New Yamaha YZF450 quad

[dunerking]

Just got done reading a article about Yamaha releasing a YZF450 Quad.I can only hope that this is true.From what I read is that it will be pretty trick(suspension and motor).If Yamaha really does release this thing my questions is how long will it be before Honda steps up with something more than the 400ex?

[motoxscott]

Here it is .......... Go to Yamaha's website (http://www.yamaha-motor.com) for more info.

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/products/atv/500/04YFZ450_blu_5.jpg

[JeffS]

Ohhhhh BABY !!!!

There goes my debt to income ratio !! http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[sweetdevil]

I'm a Honda person, but I really like the look of Yamaha's new quads right now...

[sirhk100]

I havn't seen specs on it... Does it use the same 4 speed tranny that the YZF450 is? That's the MAIN reason I bought the CRF over the YZF. I can't imagine it only running a 4 speed on a quad. It does look bitchin though!!! Here's a link to Dubach and Nelson testing it at the track...

http://www.transworldmotocross.com/mx/photos/0,13157,,00.html (http://www.transworldmotocross.com/mx/photos/0)

Hmmm, looks like you gotta copy/paste that for it to work...

2nd section down is the video...

Hit the one 2 below that quad video of Bubba practicing. That's fresh off a broken collar bone at the Elsinore Vet track. He's friggin mind blowing to watch ride!!!!!!

Khris

[empire231]

that's gonna weigh a couple of pounds. honda is always gonna be a step back behind yamaha. the one thing that i could recall that honda did before the rest is the alluminum frame.

[1992f150]

says its 350 pounds

[sirhk100]

Yeah, but for them I think they waited to see what the YZF did when it came out in '98. Waited to see what the public's reaction would be. Then released a bike that addressed all the issues the YZ riders had. I'll be there's a CFR450 quad in Honda's Stable... They're just waiting to see how this quad is accepted in the publics eye...

Khris

[empire231]

yeah thats true. i hear that suzuki/kawasaki is gonna be working on a 4 stroke bike. those crf's are sweet, they're supposed to be coming out w/ the crf250 in 04, now thats gonna be a nice track bike.

[dunerking]

It sounded like it was going to have a 5 speed tranny....NICE!$6899,Not a horrible price,but still trying to get this money tree to grow.Looks like I'll have to wait until next year.

[Kbach66]

Yeah, the Kawazuki 250 four strokes are going to be out in '04. There's some pictures floating around the web, and I think Transworld or Racer X has a few of them on thier website and they're probably even on kawi/suzukis website by now. I got to see the bikes race at one of the Japan national races and wasn't very impressed. They look like the typical kawis/suzukis....unrefined. The CRF250's will be out later this year. Both the motocross (late november) and the offroad version (mid december) will be available. For anyone looking for a 250 four stroke machine, I'd suggest they wait 'til the hondas are out...they're pretty damn good.

As for the 450 quad....lots of GNCC racers have been doing the conversion of a CRF motor in the 400ex chassis and the results have been pretty good. You'll just have to wait and see if Honda has one "in the stable" as Khris mentioned http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[motoxscott]

Here's the KX/RM 250 four-stroke bike ....... You can't go wrong with a Yamaha or Honda.

http://www.kawasaki.com/admin/uploadFiles/k_KX250f_a_800.jpg

[UndercoverFab]

i thought kawasaki already came out with a new quad? they had some 700cc dune beast in an issue of dirt wheels a little while back, as far as the yamaha a dealer here told me it was a 5 speed with no reverse and electric start, sign me up for one!

[Jerry Zaiden]

For sale 1988 Honda 250 with custom arms etc....$4500
Wanted 2004 Yamaha YFZ 450 http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[partybarge_pilot]

The new Quad probibly has the WR 5sp tranny. Hopefully they didn't cheese out and add all that crap like reverse and counter balancers for the sissy crowd.

[ACID_RAIN28]

The new issue of ATV action, mabey last months, has the first kawasakii 440 quad that we made in it, and that bike is very fast.
I have seen that people are asking more and more to put the 450f motor in the 400ex frames, and i have seen the 450's put in 400ex's but they work well cause of geometry problems relating to the swing arm mounting point. Honda is supposed to drop a big dog quad here soon!

