Late to the party with this...

Fiberglassflyer
Edited Date/Time 1/25/2012 11:21pm
Yamaha, what were you thinking? Finally got the chance to sit on a 2012 YZ450 yesterday. I had to look down and make sure I hadn't sat on a Waverunner by mistake. The sheer mass and width of this machine took me by surprize. The 2000 KTM 380 MXC I owned and my son's 2006 CRF 450 felt like Schwinn Stingrays compared to the YZ. I've sat on 08 & 09 450 YZ's and they felt great. Just makes me wonder what prompted them to go down this road. They make the best stock suspension, a very good reliable motor and then put it into a XR 650 size chassis. To be fair, the KTM 450SXF sitting right next to it wasn't much better.I was hoping to see a 2012 KXF 450 and Suzuki 450, but they were sold out. I did get to sit on a 2012 KTM 250 SX. I can see what everyone is raving about. If only they would find away to put the 380 motor in that thing. I hope this trend of unlimited mass and weight is reversed soon. At between eight and nine grand a pop for these bike's, I'll be shopping at AJ's place for a 500.Wink Mr. Newmann... It's all your's.
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Camp332
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Camp332 12/16/2011 8:53pm
12/16/2011 8:53pm
Now you know why Stewart asked JGR to make custom shrouds. Making his bike slimmer. I heard that JS 2011 bike was 8 lbs heavier than the AMA "low weight limit"... A factory bike should be adding weight to make the AMA cut.
newmann
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newmann 12/16/2011 9:09pm
12/16/2011 9:09pm
Fiberglassflyer wrote:
Yamaha, what were you thinking? Finally got the chance to sit on a 2012 YZ450 yesterday. I had to look down and make sure I hadn't...
Yamaha, what were you thinking? Finally got the chance to sit on a 2012 YZ450 yesterday. I had to look down and make sure I hadn't sat on a Waverunner by mistake. The sheer mass and width of this machine took me by surprize. The 2000 KTM 380 MXC I owned and my son's 2006 CRF 450 felt like Schwinn Stingrays compared to the YZ. I've sat on 08 & 09 450 YZ's and they felt great. Just makes me wonder what prompted them to go down this road. They make the best stock suspension, a very good reliable motor and then put it into a XR 650 size chassis. To be fair, the KTM 450SXF sitting right next to it wasn't much better.I was hoping to see a 2012 KXF 450 and Suzuki 450, but they were sold out. I did get to sit on a 2012 KTM 250 SX. I can see what everyone is raving about. If only they would find away to put the 380 motor in that thing. I hope this trend of unlimited mass and weight is reversed soon. At between eight and nine grand a pop for these bike's, I'll be shopping at AJ's place for a 500.Wink Mr. Newmann... It's all your's.
Worst thing about the whole deal is you'll have to invest in a new trailer to haul that wide thing. Have to add that to the 9G sticker.

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Fiberglassflyer 12/16/2011 9:24pm
12/16/2011 9:24pm
Fiberglassflyer wrote:
Yamaha, what were you thinking? Finally got the chance to sit on a 2012 YZ450 yesterday. I had to look down and make sure I hadn't...
Yamaha, what were you thinking? Finally got the chance to sit on a 2012 YZ450 yesterday. I had to look down and make sure I hadn't sat on a Waverunner by mistake. The sheer mass and width of this machine took me by surprize. The 2000 KTM 380 MXC I owned and my son's 2006 CRF 450 felt like Schwinn Stingrays compared to the YZ. I've sat on 08 & 09 450 YZ's and they felt great. Just makes me wonder what prompted them to go down this road. They make the best stock suspension, a very good reliable motor and then put it into a XR 650 size chassis. To be fair, the KTM 450SXF sitting right next to it wasn't much better.I was hoping to see a 2012 KXF 450 and Suzuki 450, but they were sold out. I did get to sit on a 2012 KTM 250 SX. I can see what everyone is raving about. If only they would find away to put the 380 motor in that thing. I hope this trend of unlimited mass and weight is reversed soon. At between eight and nine grand a pop for these bike's, I'll be shopping at AJ's place for a 500.Wink Mr. Newmann... It's all your's.
newmann wrote:
Worst thing about the whole deal is you'll have to invest in a new trailer to haul that wide thing. Have to add that to the...
Worst thing about the whole deal is you'll have to invest in a new trailer to haul that wide thing. Have to add that to the 9G sticker.

I'm just an old guy that raced open bikes in the 70's. I would have never guessed that bikes thirty years later would weigh this much. Camp332, I have nothing but respect for any pro that would actually race that bike the way it is in stock(ergonomic) form.I think I understand Mr. Pourcels'(sp?) situation a little better now.
bangmyhead
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bangmyhead 12/16/2011 9:27pm
12/16/2011 9:27pm
yea i rode an '11 yz450. thing was way bigger then my 04 crf450. must say the powerplant on it was awesome and that was bout it imo
jeffro503
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jeffro503 12/16/2011 9:39pm
12/16/2011 9:39pm
Well....I owned a 2010 Yami 450 , and although it felt a little wide just sitting there on it.......riding it was a different story. It felt good riding it and was also very "light" feeling in the air. I actually really liked the bike a lot. I only sold mine because I was stepping out of the sport for good......then changed my mind and got another bike ( 08 CFR450 ).

