MXA 2010 yz450 test again

[Scrubba]

The mxa test leaves one with a big question mark. They say good things about it, but they dont rave about it. then they make a special story about how the motor and balance is taken care of scientifically, then they say "it SHOULD work"

then they say every bike except the 09crf450 is a porker, (but they never liked the crf),

then they say it turns really good, but its "busy" and "oversteers. "

almost as if they are setting up for a better bike to rave about, or they are making you think they are, so you will hold out.

Its not helping me decide and I just dont get it!

What impression do you guys get when you read it?(jan. issue)

[Thumper38]

There are too many very good reports! for one mag. to say a few negatives does not sway me. Mine should be here any day! Remember there is no perfect bike!

[Dr.Crankenstien]

The mxa test leaves one with a big question mark. They say good things about it, but they dont rave about it. then they make a special story about how the motor and balance is taken care of scientifically, then they say "it SHOULD work"

then they say every bike except the 09crf450 is a porker, (but they never liked the crf),

then they say it turns really good, but its "busy" and "oversteers. "

almost as if they are setting up for a better bike to rave about, or they are making you think they are, so you will hold out.

Its not helping me decide and I just dont get it!

What impression do you guys get when you read it?(jan. issue)

That their all over the road.

Remember these test,& reviews are THEIR opinions. And what works or does not work for them, may not work or work for you.

Good luck in what ever you choose. I personally think I can set any bike up to be good, some just start off with a better platform.

[JJetmar]

I finally got a chance to pick up MXA yesterday. By the time I got to read the test I was left with a feeling that I missed a page. So I reread it again am left wondering what did I just read. It was not a compleat test and MXA never would commit to saying it was a good bike or a bad bike, just a bunch of open ended statements like:

"the push is gone replaced by abusy feel with a touch of oversteer" well MXA do you care to elaborate on that??? Is it a good handling bike or not

''vibration. every test rider whined" Why???

they say every test rider complaind about the jerky off thottle response and the top end. Then they say later in the test "very raceable, competitive and fun. I think I understand that but why not just come out and say that it may not be the best engine of 2010 but its very workable.

I wasted my $5 because i needed a insightful test to help myself decide if the yami was for me this year. Instead I got 5 pages writtin by a lawer.

[capdoogie]

The real tell tale sign a bike is great or not seems to be Ebay and the like, not the MAGS. Like th 09 Honda everyone rushed out and bought one then a couple of months later you saw them on ebay and craigs list. Its the masses like all of us who decide. Only you the buyer can tell if the bike is great or not. We all have different riding styles and abilities. So what is great for one may not be for another. I hope the bike is great, I would like to see the other manufactures change there bikes too. Good luck with your choice. Cheers

[ridleyredraider]

The way bikes are made these days, with such insignificant differences from the previous year (besides this yzf), it really pays off to just wait a year and find out which bike has been the most reliable and truly the best bike of the year.

Talk your friends into getting a new one, or make friends with guys that did go out and get new bikes so you can try them out and really make a logical decision It doesn't make sense to spend 8k on a new bike you've never ridden, does it?

Personally, I NEVER buy a new model when they've done major changes to it; I thought more people knew that, but most of the 09 CRF450 owners sure didn't.

[RCannon]

Its funny that you mentioned missing pages. I read the test and looked for the ending as well.

I think they purposely hold back so as to not spoil the results of the shootout that will happen in a month or two. I also think they hold back so they have something to talk about when the 2011 is released.....which they should have in 9 months.

[Ga426owner]

Its funny that you mentioned missing pages. I read the test and looked for the ending as well.

I think they purposely hold back so as to not spoil the results of the shootout that will happen in a month or two. I also think they hold back so they have something to talk about when the 2011 is released.....which they should have in 9 months.

this is exactly what they were thinking.....

[JJRace]

MXA has been all over the board this year. Half of the products they review and give crappy ratings actually seem to be the best, especially tires. So take what they say with a grain just like any other magazine test.

[MuDPoUNdeR]

Personally I like Dirt Bike Mag. Dirt Bike and MXA go close in hand. I like any motorcycle magazine that will say how horrible a new bike is. That seems to only be found in Dirt Bike. If you read Dirt Bike's review on the new YZ you find that the bike gained weight, the air filter isn't in the greatest location, the motor has good power but cannot compete with the Kawi or KTM.

I think that bottom line is that Yamaha isn't trying something very radically new. This idea had been done before and failed before. Yamaha's engineers are just redesigning a old idea. Sounds like they have done a way better job to.

I think that MXA and Dirtbike are not going for all the hype that everyone else is into on this bike and will treat it just like how they treat every bike in testing.

[grayracer513]

I think that bottom line is that Yamaha isn't trying something very radically new. This idea had been done before and failed before. Yamaha's engineers are just redesigning a old idea.

I categorically disagree with that, but that whole discussion has already happened. Reversing the head is the "idea" you're talking about, and it was done successfully long ago, probably as long ago as 100 years, in both cars and motorcycles. Reversing the head is not a design concept, it's a design concession to the available space, and that's all it is. Every V engine in any car for the last 70 years at least has had one head "reversed" (you pick which one), and about half the V-twin motorcycles in current production have one head turned around, so there is nothing new in this, and there hasn't been for a very long time.

https://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8650453#post8650453

[poliisi2]

Im been ridind new yami 450 around 15h. Very deepsand and hardpack as well. So far no complaining. Little problem was gearbox it was miss shift few times when bike was used 1st time but maybe because all was so stiff to new bike. After few hours no problems anymore. Bike dont overheat not even radiators are complety full of wet sand this is good point! Compared to Honda 450 radiators vere empty after 30min hard moto in soft sand and belive me sand here in Holland this time of year wet and soft. Whit tuner you can make bike more rich/clean easy like you want or put power where ever you want.

