CRF vs. YZ

[oregonroad]

I'm in the market for a 450 dirt bike. I'm really liking the WR450, but these are hard to find and am seriously looking at the CRF and YZ. I've been looking at these forums and I'm getting the impression the CRF's have a lot more valve issues than the Yamaha's. Is this true? or am I'm looking at this wrong.

And yes I know the WR is a trail bike which is what I want (mostly trail riding) but finding a CRFX is nearly impossible and I'm willing to sprocket a CRF or YZ to make them work.

[oregonroad]

I'm in the market for a 450 dirt bike. I'm really liking the WR450, but these are hard to find and am seriously looking at the CRF and YZ. I've been looking at these forums and I'm getting the impression the CRF's have a lot more valve issues than the Yamaha's. Is this true? or am I'm looking at this wrong.

And yes I know the WR is a trail bike which is what I want (mostly trail riding) but finding a CRFX is nearly impossible and I'm willing to sprocket a CRF or YZ to make them work.

[GTXR]

The crf Valve issues seem to be with people and a lack of maintanence or Lots of overheating etc. It has not been an issue with my used 04! Crf. You will enjoy the lighter more flickable bike but may not like the kickstart only and snappy power? Ive re-geard and put a flywheel weight on and love it! Both bikes will be great as long as you know that you are still using an mxr in the trails. Snappy/light/stiffly suspended etc. But they work good if you set them up for your style. Just my thoughts.

[95cr250dude]

i'll "sell" you my bike i meant sell

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/yy294/199cr125199/picture0001.jpg

Edited August 1, 2010 by 95cr250dude
messed up

[oregonroad]

The crf Valve issues seem to be with people and a lack of maintanence or Lots of overheating etc. It has not been an issue with my used 04! Crf. You will enjoy the lighter more flickable bike but may not like the kickstart only and snappy power? Ive re-geard and put a flywheel weight on and love it! Both bikes will be great as long as you know that you are still using an mxr in the trails. Snappy/light/stiffly suspended etc. But they work good if you set them up for your style. Just my thoughts.

As the old saying goes, "if you take care of it, it will take care of you." Or something like that. But I can't even find a value post in the Kawi section and maybe a few in the Yamaha section after looking at 3 pages, but in the Honda section there was like 3 on the first page and a couple more on each page back. And then guys are like "well I got 60 hrs on it and am getting ready to redo the engine." Maybe these are MX guys that are at the rev limiter most of the time. I don't know, just curious.

[crf450319]

I've had 8 MX bikes and 7 of them have been Honda's, the '09 Yamaha that I'm riding now I bought new this Spring. There were a couple reasons I switched from Honda to Yamaha, keep in mind that these are my personal reasons and not meant to be a guide for others.

The intake valves went on my '05 CRF450R after I had put 70 hours on it, I didn't have any trouble with my '02 CRF450R's valves which is a bit of a mystery to me as I didn't change how I performed maint. or my maint. schedule. I've had at least 3 friends with Honda's (from Pro's to novice's) that have had the exact issue. Just search "valve" in the CRF450R forum and see what you get. I didn't want to buy a new bike, put 60 or 70 hours on it and then have to spend $$ on an aftermarket kit.

From what I've read, the suspension on the '09 CRF450R isn't that great out of the box - whereas the Yamaha is very good.

Flame out issues with the new FI on the '09 CRF450R.

4 spring clutch in the Honda, that one I just don't understand. Why create an issue where there wasn't one before ? Yeah, less rotational mass in a 4 spring and en easier pull @ the lever but I would much rather have a clutch that will take some abuse.

So, those issues were enough for me to switch to a Yamaha and so far I'm really happy with my '09 YZ450F. That doesn't mean that the Yamaha isn't without it's flaws - horrible stock exhaust, but in my opinion they're easier fixes than the Honda would have required.

