YZ 426F for woods bike

[kelloggss]

I ride a drz 400 now,I am 6'1' and 200 lbs,I can handle the weight ok but after riding a few buddies 450's and ktm 300 I am seeing the difference in power and how much lighter they are than the DRZ.I have found a 2001 yz426f that is supposed to have a complete top end rebuild,new 450 cam,new piston and rings,new chain and sprockets ( 14/48),New cam chain. for 1700.00. I rode the bike and was impressed at the power and how much lighter it is than my Z, Is the 426 considered a good woods bike? I have heard the gearing should be 13/52 and add 12 oz flywheel weight.Also I read a lot about hard starting issues but this bike has no starting issues. Any info on the bike would be greatly appreciated. Also I have found a real deal on a 2007 crf450r like new condition for 2500.00 but have heard they are not to woods friendly bike, How would the 426 compare to the 450r in the woods, I ride tight ruff mountain terrain in Western NC and east TN,Va,etc. lot of tight stuff.I am not into big jumps/MX.

[cereal killer]

Back when the 426 was only a year old I bought one and raced off-road for a couple years. I think it had a great engine with tons of torque. That said, I think the weight difference between a 426 and a CRF450 will be very noticable. The CRF is a lot newer, so there will be suspension improvements as well. with that many years between the models you're considering I think you'll find a very noticeable improvement even with a bike that doesn't have the woods friendly reputation. Especially if you add a flywheel weight.

I haven't driven the CRF though, so take my opinion of it with a grain of salt.

I'm sure the 426 would be a lot better than your DRZ for off-road already. My 426 always started with the first kick when I was on the starting line -and I started it in gear. I never had any stalling issues with it either.

Edited June 13, 2012 by cereal killer

[cowboyona426]

The 426's that were hard to start were the ones without the auto decomp cam installed. With the 450 cam in there it should be a breeze.

I personally think the 426 is an awesome trail bike. I had an 00 with 13/52 gearing and no flywheel weight and it was a tractor. No other mods other than a spark arrestor and some protection like radiator braces and hand guards. Still wish I had never traded it off and bought this blasted 06 to be quite honest.

I would hold off on the flywheel weight until you ride a bit with the lower gearing, you may find you don't need the weight.

The CRF would be a good woods bike too, and that price seems fair if its in good shape. I'm not a Honda fan, but with the newer bikes it's really hard to pick out big differences between brands. I rode once with a guy who had an 06 CRF450 and he and I swapped bikes a few times and we couldn't really tell any differences between our two bikes.

Either bike would be a good buy, I would buy whichever one is most set up for your style of riding currently so that there will be less for you to spend to get it dialed in.

[bluthndr]

Rode a friend's 426 in some VERY tight trails a few weeks ago. My YZ450F is a little easier to ride, but my friend's bike is showroom suspension setup (untouched from delivered). A little suspension tuning would go a long way. That said, I thought the stock gearing on a 426 was 13 or 14/49? The YZ450 is for sure 14/48.

Whatever the gearing, I would FOR SURE add some teeth to the back of a 426 before trail riding one again - something like a 13/51 would be much better. I agree with the others about waiting on the flywheel weight - I bet you don't need it. It wasn't so much that the 426 wanted to stall (not in the least) - it was that 1st gear was just too tall/fast to be responsive and controllable in the really tight stuff. The 426 has 5 speeds and I was only able to use 1st and 2nd on the 20 mile trail we rode - a better gear ratio really is not gonna hurt top end in the woods.

Also, it is worth mentioning that I dumped the bike twice, and neither time did it stall. The few times I restarted it, it never took more than 4 kicks (still had decompression lever) I think it makes a great trail bike with a sprocket change.

Can't comment on the CRF. Two guys in our group ride them (a 450 and 250), but I have not ridden theirs yet.

[marv02]

I have a 2000 YZ426 with the Both Hot Cams with the auto decomp Exhaust cam worth every penny.

I purchased the 426 about 1 month a go rode 40 feet to make sure it ran then tore it apart and put the cams and new cam chain as long I was in there.

As for riding the tight stuff I agree put a larger rear sproket on it then take for a ride.