[Jerry Zaiden]

Last I heard from a test rider is that Honda is going to make the 1989 250 quad with a 450 motor. Now this would just be a dream, but how cool would it be. This would be the smartest thing Honda could do.

[ACID_RAIN28]

That is what we have been doing for years. We make the late 80's 250R chassis most of them have the 450f motor in them. This racer the other day wanted to know if we made the 400ex with the 450 motor swap, told him no and that if he was going to shell out $12-15 G's for a bike that he should get the 250r with the 450 in it mainly because the 250r geometry is superiror to anything else, we actually incorperate the 250r geometry into the banshee chassis.

[John_Bitting]

Kawasaki has a new 700 quad out. Its a little heavy with a dry weight at over 500 pounds.

New Kawi quad (http://www.kawasaki.com/admin/Flash/KFX700_print.html)

[dunerking]

That Kawi thing looks pretty silly.I wouldn't even let my 62 year old dad,that just had his second 4-way heart bypass surgery throw his leg over that Kawi beast.But,that 450 Yamaha would be a different story.

[Kbach66]

500lbs.....and a big pile of....well, you know.

I weighed the new YFZ450 yesterday.....365 with oil/fluids, no gas. Pretty impressive. Another group went out with it today, but I didn't hear any comments on it. Looking at it in person, it's pretty damn nice. Real motorcycle feeling ergonomics. I'm sure it's going to be the hot ticket in quads pretty soon.

[desertratt]

heres the info on the yfz450. the honda wont be out till febuary. i've been debating on waiting for it. i think the yamaha is a good bike for mx but i don't think it would hold up in the desert to well. they made the thing a little to lite weight in the wrong areas for me, plus matanance is going to be high.

MSRP
$6,899* Available from June 2003

Engine
Type 439cc, 4-Stroke Single, Liquid Cooled w/ Fan, Titanium 5-Valve DOHC
Bore x Stroke 95mm x 62mm
Compression Ratio 11.9:1
Carburetion Keihin 39mm FCR w/ Throttle Position Sensor
Ignition DC - CDI
Starting System Electric
Transmission 5-Speed Manual Clutch
Drive Train 2WD; Sealed O-Ring Chain
Chassis
Suspension/Front Independent Double Wishbone, 9.1” w/ Rebound, Compression and Threaded Preload Adjustment
Suspension/Rear Aluminum Swing Arm, 10.1” w/ Rebound, Compression and Threaded Preload Adjustment
Brakes/Front Dual Hydraulic Disc, Twin Piston
Brakes/Rear Hydraulic Disc
Tires/Front AT21 x 7-10 Radial
Tires/Rear AT20 x 10-9 Radial
Dimensions
L x W x H 72.4” x 46.1” x 42.9”
Seat Height 31.5”
Wheelbase 50.4”
Ground Clearance 4.4”
Fuel Capacity 2.6 Gallons
Dry Weight 350 Lbs.
Other
Lighting Dual 30W Krypton Multi-reflector Headlights & 21/5W Brake light
Colors Team Yamaha Blue/White; White/Red
Warranty 6 Month (Limited Factory Warranty)

[motoxscott]

We were lucky enough to get this quad early and test it. Here's what kind of numbers we got on our dyno.

http://www.fmfracing.com/pr/yfz450_dyno.jpg

[desertratt]

we where susposed to get one early to build our stuff but only got it yesterday. so guess whos working this week end.

[ACID_RAIN28]

Just found this out today when we got our hands on one of the bikes. Started to diesect it and measure it so that we can start making the arms and swingarms, which bend easyly, ours was hardly ridden and it had a bent swing arm. Any way after looking at the chassis it didn't take long to notice some similaritys to the racing chassis, one in particular. The first clue was the rear shock mount and how it was built. Making a long story short the YZF 450 is a replica of the 250R that we built for Tim Farr 2-21/2 years ago. It was a 250R with a Yz motor and he rode it to many victorys especially at anahiem. After he won anahiem two YZ engineers from japan and two more from YZ usa and the spent three days disecting the chassis. And what you have a couple years later is that exact bike ready for race out of the box. The Motion Ratio's, wheel travel, etc is all the same.

Now here is what the honda will be like. It will be a 250R chassis with 450 motor in with cr500 linkage on the swing arm. Basically another replica of our honda chassis, and of course we get credit for none of this, Ahhhh corperate america/Japan at its finest.