That's my $0.02, good luck

[Drfletcherdc]

I traded a 05 YZ250 2t for a 2006 CRF450 and was scared everytime I was riding it the valves would go bad. I've been riding it for 6 months and really enjoy it. No issues with anything and the fit and finish is better than the Yamaha. I would get a MXer over a trail bike and fit it to my style of riding.

If I was buying a new bike I would go for the 2010 YZ450F...

Take care of the bike and it will take care of you and look for the best deal.

[GTXR]

Ive got over 40hrs on mine since I bought it used! so who knows how much was on it then? Checked the valves several times and they have not moved!! Im intermediate woods rider. THose 40hrs have all been this season. I think it has to do with bad airfilter installation/lack of service/ and bouncing the rev limiter for what ever reason you would need to do that? Or could be built on a friday LOL.

[myoung]

CRF vs. YZ

One word, reliability!

[RMP]

i made a mistake once sold my 05 crf450 never had a problem with it, then i bought an 06 yz450 and every weekend something would break on that yami, it was the biggest pile i ever owned, i put a new timing chain in it with a new tensioner and my timing chain still jumped and my timing would be off, this only happened out at glamis, it would be fine at the track or ocotillo wells but after it jumped for the 3rd time and ruined my weekend in the dunes i went back home fixed it and sold it, now im back on an 05 crf450 and have put 40 hours on it with no problems. i will never buy a yamaha again, thats just my lil story with a yz..

[oregonroad]

I've had 8 MX bikes and 7 of them have been Honda's, the '09 Yamaha that I'm riding now I bought new this Spring. There were a couple reasons I switched from Honda to Yamaha, keep in mind that these are my personal reasons and not meant to be a guide for others.

The intake valves went on my '05 CRF450R after I had put 70 hours on it, I didn't have any trouble with my '02 CRF450R's valves which is a bit of a mystery to me as I didn't change how I performed maint. or my maint. schedule. I've had at least 3 friends with Honda's (from Pro's to novice's) that have had the exact issue. Just search "valve" in the CRF450R forum and see what you get. I didn't want to buy a new bike, put 60 or 70 hours on it and then have to spend $$ on an aftermarket kit.

From what I've read, the suspension on the '09 CRF450R isn't that great out of the box - whereas the Yamaha is very good.

Flame out issues with the new FI on the '09 CRF450R.

4 spring clutch in the Honda, that one I just don't understand. Why create an issue where there wasn't one before ? Yeah, less rotational mass in a 4 spring and en easier pull @ the lever but I would much rather have a clutch that will take some abuse.

So, those issues were enough for me to switch to a Yamaha and so far I'm really happy with my '09 YZ450F. That doesn't mean that the Yamaha isn't without it's flaws - horrible stock exhaust, but in my opinion they're easier fixes than the Honda would have required.

That's my $0.02, good luck

Great write-up. this is the info I'm looking for. thanks and keep it coming

[kskyles]

I rode an '05 WR450 for 4 years before i bought my '07 CRF450R. So here's my take.

The yamaha was a great bike. It was solid as a rock. Only replaced the stator in the time that I had it. Never had a valve issue after countless hours. It was ridden a couple of hours every weekend. 4-5 weekends at glamis every winter, and a couple of mountain trips every summer. great great bike, and I loved it. The only issue i had with it was the weight. I had it revalved and resprung for me, but the thing still weighs 270 lbs with fuel in it. The handling was heavy, and the bike would wear you out.

The '07 CRF is a sweet machine. I bought it used, and have put 60 hours on it. I'm super anal-retentive about maintenance (especially the air filter). No issues yet. still starts with one or two kicks. It handles well, and the weight reduction is great. feels like a mtn bike compared to the WR. I think I won't have issues if i maintain this bike.

I love yami bikes. They are fantastic. They are super reliable. The modern yz450f seems to be a little smoother or tamer with the power delivery, and they are a little harder to jet. From riding the YZ, I like the clutch a little better than the honda clutch. pull seems easier.

