2002 yz426f good trail bike

[regulate34]

hey i am fairly new to this whole thing

and not to into racing but i am looking at a 2002 yz426f

and from what i have seen on the net its primarly a race bike

i would like to know if it would work well as just a plain trail bike

some might say it a too powerfull bike for a noobie

but i do weigh 250lbs

what do you think

any other bikes i should be looking at?

[01yz426]

I had an '01 and LOVED it on the trails.... I'm sure you would be happy...

[regulate34]

another question

i know the fule capicity is 1.8 us gallons

i am wondering how far i can go on one tank

i plan on exploring with my perents on their quads

dont want to hold them back

[02WR426Cali]

You should be able to do 50 mile loops with no problems. Anything more than that is a little risky but is most likely possible if cruising and trying to conserve gas

[shawnspawn]

Hey another BC'er. I also have an 02 426 and LOVE it! I am 6'0" 260lbs. I find it very powerful but at the same time not too crazy. I have a 49 tooth rear sprocket and it's great for trails and logging roads. The bike came with an aftermarket rear spring so I was easy to set the race sag for me, not sure how it would sit with the stock spring at my weight. Anyways I can't recomend it enough for a big guy. I change the oil a lot and run chevron 94 octane, and that's pretty much it. BTW if you haven't already see the videos on starting the bike and learn the procedure.

edit: I run for about 3 hrs before i need gas. (that's a mix of all speeds and includes time spent screwing around doing small jumps and wheelies) you could always get your parents to carry some fuel for you or carry a 2 liter in a back pack! At Harrison Lake east, (if you go there) We park at the begining of the forestry road and go all the way to silver creek and back no problem. At Herrling island I have never run out of gas, just not enough there to do it.

BC forestry interactive trail map:

http://www.tsa.gov.bc.ca/sites_trails/finding/launch_interactive_map.htm

[wswain]

my mate has a 01 426 and we do trails it is a vewry good bike, goes the same on fuel aND BECAUSE ITS GOT 5 GEARS IT GOES BETTER THEN ALL OUR 450S.. PEOPLE MIGHT DEBATE THAT BUT IT DOES PULL HARDER THEN OUR 450S BUT ITS A BIT HEAVIER

[jrny426]

Great trail bike I've got 50 tooth on the rear for better bottom end as I'm fairly new aswell.She's heavy and you should do the auto de comp mod for more enjoyable riding. More trails here http://www.teamgrizzly.ca/ridingareas/ridingareasindex.html

[Mbiker_101]

I have a 02 yz426 and love it, it is a great all around bike for riding in the South West.

First mod should be the 03 cam as the other user had posted. This is a must, makes starting sooooo much easier, I was kicking myself for not doing this sooner.

Get it and enjoy.

[Slinkyman16]

i have an 02. that is my desert ride.. it is an awsome bike.. extremely reliable and i have never had a problem with it. if your worried about power, get yourself a heavier flywheel and it will help tame the power a bit.

[Wiz636]

Bulletproof bike! The '02 has a five speed tranny so IMO it is better suited for trail riding than the four speed '03 - '05 450's.

I think the fuel tank is 2.1 gal.

Definitely install the auto-decompression exhaust cam from Hotcams or an oem '03!

[buzzgrizz]

i have a 00 426 and love it with a few mods it can be a great trail bike:thumbsup:

[dalebcrashin]

AWESOME woods bike for a big guy and there are alot of auxilary tank options or oversize tanks available.

[YZMICHAEL]

Don't put a cam from an '03 in the 426 it will tear up your top end!!! install Hot Cams it's a great thing to have on your bike. I have both cams on my bike. goes from a 190mm lobe to a 265mm lobe. i have ton of modifications on it and can ride all day on one tank if i keep my wrist out of it. the tank is 2.1 gallons. if you're doing desert riding get a aftermarket tank. holds like 3.1 or 3.2 gallons

[grayracer513]

Don't put a cam from an '03 in the 426 it will tear up your top end!!!

No one of the hundreds of people who have used the YZ450 OEM cam in their 400/426 has had that problem in the last 5 years.

[YZMICHAEL]

the cam chain wears out more prone to jumping time.

[sneal06]

I have an 01 and mainly ride and race it cross county, granted im no where near fast, with the stock tank riding it hard 50 miles is pushing it. It has plenty of power for the open areas, but my my only issue with the bike is that in the tight stuff its a little harder to throw it around due to the weight, and trying to pick it up on the side of a hill and getting it going again after a fall will wear you out.

[grayracer513]

the cam chain wears out more prone to jumping time.

Once again, that is theoretical, not empirical info. There have been no reports of any such problems as this resulting from the use of the YZ450 cam in earlier YZF's in over 5 years since its introduction.

[YZMICHAEL]

Houston Motorsports (yamaha dealer) the service manager and the head technician recommened that i go with hot cams rather than the '03 cam because of the timing of the cam more prone to jumping time.

[02WR426Cali]

Houston Motorsports (yamaha dealer) the service manager and the head technician recommened that i go with hot cams rather than the '03 cam because of the timing of the cam more prone to jumping time.

They're just saying that because they are a dealer. They're saving their ass

[grayracer513]

They're just saying that because they are a dealer. They saving their ass

...and they're wrong.