[desertratt]

bent swing arm? i figured that the a-arms would bend and that the swing arm would just crack before it bent. interesting. isnt that just the way it goes, you build some thing and the other guy copies it and take the credit!

[dunerking]

Acid... what is going on?Can't wait for that first trip to Glamis! What is going on with those front A-Arms for our LT-500's?Those YFZ 450 look sweet but will they hold up to abuse,you said the swing arm was bent from mild riding,is that going to be expected?

[sirhk100]

Ummmm, for anyone that's looking to buy a NEW bike I HIGHLY suggest checking out this place!!!!

http://www.motorcycle-brokers.com

for instance, check the price on the quad... Add $350 to the price for maximum shipping costs... Your dealer will laugh in your face if you try to get them that low!!!

http://www.motorcycle-brokers.com/moredetails.html?51180806&sitecode=motorcycle-brokers


Look at the '03 KX and CR 250 prices!!!!!

[redline]

my friend cliff showed up at sand lake for 4th of july with this in his new toy box. its all titanium, frame, arms, swing arms, ect. With a KTM 526 dirt bike engine. The frame is based off of a 250r and was built by lonestar. This was was freaking FAST. The frame weighs 22lbs. I could lift the end up off the ground with one arms easily.

[redline]

another

[redline]

one more sorry not the greatest pics

[ACID_RAIN28]

The Lt arms are coming, just got other stuff inline before that to finish first. Going out the the dunes holloween weekend, you? The swing arm is a two piece forged aluminum or cast. That is the price you pay for new technology.

[SDranger]

Damm Khris, i wish i would have known about that place when i got my bike! I check out the site some more and they are in canada. If you live in ca you need an out of state title for an extra 99 bucks. Also you have to go pick up your bike at a forward air terminal but there is one at LAX and one in san diego. Hey, i guess all that time your spending online has finally saved you some money http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[sirhk100]

Yeah, and the best part about the Canadian bikes is you can green sticker them!!! I did on mine!!

[dunerking]

Counting down the days! It couldn't come any faster.I've got a few things to do to the LT before I go,nothing major.Keep me in mind when those arms are getting worked out.It would be nice to plush'n up the front.

[ACID_RAIN28]

sure thing, All I have to do on my lt is redo the steering steem, here is the story, we went out riding on fire control roads one weekend, (steep cliffs) rode the thing hard, came back to the truck and as I made the last turn to the truck I noticed the handle bars were a little funky, before I stopped the stem sheared off , talk about luck, had it been a few seconds earlier I would taken out an old man walking his dog or I would have checked for bushes at the bottom.

[desertratt]

now here is a bent arm http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid69/p4e4811ae05e9e740786ef9bf0813ab45/fba53d7b.jpg

[ACID_RAIN28]

Looks like you need a set of the arms just finished for that machine. The current list is 30 sets on order. I will post a pick of the finished product shortly

[desertratt]

its not mine i found the pic on another forum. the put it a ditch from what i read

[dunerking]

Yeah I would say you dodge a bullet! Looks like you will have to make yourself one of those *****'n custom units.Since you would be getting a new one would you get a +1 or +1.5 longer stem!

[pjc]

Oophs. I should have noticed this thread earlier.

We got one of these to test just before the VtoR race. I have owned a number of hi-perf quads and I gotta say that this ride rocks. Super power across a wide powerband and it feels as light as a TRX250R. Stock, it has plenty of power, more than a stock raptor but not as much as the LT500 I have for sale.

[ACID_RAIN28]

How could you sell the LT500! my head is down in shame http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I would make it about an inch taller

We were trying to fiqure out why they put the bend in the arm the way they did, why not down at the shock mount, our guess is that is a engineered weekpoint.

[desertratt]

finally got mine yesterday. we went up to barstow today to brake it in. can you say fast? and it handles great as well!
http://a5.cpimg.com/image/E5/AC/21599205-3c7f-015F0126-.jpg

[ACID_RAIN28]

I just glad that yamaha came out with the bike when they did, or else I would have to make another godforsaken banshee frame for that motor, for the pont e vux race next month. http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[desertratt]

yeah but now i am having to drop every thing else and make our nerfs and bumpers for the yfz for that race

[Jerry Zaiden]

How is it compared to the 1988-89 Honda 250? I am selling my 250 on Wednesday and will be looking into the Yamaha. How is the power, speed, suspension?