Steering is good its very stable in long long sand ruts and turns easy and good. bike feels litle bit big but in riding you cant feel it. But dont expect something really special its still 4t bike and acts like one. No big different for other 3 japanese bikes. Some magaxines says its handling like 250 2 stroke its still far from that. Going in corners front end its still heavy like other japanese 4stroke. Its fun bike ride and least its something new.

[racerxx276]

The MXA write-up is like reading something a Politician would write.They seem to be covering their a*s. I've got about 5 hrs on mine and 2 races. It doesn't vibrate any more than any other bike... It corners like no other bike i've ever ridden, high speed out side sweeper's, inside line's, it simply does everything and it does it very well...

The handling is also amazing. As far as the low end?? Love it! Remember MXA was the driving force behind detuning the 500's back when they were still around. It appears they still haven't learned throttle control! My only complaint is the brakes could be better and it does sign off in the upper end of the powerband. I did own a 2010 KTM 450sx for a short while, loved the brakes and the motor and the bike was a lot of fun to ride, but I'll take the YZ any day...The Ktm felt old school and real heavy.The YZ feels very very light when on the track.

I won't be surprised if MXA picks the KTM over the YZ in the shoot out. Stock vs stock they are pretty close. The biggest thing for me is that the YZ has a lot more potential than the KTM... my .02 cents...

[JJRace]

well online MXA now has a KTM vs Kawi and the KTM won.

[jeff14]

I agree with racerxx276. I spent a month on my buddys 2010 ktm 450 waiting for my 2010 yamaha to show up. The ktm is great . would be my 2nd choice by far. My yzf at speed feels much lighter & the faster you go continues to feel lighter & handle better .I actually had my doubts during break in if I liked it. I was wrong . The yz is way funner to ride.

The thing so far that is my biggest gripe is the tranny drain bolt , hard to access, the air filter is fiddly & rolls moist dirt in small balls you have to pick out one at a time. One of the Axel adjuster blocks are messed up, But I just flipped it over & it works better this way. Ditch the front tire, I have a mx31 on now.

The suspension I did add some oil to the fork , But I still have not ridden anything stock, that was better .

The motor ,I like it .I will add some more top to extend gears . but ok for now.

M

aybe because its the latest thing i dont know. But the bike has my confindence way up, It seems to jump better that any bike I have ridden. In 35 + years of racing.

I had an 08 ,09 yamaha, & for 1 week a 09 450 honda. It handled like a shopping cart. So I sold it back to the guy For $200.00 less than I paid , Im glad he took it back.,I could not ride it. I wanted to like it as I bought it because I knew the 2010 yamaha would not be cheep . I made the right choice for me. Please no one else who races buy one. jeff

[ProMed]

The real tell tale sign a bike is great or not seems to be Ebay and the like, not the MAGS. Like th 09 Honda everyone rushed out and bought one then a couple of months later you saw them on ebay and craigs list. Its the masses like all of us who decide.

Sorry to step on your CRF knock, but your idea to judge a bikes quality by eBay is terribly flawed. Especially when it comes to the CRF450 which is by far the most popular 450 by a long shot when it comes to overall sales numbers.

IMO, regardless of brand, almost everyone that spends almost 10 grand on a dirt bike is going to love it, rave about it, as well as "defend its honor" online. It happens with every new model that comes out.

[racerxx276]

IMO, regardless of brand, almost everyone that spends almost 10 grand on a dirt bike is going to love it, rave about it, as well as "defend its honor" online. It happens with every new model that comes out.

Well, if that were true, I'd still own the 2010 KTM 450 SX I bought . I guess I fit into that "almost " part of your post.

I agree with Jeff14, those of you who don't own one , please keep ranking on it, so other's won't buy one. The less riders on the 2010 YZ the better!

[mxracer206]

I haven't read the MXA article but doubt they have had enough time on the bike to do one of their full on articles. From what I have seen they usually get the test results right once they ride the bike enough. I have not had one on the track but could feel no vibration in the one I rode and the riders I have talked to said the thing turns like no other bike. I am sure you will be able to take the programmer and take some of the hit away and get a little rev if that is what you want.

[ProMed]

IMO, regardless of brand, almost everyone that spends almost 10 grand on a dirt bike is going to love it, rave about it, as well as "defend its honor" online. It happens with every new model that comes out.

Well, if that were true, I'd still own the 2010 KTM 450 SX I bought . I guess I fit into that "almost " part of your post.

I assume it also didn't hurt that you "got an offer to ride a Yamaha for cheap next year".

[Drfletcherdc]

Personally, I NEVER buy a new model when they've done major changes to it; I thought more people knew that, but most of the 09 CRF450 owners sure didn't.

I don't agree with that statement. Many of us went out and bought the 06 450 which was pretty much brand new. I loved that bike and had zero issues with it.