426 vs 450

[zaxcar1]

its funny to see all the posts on 426vs 450. i my self have a 426, and i love the bike. from time to time i get a bug to want a 450. but them i remember i have them kid. they want a car, they want snow boards, that want cooler dirt bikes and 4 wheelers. and them mom wants a new oven, and lets redo the kitchen, what about the front room. (lol) so then i think that i only ride up north.(Michigan) and the guys i ride with, even the 20 year olds (i am almost 40) cant keep up. so i just hope that i can keep the old 426 running for a few more years. the i remember, the boys are starting collage next year!!!!dame i am never getting a 450!!!!!! well maybe when they make a yz500f the i can. lol:p

[Thrash1]

Yup... Decompression Cam Mod and you have the best HP bike Yamaha made. Even KTM Figured out the 450 Formula isn't the best.

[pembell]

Serious track use is a different matter, but when given the choice between the 426 and 450 in the desert, I actually prefer the 426.

[myoung]

I wouldn't have bought my '09 450 if I hadn't started racing MX. I love my 426, and I still have it for riding outside of the track. I do have to admit, though, the 450 was a night and day improvement for the track.

When I started racing I did about 5 races on the 426 before getting the 450. I was doing pretty good on it too, but then I rode a friends '08 and I saw the light. I was so impressed at how much better it was around the track and it wasn't long before I picked up my '09.

I do still prefer the 426 for the trails though. It seems to work better than my 450, most likely due to differences in set-up. At this point, I'm planning on keeping both for a long time. ?

[zaxcar1]

i want to do the cam mod. i am getting a valve job done his month and well see if it needs a piston. if so the cam might have to wait. ?

[pembell]

I wouldn't have bought my '09 450 if I hadn't started racing MX. I love my 426, and I still have it for riding outside of the track. I do have to admit, though, the 450 was a night and day improvement for the track.

When I started racing I did about 5 races on the 426 before getting the 450. I was doing pretty good on it too, but then I rode a friends '08 and I saw the light. I was so impressed at how much better it was around the track and it wasn't long before I picked up my '09.

I do still prefer the 426 for the trails though. It seems to work better than my 450, most likely due to differences in set-up. At this point, I'm planning on keeping both for a long time. ?

Yeah, no question, the 450 turns easier and deals with a track infinitely better.

I've only just started riding tracks and if it weren't for the fact that the main reason I do it is for exercise to keep my weight under control, I'd switch to the 450!

As it is currently, I'm not sure whether it's the 426 or me who has the biggest grin on their face after a few laps of the track....

[DeeCee]

+1 for the 400 and 426. I ride a 400 in the desert and ride with most other makes of 450 and 450+'s. No problem with the 400 keeping up.

For track use though forget it, a more modern bike handles the track much better, for weekend warrior riding, the 400/426 is as good as any more modern machine.