07 vs. 08

[02YZFkid]

Hey guys,

Im gonna be graduating from college this coming spring and I'm lookin ot buy myself a new toy. If I make the move soon I could easily get my hands on a leftover 2007 for a lot less money then a brand new 08. Are the changes to the 08 worth the extra money? How does the power of the 08 stack up against the 07? How does the power of the 07 and 08 bikes compare to 450's when they first came out (around 2003). I'm not sure I like the idea of having to spend hundreds more on an aftermarket pipe just to make up for the differences. I would say I'm an intermediate rider... never raced, but I ride with a cousin who races in the B class and we are very even. Will I even notice the differences in handling???

I do love the red in the 08 graphics, would they fit on an 07?

Lastly, how much do you guys think I should be willing to pay OTD pre tax for an 07, and also an 08(I'm from the northeast if that makes a difference).

Thanks guys!

Rob

[KJ790]

The only big change between 07 and 08 is the exhaust, and everyone hates teh 08 exhaust and is swapping it out. Go with the 07. You will save money and have a more powerful stock bike. Since they are pretty much identical, the graphics will fit.

[grayracer513]

The only big change between 07 and 08 is the exhaust,

While it is true that the new exhaust is unpopular, there's quite a bit more to the '08. Improved steering geometry, which you could get on an '07 for $400, better suspension which you could also get on an '07 for, say, $400 (the '07 may suit you fine) and a lot of little refinements like the lighter front caliper and stuff. Also, once you uncork the exhaust, the engine is faster and smoother.

So, you could save a grand, then spend $1200 to make an '08 out of an '07, or pay for the '08 and fix the exhaust for $450 (DRD stainless)

[KJ790]

While it is true that the new exhaust is unpopular, there's quite a bit more to the '08. Improved steering geometry, which you could get on an '07 for $400, better suspension which you could also get on an '07 for, say, $400 (the '07 may suit you fine) and a lot of little refinements like the lighter front caliper and stuff. Also, once you uncork the exhaust, the engine is faster and smoother.

So, you could save a grand, then spend $1200 to make an '08 out of an '07, or pay for the '08 and fix the exhaust for $450 (DRD stainless)

I said the only big change, the other stuff is practically unoticeable. The suspension changes are so minor that hardly anyone can feel the difference and it depends on the rider as to which is set up better for him. Either way the suspension is a compromised set up between what a fast rider would want and what a slow rider would want. Both bikes have speed sensitive forks. The lighter front caliper is not a change anyone would ever notice. The 07 caliper functions just as well as the 08, it just weighs a few paper clips less. The steering geometry is again a rider preference. I know I personally like different steering geometry than many other people. I have had to run different offsets on bikes that everyone else loved, and I prefer the stock offset the 06, which everyone seemed to dislike.

[DesertRacer2]

Most of the magazines are saying that the 07 has at least 2 more horsepower. Even if you put a new pipe on the 08, the 07 with the same pipe will have more power. I personally would get the 07, Yamaha didn't seem to do much this year most likely planning on releasing a completely new bike for 09.

[MXRACER]

Most of the magazines are saying that the 07 has at least 2 more horsepower. Even if you put a new pipe on the 08, the 07 with the same pipe will have more power. I personally would get the 07, Yamaha didn't seem to do much this year most likely planning on releasing a completely new bike for 09.

Regardless of what the magazines or Dyno's are saying, the big plus with the 08 is the smooth power delivery. I spent the money on a aftermarket exhaust for my 07 (FMF 4.1 W/ mega bomb). I am sure I'm going just as fast on my stock 08. I may still buy a exhaust for the 08 but only because, [ insert insensitive politically incorrect statement ] its too quiet.

For 09 only major changes should be EFI, as it was planned for 08 but not ready to go in time.

[grayracer513]

Most of the magazines are saying that the 07 has at least 2 more horsepower. Even if you put a new pipe on the 08, the 07 with the same pipe will have more power. I personally would get the 07, Yamaha didn't seem to do much this year most likely planning on releasing a completely new bike for 09.

Which magazine has dyno'ed an '08 with an aftermarket exhaust, and what were the peak power numbers?

[grunkthump]

want smooth delivery on an 07'?? put a 9oz. FWW on!!

[DesertRacer2]

Which magazine has dyno'ed an '08 with an aftermarket exhaust, and what were the peak power numbers?

The October issue of Dirt Bike had the info. The Stock 07 puts out around 51 HP and the Stock 08 put out around 49 HP. The 08 with a FMF 4.1 system bumped the HP up to 50.

