How would you characterize the turning of your yz450?

[Dan_187]

For me it feels like the front tire is very light and it doesn't seem to have enough traction. I can't just lean it over and put my trust in the fact that the front tire will hold. I have an 06 YZ450, and I thought it was the worn out front 756 I was using so I bought a 90/100 m403, it is better but still not cured. I've ridden a rmz 250 and a crf450 and both those bikes I could lean over without care because I knew the front would stick. I have tried to ride my bike differently but I is still an issue.

Does anyone else experience this kind of problem? What can I do to solve it?

[gerardlane]

I have an 06 450 with schmidt suspension done and i find mine is hard to go fast into the corners, but unbelievable comming out! im running michelins on mine as well.

[99raptor]

04' not very good ,seems like it has very hi center of gravity

[Ga426owner]

For me it feels like the front tire is very light and it doesn't seem to have enough traction. I can't just lean it over and put my trust in the fact that the front tire will hold. I have an 06 YZ450, and I thought it was the worn out front 756 I was using so I bought a 90/100 m403, it is better but still not cured. I've ridden a rmz 250 and a crf450 and both those bikes I could lean over without care because I knew the front would stick. I have tried to ride my bike differently but I is still an issue.

Does anyone else experience this kind of problem? What can I do to solve it?

Dan there is tons of info on this - just do a search on Turning Issues:thumbsup:

[Bigcr]

Before I bought my '07YZ450, I had an '03 CRF450 with pro-circuit 22mm offset triple clamps and too-tech suspension. I thought it turned great until I rode the new YZ. When I read the magazine tests saying it didn't turn I was floored since it turns great for me. Maybe it's because I weigh a lot and put more weight on the front end, or just because I suck and never push as hard as a pro, but I really like the way it handles.

[gleaves]

You may want to look into American Supercamp training if you havn't taken it. No kidding, I've taken it an it has changed the way I view traction including improved turning skills.

[Dan_187]

Dan there is tons of info on this - just do a search on Turning Issues:thumbsup:

Oh, I am well aware of the grievences people on here have with the turning. The discussion on the specific problem is very vague in the threads about this issue, they seem like people were just saying what the mags were complaining about. I can get the bike to turn its just the front tire will get out from under me and I will go down (this has happened a few times before). I guess this is what the mags are talking about. Basically the front end is not very confidence inspiring,

I have noticed that to help this I just keep on the gas slightly all throughout the corner even if I am barely on the gas it seems to help. I guess theses bikes like to be driven around a corner. This makes me want to get a shitty valved CRF. It's really a shame too because this is the only problem I have with my bike.

[Wiz636]

The discussion on the specific problem is very vague in the threads about this issue, they seem like people were just saying what the mags were complaining about.

Actually there are some very detailed discussions in here on this topic. If you look you will find pages and pages of discussion on different offset clamps, sag height, fork positions, etc.

Quickly though, set your sag to 95 - 96mm and raise your forks in the clamps 5mm. The key to the YZ planting the front end is to get more weight on the front end, so slide your butt forward in corners.

The bike is very sensitive to small adjustments. Experiment with your fork rebound settings also.

All this being said...a YZ will not turn like a Suzuki. However, that being said, if you can't go fast on a YZ you can't go fast on anything.

[rickallen124]

Keeping the gas on puts more weight on the front tire. These bikes handle better with the gas on no doubt about it.

[Ga426owner]

Oh, I am well aware of the grievences people on here have with the turning. I can get the bike to turn its just the front tire will get out from under me and I will go down (this has happened a few times before). I guess this is what the mags are talking about. Basically the front end is not very confidence inspiring,

I have noticed that to help this I just keep on the gas slightly all throughout the corner even if I am barely on the gas it seems to help. I guess theses bikes like to be driven around a corner. This makes me want to get a shitty valved CRF. It's really a shame too because this is the only problem I have with my bike.

me too and many more agree.....

save the search.....

here is how I fixed my 06......

