08 450 Opinions plz

[wato]

I'm thinking of trading in my rm250 for a 08 450f , any one own one or know someone who does? If so how do you like it .

[01yz426]

I'm thinking of trading in my rm250 for a 08 450f , any one own one or know someone who does? If so how do you like it .

IMO, I think that it doesn't have much low end power at all... I'm a heavier rider but my '01 426 that I had which was geared to go faster on top was WAY beefier down low, now I'm just working on making it the way I like it...

[KSL]

I have one and yes it's relatively mellow in terms of punch. I had an 06 prior to it and loved the engine but not the handling. The 08 handles (turns) much much better but the powerband is a little boring. Overall it is still the best bike I've ever owned, beating out my 06 250 2stroke for the "honor".

[rdefonce]

I have one and yes it's relatively mellow in terms of punch. I had an 06 prior to it and loved the engine but not the handling. The 08 handles (turns) much much better but the powerband is a little boring. Overall it is still the best bike I've ever owned, beating out my 06 250 2stroke for the "honor".

Why is Yamaha taking low-end out of the new 450's?

. . . Especially if majority of riders WANT the low-end that the '06 has.

So, perhaps the "hot setup" would be an '08 with '06 motor!

[clutchless]

rode a 08 450 the other day right after riding my 07.

butt dyno couldn't feel any power difference in the low end, mid end or top end.

08 felt a little easier to turn but i was expecting that so it could have been mental.

450's have plenty of power for recreational riders. apparently pro riders as well.

Reedy doesn't seem to be a power loss, just watch seattle SX. took down everyone but KDub after falling in the first turn.

[grayracer513]

Why is Yamaha taking low-end out of the new 450's?

. . . Especially if majority of riders WANT the low-end that the '06 has.

When the '06 came out, everyone said the low end was soft compared to earlier models, and to bikes like the KXF and CRF. What was interesting was that many of these same riders put up lower lap times with the "soft" engine. If it was a disadvantage, why was it faster?

The simple answer is that most riders who are in the sport for the enjoyment of it, those who fill the ranks of the C and even B classes, and who will never ride as professionals will do better with a more manageable power curve. Sure, the kind of power the '03 had was much more entertaining in its own way, but it wasn't nearly as useful. The '07 and '08 models each progressively delivered more top end peak power than the '06 does, but with slightly less punch off the bottom. The power is there for the long straights, etc., but the bike remains extremely manageable and easy to ride.

In the case of the '08, all that is needed is to replace the muffler, pretty much with anything, including a stock '06 exhaust. If that still doesn't bark hard enough, you can always switch to a cam set from the '06 as well, but you'll trade off some of the top end in the process. Try a pipe first. Those who have are amazed at the results.

[roost271]

i like mine just fine for moto, i had to sell my 05 yz250-265 to get it and i wish i could have kept the 2-stroke. i dont ride trails much but what i found was the 2-stroke was much better for me on everything but wide open stuff, i slip the clutch alot and the 450 did not like that and the 250 was much easier in the tight stuff. if i was not still racing i would get another 2-stroke(more fun, cheaper-easier to maintain)the 450 is a better pure mx weapon.

[Ga426owner]

Why is Yamaha taking low-end out of the new 450's?

. . . Especially if majority of riders WANT the low-end that the '06 has.

So, perhaps the "hot setup" would be an '08 with '06 motor!

It would be the "HOT SETUP" but, some brainiac at Yami decided a less barky bike would allow the rider to not get as tired and somehow win, because supposedly all other riders with more barky bikes will tire quicker.....in fact almost every manufacturer is following the same theory(450s are too powerful - the insanity)....AND even more stupidity....Yami decided to make a exhaust that is more restrictive than anything ever made except for a honda XR 200 pipe....but it sure is shorter than any other pipe.....you have to luv marketing geniuses.....they rule our fate with new products

IMO Stupidity at its finest......

Please Yami bring a real mans bike out for 09....A motor similar to the 06 with the best suspension and new found handling....a dream I know, as I predict the 09 will be a 08 motor even smoother w/o a crap pipe on it....

....the AF500 from Service Honda sure is sounding more and more appealing.....AMA please bring the Open Class bikes back.......?

[erickdj]

Why is Yamaha taking low-end out of the new 450's?

. . . Especially if majority of riders WANT the low-end that the '06 has.

