Any good hopups to the 08 YZF450?

[wolfie12]

Yamaha is the only company paying contingency in the 50+ class, which I compete in, so I'm gonna be on one this year, after three CRF450s. I'm looking forward to getting back on the Yamaha, and owned the first year YZ400, a 2000 426, a 2000 YZ250, and 2002 YZf250. I'm hearing alot of talk in the rags about a soft motor this year, but great suspension, handling, etc. I'm wondering what some good bang for the buck mods would be for this bike....cam? high comp piston? I'd like to avoid the whole overpriced exhaust route if I could, and sort of like that new stubby silencer, but not if it chokes hp.

[SoZo]

Exhaust, they have the first off chamber exhaust out.

[grayracer513]

A good exhaust system changes everything about the bike. I can almost guarantee that a stock '08 with a DRD system would have won the TWMX 450 shootout hands down, based on what was written about the bike. It's certainly the very first thing I'd do.

Actually, the stock '08 exhaust is so bad that even a decent slip-on will bolster the weak low end enough to be very noticeable.

[the1_roadrunner]

I put a white brothers on mine and it perked it right up.... unfortunately I now hear WB is out of business..... so if I dent my header pipe or some damn thing I may have to go to a Dr D. --RR

[grayracer513]

... unfortunately I now hear WB is out of business..... so if I dent my header pipe or some damn thing I may have to go to a Dr D. --RR

Not true, although a DRD wouldn't hurt you. Vance & Hines bought WB, and will handle any customer service issues existing WB customers may have. They intend to continue making off-road exhausts, but whether these will be the existing WB products for the time being, or something totally new, I don't know.

[todds924]

I put a white brothers on mine and it perked it right up.... unfortunately I now hear WB is out of business..... so if I dent my header pipe or some damn thing I may have to go to a Dr D. --RR

White Bros is out of business! Good news for all you white bros guys though. Vance and Hines will be making the white bros pipes now. They bought all the tooling and dies for the pipes. White bros going out of business does not suprise me...Neither of the "white bros" has owned that business in years. The end of an ERA:cry:

[racerxx276]

The only thing I've done to my 08 motor is put on a FMF slip-on- ti-powercore ($239)

The thing has amazing bottom and mid. Top end is a bit off but I like the low -mid better. No real need to do any motor work....

[YamahaThumper]

Although the suspension may be good off the bat, why not invest and get it set up just for you? I think that, and maybe just a good slip on (fmf powercore?) would net you all the gains you'll need.

Motor mods may give you more speed, but how well your suspension and you can handle that speed makes all the difference.

[motox100]

I'd say just add an exhaust and go racing. Even with an aftermarket exhaust I doubt most people will change their laptimes much, but it does allow the motor to run like it can. I don't know about the rest of the country but here in Cali you can buy a Yamaha about 800-1000 cheaper than a Honda...that will get you a pipe and suspension (if you want). I know a lot of people really put a lot of validity on what the magazines say, in the new Dirt Rider they have the 450 Shootout (Honda won), interestingly enough the Yamaha with it's corked up exhaust provided the fastest laptimes with the pro guys and second fastest with novice level riders...granted the bikes were all within a 1/2 second but it shows the stock exhaust, while uninspiring, probably dont slow most people down.

[jacob293]

I know a lot of people really put a lot of validity on what the magazines say,

Anybody who buys a bike soley on what the magazines say or because of what brand of bike is at the top of the podium is an idiot. Sure magazines offer good advice, but what most magazines give you is there test riders opinion.

[cablemonkey334]

I put a fmf mega bomb haeder on my 08 an it made a big diffence to me , it gave me that extra i need out of the corner an good pull in the mid.

[KJ790]

The only thing I've done to my 08 motor is put on a FMF slip-on- ti-powercore ($239)

The thing has amazing bottom and mid. Top end is a bit off but I like the low -mid better. No real need to do any motor work....

If you think the ti-powercore gave you gains, you should try a factory 4.1. The ti-powercore mimics the stock 06 silencer in power, I couldn't tell the difference. The factory 4.1 gives huge gains, especially when matched with a powerbomb or megabomb header.

[Wes Woodin]

I put on the powerbowl and the power was instant. I also put on a Dr.D complete TI system too. Add a 50 tooth sprocket, I went with the twin ring Renthal and D.I.D. VT "T" Ring chain. I love this bike and it rips. Wes:thumbsup:

[wolfie12]

I'd say just add an exhaust and go racing. Even with an aftermarket exhaust I doubt most people will change their laptimes much, but it does allow the motor to run like it can. I don't know about the rest of the country but here in Cali you can buy a Yamaha about 800-1000 cheaper than a Honda...that will get you a pipe and suspension (if you want). I know a lot of people really put a lot of validity on what the magazines say, in the new Dirt Rider they have the 450 Shootout (Honda won), interestingly enough the Yamaha with it's corked up exhaust provided the fastest laptimes with the pro guys and second fastest with novice level riders...granted the bikes were all within a 1/2 second but it shows the stock exhaust, while uninspiring, probably dont slow most people down.

After 3 very strong CRF450s in a row, I am used to a strong motor. I ride in NESC 40a and 50+ (7th and 2nd in the classes this fall championship), the bike better make competitive power or I'm gonna get smoked in the holeshots.

Anybody who buys a bike soley on what the magazines say or because of what brand of bike is at the top of the podium is an idiot. Sure magazines offer good advice, but what most magazines give you is there test riders opinion.

Certainly, but the general consensus among all those riders were....."great suspension, soft motor". Forgive me if I think there might have been an element of truth in there, and was checking around to see what others may have done to their bikes.

[Huckster]

Anybody who buys a bike soley on what the magazines say or because of what brand of bike is at the top of the podium is an idiot. Sure magazines offer good advice, but what most magazines give you is there test riders opinion.

Obvioulsy you do not understand the power of marketing or the psychology of why/how people make buying decisions.

[grayracer513]

Anybody who buys a bike soley on what the magazines say or because of what brand of bike is at the top of the podium is an idiot. Sure magazines offer good advice, but what most magazines give you is there test riders opinion.

Obvioulsy you do not understand the power of marketing or the psychology of why/how people make buying decisions.

Whether he understands it or not is not really relevant to the fact that he has a point.

[YZF831]

If you have a white 450, get a black seat cover. I can't stand that grey they put on the sides of the stock cover. Joking aside though, unless your one who enjoys spending money on mods just to have some bling I'd recommend a full system Dr. D to waken it up and get your suspension dialed in and your race ready. Just my 2 cents.

[Huckster]

Whether he understands it or not is not really relevant to the fact that he has a point.

Maybe, but your wrong and nieve if you dont think mag reviews and shootouts dont sell bikes and have an effect on some peoples buying decisions. Whether they should or not is not even worth discussing because the reality is, they do....