do to the 450 is put a Auto Clutch in it

[rickallen124]

Matt, how much did the Dr.D pipe help? Is it stronger yet just as easy to ride? What I mean is, is it the same type of power just more?

[todds924]

Ok Heres my opinion I just got my 08 all put together and set up for me. Enzo did my suspension etc. Today I went to Lake sugartree and All I can say Is wow. This bike will do things my 06 dreams it could do. My confidence is through the room right now. Its so smooth and strong. The handling is by far the best of any bike I have ever been on. Here what I did, 50t Sprocket, Dr D exhaust, 756 rr on talons hubs, excel wheels, Regina chain orn 6, Sdg tallseat, Pro taper Evo Windhams bends, and then all the small stuff like scotts filter, fuel screw etc. This Bike is unreal. The Handling is super:worthy:

MY LAP TIMES WHERE AVERAGE OF 4.5 SECONDS A LAP FASTER THAN ON MY 06:ride:

Glad to hear it Matt!!!!! I am very happy with mine also. Just got back from Glen Helen races. Rode the National track and my 08 is like cheating on that long start. Anyway, so you got your stuff back from Enzo and its sweet? Your running a 6.7 spring on your shock and .52's in the forks? Any special things you discussed with them as far as what you were looking for out of your suspension????? Thanks for your time and please let me know, I'm going to yank mine off and run it over to them next week.

[swaldrop]

I just came off of a YZ250F and I was also on the fence as to which 450 to get, the Yamaha or Honda. As soon as I heard that people thought the YZ had a weak bottom I chose the Yamaha. I figured it would be the best bike for me as I made the jump to the big bike (I have been on 250f's since '03).

In my opinion, there is nothing lacking in the bike. It does everything my 250f did, but better. The power is super smooth. You know the saying... 'It feels like it's going to rip your arms out...', well that doesn't apply to this bike. It's very fast, but very manageable. Who wants their arms ripped out? And who could maintain traction with that kind of power? If you are looking for a smooth transition to a 450, get the Yamaha. You won't be disappointed. If after a while you feel you need a little more grunt, get a new pipe. Mine is still stock and will be for quite a while I am sure.

[AnotherRedHead]

Rode at a track today. Im used to riding a 250F. This thing makes way too much power. This big jump the face was small so it just kicked you into the air, I had to test out my rev limiter a few times. LOL

[todds924]

I have used Enzo Several times and I told them I wanted this one a little Stiff. Will and me talked for 20 mins or so and he said "Matt I got exactly what you are looking for" and ohh baby did he ever. I wanted to be able to be able to over jump stuff a little more, Jump into the whoops harder etc, Us big guys have a hard time with that stuff. I also was very clear that I didnt want it so stiff that I lost handling. Its so good that I dont even like to ride my 06. Tell Jacqueline, Matt with big feet said to give u 5% off. Shes cool as hell. Thats Doug Dubachs neice.

She helped out with our National this weekend at Glen Helen. Nicest people you'd ever wan't to meet. I think the suspension is the only complaint I have right now with the 08. It's just a matter of getting it dialed in. My main problem is with the shock. I only have a 6.3 spring. I will be running over to Enzo tomorrow since its my day off to drop my goodies off. I will mention your name and tell them your extremely happy. This is good to hear. I hear you about the 06 also, Right now i am probably faster on mine, but that won't be the case by a long shot once the suspensions dialed on the 08. Thanks for the feedback Matt.

[tnrider013]

Sweet pics. I was seriously considering going and getting a honda tomorrow, but this thread just changed my mind. I had a blue 08 for 6400 otd, and Im thinking I shoud have got it. Post more pics!!!

[adamdf]

ive ridden both and i own the yamaha. the honda is a great bike with bad valve problems i have a close friend who works at the bike shop and he wont even sell me one but if you dont care about that it is a great bike as far as how they ride must people have it wrong. Yamaha rewards people who know how to ride motocross. The faster you are the better the bike and that is how i ride if you dont ride hard its like driven a jet plane slow the honda to me feels more like it has a every person power to it must people would not agree honda does have more low end but that is not where we ride now is it the yamaha has a race car engine thats bullet proof but if you just cruise around you will think its slow same for the handling i will bet the yami has better mid and top and it makes it power a differnt way when you ride a honda you will think its five years ago the yamaha ten years from now the honda just chugs around for vet rider i would chose the honda becouse it is easier to go at a decent pace but if you want to ride hard then go with the yz and anybody who thinks it slow see you at the track:p

WOW!! That was hard to read!! But thanks for sharing.