I love honda bikes. Power is snappy, they are very easy to work on and maintain. It's easier to jet. Parts are cheaper. CRF450Rs are easier to find used. I'm really happy with the CRF.

The WR is a great trail and desert bike, but you'll spend some time tuning the suspension and jetting. I would get an '07 - '09 WR if you could find one.

If you like the YZ, I'd stick with the '06-'09.

As for the CRF, I'm partial to the '06-'08 for trail riding. I've not ridden an '09-'10, but only ridden comments here.

Good luck with your searching.

[BigRichard]

I'm in the market for a 450 dirt bike. I'm really liking the WR450, but these are hard to find and am seriously looking at the CRF and YZ. I've been looking at these forums and I'm getting the impression the CRF's have a lot more valve issues than the Yamaha's. Is this true? or am I'm looking at this wrong.

And yes I know the WR is a trail bike which is what I want (mostly trail riding) but finding a CRFX is nearly impossible and I'm willing to sprocket a CRF or YZ to make them work.

I bought a leftover '08 X last January. There weren't many WRs but lots of Xs. There are a few 450Xs on craigslist right now. If you want a trail bike I would recomment that you hold out for a 450X or WR450. I've had a 450R all set up for the woods and it just never worked as well as my X in the woods. New 450Xs were going for $5400 a couple months ago near the Portland area.

[Beatcoaster]

I love my Yamaha, and am already running into issues with my wife's brand new Honda...granted these bikes are two different beasts but they were bought at the same time and mine has been ridden way harder. 15 hours of use and the Honda won't shift into 1st anymore - what a joke and just super for my beginner wife...I swear from all the people I know, if it isn't the valves it seems to be something else, and I should have listened better - shame on me for thinking the CRF230F would be a different ball of wax...

I have a 51t on the back of my YZ and it is still geared too high for trails riding. I would keep the search on for a WR if that is your main focus of riding as my bikes stalls quite a bit on the slow/technical stuff...

[cowboyona426]

Don't get a WR just because the YZ needs re-geared... the WR carries too much of a weight penalty IMO and with the right mods a YZ can do anything a WR can.

[kain522]

I don't know much about the Hondas, but I have owned my 04 YZ for 3 years now, and the valves are still in spec. This bike has been bomb proof so far.

[baca]

I have also recently purchased a YZ450F 2004 model, for trail/woods riding. I was sceptical and i really wanted an WR450 but couldn't pass up on the YZ. I went for it and i love it, It does get hot in the woods, (first gear /w cluch grind) It does stall on me here and there and is sometimes hard to restart. I am so happy with the performance, suspension, weight and overall funfactor. It still scares the shit out of me once in a while. I love it.

previous bike XR600R

[YamaLink]

Adding to the good input, I owned 3 2002 CRF450R over the course of a few years, and not one had a valve issue. Granted, I changed the oil frequently, never rode the rev limiter and didn't let it bog down/overheat. That's pretty basic maintenance. Then my 04 and 05 had zero issues.

Having said that a few friends have valves go bad in the first week of riding with their CRF models, both R and X.

[kain522]

I have also recently purchased a YZ450F 2004 model, for trail/woods riding. I was sceptical and i really wanted an WR450 but couldn't pass up on the YZ. I went for it and i love it, It does get hot in the woods, (first gear /w cluch grind) It does stall on me here and there and is sometimes hard to restart. I am so happy with the performance, suspension, weight and overall funfactor. It still scares the shit out of me once in a while. I love it.

previous bike XR600R

I had the same issues with mine. Switching to Engine Ice coolant helped with the heat, and a flywheel weight makes a world of difference. Sorry to jack the thread:busted:

[450 Thumper]

I would go with a 09 or later yamaha yz450. I had a yz450 and sold it for a 09crf450. I do mostly trail ridding and the yamaha was a way better machine for that! The honda overheats easily on tight technical trails which my yamaha almost never did. Also, the suspension is more plush on the yamaha and the power delivery is not a brutal hit like on the honda. After having both, I still wish I would have just bought a WR450.