24mm clamps - Applied Racing

Michelin Starcross tires

Windham Bend bars - renthal Twinwall

SDG tall seat

first the stock bar bend is way too low. The stock seat is like riding a camel. The stock tires are like driving on ice.....All were pitched:excuseme:

I tried almost every offset clamp....24mm were the best for me. I use Applied Racing Rubber mounted top and bottoms

The taller seat gets your weight up to the front much easier with less effort. YES you must steer with the throttle on as you mentioned....practice the same corner each time with more throttle...but make sure your front tire gets grip. Also pay attention to where your weight is on the bike - I found the closer up to the front the better. Michelin Starcross works well for me and the dirt here in the SE.

hope this helps:thumbsup:

[k0ncept]

I have an 07 YZ 450, I lowered the tripples "raised the forks like 5mm or so" and it REALLY help's! puts more weight on the front, ya have to be on the tank, just get used to it, but I REALLY Like the way my 450 corners now, its very very good in hardpack and the softstuff...

[albertaguy]

The tire on the 07 was a big flop, changing it helps with the frequent slide outs but still not as nice as you would like. I did find a permanant solution that really works though, I changed the color of my bike to orange, now it turns better than I ever thought a bike could. After riding the new ktm for a while I don't get on my yammy anymore. Not trashing yamaha because I do like them, I just like my ktm better at present.

[grunkthump]

does that include the SUSPENSION??...:-)

[albertaguy]

does that include the SUSPENSION??...:-)

I presume you're asking me if I like my ktm suspension better than my yzf. Stock vs. stock out - of the crate - I'd say the yamaha wins for all round performance. I rode my yamaha pretty hard for quite a while when I first got it without even touching anything, not even the right sag, and was still nicer than my crf that I had all set up to my weight, style. The ktm is more sensitive to the fact that you should set it up specific to the rider in order for it to work super smooth. For most of us that are over 160lbs you need to do suspension work anyway. It's not bad now stock, never seems to bottom out no matter how hard or flat you land, like the yzf, and quite smooth on everything except the small breaking/accel bumps and chop - rear end gets a touch bouncy. For the same money as overhauling a jap bike I'm getting my ktm done at mx tech. Everything I've heard about the ktm done right says it's at par with any jap susp. Long of the short I wouldn't stay away from a ktm due to suspension, just plan on setting it all up properly for your weight, which you should do with any bike. If you want a bike that will do real good stock I think yzf is the right bike but for me the motor is way too soft and my ktm turns so much nicer.

[Slinkyman16]

i really like the turning on my 07.. it didnt need a whole lot for my riding style. for me i turn the bike with the rear using the gas and body position. getting up on the tank really helps. I also installed some evo mx tank foam and it really helped in getting the bike leaned over a bit more. its all in seat time. the more seat time i had gotten on the bike the better i felt. next time at the track spend alot of time hitting corners. i spend at least 75% of my time at least 4- 5 corners over and over agian. it will help in the long run.

[Dan_187]

I've done most of the mods mentioned here. I slid my forks up and set the sag basically right when I got it. I run Protaper Reed bars. I don't want to get offset clamps because they apparently don't fix the problem so I'm not down to spend 400 on it. I might get the seat because it is somewhat hard to get up on the gas tank when your fighting and uphill battle on the way.

[BergArabia]

Mine turns with some effort and acquired skill.

Not that I am particularly skillful but I can turn it better now than when I first started riding it.

The paddle makes it a little hard to turn, but it is manageable..

[tonypitcock79]

i agree on american supercamp for cornering on any bike, you can search this on u-tube and see Mike Hacker and Chris Carr ( fastest Carr on two wheels) do amazing things on 150's (which corner worse than old school busses) and these guys turn extremely fast on 350 lb Harleys..from turning on wet slick clay on smooth tires to turning bikes in & out of cones in a straight line without leaning....its all about technique and body position..