As for the Bikes weight It dont bother me but I a big guy 6.1 tall 230lb's and after riding a 2006 KTM RFS 560 thats a HEAVY bike 240+ lb's you need to fight to get to go where you want to even with the supension revalved and springs just a heavy bike to throw around or it throwing you around LOL.

[kelloggss]

Thanks guys this is some really good info,I am leaning towards the yamaha 426,it is a little older and shows more than the crf.I didnt like the close ratio of the crf transmision.The 426 will need a few things like a new radiator (has some boken supports but t isnt leaking) Two new rads on the net is 105.00 and a little larger than factory.still waiting on some invoicing to show up in the mail so Hope the 426 doesnt go anywhere for the next week. It will be mine as soon as the first check hits the mail box.

[marv02]

If I was you check the valves the 2000 YZ 426 has the Stainless steel Valves stock they are stronger and last longer than the Ti valves.

It dont rev as fast as the Ti valves but most of us will never feel the diffrence.

Change the oil filter clean the oil screen and new oil, Also grease every thing If you up to it pull the clucth check the fiber plates for thickness and the metal plate to see if they been over heated see if they are Blue.

Sprocekts Chain I sure you now change them as a set check the chain rub blocks and rollers.

I use some WD 40 of some type of liquid wench on all the spokes and nipples let them sit ove night break them all loose make sure they are adjusted and true the rim It took me a copuple days to get this done.

lube up the spokes on the botom side let them soak next day use a spoke wreanch to make sure they are loose move the bike a foot or so so the un soaked spokes ar on the bottom then do them it took a copiple days to get them all loose.

I also put new fork seals in I found out one of the fork tubes were bent picked a new set of used forks off e-bay for $99.00.

I also putting on a Front brake master Cylinder off a CRF 450 so I can do the one finger braking I think the stock one is weak feeling.

If the bike feeling slugest to you try the BK Carb mod I doing this my self this comming weekend.

A little tweeking here and there will make you 426 just as much fun to ride as those shiny new bikes.

Here mine with new plastic and a Clark tank just as good or better than new.

But with the Hot cams it starts so easy Cold or Hot.

I purchased my bike for $900.00 I put about $600.00 in to it so far this what I have to play with.

Edited June 14, 2012 by marv02

[cereal killer]

I had an 00 with 13/52 gearing and no flywheel weight and it was a tractor.

Just wanted to add, I felt the same way about my 2001 426 with 13/51 gearing. It seemed like even if you were a gear high, you could just twist the throttle and wait. That 426 engine was a good one IMHO. I just don't miss the weight.

[grayracer513]

...Stainless steel Valves ... are stronger and last longer than the Ti valves.

It dont rev as fast as the Ti valves but most of us will never feel the diffrence.

Neither of these things is true. Ti valves are actually stronger, and I know of several sets of them that have lasted beyond 400 hours. The 2000 426 with SS valves has the same rev curve and limit as the '01-'02 did with titanium valves.

Having said that, if I owned a 426, and if it needed new valves, I would replace them with the stainles valves and springs from the '00 model. Why? They're much less expensive (OEM parts), and offer no functional disadvantage.

[MaxPower]

If the Honda is in good shape I feel that would be a better choice. The 07 CRF is a really good bike .Not to say the 426 isn't. But the Honda is a little more developed and handles better

[marv02]

I know if had Ti's in my motor I would swap them to SS I have heard and read to many horror stories about TI valves breaking after time and many cycles of use.

Not saying all of them will break but with my luck they would.

But once again those guys that had the valves go bad how did they ride the bike and what kind of mantaince did they or didn't do to the bike.

Neither of these things is true. Ti valves are actually stronger, and I know of several sets of them that have lasted beyond 400 hours. The 2000 426 with SS valves has the same rev curve and limit as the '01-'02 did with titanium valves.

Having said that, if I owned a 426, and if it needed new valves, I would replace them with the stainles valves and springs from the '00 model. Why? They're much less expensive (OEM parts), and offer no functional disadvantage.

[neckbone]

my son has an 01 yz426 and its a beast. Found that bike does not like tight trails though it needs a good amount of air going across the radiator to keep it cool.

