Looking at buying an 08 YZ450.

[erickdj]

Over the boot pants definitely call for a header guard, sucks to burn holes through them. The bike looks super clean, like showroom condition clean, definitely a good buy. Does it have radiator guards yet? Unabiker has some sweet looking and super strong rad guards for a reasonable price.

[Fabulous]

It has Scorpion rad guards, and a skid plate...looks like good stuff. The bike really is in good condition, and the suspension was rebuilt 2 weeks before I bought the bike as well. I'll take a better pic of the bike when I finish it off with new graphics n stuff. I don't really want to fork out dough for a new pipe if I could just find someone who would sell me a header for an 08, as I think it already has enough boost for me...I'm only 160lbs.

[erickdj]

It has Scorpion rad guards, and a skid plate...looks like good stuff. The bike really is in good condition, and the suspension was rebuilt 2 weeks before I bought the bike as well. I'll take a better pic of the bike when I finish it off with new graphics n stuff. I don't really want to fork out dough for a new pipe if I could just find someone who would sell me a header for an 08, as I think it already has enough boost for me...I'm only 160lbs.

a new pipe is not really needed, it's a matter of personal taste. The bike has just about the same top HP with the stock pipe as it does with any other pipe. It wouldn't be a bad idea to mod the stock muffler, take out one of the cones and install a generic screen spark arrestor. Should only cost about $15 for the sparky and a few rivets. At 160lbs I'm sure the bike hauls you around pretty well.

[grayracer513]

a new pipe is not really needed, it's a matter of personal taste. The bike has just about the same top HP with the stock pipe as it does with any other pipe. It wouldn't be a bad idea to mod the stock muffler, take out one of the cones and install a generic screen spark arrestor. Should only cost about $15 for the sparky and a few rivets. At 160lbs I'm sure the bike hauls you around pretty well.

He's trail riding, remember? The top end that it has is not as useful as the low and mid that it doesn't have, which is why a pipe would interest him.

Also, his spark arrestor may have to bear an approval stamp that a DIY add-in would not have.

[erickdj]

He's trail riding, remember? The top end that it has is not as useful as the low and mid that it doesn't have, which is why a pipe would interest him.

Also, his spark arrestor may have to bear an approval stamp that a DIY add-in would not have.

yup, absolutely right. that's why I said it was a matter of personal taste.

I'm not familiar with the regulations in Canada, so I'm not sure if the sparky needs the USFS stamp. I hear that even in California the requirement varies between US Forest land and SVRA's, the forest guys require the stamp and the SVRA's give the choice of USFS stamp or "stick" test.

He will have to chose what's best for him.

[Fabulous]

It would have to have a stamp on it. I was planning on just getting a header, and a pro moto end cap, but if an aftermarket pipe really wakes it up down low, which is where I'll usually be, then it might not be a bad idea. I would have to rejet with a full pipe though, wouldn't I?

[erickdj]

It would have to have a stamp on it. I was planning on just getting a header, and a pro moto end cap, but if an aftermarket pipe really wakes it up down low, which is where I'll usually be, then it might not be a bad idea. I would have to rejet with a full pipe though, wouldn't I?

Depending on where you ride you might need to re-jet with a full exhaust. Mine wasn't too far off from the stock jets, maybe just a size up on the pilot & main. With the amount paid for a header & pro moto end cap, you might as well buy something like the Dr.D stainless system. The pro moto end cap is severely overpriced imo.

[grayracer513]

I would have to rejet with a full pipe though, wouldn't I?

I didn't. I had already rejetted the stock exhaust, and the DRD used the same jetting.

[Fabulous]

I'm thinking I probably would...I ride a lot in my home town in BC and the elevation is around 1,600ft, and here in Calgary it is approx. 4,500ft. I wouldn't even know where to start.

[erickdj]

I'm thinking I probably would...I ride a lot in my home town in BC and the elevation is around 1,600ft, and here in Calgary it is approx. 4,500ft. I wouldn't even know where to start.

these 4 strokes are very tolerant to jetting variations. I'd shoot for jetting for 3000 ft elevation, that way the bike would be jetted at a middle of the road setting. My riding usually takes place anywhere from 1000ft to 6000ft and temps vary from 50* to 100*, I leave the jetting the same all the time. in fact, I haven't adjusted the jetting since I installed the aftermarket exhaust. I know the bike won't be running at 100% efficiency by doing that, but like I said, they are very tolerant and the bike doesn't complain one bit.

[Fabulous]

Yeah, I just wouldn't want to be running it too lean...these are already lean from the factory, correct?

[erickdj]

It depends on your riding location, elevation, temperature, etc... For someone in southern California it might be lean and for someone in Denver it might be rich. Most people have to make some kind of adjustment to their jetting anyway. Is your bike running completely stock jetting, or did the previous owner make any adjustments?

[Fabulous]

It is completly stock...

[grayracer513]

Yeah, I just wouldn't want to be running it too lean...

Don't worry about that too much. It's not a two-stroke. Generally, a four-stroke will start to run unacceptably bad before it's lean enough to hurt itself.

Besides, as Goose pointed out, at your altitude, it isn't apt to be lean, anyway.

You might look this over:

https://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2881699#post2881699

[Fabulous]

So you recommend throwing a pipe on it and see how she runs?

[erickdj]

It's up to you. Do you like how the bike runs now? Do you feel it needs more power down low and maybe in the mid range? Is more power worth $300-$500 to you? I'd say ride it a few more times and see if you feel the extra snap is worth it to you.

[Fabulous]

To me it already feels pretty powerful, but I am coming off a YZ125. Would a slip on make a difference if I found s new stock header...like an FMF Q maybe? I don't want to throw a tonne of money at it...my wife would probably not be very keen on it

[Ga426owner]

I highly recommend you get a hour meter so you know how much real time is going to be put on it....and a adjustable Fuel screw also so you can fine tune the carb during periods of humidity and temp changes.

[erickdj]

To me it already feels pretty powerful, but I am coming off a YZ125. Would a slip on make a difference if I found s new stock header...like an FMF Q maybe? I don't want to throw a tonne of money at it...my wife would probably not be very keen on it

Yes, any slip-on will make a huge difference. It's been said before in this forum that pretty much any pipe you use to replace the stock shorty will make a tremendous difference at low rpms, as much as 7 hp, which is significant. Maybe you could find a cheap slip-on in good condition on craigslist or ebay. Even a stock 2006 yz450f muffler will work wonders.

[Fabulous]

I'm picking up hour metres for mine, and my wifes bikes this weekend. I'll check around to see what I can find for a nice slip on...anyone want to sell me a 08 stock header, he, he.