Full Version: Honda 450 Versus Yamaha 450
If pretty much all you ride is Glamis and like to run wide open and have more power than a Raptor and like to jump but at the same time want the bike to ride smooth like a Raptor. Which one should I go with or should I just keep the Raptor?
The YFZ has more travel than any quad in stock form. I think the Yamaha will be a little better than the HOnda, not by much though.
I say yfz 450.
I say yfz 450.
Keep the raptor. Do some slight mods and there you have it.
You will do the same whether you get a Yami or Honda anyhow.
All magazines call these bikes race ready, but if you go to a race track, there
modified big time (motor and suspension). That's not what I call race ready.
The new Yami and Honda are excellent bikes. Stiffer than the raptor in stock form.
A very slight advantage racing up the hills.
I saw a Yami and a Raptor going at each other at Olds.
The winner? 50/50.
I have a raptor, and I love it now ( I used to hate them).
With wider A-arms, pipe and jets!! You couln't ask for more.
You will do the same whether you get a Yami or Honda anyhow.
All magazines call these bikes race ready, but if you go to a race track, there
modified big time (motor and suspension). That's not what I call race ready.
The new Yami and Honda are excellent bikes. Stiffer than the raptor in stock form.
A very slight advantage racing up the hills.
I saw a Yami and a Raptor going at each other at Olds.
The winner? 50/50.
I have a raptor, and I love it now ( I used to hate them).
With wider A-arms, pipe and jets!! You couln't ask for more.
Thats what I was thinking to. Plus I think the Raptor looks better anyway. What arms and pipe are you running?
<cough> the TRX450R hasnt been released yet <cough>
Have you personally ridden both?
Have you personally ridden both?
woops I was under the impression it had been released already.
its released...but you cant BUY one yet...so most of us peons have not rode one yet
Hey ADDICTED, I am running the Lobo Kit (+2+1 Aarms from Duncan).
Triple rate front AXIS shocks and a FAT BOY pipe. I believe my jets are 177 and 177.5.
The quad hauls big time. I got the quad with all these gadgets for a really good price. I could not afford to drop my own money to buy Duncan stuff since their prices are pretty high up there.
My bud makes A-arms for any quad for $200 (steel) and $300 for chromoly.
I am willing to let him use mine to make a replica if you are interested.
Just let me know.
Triple rate front AXIS shocks and a FAT BOY pipe. I believe my jets are 177 and 177.5.
The quad hauls big time. I got the quad with all these gadgets for a really good price. I could not afford to drop my own money to buy Duncan stuff since their prices are pretty high up there.
My bud makes A-arms for any quad for $200 (steel) and $300 for chromoly.
I am willing to let him use mine to make a replica if you are interested.
Just let me know.
Tim Farr is someone who has ridden both quads and prefered the YFZ. His full article was on another website. (I'll try to find it and post it here later) Wonder if it has anything to do with his sponsors.
Tim Farr is a PRO rider.
Cash is not such a big issue for him. He probably gets the quad for free not to mention accesories from sponsors.
The issue with ADDICTED was whether to keep the raptor or buy the new Yami.
If cash was not an issue, I would be very inclined to get the YFZ450 or the TRX450.
However, we the average Joes, pay for even the air you breath at the dealer.
That's why I said "keep the raptor".
Cash is not such a big issue for him. He probably gets the quad for free not to mention accesories from sponsors.
The issue with ADDICTED was whether to keep the raptor or buy the new Yami.
If cash was not an issue, I would be very inclined to get the YFZ450 or the TRX450.
However, we the average Joes, pay for even the air you breath at the dealer.
That's why I said "keep the raptor".
I rode the yami, nice, but I'll keep my Craptor for now and look back at the 450! 
I will admit, the craptor does need some bolt on help to get it where I wanted it. But so would the 450. I think the 450 looks really cool once done up a little.
I will admit, the craptor does need some bolt on help to get it where I wanted it. But so would the 450. I think the 450 looks really cool once done up a little.
Thanks everyone for all the input. I think rather then go waist my money on a new bike I will just build up my bike a little bit.
Sandpusher. How much were the shocks for the bike or were they included in the kit?
Sandpusher. How much were the shocks for the bike or were they included in the kit?
I would spend the Money on A-Arms,Extended Axle and Shock
I put the JD Performance A-Arms (you have to have your spindles Tappered, they do it for free)
I had WORKS Shocks done Double Rates no Res
and Durablue Axle
for Duning it made a Night and Day Difference
I put the JD Performance A-Arms (you have to have your spindles Tappered, they do it for free)
I had WORKS Shocks done Double Rates no Res
and Durablue Axle
for Duning it made a Night and Day Difference
The axis shocks came with the bike.