So, perhaps the "hot setup" would be an '08 with '06 motor!

I think the "hot setup" is the 08 with any aftermarket pipe, or even an 06 stock pipe like grayracer said. I have an 08 with a full SS DrD pipe, and the power curve is not boring at all. Smooth, yes, boring, no.

[rdefonce]

It would be the "HOT SETUP" but, some brainiac at Yami decided a less barky bike would allow the rider to not get as tired and somehow win, because supposedly all other riders with more barky bikes will tire quicker.....in fact almost every manufacturer is following the same theory(450s are too powerful - the insanity)....AND even more stupidity....Yami decided to make a exhaust that is more restrictive than anything ever made except for a honda XR 200 pipe....but it sure is shorter than any other pipe.....you have to luv marketing geniuses.....they rule our fate with new products

IMO Stupidity at its finest......

Please Yami bring a real mans bike out for 09....A motor similar to the 06 with the best suspension and new found handling....a dream I know, as I predict the 09 will be a 08 motor even smoother w/o a crap pipe on it....

....the AF500 from Service Honda sure is sounding more and more appealing.....AMA please bring the Open Class bikes back.......?

Seems like most of you guys concur that the muffler is the biggest culprit in hindering power . . . an easy fix!

About the CR500 motor; I've noticed (after owning one, and riding others) that they have lots of power mid to top-end (definitely more top-end than 4-stroke 450's) BUT their low-end punch doesn't match a bike like '06 450, or CR450F for that matter.

Seems like the harder hitting low-end of some 450's makes it easier to clear doubles placed close to corner exits . . .

[wolfie12]

Good stuff: Well built, rock solid reliable motor. The suspension is as good as any stock suspension I've ever owned. I'm racing mine bone stock right now, springs and all, at 200 lbs. Good quality pieces like the wide titanium pegs, Pro Tapers, Excell rims, easy air filter access, nuts and bolts. Mine actually had almost adequate factory grease in the bearings, unlike my new Hondas which were almost bone dry. The front brake is amazing. Super powerful, takes a bit to get used to, the rear works just right.

Bad stuff: The silencer! I'm an old guy, and even I know this thing needs more snort down low. I can't imagine being a young hotshot and not feeling hamstrung with this wimpy powerband. Out of corners, landing from big jumps is bog city compared to the competition. I do buy the usable power argument to an extent, but screw that...I want the snort. I put a Two Bros. full ti system on mine, and was blown away at the power increase....the bike felt like a monster now. Way more down low, like 5-7 hp more, and better over rev. I know I can use this increased power on the fast tracks. The radiators are crap, way thinner than the Hondas. Get braces or prepare to buy new radiators. Front tire worked for crap here in New England. I put a Pirelli Scorpion sand tire and it was a huge improvement.

What I did to mine: Put a high SDG seat, I'm 6', and like the easier sit to stand transition that a high seat gives you, as well as making it easier to slide forward in the corners. Put an Applied racing one piece handlebar clamp to help prevent the annoying and all too easy handlebar twist in minor crashes. Two Bros exhaust, but almost any of them are huge improvements over stock. I find this bike is very sensitive to setup, and I've had to tinker with it alot to get it how I like it. The starting procedure is a little trickier compared to the Hondas, and its easy to flood if you're not careful.

[MX926]

Muffler and jetting seem to slow the 08 as far as crack the throttle power goes. I've been tweaking my jetting, little by little and it seems to be coming around. Replacing the muffler is key. I'm hitting the first round of the racer x vet series this weekend, and hopefully I will be able to say my 08 feels like my 06, power wise.

[08Yamee450]

I love my 08 450. I used to ride a 426 in 01, and it was a pig! way too heavy and awkward, and im not a small guy. I sold it in 04 and bought a 05 YZ 250 2-smoker and swore that I would never ride a thumper again. I enjoyed my 2-stroke until just a few weeks ago when I went in to the shop to buy oil. Thats when I saw the new 450. I ended up walking out of the dealership with the new 08 YZ450F and I could not be happier. First thing was to pull off the stock silencer and throw on a Ti-4, huge improvement!!! Next will be gearing, but I want to get a little more seat time before I try to kill myself. Track lap times improved dramatically. Compared to my 250 2t, I can rocket through corners with more confidence than ever before. The handling is amazing.

