Getting an 08 yz450 to turn better ?

[SoZo]

I just bought an 08, expecting it to turn great after all the frame talk, it doesnt, Im kinda pissed. My buds 07 CRF450 is much better.

What can I do? Or just sell it?

[bstoner59]

I stiffened the high speed compression on the shock. keeps the rear-end high going into the corner but too much and it loses stability at speed. it worked alright but I didn't notice a huge difference until stiffer springs and a revalve

[SoZo]

maybe i need a stiffer spring, my sag with no gear is 4.75 inches

[Daltoneious]

where's your sag set at? the less sag you run the more aggressive you'll have the bike sitting resulting in better cornering ability, but then you risk high speed stability, or headshake. you can also raise the forks in the clamps a little which will do the same as the sag. i suggest running the sag between 95mm to 100mm. 95 being more aggressive. if you're running a high speed track without too many tight corners i'd run it as low as 105mm to rake out the front end a little and keep the headshake to a minimum.

[SoZo]

Thanks, I just set it to 100mm without gear on. It should be 105mm with gear on. The free sag is just under an inch... about 20mm. Do I need to respring?

[Family Man]

respring for your weight and riding style, as said. You could also make sure that your axle is out as far as possible, will sharpen the stering angle. Do do this you can go up a tooth in sprocket size, or add a link to the chain. But most of all give her some gas!!

[MotoXT]

Thanks, I just set it to 100mm without gear on. It should be 105mm with gear on. The free sag is just under an inch... about 20mm. Do I need to respring?

Yamaha recommends 95-100mm. 105mm, without raising the forks in the clamps will cause the bike to push. I'm running mine at about 97-98mm with forks raised about 10mm and bike handles great, assuming you're using proper technique. That's what I've found with this bike - use proper technique and it turns great, get sloppy (sitting too far back on the seat, head not over the bars, etc...) and you will really notice it. It's not as forgiving as others in the corners, however, it forces me to ride correctly and when I do it handles like a dream.

Keep trying different sag and fork height settings, assuming it's sprung correctly you have it dialed in no time.

[ridered22]

The best thing you can do to make it turn better is buy a set of 24mm Triple Clamps. It will turn on a dime and look alot better too.

[tonypitcock79]

i agree with technique.Body position plays a big part in cornering.There is a school called american supercamp with teachers like Chris Carr (fastest carr on two wheels) Mike hacker and a few others. These guys get 350lb.harleys to turn as well as 450s and like they say the straits are the easy parts.I have learned alot from these guys and continue to learn how to corner.This with some bike fine tuning and u can turn anything.They also only teach with crf150f and ttr 125 so horsepower plays no roll.

[MotoXT]

The best thing you can do to make it turn better is buy a set of 24mm Triple Clamps. It will turn on a dime and look alot better too.

This is not true. The '07's supposedly benefitted from the 24mm clamps. The '08's, by modifying the front axel position, have effectively achieved the same offset as putting a 24mm triple clamp on an '07.

With that said, Dubach runs a 24mm offset on his '08 and claims that it makes a difference, but I would not go that route expecting magic to happen. Spend some time getting the suspension set up correctly and use proper technique first. If you're still having problems then consider shelling out the bucks for a new set of clamps. Just my 2-cents.

[SoZo]

What companies make 24mm tripple clams ?

[rmzRacer293]

applied.

[Ga426owner]

I say Sell it.........

you are in Florida - stock tires sux for your terrain

The 24s are not needed but you can spend 450.00 on them if you would like

get the sag the fork height right after break in

[motoscotty]

I gave up and ditched mine,I have been a yam. die hard for years just time for somthing new and went red.

[MJC476]

Grab your freinds crf, wind the preload out until you have 4.75" and it too will turn like a piece of crap. Before wasting money on anything else set up your spring rates & sag as suggested and you will have a great handling bike that turns well:thumbsup:

[cablemonkey334]

set the sag , get the right spring s dont worry about the clamps an ride the bike its turn fine , without all that vodoo this year.

[adamdf]

As everyone said on here, set your SAG!! Get the right springs for your weight, and raise the forks in the clamps 5-10mm. I am currently on an 08 KTM 450 SXf, coming off an 06 YZ250F, the KTM is a great bike but i too have learned REAL fast that having too much sag will have the orange bike pushing as well. When i had my Yamaha i did the same things to it that all the guys in this thread are saying, and the bike improved. Also, keep your body position to the front of the bike in corners, you will be fine once you do these things.

