09 yz or 09 crf? great deals but which one?

[dooweb2]

So that pretty much says it. Im buying a bike and now that they are a yr old would like to know which to buy. Im 190 novice not racing anymore. Ive had an 06 yz for 4 seasons. How much better than mine is the 09 yz. seems kinda shitty to buy essentially the same bike. on the other hand I do not have money to go fixing a brand new bike. monies tight so the 5 k for the bike is it! Thanks for your help and yes Ive searched and searched threads and not got a answer just a lot of arguing. Thanks Jeff

[dvn]

Everyone here will say buy the Yamaha. If you posted the same question on the Honda board, they will say buy the Honda. The only thing I can add is, I just bought a new 09 YZ450F in December and am very happy so far. If you believe what the mags say, the Honda will turn better but I have no issues at all with the handling of my Yamaha. I know someone who owned the Honda and he spent a lot of money trying to get the suspension working to his liking. Apparently he was not happy with it as he now owns a 2010 Yamaha. I am roughly the same weight as you and the Yamaha has the best stock suspension I've ridden! They are both good bikes but as far as a bike that you can buy and just ride with no mods? I'd go for the Yamaha. Just my.02

[focker811]

I have a friend that got a 09 honda... Ridden it a few times I like my 06 yz better if that says anything.

[YamaLink]

I would've maybe selected the CRF450 every year except 09; that was unable to turn. I chalked it up to the rear suspension which is normally very good to great. And let's not forget the Honda valve maintenance headache.

For 08 and 09 I would recommend the Yamaha.

[husqy360]

if you like the 06 you will like the 09 even better, except maybe for the smotther engine, which a full exhaust system will mostly cure.

09 been refind throwout but they are still very similar.

[gfmoto]

If you don't have any more money to spend I would suggest an RMZ450 box stock it has great turning, good power, good suspension. The 09 yz will need a pipe($500 min), no way around it. The honda has real suspension issues($600), and needs a remap.($100min) The suzuki will be tough to find, but bone stock it is better. If I had to choose between the honda or the yamaha I would go with the yamaha.

[The Captain]

And let's not forget the Honda valve maintenance headache.

Headache?

110hrs. on my crf, the valves have not moved since 0 hours, and I am headache free.

[husqy360]

Headache?

110hrs. on my crf, the valves have not moved since 0 hours, and I am headache free.

"headaches" are more numerous with the crfs.

[husqy360]

If you don't have any more money to spend I would suggest an RMZ450 box stock it has great turning, good power, good suspension. The 09 yz will need a pipe($500 min), no way around it. The honda has real suspension issues($600), and needs a remap.($100min) The suzuki will be tough to find, but bone stock it is better. If I had to choose between the honda or the yamaha I would go with the yamaha.

the only way to know which bike is for you is to test ride it! they are all good this days.

[crf450319]

I just sold my '05 CRF 450R this evening, I've had 7mx bikes (5 250 smokers and 2 450's) - ALL Honda's. I'm going to buy a new '09 450, but this time it's going to be a Yamaha. By the way, I didn't have valve issues with my '02 450 but the '05's crapped out after 70 hours.

I don't want to buy a new bike only to have to spend $475 on an aftermarket valve & spring kit, have to spend $xxx.xx amount on fixing the "stink-bug" suspension and then have to wonder how much abuse the 4 spring clutch will take ($500 to solve that issue).

I still don't know why Honda went to a 4 spring clutch on a 450, S-T-O-O-P-I-D in my humble opinion. If they hadn't screwed with the suspension, and gone with a 5 spring clutch I could have over-looked the valve issue. I can handle 1, not 3 dumb issues that didn't need to appear in the first place.

Out of 6 buddies with Honda's, 4 of us have had valve issues. And the 2 that haven't are beginner riders who don't twist past 1/2 throttle. Just search the CRF 450/250 forum for "bike won't start" and you'll figure out how big the "headache" is for the majority.