People say that they cant deal with the weight difference, but the 08 450 is only 7lbs. heavier than my 250, and I cannot even feel the weight at all. Overall an awesome bike, great all around, and excells on the MX track. No complaints.

I also took my bike apart when I got it home to check the lubrication of joints, and it had a ton of grease, but it was not marine grease. So I cleaned it out and replaced it with marine grease. Love the bike, no regrets getting rid of the 2-stroke at all. I never thought I would say that, because I was a 2-stroke lifer, but this bike is really THAT good. Ride safe.

[Unibomber]

Not enough low end hit eh ???????

Oh ye with short memories. Lets go a little further back to the 03' yz450. That bike had a monster low end and hit through the power band like no other bike before hand and no other since and what was everyone saying (including the magazine reviewers) "To much hit" "Torque monster" "Novice riders beware" "uncontrollable power for most riders"

So what happen? People jumped over to the CRF which at the time was "soft hit" "very tractorable low power" puff puff puff.................And what did Yamaha do with all that crying ??? Made a progressive effort with each model year after '03 to make our beloved engine a softy, starting in '04 the CDI was mapped with a softer power curve and then came CAM changes and here we are, So basically

YOU GOT WHAT YOU ASKED FOR !!! ?

Dont believe me, do some searching on this forum back to 2003 I was here....Read some old mag reviews of the '03 yz450......I loved that Yama hit and now we are stuck with a "nicer":banghead: engine.......

[grayracer513]

Not enough low end hit eh ???????

Oh ye with short memories. Lets go a little further back to the 03' yz450. That bike had a monster low end and hit through the power band like no other bike before hand and no other since and what was everyone saying (including the magazine reviewers) "To much hit" "Torque monster" "Novice riders beware" "uncontrollable power for most riders"

So what happen? People jumped over to the CRF which at the time was "soft hit" "very tractorable low power" puff puff puff.................And what did Yamaha do with all that crying ??? Made a progressive effort with each model year after '03 to make our beloved engine a softy, starting in '04 the CDI was mapped with a softer power curve and then came CAM changes and here we are, So basically

YOU GOT WHAT YOU ASKED FOR !!! ?

Dont believe me, do some searching on this forum back to 2003 I was here....Read some old mag reviews of the '03 yz450......I loved that Yama hit and now we are stuck with a "nicer":banghead: engine.......

I've been trying to remind people of that for some time, now.

But you know, an interesting thing happened when I ran my brutally torquey monster '03 against my son's new "soft", "sluggish" '06 on pavement; the '06 won. It was dead even after the '06 put the first half bike length on me, right up to when I shifted 4th, where the '06 pulled ahead. The smooth power thing is a huge illusion, for the most part. The '08 does need a pipe, though.

[wolfie12]

Mfgs. have been messing with motor powerbands since the beginning of time. Soft and linear, brutal with a hit, etc.. You have to wonder the rationale of changing it so much, unless they hire all new engineers every year. The 08 is a great bike, but whoever thought that pipe was a good idea needs to be horsewhipped.

[grayracer513]

...whoever thought that pipe was a good idea needs to be horsewhipped.

...or at least transferred to the lawnmower division at Honda. (actually, that may be where he came from ) There is a lot better design intelligence out there then that.

One of my summer projects is going to be an entirely baffled exhaust with no packing. I have a couple of ideas in mind, and two '06 exhausts to base it on.

[HMMRDWN]

I just got a 08 and replaced the exhaust with the FMF 4.1 with a megabomb header. what a difference over the stock setup. There is nothing wrong with bottom end now.

Comparing this 08 to my 07 this bike corners way better stock then my 07 did with Applied Racing 24mm clamps on it. I was all set to put the clamps on the 08 but I am so happy the way the 08 is I am not going to.

The braking is much more controlable than the 07 was. Also the main reason I got the 08 was I could not stand the engine noise of the 07. It was really loud to me. Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with the 07. I have been told by several proffesionals it was normal for Yamaha but I just couldnt stand it. The 08 is much much quieter.

[Beaz]

I sold my 01 426 and bought a 08 450 and love it

[Stepdaddy]

Ive had my 08 for about 20 hours or so and just got a slip on...talk about night and day. i wouldnt call this engine soft by any means but im use to 2 smokes so my opinon dosnt really matter