The scoop on the 2018 yz450f

Freakazoid
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Freakazoid
Will the 2018 yz450f be all new? Seems like every other 450 manufacturer has moved on past the big, bulky bikes, for 2018, but I havent heard anything on the YZ..

I love my new RMZ450, but it only opened the door to 450s. I want to try them all!!

Can I buy a 2018 yamaha next year, or do I have to wait until 2019? Or do I just buy the 2018 KTM, because you know that thing will be FIRE!
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YamaLink
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YamaLink 2/12/2017 5:58am
2/12/2017 5:58am
I haven't heard anything, but as you alluded to, the likes of Honda in 2017 have completely rewritten the 450 scene. That CRF is soooo good!
Freakazoid
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Freakazoid 2/12/2017 6:11am
2/12/2017 6:11am
If the 2018 Suzuki is any good, it will be super tough picking out a new bike next year. I love my new 2015 RMZ450, it is so darn maneuverable, and inspires more confidence to turn than even my yz125. I do notice it being a bit less stable in fast, uneven terrain, however its sooo good at cornering IDC about stability, especially since im not crazy fast. I will be buying more Zooks!

The KTM and Honda standout to me the most though. They look so refined, and I have heard great things. If yamaha doesnt do something radical, Ill probably go with the KTM. If Honda stiffens up the crf450 a bit, that will be right up there.
Motofinne
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Motofinne 2/12/2017 6:17am
2/12/2017 6:17am Edited Date/Time 2/12/2017 10:17am
I would guess that it will be a new bike for Yamaha in 2018.

We will probably have new a new Yamaha 2018, a new Suzuki 2018 and a new KTM Factory Edition 2018.

The normal KTM 2018 will probably only have minor tweaks. But the 2018 FE will have upgrades. I will wait for the FE.
Eurobrah
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Eurobrah 2/12/2017 6:21am
2/12/2017 6:21am
Motofinne wrote:
I would guess that it will be a new bike for Yamaha in 2018. We will probably have new a new Yamaha 2018, a new Suzuki...
I would guess that it will be a new bike for Yamaha in 2018.

We will probably have new a new Yamaha 2018, a new Suzuki 2018 and a new KTM Factory Edition 2018.

The normal KTM 2018 will probably only have minor tweaks. But the 2018 FE will have upgrades. I will wait for the FE.
Are only the Factory Edition models going to be all new for 2018 KTM's or the whole line? Heard about the fuel injected two strokes, but I have no idea about the SXF's.

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Motofinne
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Motofinne 2/12/2017 6:25am
2/12/2017 6:25am
Motofinne wrote:
I would guess that it will be a new bike for Yamaha in 2018. We will probably have new a new Yamaha 2018, a new Suzuki...
I would guess that it will be a new bike for Yamaha in 2018.

We will probably have new a new Yamaha 2018, a new Suzuki 2018 and a new KTM Factory Edition 2018.

The normal KTM 2018 will probably only have minor tweaks. But the 2018 FE will have upgrades. I will wait for the FE.
Eurobrah wrote:
Are only the Factory Edition models going to be all new for 2018 KTM's or the whole line? Heard about the fuel injected two strokes, but...
Are only the Factory Edition models going to be all new for 2018 KTM's or the whole line? Heard about the fuel injected two strokes, but I have no idea about the SXF's.
If they do like they have for the recent years only the FE bikes will be all new.


But the fuel injection is coming to the 2 strokes. But i think the enduro models will get it first(EXC) because they need to get the emissions down for those bikes if they want to register them for the road.
DADTAXI
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DADTAXI 2/12/2017 10:07am
2/12/2017 10:07am
Freakazoid wrote:
Will the 2018 yz450f be all new? Seems like every other 450 manufacturer has moved on past the big, bulky bikes, for 2018, but I havent...
Will the 2018 yz450f be all new? Seems like every other 450 manufacturer has moved on past the big, bulky bikes, for 2018, but I havent heard anything on the YZ..

I love my new RMZ450, but it only opened the door to 450s. I want to try them all!!

