Considering '08 YZ450F or yikes, a CRF

[WRider995]

So i'm coming off of an '05 YZ250F, and I'm going to go with either an '08 yz450f, or possibly a CRF450. I like the Yamahas, this would be my third in a row, and I'm familiar with working on them and the durability is outstanding (except for my fork seals). I know I probably can't go wrong either way, but I'm directing the question to the guys and girls who have ridden both 2008's before i dump some coin.

I like the low sound output of the YZ; the supple suspension is a bonus, and coming off a 250f I think the smoother power of the YZ would be better. But I like the steering damper on the honda, and the ergonomics are so much better on the CRF for me. I'm a bit torn between them. This would be for 80-90% motocross and 10-20% woods riding. Thoughts, opinions?

[crawfishoo]

LOL, thats a pretty loaded question. Yamaha forum is going to say YZ-F, Honda forum CRF. I currently ride a CRF so take it for what its worth.

Both are GREAT bikes. Each has strong points, really you cant go wrong with either. To be competitive in Motocross the YZ-F is going to need an exhaust system (sorry its going to make it louder). The CRF needs a fork revalve and subtanks. Waa-laa both have the potential to ridden faster than any of us will ever go.

As far as a maintaince stand point the CRF is about as simple as they come if you are worried about learning a new machine. But seriously what ever one you feel more comfortable on go for it ?

[Wiz636]

If you have to ask then you'd better get the Honda. ?

[Wiz636]

All kidding aside, whenever somebody asks how they should spend money to improve their bike the answer is always suspension, right?

So why not go with the most well suspended bike, which by the way just happens to be proven as the most reliable bike also?

Unless the CRF is significantly more comfortable for you I would go YZ.

[Ga450owner]

both are good bikes

Yamaha has best suspension and a motor that needs a pipe, does not turn as well as a honda

Honda has better motor, terribly harsh forks, turns better

which is better....what kind of rider/racer are you and what will you need to do to each bike to make you a better rider?

[grayracer513]

(the Honda) turns better...

...but the reasons why that's true are some of the same reasons that the Honda has a greater need for a steering damper than the YZF.

[WRider995]

Thanks for the responses. As far as mods go, I wouldn't be putting money in either motor. The YZ is not competitive with the stock exhaust? Well, I ride motocross mostly these days, racing only occasionally and when I do it's in the age classes so no biggie. As the Wiz mentioned the best money is spent on suspension and I follow that rule. For my weight, the YZ would be better set up for suspension valving, spring rates, etc. But regardless of which bike I choose, I'll still have the suspension revalved (and resprung in the case of the CRF). I've ridden my buddy's CRF450 and it turns better than my 250F - as much as I hate to admit it. And the ergos, to me, are perfect.

Yeah, I realize it's a bit loaded in this forum but I still like the input. And as far as the Yamaha-Honda rivalry goes, I get it - but it's not like one of the two is American made and you're a traitor if ya leave right? So maybe I need to just ride 'em back to back and see what I think.

[grayracer513]

You will feel faster on the Honda, but take a stop watch with you. You may be surprised.

[cowboyona426]

I can't speak for 08's as I've never rode either one. What I can speak for is 06's though- I have an 06 YZ and rode trails with a guy last year who has an 06 CRF. He's a mostly MX guy, I'm a mostly woods guy and are bikes are set up accordingly. He's also heavier than me and had his suspension set up, my suspension is bone stock right down to the clickers and sag. We rode most of the day, then swapped bikes for a short bit. Other than a slightly different sound coming from the motor and a different color fender sticking out in front of me I couldn't tell any difference between the two bikes. As I recall, he said about the same thing. His suspension was a tad stiff for me, and mine was a tad soft for him but other than that neither of us could pick on anything.

I'm a long time Yamaha owner, and it will take one helluva Honda to ever convince me to switch colors. They are both good bikes, my advice would be to see which dealer is most willing to give you a good deal, and more importantly which dealer will be there to help answer questions, give advice, and have parts available when you need them. All other things equal a good dealer makes a huge difference.

[usmcpaul]

I would stick with Yamaha for the reliability; Honda says they have fixed the valve problems starting in '06' (although their customer service told me there has never been a problem). I had an 06 crf450x and I can assure you they did not solve their problem.

Anyway, if you decide to get the Honda, check out Southern Honda Powersports. I bought mine there and I saved over a thousand dollars even after you factor in the fuel cost to drive there. They were nice to deal with; and I was, in and out, in under 2 hours.

Also check E-Bay, there are great deals to be had, and many will ship the bike to you.