[desertratt]

as a whole, i feel its better than any production quad on the presant market. it needs vary little extras to make it totaly alive. pipe and jetting. the stock suspention is great but i'm sure with your know how of suspention you could fine tune that dept. with ease. how soon are you looking to get a new quad? the new honda is suposed to be anounced in september if you want to wait. i couldn't wait! girkfriend got tired of me racing her quad so i had to get one of my own! lolol!

[sirhk100]

Just my 2 cents on the motors... I rode a '04 YZF450 bike last weekend and I own a '03CRF450. These are basically the two motors in the quads but the '04CRF is supposedly stronger across the board then mine due to higher compression and some other stuff. Anyways, If you like the 2 stroke hit, the YZ definately has more then the CRF of a powerband. The CRF is just a MASSIVE tractor. Has more torque and power is smooth across the board. I personally think it's a easier motor to ride but they are both bitchin and don't lack anything really anywhere. Have you ridden a new MX 4 stroke? The YZ400/426 models are piles compared to the CRF450 and teh YZF450 finally bumped them up to the same level.

Khris

[Jerry Zaiden]

I heard the honda is coming but did not know when. This will be a fun year in Glamis:). I love my Yamaha WR400F. It is not a 426 or 450 but it is fast enough. I think if the new quads feel like my bike I will be pleased. The only question I have: Does the new quad handle like the older Honda 250. Better or worse; does it feel heavy?

[desertratt]

it feels lighter and handles way better!

[ACID_RAIN28]

Hondas will be out soon! both bikes are the spawned from the 88-89 250R.

[tedmales]

how does this one compare to the raptor? i was looking at a raptor when i heard about yzf and held out for a while. i am a big guy, 6' 5" and 350+ and need a large bike. any suggestions. i will mostly just cruise around, maybe, maybe a fud race here or there, and some dunes, but i need al all around bike.

[desertratt]

if you are just using it for mostly rec riding i would go with the raptor. you can get deals on them right now.

[Jerry Zaiden]

I would love to see this Honda. I heard last year from a test rider that they were going to use the 89 chassis and put in the 4 stroke motor. But who knows!

[sirhk100]

That would definately be smart on Honda's part... Jerry, your WR looks sweet, is it YZ timed and everything too?

[ACID_RAIN28]

Jerry, you are correct it will be based on the 88-89 chassis with the cr450f motor in it.

[Kbach66]

Just curious......why do you think that?

[ACID_RAIN28]

I think you are referring to why I think they are making it like a 88-89 250r with a 450f motor. There is not a chassis out there that is faster and won more races then that Leager 250R chassis, like I said before the 250R chassis geometry is second to none, that is why the yamaha is a clone of a Tim Farrs honda.

[tedmales]

if the 250r was so great, why did they stop making it. and why couldn't there be a better design made. or has it used everything there is available without going crazy (i.e. 4 wheel independent, etc) it seems that everything else has progressed, but maybe not as much as we would like to think.

[Junior]

Two words........z 400

[dunerking]

I have ridden one of those Z 400's and was not to impressed with it.It handled O.K but there was not enough power.But I guess it would be O.K for a lady.I was just able to make it to the top of China wall,but it maybe a little unfair for me to judge because I ride a LT-500,come on!

[Junior]

Ride a LT-500? Don't you mean you work on a LT-500? lol

[Jerry Zaiden]

I think the reason why they stopped making them is because of a law suit ban on building high performance ATV's. That is what I heard ( rumors) but who really knows.

sirhk100,

yes it has the FMF power bomb header and Q series Mufler with YZ timing and ignition. It also has some valve work pretty stock though. I might be selling it soon for $4500.

I also looked at the Yamaha quad yesterday and I must say it looks like a nice quad. It weighs 350lbs which is 30 lbs less than a Banshee. Does anyone know how much a stock 250r weighs?

[yamadog77]

Haha, I like it.."ride a 500, dont you mean work on it" well, my buddy just got a new yamaha 450 quad an its awesome! I have a 426 and the quad pulls away from my Bike in 5th gear. I highly recommend it.. http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/grin.gif For sale 2000 426 see attached

[ACID_RAIN28]

Not sure, but if there was a lawsuit going on about high perf quads wouldn't the banshee have gotten axed as well?