One thing to consider is this : there are guys that trash on the bike for the looks , weight , width and so forth.....but I guarantee you , that 90% of those guys haven't ridden one......they are just repeating what they read online. If you talk to an actual owner , your response will be different.

Fiber.....IF you do decide on getting a new 450 though.....wait until you have a chance to ride the other 3 brands. I have only ridden 11' models so far. I really , really liked the RMZ.....very nice bike! The kawasaki was also a great bike , but I really want to ride a 2012 kaw. Also.....I'm not done completely on the Honda thing either.....would love to try out an 11' or 12' 450.
glossy509's 12/16/2011 9:46pm
12/16/2011 9:46pm
I'm pretty sure Stewart won "six" races with that fat pig!

Fyi- I would consider using a mask when workin with fiberglass..
Rewindcaz
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Rewindcaz 12/16/2011 10:25pm
12/16/2011 10:25pm Edited Date/Time 12/16/2011 10:29pm
The size and weight are fine. Being taller they are a lot of the reasons I chose my Yamaha over the other manufacturers. I'm glad they aren't going the path of Honda by making the bike for midgets.

The centralized weight Yamaha is trying to do though.. not a big fan. Back end of the bike has a mind of it's own.
Fiberglassflyer 12/16/2011 11:31pm
12/16/2011 11:31pm
glossy509's wrote:
I'm pretty sure Stewart won "six" races with that fat pig!

Fyi- I would consider using a mask when workin with fiberglass..
That's why I made the comment of how impressed I am that they actually can go that fast on one. Btw, I don't work with fiberglass, My first race bike was made out of the stuff. Now, what's your excuse?Tongue
Fiberglassflyer 12/16/2011 11:42pm
12/16/2011 11:42pm
Rewindcaz wrote:
The size and weight are fine. Being taller they are a lot of the reasons I chose my Yamaha over the other manufacturers. I'm glad they...
The size and weight are fine. Being taller they are a lot of the reasons I chose my Yamaha over the other manufacturers. I'm glad they aren't going the path of Honda by making the bike for midgets.

The centralized weight Yamaha is trying to do though.. not a big fan. Back end of the bike has a mind of it's own.
I get that. I'm 6'2 and don't like to be cramped up on a bike. The weight is not the problem for me. The 390 Husky's and 400 Maicos I raced had to weigh at least 230lbs+,but were narrow and nimble feeling compared to the YZ. I really like how the Honda and Kawasaki are laid out, they feel just right to me.
Fiberglassflyer 12/16/2011 11:58pm
12/16/2011 11:58pm Edited Date/Time 12/16/2011 11:59pm
jeffro503 wrote:
Well....I owned a 2010 Yami 450 , and although it felt a little wide just sitting there on it.......riding it was a different story. It felt...
Well....I owned a 2010 Yami 450 , and although it felt a little wide just sitting there on it.......riding it was a different story. It felt good riding it and was also very "light" feeling in the air. I actually really liked the bike a lot. I only sold mine because I was stepping out of the sport for good......then changed my mind and got another bike ( 08 CFR450 ).

One thing to consider is this : there are guys that trash on the bike for the looks , weight , width and so forth.....but I guarantee you , that 90% of those guys haven't ridden one......they are just repeating what they read online. If you talk to an actual owner , your response will be different.

Fiber.....IF you do decide on getting a new 450 though.....wait until you have a chance to ride the other 3 brands. I have only ridden 11' models so far. I really , really liked the RMZ.....very nice bike! The kawasaki was also a great bike , but I really want to ride a 2012 kaw. Also.....I'm not done completely on the Honda thing either.....would love to try out an 11' or 12' 450.
Hey Jeff, I hoped you would chime in on this. I really like Yamahas, having owned one years ago. Maybe it's just me, I've got a mental picture of trying to wrestle it cut and thrust style like a two stroke open bike. With a different riding style.perhaps the width and weight would not be so noticeable. I looked at a 2012 250 RMZ and really felt comfortable on it. Of course the 450 weighs fifteen pounds more I believe. Oh well, when I win the KXF 450 from Motosports Outlet it will be a moot point anyways.Silly
glossy509's 12/17/2011 4:48am
12/17/2011 4:48am
glossy509's wrote:
I'm pretty sure Stewart won "six" races with that fat pig!

Fyi- I would consider using a mask when workin with fiberglass..
Fiberglassflyer wrote:
That's why I made the comment of how impressed I am that they actually can go that fast on one. Btw, I don't work with fiberglass...
That's why I made the comment of how impressed I am that they actually can go that fast on one. Btw, I don't work with fiberglass, My first race bike was made out of the stuff. Now, what's your excuse?Tongue
It'd all good bro I really don't have excuseSick my last 80's flat tracker had fiberglass rear fender and my 81 Husky 390 did Not turn at all

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