[cablemonkey334]

I have both 07 and 08 yz450f both bikes have full pro-action front and rear the 07 has the 24mm off set clamps, the only diffrence is the 08 has sub tanks on the forks . the 08 has more power an is smoother puttin it to the ground . the 08 turn s way better than the 07 . sag is very ,very important on the set up of the 08 . just a small adjustment gose along way. the 08 turns so much better on flat ground and drop in ruts better an feel lighter in the air . i do wish it had a bit more bottom but that a simple fix . an both bikes are rock solid at high speed .

[grayracer513]

sag is very ,very important on the set up of the 08 . just a small adjustment (goes) a long way.

You'll find this has been the case with the aluminum framed YZ450's since they showed up in '06. The bikes are very sensitive to very small changes in setup and rider position. If yours isn't working for you, the likelihood that you can tweak it and make it better is pretty high.

[vpmx]

Just got back from my second weekend of racing the new 2008 Honda CRF450R. This was at the last MDRA race of the season at Cernics Pleasure Valley, PA. I am still amazed at the motor for how easy it starts (kicks over) and how hard it pulls down the straights. Nothing outruns this bike and it can reel in anything. This bike also corners better than any bike I've owned. I am definitely riding faster and more aggresive. I have a couple guys on my team with Honda 450's and we have never had "valve" trouble or even a need to replace them. One of the bikes is an expert rode 2006 that has been through two seasons and will continue into next year. What I have quickly discovered is the Honda holds much less oil and needs to be changed more frequently. If you maintain your bikes well and don't abuse a motor (overreving continuously), they will last. It's great that we all love bikes and there are options to satisfy our personal style and preferences.

[917 rider]

go check the honda forum ummmmmmmmm i wonder why every body is talking about valves:banghead:

[grayracer513]

go check the honda forum ummmmmmmmm i wonder why every body is talking about valves:banghead:

Check the Honda forum and you may notice that their valve troubles seem to have ended at the '06 model year. 4 years late, but apparently corrected, nevertheless.

[917 rider]

Check the Honda forum and you may notice that their valve troubles seem to have ended at the '06 model year. 4 years late, but apparently corrected, nevertheless.

the honda is a great bike but the unicam is just not as good as the others 03-04-05-06-07-08---------------the first thing honda owners should do is buy kibble white valves,the yamaha a pipe.I will take the pipe.ive been the other way.all i do in my free time is ride and talk to people at the track and most would agree if you love hondas you will try to deny it:mad: but deep down your hating getting your valves checked every two months:cry:

[Mike546]

And why is a unicam not as good?

[todds924]

I have both 07 and 08 yz450f both bikes have full pro-action front and rear the 07 has the 24mm off set clamps, the only diffrence is the 08 has sub tanks on the forks . the 08 has more power an is smoother puttin it to the ground . the 08 turn s way better than the 07 . sag is very ,very important on the set up of the 08 . just a small adjustment gose along way. the 08 turns so much better on flat ground and drop in ruts better an feel lighter in the air . i do wish it had a bit more bottom but that a simple fix . an both bikes are rock solid at high speed .

What are you running your sag at on the 08?

[todds924]

the honda is a great bike but the unicam is just not as good as the others 03-04-05-06-07-08---------------the first thing honda owners should do is buy kibble white valves,the yamaha a pipe.I will take the pipe.ive been the other way.all i do in my free time is ride and talk to people at the track and most would agree if you love hondas you will try to deny it:mad: but deep down your hating getting your valves checked every two months:cry:

Once you go and check your valves on the Honda, and find they need to be re-shimmed? Its already to late!!!!!! Mite as well go ahead and have the valve job done because the valves are already beat up and dished and re-shimming will only last a couple rides. I have a Honda wall of shame in my garage, At least 20 sets of dished Honda valves from friends bikes. Compared to maybe one set each for Yz's and KX-F's, And those weren't even dished out.