There has been all wheel indipendent quads made, it was on ORC a while ago, a 400ex that was converted but it didn't last, to complicated. Why change the 250R there was nothing wrong with it, would you change a winning race car?

[Jerry Zaiden]

It was a Honda thing, I think it was because of the 3 wheelers (ATC).

[dunerking]

I haven't had to work on except to add the Paul Turner pipe and a few other accessories.But I think I would rather wrench on the 2-stroker(LT-500) any day over that of the 4-stroker. And still doesn't change that they have weak power.Like I said good for the lady(reverse,electric start)but bad for me.

[sirhk100]

Jerry, here's something to wet your tongue... This is the first semi "official" announcment I've seen of the honda quad. Try and ride a CRF450 if you get a chance, you'll like the motor!!!!

http://motorcycledaily.com/080403pressrelease1.htm

How cool is this quote from that link!!!

"The new era of domination begins after the Honda Dealer Business Meeting, on September 10th"

You know, I was thinking... In my "opinion" I still think the '89 honda was the best styled quad ever produced. I think Honda would be smart if they stuck with that styling. It's kinda old school compared to the new quads but you know, everyone knows the Banshee look. And everyone remembers the Honda look. I think the new yamahas look more like hotwheels and kids toys then quads...

Khris

[Kbach66]

Trust me guys....I think you're going to like it. Like I said before, if you were planning on a YFZ450, you might want to wait a while....

[ACID_RAIN28]

I think car and bike designers need to make up their mind on weither or not the industry is going to go with smooths styling or sharp jagged edges. It seemed like everything was going smoother like 400ex and 2000 chevys and fords but now it is all 180 again and we are back to sharp cheeder. (2cents)

[desertratt]

got to keep us fabricators on our toes !

[Jerry Zaiden]

OK... I just got my new quad!!!!! It is a blue YFZ450. I must say in a streight line it pulls very hard in stock form. To top it off when you rail a turn (only on pavement so far) It just slides so nice! The quad just floats through the turns. I bought it from Hamn Motorsports in Anaheim ask for Scott, Mike of Jeff. They will give you a good deal.
The plans are lonestar front arms and rear axle. Baja designs front light bar with 2 hella HID 1000 lights. And to top it off AC skid plates and nerf bars. This Glamis seson will be fun!
I will post picutes soon.

[desertratt]

cool you bought one!!!!!! i have been riding mine every week end out in barstow since i got it. this week end is going to be my frist race on it and i cant wait!!!
http://a8.cpimg.com/image/4E/86/21859918-df92-02000167-.jpg
http://a6.cpimg.com/image/7E/88/21859966-7a95-0200016F-.jpg

[Jerry Zaiden]

What did you do to yours so far?

[ACID_RAIN28]

NOOOOOOOOOO JERRY DON'T BUY LONESTAR. LONESTAR = FABTECH.

What kind of setup in the front do you want we make +2 stock shock, 2+ long shock, and then the aluminum spindle T-pin setup protraxx. pick one I'll hook you up

[Jerry Zaiden]

Where do you work?

[desertratt]

what would you charge for arms? i am even up for some product swap if you might be interested

[desertratt]

so far the only thing ive done is put our skids and nerfs on and added a pipe. plus i made a storage box thats part of the grab bar. oh yeah reinforced wheels and taller tires

[ACID_RAIN28]

Leager's Inc baby!
Mark Leager is the owner
everything out in the market today is a copy of our stuff, check and you will see. exept roll, his stuff is different in design by far but not superior

Nothing but the best, you should see the swing arm that we have for that bike, unlike any other swing arm you have ever seen and cost effective! I give it 6 months then it will be copied like all of our other stuff.

[ACID_RAIN28]

Here is an example of lonetech. This last weekend at the MX nationls back east cory ellis has a lonestar 450 bike, well he wanted to change the gear ratio on the bike, impossible with the excentric that they make, because of the design you cant make it work with enough movement to adjust the chain. Well What we are doing is utilizing the stock carrier, it will be cheaper and we will get .750" of movement were as all the others only have .375" and it drops the ride hight, and with our design it does not change. Also when you adjust the housing on the competition swingarms you have to shim the shocks. just fye

[totalchaosyota92]

i seen 4 of them at chaparel today pretty sic didnt se anny priceh