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If the YZ250f had a better motor it would probably be a winner in a shootout. The suspension and handling are good but the motor is weak compared to Honda, Suzuki, and Kawasaki. I have no idea about the 450. Like its been stated, Yamaha makes good bikes but they need to step up with their support for teams and develop the bikes better.
Thank goodness for KTM.
look at it this way, everyone said that the 350 couldn't compete in the SX class and Short is exactly in the same spot with the 450 as he was with the 350...... People doubted that RD5 could hang on the KTM but he is right where he was last year on the Zuki.
in the right hands of someone like JS or CR22, who have raced 2Ts, i think the bike would be at less of a disadvantage than the 350, could be able to create lines that the 450s and 350s couldn't ect and is lighter than both bikes while feeling even lighter than it actually is.
tomac has been running top 3 to 4 average 450 lap times consistently on a bike that has much less power....... now imagine JS on a bike with power close to the 450s that weigh less than the 250Fs. of all the people, i think the 2T caters to JS's style. i for one don't think he would get slaughtered...... might even bring back some of his lost popularity.
It's not that at all- it's about how in my eyes, the failure to have a race team and the latest R&D tools developing what is, by all accounts, a different machine has hurt the company at pro racing levels. With plenty of privateers running away from Yamaha in both classes and pro teams switching brands- there's something amiss with Yamaha. Again, in my opinion.
For those saying I have a grudge against Yamaha, nothing could be further from the truth. I make fun of myself, KTM, Yamaha, Moto XXX and pretty much every team and rider I worked for over the years. Yes Yamaha comes up now and then but so does everyone else.
HERE'S something I wrote about Honda a year ago, sort of like what I wrote about Yamaha.
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Everyone has a different take on what R&D and testing actually is.
And, if they are doing it "properly."
I also wonder, how does everyone know, like they seem to be saying here, that Yamaha didn't do their testing?? Just because someone said so on the internet and JS crashes alot???
Same frame, steering stem and forks. Engine in the same place as well while it sounds like MC reinvented the wheel over there?
Steve's right. Check it out for yourself this weekend folks.
The only people in the 450 main on a YZF will be Milsaps and Stewart.
Props to JGR. If Stewart is still racing next year I'll be surprised if JGR continues with Yamaha (barring some long term contract).
also, what is yamahas situation over the pond .the same?
James will not be on a Yami next year.
yamaha was the first to make a 4-stroke MX bike and they will be the first to stop supporting the teams entirely
Pit Row
What amazes me most is that people in here seems to believe this the last model of the yz450f Yamaha will ever produce !!!?
Who knows...maybe Yamaha comes out with an new chassi in 2013 ?
They wont do for James what KTM did for Dungey.
And like Matthes said, they have suspension and components but they are so expensive no one will buy them. So sure, they may do some testing but who is doing it. And if they don't share the findings, is it even really worth it? No.
And outdoor testing doesn't do a thing for SX. So the GP's don't help much at all.
I doubt James and every other Yamaha team has got any good support from the Factory, in either R&D, testing, motor help or anything. Which is why JGR decided to build all their own shit.
Lets say, Yamaha gets a black eye from this whole thing. Do you think they will step up to the plate to help the teams that run Yamaha's?
JGR might just say forget y'all and do their own thing, since they have been forced to already.
But I still love my Yamaha.
I got it set-up PERFECTLY for an elderly, beginner level wannabe poser.
Also great article!
This is quite an insightful interview Matthes did with Josh Coppins back in 2011 (yamaha talk starts at 13.50).
Coppins on the YZF
Post a reply to: Good read on Yamaha written by Matthes