New 2023 YZ450F

My dealer is still saying February, just curious if they are just showing up with no warning? 

Picked mine up Tuesday and rode it yesterday on our sand track. This thing is FAST. Went out for a heat cycle before setting sag. Set sag while it was cooling down and I was very happy to feel in my next session that cornering was vastly improved (obviously). It was stiff for our winter track but I know there's still a few hours to go before the forks are broken in. I went two clicks softer and was pleased to feel that initiating corners felt more natural. I started getting comfortable in the three corners I felt were the most challenging and loved the way the Yz tracked through each zone of the rut, most notably how comfortable the mid section of the rut felt. Keeping the RPM lower throughout the rut was the ticket for me to keep stability. It's clear that this bike handles better throughout the whole corner in comparison to the previous generation Yz. 

I wish the front brake was a little stronger like the Austrians which helps inspire confidence coming into corners. This felt more like a runaway train in terms of braking. Cable clutch is awesome. Great feel, easy pull, big fan. 

Low RPM is very controllable while still strong. Mid RPM range feels more like the Honda that wants to rip your arms off. I'll be playing with the tuning app next ride to see if I can mellow it out. It has a ton of over-rev and will go as long as you tell it to. Still wishing Yamaha would engineer a 350 powerplant *sigh*. Overall, the engine felt similar to that of the last gen with the power distributed a bit differently. Still very strong and tractor like with some bark. 

I'm 6' 170lbs coming off a '21 Kawi 450 and have to say I think I'll end up being more comfortable on this bike than the Kx. Excited to get more comfortable and get the engine characteristic dialed in to my liking. 

After looong wait. Now just need to sort out bike down to Spain for first motos. 

Just a heads up, WPS had some twin air filters in stock that were pre-oiled. Way better than the $55 oem one I picked up. 

Here’s some of the lightspeed stuff. I didn’t realize it until they mentioned it, but this bike doesn’t have a case save stock. My front disc cover doesn’t seem to fit right with the billet lugs so I haven’t put it on. 

That is some really nice stuff !

Anyone been able to compare this new YZF to the KXF chassis wise ? Does it turn better ?

Love the case saver set up. Fits absolutely perfect. Glad to see I’m not the only one that got suckered into the whole catalog 

It was interesting to see the 2023 450 dyno that DB mag did, the YZ was smoother and more mellow powerband then other 450's from the look of it. The 250fx and KTM 350 have a similar looking power curve but the 350 just has more obviously. But I wonder if Yamaha realized that smooth power is fast and tried to smooth out the delivery a bit to make it "easier" to ride just off idle.

Does anyone have any leads on air filters, clutch plates etc? Would like to have a few sets in the garage. Seems like its going to be at least a few months before parts become available 

I came off a 21 KX. Not as stable but turns way better. The kx always felt like I had to really work to get it to turn. The yz is extremely effortless.

I ordered mine directly off of twin airs website no issues.

just got home from dez. Started with Keefers settings, pretty spot on. I spent most of the day testing everything from fork hight, sag, clicker front and back and always ended up almost identical to Keefers settings, even in the desert. Coming off Hondas for years  I am blown away how good this bike is. I have a five mile test track I've ridden for years now and know where you have to be carefull and where not. As soon as I hit the track 30 seconds into my first ride I could feel the stability I've honestly never had on my Hondas. It just tracked straight through pretty shitty square edged desert whoops. The bike turned inside, outside, hard pack, sand, whatever, it just turns. Ended up on my 30 mile desert track, no problems. No headshake, no swapping, nothing crazy. It feels very neutral. Only change I made was taking out 5cc of fork oil to balance the bike. It rode front high with the 104mm sag. This leveled it really well and was more compliant of rzr chop. 

Overall it should make an awesome off road bike. Oh, I loaded the linear smooth map from the app. Motor pulled awesome. Just need to re-gear it for the dez. Other than that will bolt up a stabilizer and throw an 18" rear on. Great bike.

dumb question, how do you change from map 1, stock, to map 2? I downloaded a map off the tuner for map 2. That is the blue light I guess. But thats all I see when riding, How do I go back and forth from map 1, stock, to map 2? I dont see the stock orange light at all when I push the button, only the blue for map 2. thanks

Blue light off is map one

so if no light at all is the stock map and if blue that is map 2 ?

Correct 

thanks

Where did you get the glide plate. I don’t see it on the light speed website?

I just called them. They had some of the stuff listed on their eBay too.

Anyone wanting to pull the trigger on one, I have a line on an unspoken for one. Gonna disappear quick tho so pm me if youre serious..

Where at? I’m in if it’s in the southeast 👍

Ohio

Here's a tip for that LS skid plate. Place some foam in that arched gap in the front between the frame or you'll end up with a pound of front wheel roost in the bottom of the plate cancelling out all the carbon fiber weight savings. Ask me how i know....LOL

Ah, yeah, that's a bit too far for me. Thank you for the heads up either way. I'm sure it'll sell pretty quick

A buddy saw a post I made on the book n went and picked it up today. Lol

May ride mine indoors this weekend. I wish I had a dang skid plate. 

Nice. I found one today and put a deposit on it. Picking it up tomorrow morning 👍

Found one and picked it up today👍

I’ll be sure to report back with some thoughts after riding it this weekend.