Can I buy a 2018 yamaha next year, or do I have to wait until 2019? Or do I just buy the 2018 KTM, because you know that thing will be FIRE!
Its all new, Keefer had made mentions of it on pulp.

someone seen one & claims its bulky & still ugly.( not sure on true )
yzjs7
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yzjs7 2/12/2017 10:17am
2/12/2017 10:17am
I think Yamaha is the best looking bike in the pits personally.
Sheriff245 2/12/2017 10:26am
2/12/2017 10:26am
DADTAXI wrote:
Its all new, Keefer had made mentions of it on pulp.

someone seen one & claims its bulky & still ugly.( not sure on true )
He also mentioned the 2015 YZ 2 strokes were going to be brand new back in '14...
JBecker 72
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JBecker 72 2/12/2017 10:40am
2/12/2017 10:40am
Based on how Yamaha has been doing the 4 year refresh for a while on their 250F and 450F, there might just be new YZF's rolling into dealers this fall. 06-09->10-13->14-17. What will the 2018 be?
mx691
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mx691 2/12/2017 12:07pm
2/12/2017 12:07pm
Steel frame, conventional engine (cylinder head turned the "normal" way).
Dual small disks in front. Spring forks. Variable valve timing, no cams.
400cc, very short stroke.

In my dreams!
Derpin' DJ
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Derpin' DJ 2/12/2017 1:45pm
2/12/2017 1:45pm
Another "question written as a statement title"...
Phillip_Lamb
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Phillip_Lamb 2/12/2017 1:47pm
2/12/2017 1:47pm
YamaLink wrote:
I haven't heard anything, but as you alluded to, the likes of Honda in 2017 have completely rewritten the 450 scene. That CRF is soooo good!
Not quite sure how the CRF rewrote the 450 scene. the put their chassis close to what it was in 2008, and it has a rideable engine and only lost 5 lbs.

Where as KTM, is still weighs 8lbs less than the Honda and it has electric start and a better motor and handles well
mx1234
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mx1234 3/22/2017 10:29am
3/22/2017 10:29am
New chassis, new plastics, and electric start.
Harry Backmon 3/22/2017 10:34am
3/22/2017 10:34am
mx1234 wrote:
New chassis, new plastics, and electric start.
Post some proof or it's just hearsay.
Ryno23
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Ryno23 3/22/2017 11:11am
3/22/2017 11:11am Edited Date/Time 3/22/2017 12:00pm
One of my best friends owns a Yamaha dealership (yet I work at the Honda dealership) in which we were on a trip to a desert race a few weeks back. He said the Yamaha rep told him to" clear out all the 17's he can as the 18 is all new."

So from a sales rep, to a shop owner, to an employee at another shop (me), that the wash bay kid has seen a vision of the new bike when he was tokin up at lunch and cruisin the web says "It's gonna be sick bro!!"
mx1234
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mx1234 3/22/2017 11:20am
3/22/2017 11:20am
mx1234 wrote:
New chassis, new plastics, and electric start.
Harry Backmon wrote:
Post some proof or it's just hearsay.
Yu Hirata bike.
wreckitrandy
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wreckitrandy 3/22/2017 2:20pm
3/22/2017 2:20pm
TheOriginalPancakee wrote:
Get a 2017 Honda. That's the best bike right now
Not according to Jody...

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JW381
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JW381 3/22/2017 2:34pm
3/22/2017 2:34pm
I think the mfgs are approaching a limit. There's only so many shiny new things you can put on a production motorcycle and have it still be affordable to the market that owns and operates said motorcycles.
fullysicmate
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fullysicmate 3/22/2017 2:48pm
3/22/2017 2:48pm
YamaLink wrote:
I haven't heard anything, but as you alluded to, the likes of Honda in 2017 have completely rewritten the 450 scene. That CRF is soooo good!
Phillip_Lamb wrote:
Not quite sure how the CRF rewrote the 450 scene. the put their chassis close to what it was in 2008, and it has a rideable...
Not quite sure how the CRF rewrote the 450 scene. the put their chassis close to what it was in 2008, and it has a rideable engine and only lost 5 lbs.