I had to change the springs and revalve them. That alone cost me $325 from axis.
For another $100, you can get some decent PEPS or WORKS shocks.
Duncan sells the A-arm and shocks for $3 big ones. There is no way I would have paid that much. I would be divorced by now.
I got the bike like that. They guy I bought it from dropped serious cash on this bike. After adding up every receipt he send, it came up to more than $7G (not including the price of the quad which had only 5 hours of use).
I got lucky I guess.
Any reputable brand A-arms will do, I think.
HB OFFROADER is right. A-arms, shocks and extended axle is all you need.
Well, perhaps a pipe and jets too.
Look on ebay, you won't find better prices anywhere else.
I had to change the springs and revalve them. That alone cost me $325 from axis.
For another $100, you can get some decent PEPS or WORKS shocks.
Duncan sells the A-arm and shocks for $3 big ones. There is no way I would have paid that much. I would be divorced by now.
I got the bike like that. They guy I bought it from dropped serious cash on this bike. After adding up every receipt he send, it came up to more than $7G (not including the price of the quad which had only 5 hours of use).
I got lucky I guess.
Any reputable brand A-arms will do, I think.
HB OFFROADER is right. A-arms, shocks and extended axle is all you need.
Well, perhaps a pipe and jets too.
Look on ebay, you won't find better prices anywhere else.
Isnt Tim Farr Honda's new "factory" rider?? I thought I read that someplace...
yes Timmay Farr is with Honda and Doug Gust has signed with Suzuki.......probably the 2 guys who deserve it the most, they have been with the sport for awhile!
I sold my built Raptor and bout the YFZ 450.
The YFZ is more fun to ride, but the Raptor felt like it had more top end.
I didn't want to go through the suspention changes on the Raptor when the YFZ is pretty good stock.
Miss the Raptor, but love the YFZ.
The YFZ is more fun to ride, but the Raptor felt like it had more top end.
I didn't want to go through the suspention changes on the Raptor when the YFZ is pretty good stock.
Miss the Raptor, but love the YFZ.
The yamaha 450 doesnt need upgrades, its got all you need in the stock form
the engine is clsoe to race ready from the factory.....but it still needs to be wider with some better shocks ( PEP, Axis, etc)...thats my opinion though....the stocks shocks are good for being 'stock', but I wouldnt want to race on them
| QUOTE (SHOCKER @ Dec 14 2003, 06:13 PM) |
| The yamaha 450 doesnt need upgrades, its got all you need in the stock form |
I disagree. I rode one this weekend and was not overly impressed. Nothing negative, it just didn't blow me away (power wise) as someone who was used to a modified Banshee. I think anyone who is used to a significantly modified 2-stroke will be less than thrilled with the Yami or the new Honda (probably) in stock form.
Hey Chuy nice set up. I rode a yfz450 for a very short time in Glamis and it felt a little rigid and the seat was a rock. Now I know its a proven motocross bike but do you really like for the desert? I wish I spent more time on it but I hate riding someone elses bike.
Hey, the YFZ450 is nice but the Polaris Predator 500 has the longest travel of quads stock, 10" front and 11" rear. It's about 1 inch more than the YFZ450 which is second.
| QUOTE (DannyG @ Dec 14 2003, 07:41 PM) |
| Hey Chuy nice set up. I rode a yfz450 for a very short time in Glamis and it felt a little rigid and the seat was a rock. Now I know its a proven motocross bike but do you really like for the desert? I wish I spent more time on it but I hate riding someone elses bike. |
Our first day out several YFZ owners walked up to us at the hill and mentioned we should try adjusting the YFZ' shocks.
15 clicks counterclockwise on the top and bottom screws on all three shocks made a huge difference on ride and handling.
Pulling out the baffle was an incredeble boost in power, and re jetting was like adding another engine.
The YFZ is simply a plugged up performance quad, that can be in top performance condition for about 20 bucks and an hours simple labor.
The dealer wants a two hour labor charge to advance the cam timing 1 deg which to me is a bargain.
The only flaws on the YFZ are the rock hard seat, and the stiff, bad angle thumb throttle. Cascade products make a cure for both issues.
The stock tires get a C- in the sand. Sand Star Paddles cure that issue.
I agree with the thumb throttle angle and the return spring is rather stiff as well. Some minor stuff and its alot better, but some major add-ons and its even better. Stiff seat is an under statement, and I have a big soft a$$, not that the craptor is much better. But Jet-Trim can take care of that. By the way they have some bitchen new materials! Hence the name.
the seat is a little stiff.....but it makes you keep your arse off the seat in a more agressive riding postion to keep you arse happy! 
How do you get rid of monkey butt?........Stand Up!
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