Oh i may just be rubbing it in here but the KTM comes with adjustable offset clamps, stock is 20mm, the other setting is 18mm so i have the option of atleast trying a different offset at no cost, swweet, haha. But no seriously i could have easily have bought a Yami too and i may still end up with one as my next bike, they are great, good luck!

[bnyfe]

I just bought an 08, expecting it to turn great after all the frame talk, it doesnt, Im kinda pissed. My buds 07 CRF450 is much better.

What can I do? Or just sell it?

I know that I am going to take some heat for this but it is the truth. The YZ will never turn like the Honda regardless of which offset you use. The Yami has no flair or flash when it comes to turning. The 24mm triple clamps will only make a very minor difference on the 08 and without careful set up you will not realize any advantages. Still the Honda will turn easier. Listen and Listen good though----The Honda will never be as resilient, stable, or reliable as the YZ. (Probably take heat for that statement too) To get the best handling out of the blue (or white) yz450f many factors will actually work in unison to aid in reducing the push factor and give the bike a more planted feel on flat or sweeping corners.

1 - 24mm offset or stock. In my opinion the stock work just as good for these reasons: They are nearly a half pound heavier than the Applied Set (more wieght on front end = more bite). Secondly, the stock clamps have a newly designed ribbed gusseting built into to them which feed more flex into the fork tubes.

2- Ditch the stock rear 120 tire for a 110 (For that matter ditch the stock tire s altogether! THEY ARE JUNK!

3- Get the DRD radiator lowering Kit. By moving the radiator weight down 20mm, you will get a more planted feel in the corners. You will need the DRD "low-boy" head pipe if you perform this mod.

4 - Get the best Terrain specific tires available!

5 - The YZF will turn better if the motor is set up for torque instead of rev and if it is ridden this way. Keep this in mind when buying pipes or motor work.

[erickdj]

I just bought an 08, expecting it to turn great after all the frame talk, it doesnt, Im kinda pissed. My buds 07 CRF450 is much better.

What can I do? Or just sell it?

Like everyone else said, set the suspension up for your weight. I have an 08 and it turns VERY good, it corners like it's on rails.

[VB_Racing]

I know that I am going to take some heat for this but it is the truth. The YZ will never turn like the Honda regardless of which offset you use. The Yami has no flair or flash when it comes to turning. The 24mm triple clamps will only make a very minor difference on the 08 and without careful set up you will not realize any advantages. Still the Honda will turn easier. Listen and Listen good though----The Honda will never be as resilient, stable, or reliable as the YZ. (Probably take heat for that statement too) To get the best handling out of the blue (or white) yz450f many factors will actually work in unison to aid in reducing the push factor and give the bike a more planted feel on flat or sweeping corners.

1 - 24mm offset or stock. In my opinion the stock work just as good for these reasons: They are nearly a half pound heavier than the Applied Set (more wieght on front end = more bite). Secondly, the stock clamps have a newly designed ribbed gusseting built into to them which feed more flex into the fork tubes.

2- Ditch the stock rear 120 tire for a 110 (For that matter ditch the stock tire s altogether! THEY ARE JUNK!

3- Get the DRD radiator lowering Kit. By moving the radiator weight down 20mm, you will get a more planted feel in the corners. You will need the DRD "low-boy" head pipe if you perform this mod.

4 - Get the best Terrain specific tires available!

5 - The YZF will turn better if the motor is set up for torque instead of rev and if it is ridden this way. Keep this in mind when buying pipes or motor work.

+1 on this comment, plain and simple, the YZ does not turn as well as a Honda, BUT it is a more stable platform, and does perform well once you get used to riding it, you just have to adjust your riding style.

Please note my sig. I still own my 07 CRF 450, and it does turn better than my YZ, and has better bottom end power, but once I got used to my YZ, I have ended up liking it more.

The CRF has already had a top end , intake valves and crank and bearings put in it, at the 28 hour mark. My 03 WR has been run out of oil, overheated and pretty much been beat and abused for at least the season I have owned it, and is still going strong....I put a top end in it, because I figured i should, but it didn't need it. Valves are still in spec. My 08 YZ will be just as tough I am sure.

Just from a reliability stand point, I will be sticking to Yamaha's, and I'll adjust to the slow turn in. My 2cts!!

Dave