2011 or 2012 YZ450F

[achudasko]

Hi all,

I am currently trying to decide between a brand new 2011 or a 2012 YZF450F here in Australia. What do people recommend? It seems there are minimal changes between the two. The 2012 will only cost me an extra $900 Australian. Is it worth spending the extra? Thanks for any advice.

[YamaLink]

I'd get the 2011.

[FZ1426]

It's not worth paying more for a '12. Especially when the '12 has an even more restrictive pipe than the '11. That's just more money the '12 will cost you if you want to open up the top end of the powerband.

[KUSTOMZMAN1]

I look at whats going to hold value for a little longer. If you go thru bikes every year or so the 12 will be worth a bit more a bit longer...just due to the book value on a newer model. But yeah same bike. I have a 12 and love it, but I'm sure I'd love a 11 too..lol

[grayracer513]

It's not worth paying more for a '12. Especially when the '12 has an even more restrictive pipe than the '11. That's just more money the '12 will cost you if you want to open up the top end of the powerband.

So, are you saying that because the pipe is more restrictive, it will cost more to replace it than the older one? Trying to follow this....

[achudasko]

Gray, so what is your take on this if you were presented with the same situation?

Correct me if I am wrong but are the only changes a slight tweak in the suspension, new stock EFI mapping, and new graphics? The EFI mapping can simply be modified by the EFI power tuner if it's that good. As for the suspension, is it a noticeable improvement? I will be using this bike for the woods.

As for the pipe I will be most likely be fitting an aftermarket one on.

[grayracer513]

If the savings on the '11 are significant, go with that. The '12 will only be "worth more later" during a very small time window, usually around two years old, and there's no real difference between them. Neither one is valved right for the woods, so whatever they did to the suspension is inconsequential.

[FZ1426]

So, are you saying that because the pipe is more restrictive, it will cost more to replace it than the older one? Trying to follow this....

No actually I'm just saying the average owner of a '12 would be more likely to want a pipe compared to an '11 owner because the '12 has a more restrictive pipe(muffler).

The only reason I bought a slip on for my '11 is because I ride moto and I got a good deal, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered.

In this case (for woods) the point is moot. A less restictive muffler would be completely unnecessary on either bike.

[RasmusDK]

.... I will be using this bike for the woods....

Get an enduro bike... I would get a WR or KTM EXC.

[delmas]

wait for the 2013 and they will move the motor forward

[achudasko]

Thanks all.

The WR was outdated to me. The new 2012 looks pretty darn good though but on the fat side. The KTM 450 Enduro version I was very close to buying but the extra $4500 AU price tag for a bike that had issues with EFI was not going to cut it. I had a 2004 YZ450F and loved it in the bush. So I have stuck to what I know and gone out and picked up a brand new 2011 YZ450F for a steal! I will not know myself compared to the 04. Looking forward to the first spin. Cheers.

[APlusAutoParts]

I can't believe you guys forgot the most important thing about the 2012, the blue bike also comes with black wheels, i mean that gotta add at least 20 horse power.

[achudasko]

The Australian 2011 YZ already comes with black rims :-)

[honda907]

I have a 2010, and a 2012. The 2012 engines are almost identical to the 2010. They programmed the ignition for less hit, like most people did with the older models. The suspension seems to be valved slightly stiffer, but almost the same as the 2010 (which is really a 2011).The shock and forks seem to be close to a 2010 with the forks compression stiffened up and the shock stiffened up. I run the compression 5-8 clicks stiffer than stock on the 2010. Now I seem to run it only 1-2 clicks stiffer than stock. Bike behaves just like a 2010.

On the topic of top end. I never lost a holeshot in two years (old man classes) with a stock engine with the stock pipe. I haven't raced the 2012 yet, so I cannot state with authority that it is as good. The pipe needs repacked after about 20 hours, but it has more top end than it "feels" like it has. Just look at the new MXA after they put the big five to the dyno. The Yammi has the numbers up there. Look, unless your pro, you can't use all this bikes engine. If you can, you need to loose weight.

I never experienced that wiggle at turn in, but we have found that running 110 millimeters of sag and lowering the forks 12mm from the top of the tubes has made it a wonderful bike.

Just some of my opinions on the bike. Oh, and I did a NEOC race two weeks ago ( first offroad race ever) and the suspension on the 2010 was fine. I just backed off the compression 3 clicks on both ends from my normal MX setting and rode it to a win pretty easily. These races are kinda a cross between WORCS and a hare scramble, or so I am told.

[achudasko]

Well after my first real spin in the bush on the 2011 YZ450F I am really wrapped with how good this bike is stock. This bike is awesome in my opinion. Compared to my 2004 YZ450F it corners so much better, feels so much lighter in motion, and stock suspension just sucks up the terrain that is thrown at it. Stock EFI mapping seems very progressive and usable through all gears. The engine has loads of torque. As a bush bike this bike is fantastic. Very capable.