[cowboyona426]

If I was you check the valves the 2000 YZ 426 has the Stainless steel Valves stock they are stronger and last longer than the Ti valves.

It dont rev as fast as the Ti valves but most of us will never feel the diffrence.

Change the oil filter clean the oil screen and new oil, Also grease every thing If you up to it pull the clucth check the fiber plates for thickness and the metal plate to see if they been over heated see if they are Blue.

Sprocekts Chain I sure you now change them as a set check the chain rub blocks and rollers.

I use some WD 40 of some type of liquid wench on all the spokes and nipples let them sit ove night break them all loose make sure they are adjusted and true the rim It took me a copuple days to get this done.

lube up the spokes on the botom side let them soak next day use a spoke wreanch to make sure they are loose move the bike a foot or so so the un soaked spokes ar on the bottom then do them it took a copiple days to get them all loose.

I also put new fork seals in I found out one of the fork tubes were bent picked a new set of used forks off e-bay for $99.00.

I also putting on a Front brake master Cylinder off a CRF 450 so I can do the one finger braking I think the stock one is weak feeling.

If the bike feeling slugest to you try the BK Carb mod I doing this my self this comming weekend.

A little tweeking here and there will make you 426 just as much fun to ride as those shiny new bikes.

Here mine with new plastic and a Clark tank just as good or better than new.

But with the Hot cams it starts so easy Cold or Hot.

I purchased my bike for $900.00 I put about $600.00 in to it so far this what I have to play with.

Nice looking 426!

[marv02]

Nice looking 426!

Thank You

[rockthemoto16]

anybody have any experience with the fmf Q pipe for the 400/426? i have a 99 yz 400f has been a great bike the hot cams ex cam was well worth the money, but im looking to do some hare scrambles or enduros and was wondering with the q pipe if it would pass the sound test since they are quite loud bikes, anyone know?

this is my 400 couldnt ask for a better bike for 700

Edited June 25, 2012 by rockthemoto16

[Yamiryder]

Honestly I think the Honda would be better. You will appreciate the handling and lighter weight of a newer bike.

[mtnadventurerider]

A year ago my son purchas a YZ426 for $1,000 and put some work into it. It is now a $2,500 bike. I did not like the bike at first, but grew to it quickly. It grew on me so much.....I went and bought my own.

1. The springs in the suspension are really strong, but it is adjusted for motocross..... a few adjustments to rebound and dampening create a very nice suspension for trail riding.....even at my 250lb body weight.

2. The gearing is race ready.....for sure. It is not good for rough trail riding, especially in steep, technical areas. I believe the stock gearing is 14/48. I have changed my bike to a 13/50 and it is a mountain goat, but probably a 55-60 mph top speed.

3. The stock gas tank is good for 100-120 miles. A bigger desert tank is nice, as it holds the first gallon of gas at a lower center of gravity.....and is good for about 175-180 miles.

[cowboyona426]

120 miles on a stock tank??? I think you'll find you're lucky to get half that.

[fokes123]

I have a 2000 YZ426 with the Both Hot Cams with the auto decomp Exhaust cam worth every penny.

I purchased the 426 about 1 month a go rode 40 feet to make sure it ran then tore it apart and put the cams and new cam chain as long I was in there.

As for riding the tight stuff I agree put a larger rear sproket on it then take for a ride.

As for the Bikes weight It dont bother me but I a big guy 6.1 tall 230lb's and after riding a 2006 KTM RFS 560 thats a HEAVY bike 240+ lb's you need to fight to get to go where you want to even with the supension revalved and springs just a heavy bike to throw around or it throwing you around LOL.

how do you get the auto decomp on the 426? is that so you dont have to press the decompression lever when you start?

[marv02]

Hot Cam Exhaust with Auto Decompression you dont have to use the Decompression lever but I like having both my self I use my lever for first start to make sure the motor is cleared out byu doing 5 kick thoughs then give 1 good kick with out it fires up 1 Kick only.

how do you get the auto decomp on the 426? is that so you dont have to press the decompression lever when you start?