[DesertRacer2]

Regardless of what the magazines or Dyno's are saying, the big plus with the 08 is the smooth power delivery. I spent the money on a aftermarket exhaust for my 07 (FMF 4.1 W/ mega bomb). I am sure I'm going just as fast on my stock 08. I may still buy a exhaust for the 08 but only because, [ insert insensitive politically incorrect statement ] its too quiet.

For 09 only major changes should be EFI, as it was planned for 08 but not ready to go in time.

I am not sure a smoother bike for 08 is a good thing considering how mellow the 07 is. I did a good amount of hop ups to get my bike where I wanted it in the power department. All the shoot outs for the 07 said the bike doesn't really feel like a 450 compared to the others.

[clutchless]

Doing a TW ride day next week with all the new 08's.

I will compare the 08 to the 07 on the same track and same day. my suspension is dialed for me and the bike has some mods but nothing too crazy.

from what i have heard, 2006 is the best. 07 has the most power but the geometry of the front end is screwy, 08 has least power but handles the best.

look at Grant Langston's results this summer, you will notice a huge difference when he switched from the 07 to the 08...

Power isn't always a good thing, these bikes have PLENTY!

[Climber]

I would venture to say that Langstons' bike is far, far from stock.

[rm125ridwe]

Most of the magazines are saying that the 07 has at least 2 more horsepower.

lol you guys are so funny horsepower isnt everything, most cases it is easier to go fast on a slower bike rather then the other way around at least for me

[DesertRacer2]

lol you guys are so funny horsepower isnt everything, most cases it is easier to go fast on a slower bike rather then the other way around at least for me

I wish that was the case for me. I just like having all the power I need on tap.

[02YZFkid]

Thanks guys! Thats pretty much all the convincing I needed to save a couple bucks.

How much do you think I should pay for an 07 out the door?

My other question is how the power of an 07 will compare to say an 03 YZ450F?

Thanks again!

Rob

[todds924]

Thanks guys! Thats pretty much all the convincing I needed to save a couple bucks.

How much do you think I should pay for an 07 out the door?

My other question is how the power of an 07 will compare to say an 03 YZ450F?

Thanks again!

Rob

Ic ould pick up a new 07 for 5400.00

[Edge316]

from what i have heard, 2006 is the best. 07 has the most power but the geometry of the front end is screwy, 08 has least power but handles the best.

I dont know why some people think the 06 and 07 yz450 have different geometry because they really dont.The only difference between the two in regards to rake and trail come from the longer rear shock.The two frames are the same.So if someone thinks the front end is screwy on 07 I dont see how the 06 would be any different.I own an 07 and a friend has an 06 and they handle darn near the same.Personally, if anything I think my 07 might handle slightly better,but my bike is also set up for me and that could be the difference.In regards to the motors on the 06-07 ,since installing drd pipe and having the zipty mods done I dont think the motors are that much different either.Also not that it really means much but mxa considers the 07 motor the best out of the 3 years of bikes.

[grayracer513]

My other question is how the power of an 07 will compare to say an 03 YZ450F?

The '03 450 will feel like it's faster. It's not (check my sig)

The best dyno test I've seen on a stock '03 with a pipe was barely 49 (47 stock) the '06 has 50. According to the earlier post, Dirt Bike had the '07 at 51. If DB is still testing the same way they did a couple of years ago, using the FMF dyno and jetting/tuning the stockers for best results during the runs, their tests are reasonably reliable.

Let me say here that peak power is interesting, but frankly does not tell the story of how well a bike will move itself around a track at all. One HP won't even guaranty you a hole shot.

[Dr.Crankenstien]

Thanks guys! Thats pretty much all the convincing I needed to save a couple bucks.

How much do you think I should pay for an 07 out the door?

My other question is how the power of an 07 will compare to say an 03 YZ450F?

Thanks again!

Rob

Wise Choice!

I have both '07&'08 and as stated earlier the changes between the two are not very noticable TO ME(except for the power delivery).

Good luck and take care of yer new bike.

(If you want to go off what the factory riders say and do look @ CR I think he did a fine job on his 2007 YZ450F)

[MXRACER]

At speed, this bike is way planted and the best turning YZ450F by far. None of the 2006's vague front end traits are evident, and it makes a leap from even the adequate '07 model.

New cams, with altered carb and CDI settings, along with the new pipe and muffler add up to a robust powerplant that suits a lot more riders than either of the two previous YZs were capable of doing. It bridges the aggressive 2006 and the mellow 2007 making a near perfect combination of both.