Hey folks. I'm giving my 400ex to my son so I'll be needing a new quad. I'm undecided about which 450 to get. I like the idea of the electric start on the YFZ, but I've heard bad things about the suspension and the lack of padding in the seat. How does the suspension and seat compare to the 400ex? I'm 6'0 and about 235. I ride mostly sitting down due to bad knees. I mainly ride in the dunes. I just want something comfortable. I rode a TRX for the first time in the dunes this past weekend. Felt good. Wasn't too excited about the kick start. Very easy to wheelie I must say. Felt nice but didn't ride it all that much to really get an idea of it. Like the looks of the 450r a little bit better. I've heard there is less stuff you have to do to the YFZ to get the hidden horsepower out of it, although, speed is not a major concern for me but it is nice to be able to tap into it once in a while. Now I'm only going by charts here but it looks like the TRX has more torque and it comes on more quickly. I'm just undecided. I thought I could ask you guys that have already been down this road. Thanks for your help in advanced. I'm sure I'll have more questions for you guys the more indeapth I go.

Jeff

the yfz is a sweet bike but from what you said about your knees and you wont be standing up the yfz might be a prob for you. the shocks are great it a little hard to filp on level ground inless you wanted to well theres my .02

I own both. For you, buy the Honda.

Unless you want to race, the Honda has plenty of power stock. The Honda is a *much* smoother ride. Kick start is a pain, but not too much.

Or, buy the Yam for your kid and you keep the 400ex.

The 05 YFZ's have a better seat and softer suspension. The shocks are fully adjustable and you can soften them up quite a bit. If the seat's still too hard for $120 a few vendors make new seat covers with new foam. The Honda won't be much different than your 400ex as far as the handling. As far as the starting issues with the 04 YFZ's, well they fixed the stator on the 05's. I'm a big dude 6'3 225 and with the 1 in taller trail tech bars the Yamiha now fits me like a glove and is a good cruiser. Both are great bikes though, you can't go wrong with either one!

Sicaz,
I've read in another thread that you put in a different rear spring in yours. Was that to soften it up a little? I just can't get past the electric start deal. I also like the red frame. So, the '05's seats are more comfortable?

Jeff

I have the 04 YFZ and my Buddy has the 05 YFZ. I can't tell any difference in the seat softness between the two. The only difference I see in the seats, is his has a gripper seat cover. As for suspension, I think the YFZ's handle better than the TRX450R when you get aggressive with it. At slower speeds the Honda is a better ride. I've riden a buddies Honda so this is just my opinion from that experience. I also think the Honda has a smoother power as the YFZ feels like it is going to pull your arms off. Don't quote me on this, but I hear rumors of a TRX450X. It's supposed to be the same bike as the 450R but with electric start. You might want to look into that. It sounds like you like the Honda more, but are questioning it because of not having electric start.

I just had it revalved and sprung to my weight. That's an advantage on any bike you'll get though. The seat on the 05 is a bit better but it still sucks. I got a jet Trim seat cover and they sent me a new piece of foam for $120 and I love it. Yes the power band isn't as smooth as the Honda and it will rip your arms off especially when you unleash it's power. A cool thing about this bike is that for FREE you can pull out the baffle in the exhaust, take off the airbox lid and do the cam mod and the thing will fly.

Both 450's are sweet to ride and you can't go wrong. I've been riding Honda ever since about 1980 so I went the 450R. I can kick start it sitting down, although I look over at my friends YFZ and he is pushing a button.

Sicaz,
The cam mod's free? What's all involved there?

So the power of the YFZ in more on/off like the Banshee? That does sound appealing.

Jeff

You retard the cam one tooth.

Yes it's more like the Banshee, but with endless torque. You can bog the bike down and then power up it unlike the Banshee. You have both worlds, 4 stroke power with the feel of a Banshee on the pipe.

Isnt kinda cool to kick start your bike? I bet if you just duct tape a pillow to your azz the seat will feel great

They are both great bikes and you can't make a bad choice buying either one. Don't be afraid of the kickstart on the 450r, it's as easy as kicking a 125 two stroke and it starts first kick after it's warmed up.

No need for name calling. I'm just asking questions. Almost took that sentence in a bad way until I realized there was no comma after "retard". Too funny.
The banshee feel sounds very cool. I'm going to a dealership that sells both so I can sit on one another and get a better idea. This Saturday I'm going to ride a YFZ for the first time. That pillow idea might be a wat to go too Thanks guys! Any other thoughts you guys/gals might have, don't hesitate to throw them out there.

Jeff

FYI there is a kick starter kit for the YFZ

If you make it to Glamis anytime soon, you are more than welcome to take my yfz for a spin. If you do, the outcome will be one of 2 extremes. You will either want a yfz bad, or it will scare you into buying the honda. The yamaha's are very responsive to basic go fast mods. And, the way I have mine setup now, the power feels a lot like a banshee. Lots of top end torque.

Hey 24,
I appreciate the offer! Unfortunately, Glamis isn't possible for a while. Your bike looks great in your "Greenies" pic. Do you have a bigger picture of it that you can post? I was looking at Jet Trims website and saw they offered a couple different seats. Can you tell me what the difference between the "Tall" and the "Standard"? I'm thinking "Tall" means a thicker seat which probably means you're sitting up higher but I don't know. What all did you do to yours to make it the way it is now?

Jeff