Where as KTM, is still weighs 8lbs less than the Honda and it has electric start and a better motor and handles well
Keen to ride the new honda, I have a 14 ktm 450 and I still cant get over the amount of speed I have picked up going from a 14 yz450 to the ktm. And that not having to kick factor, too good. had 12 races on saturday, 2 practices, must have started my bike 24 times, not one kick. Had one stack, stalled it. Bike was going before i got my leg over. Happy days.
Monk
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Monk 3/22/2017 4:21pm
3/22/2017 4:21pm
Slimmer by about 2", smaller by about 1.5", lighter by 12lbs and e-start and I'll put cash down tomorrow. Anything less and you're just wasting your money...
Spooner
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Spooner 3/22/2017 4:33pm
3/22/2017 4:33pm
Ryno23 wrote:
One of my best friends owns a Yamaha dealership (yet I work at the Honda dealership) in which we were on a trip to a desert...
One of my best friends owns a Yamaha dealership (yet I work at the Honda dealership) in which we were on a trip to a desert race a few weeks back. He said the Yamaha rep told him to" clear out all the 17's he can as the 18 is all new."

So from a sales rep, to a shop owner, to an employee at another shop (me), that the wash bay kid has seen a vision of the new bike when he was tokin up at lunch and cruisin the web says "It's gonna be sick bro!!"
I heard the exact same thing.
Spooner
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Spooner 3/22/2017 5:50pm
3/22/2017 5:50pm
Ryno23 wrote:
One of my best friends owns a Yamaha dealership (yet I work at the Honda dealership) in which we were on a trip to a desert...
One of my best friends owns a Yamaha dealership (yet I work at the Honda dealership) in which we were on a trip to a desert race a few weeks back. He said the Yamaha rep told him to" clear out all the 17's he can as the 18 is all new."

So from a sales rep, to a shop owner, to an employee at another shop (me), that the wash bay kid has seen a vision of the new bike when he was tokin up at lunch and cruisin the web says "It's gonna be sick bro!!"
I heard the exact same thing.
Monk
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Monk 3/22/2017 5:53pm
3/22/2017 5:53pm
Slimmer by about 2", smaller by about 1.5", lighter by 12lbs and e-start and I'll put cash down tomorrow. Anything less and you're just wasting your money...
MxKing809
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MxKing809 3/22/2017 5:53pm
3/22/2017 5:53pm Edited Date/Time 3/22/2017 5:59pm
JW381 wrote:
I think the mfgs are approaching a limit. There's only so many shiny new things you can put on a production motorcycle and have it still...
I think the mfgs are approaching a limit. There's only so many shiny new things you can put on a production motorcycle and have it still be affordable to the market that owns and operates said motorcycles.
Nothing has really improved industry wide since 2010-ish. Weight is the only thing. But it's not a major deal to skim 5-8 lbs off a 275lb vet riders bike....
Harry Backmon 3/22/2017 7:16pm
3/22/2017 7:16pm
TheOriginalPancakee wrote:
Get a 2017 Honda. That's the best bike right now
wreckitrandy wrote:
Not according to Jody...
RoflCopter726 wrote:
Add a tooth to the rear and torque the sprocket bolts.
Bro, you gotta torque those sprocket bolts. Not to mention setting the sag and chain tension. It's all in the set up.
rrjr
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rrjr 3/22/2017 7:35pm
3/22/2017 7:35pm Edited Date/Time 3/22/2017 7:36pm
JW381 wrote:
I think the mfgs are approaching a limit. There's only so many shiny new things you can put on a production motorcycle and have it still...
I think the mfgs are approaching a limit. There's only so many shiny new things you can put on a production motorcycle and have it still be affordable to the market that owns and operates said motorcycles.
They're barely affordable now. Wink
Crush
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Crush 3/22/2017 7:38pm
3/22/2017 7:38pm
yzjs7 wrote:
I think Yamaha is the best looking bike in the pits personally.
Holy

Fuck.
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FI2T 3/22/2017 7:44pm
3/22/2017 7:44pm
TheOriginalPancakee wrote:
Get a 2017 Honda. That's the best bike right now
wreckitrandy wrote:
Not according to Jody...
........or anyone who has riden a 17 KTM/Husky that isn't in love with the color red.

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