[Ga450owner]

...but the reasons why that's true are some of the same reasons that the Honda has a greater need for a steering damper than the YZF.

agreed....and there are things to address yamaha steering. Still digging the way my modified 06 turns:applause:

[Justin89]

agreed....and there are things to address yamaha steering. Still digging the way my modified 06 turns:applause:

Took the words out'a my mouth:cheers:

[TahitianRed]

I'm a Honda guy (Tahitian red was the color of the 1976-82 Elsinores). I just took my 2008 YZ450F out to the track for the first time yesterday and it turned great for me. Maybe I'm just too slow to see the difference?

I ran the stock tires, stock exhaust and stock fork tube height. I put 12 psi in the front tire and 11psi in the rear. I got my 200 lbs up on the tank and never had a problem.

I plan to change the tires front (756RR) and rear (756 110/90-19) soon, raise the fork tubes 5mm and play with the rear sag to see if it feels any different.

I vote 2008 or 2009 YZ450F!! ?

[adamdf]

The conclusion to all this is the same right now as it was when the 08s first got into the hands of a lot of the guys on here, and that is that you cannot really go wrong with either one. Every bike will have their drawbacks to deal with, but they really are very minor (these days) and dont take much cash to sort out, i know this does not make your buying decisions any easier but the good news is, there isn't a bad decision to be made.

[DMC707]

. The YZ is not competitive with the stock exhaust? Well, I ride motocross mostly these days, racing only occasionally and when I do it's in the age classes so no biggie. As the Wiz mentioned the best money is spent on suspension and I follow that rule. For my weight, the YZ would be better set up for suspension valving, spring rates, etc. But regardless of which bike I choose, I'll still have the suspension revalved (and resprung in the case of the CRF). I've ridden my buddy's CRF450 and it turns better than my 250F - as much as I hate to admit it. And the ergos, to me, are perfect.

.

I race vet expert class and do not feel a need to re-valve the stock suspension. I have much stiffer springs than stock, but that was only $200 ---

The stock pipe is very good for a national type track (outdoor style track), but if you ride a lot of "night track" type layouts and pseudo supercross tracks, i can't really say enough about the Dr D system. I would say that the pipe controversy is a non-issue unless your speed is at or near intermediate level or above though -- it has plenty of grunt down low and will run up top, it just feels a little flat in the middle for me

I prefer the stability of the Yam. over the Honda -- it was twitchy last year and could headshake, and now with the damper, the thing feels like the head nut is torqued down too much or something - weird

But i am so used to Yamaha handling i dont really consider it a detriment

I personally, would put a pipe on any of the bikes out there, even if its only for style points, so that expense is a given, but really, this thing only needed the $200 set of springs to make it race ready --- and it wouldn't even need that if i weighed under 200, but i'm 225. I sure hated to shelve that sweet Ti spring

[cwf340]

get a Honda. hands down the better bike. yes the forks are harsh. simple fix compared to all the stuff a YZ needs to even come close to a crf's quality.

[grayracer513]

...all the stuff a YZ needs to even come close to a crf's quality.

Such as what?

[twenty34]

Such as what?

I found the grips, clutch lever and side panels to be far superior on my CRF compared to my YZ which I now realize what all the hype is about. ?

Seriously, you will enjoy riding either bike, but it may be time for a change of color just to see if you are missing anything. Who knows, you may just end up back on Blue if you go this route.

Heck, the new 09 KX's are even tempting and I hate Green. Hopefully you get a chance to ride someone's at the track to give you a better idea. This is the easiest and most cost effective approach if you know someone willing to let you ride his bike before committing to a brand.

I do find that for tighter tracks, Red is preferred for agility, turning and a more confident feel - perceived or otherwise. For long, old-school MX type tracks, the YZ tends to ooze stability in comparison. If you don't have your suspension set up right on a CRF, you will experience headshake, but you end up getting used to it. Once the suspension is dialed, it rarely occurs.

BTW: The stabilizer works for turning, but not on high speed straights like a true front end stabilizer.

Good luck.

[kevin nichols]

Go where you can get the most support, for instance, My local Yamaha Dealers put out more $$$ discounts and bonuses to racers than the Honda Dealers in my area. Also if you are a top finisher there is much more contingency money with Yamaha!!!! It was a no brainer for me.

[cowboyona426]

get a Honda. hands down the better bike. yes the forks are harsh. simple fix compared to all the stuff a YZ needs to even come close to a crf's quality.

I'm tuning in with grayracer to see what you have to say...