Upgrade to enjoy this feature!
Vital MX fantasy is free to play, but Premium users receive great benefits. Premium benefits include:
- View and download rider stats
- Pick trends
- Create a private league
- And more!
Only $10 for all 2026 SX, MX, and SMX series.
I truly think some of that is just the perception based on how it looks. When you see them side by side, the old one does appear to flare out, whereas the new one is tucked in flat. But where your legs contact the bike, 95% of the time, it isn't wide. When I had my Husky along with my previous YZF, it always bothered me how ppl praise how sleek the Husky was but knocked the YZF. But to me, the Husky felt wide at the pegs and airbox. So even thought the shrouds were tucked nicely, it felt worse than the YZF in the primary contact points. I just think the 22 YZF was an easy target based on looks (and somewhat of a reputation that was exaggerated), but that's just my opinion. Regardless, the new YZF seems like they did dial the ergos in nicely and it caters to more ppl now.
I was sitting on the 2022 YZ450F and the 2023 YZ450F at the dealer a few weeks ago and I was surprised by how similar they felt, which perplexed me given all the internet talk. I felt like was missing something, especially given I have a lot of seat time on the 2020-2022 generation YZ450F.
Summary:
-It all comes down to your preferences and influence-ability (i.e. if someone says something sucks ... does it suddenly suck in YOUR head?)
-2020-2022 YZ450Fs won a lot of shootouts prior to ... sucking
-Unable to decide myself, check this out: https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/moto-related/real-world-yz450f-owners-do…
I have both in my garage - when riding, the between the legs feel is the same. I crush both rads equally when corning lol.
Ya, that's essentially what I was trying to say. In most cases, where you contact the bike, the 22 wasn't bad. The new one basically let's you get your leg forward easier because the front tips of the shrouds don't bulge out. It looks way slimmer but for the most part, it isn't that different. I think the flatter seat on the bed one, with the better rider triangle (relation to the pegs) is the bigger difference. But that can be addressed on the 22. I did peg relocation and it helps a bunch. Don't get me wrong, I welcome the ergo change on the 23 but ppl acting like it's a revelation that they can now finally ride blue, and the 22 was unrideable, is a bit over the top, in my opinion. 22 is a really good bike.
The Shop
Free shipping: VITALMX
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Rider triangle is one thing I've always liked about the KXs. I'm only 6', 200lbs but compared to Keefer (also 6') it sounds like my preferences are for having even more room. I know the '23 YZ addressed that but I also know there are some aftermarket ways of adjusting pegs down and back. What's the most they can be adjusted down and back on the '22? In other words, is it possible to get at least as large of a triangle as the '23 with pegs down and back? I typically run Windham PT evo bars and it sounds like i'd want a taller seat on the '22. My 50 year old knees get so tired of sitting and standing all day even on my KX so I've even been thinking of getting a taller seat on that if I kept it. I know AC9 was talking about how much easier it's been for him to transition from sitting to standing when he switched to a higher seat this year.
I think the issue is bigger when coming from another colour bike. I bought a runout 22 yz450f after being on Honda’s for 6 years and it has taken a really long time to get comfortable with the ergonomics including different seat, pegs, peg mounts, bars, trimming down plastics and I even made a infill side plate for the gap behind the shock as I couldn’t get grip with my legs. So maybe the changes to the 23 are subtle when coming from an older Yamaha but have closed the gap to the layout of the other brands?
I think that is fair and reasonable input. Almost everyone that has ridden my 250F (that aren't already Yami owners) say that is feels odd/different when they first get on it. But they come back loving it. I do have peg relocation and different bars but still. I think the seat is the biggest difference compared to a Honda or KTM etc. It's a bit goofy if you aren't used to it lol.
Red7, yes you can. Most aftermarket peg/mount relocation are -7 down / -5 back. I believe the new 23 YZFs are -5/-5 compared to the 22. And then factor in the seat shape. I'm 6ft and have -7/-5 and Windham bars. I didn't do the seat because I don't like the feeling of being way up on top of a bike but you could also do that and achieve pretty much the same triangle as the '23 (just maybe not as seamless.)
My bike before the 23 yz was a 21 honda. Rider triangle wise, i felt right at home. Im 6' 220ish. I even liked the stock bar bend.
The width issues on the previous gen YZs has always seemed a little overblown to me. I’ve been on Yamahas for a long time so I am definitely biased and used to it by now, but when I got my ‘23, the bike being slimmer was the last thing I noticed. Lots of people ask me if I like how much skinnier the new bike is and my answer is always the same… I didn’t really notice as the old bike never felt awkwardly wide to me. It’s definitely wider than other bikes. I just don’t think it ever mattered to me.
I got another set of engine mounts to compare with. These look great. Medium fronts and soft tops.
Looking for this as well…
Got just reply from Hinson. Its in works but wont be out next 1-2 months. Lets hope something solid comes out before next season.
If you guys were to sum up your collective 2023-2025 YZ450F suspension setup knowledge thus far, what would it be? For example, does ENZO have good specs now after a year of trial-and-error under its belt? Is a new linkage required/better? Is a longer swingarm legit necessary for stability?
Inquiring minds want to know!
My dad just got his 24 suspension back from Enzo last week. Rode Wednesday and said it handled amazing. Hadn’t had any issues with stability even before suspension was done. He’s also coming off of Suzukis so That may play a factor in no issue with stability.
Can you really beat Enzo when it comes to KYB though?
While we're bumping this up.. what about gearing? WIthout having to read 20 more pages my eyes cant take it anymore... seems nobody likes the stock 13/49. going to 50 helps some ppl get into 3rd but its too jerky. 13/48 smooths things out but your going to be using 2nd more in corners instead of 3rd. and then theres the few 14/52 guys preaching that.
what have yall tested and decided to stick with?
and oil, what have we decided on oil? i'm a maxima guy, always run pro plus..but with the crap clutches in these bikes, is premium a better move than the pro plus/ any synthetic?
30 hrs on a stock 23 clutch running 15-50 Mobil 1 from Walmart and i am hard on a clutch. I no longer have the bike but clutch was still good. The heavier spring from Hinson when available should solve any issues. Only reason i mentioned the oil is because both oils you mentioned are better yet i had no problems.
For our kinda riding i loved the stock gearing. 2nd went forever and 3rd felt good too.
Maxima non syn.
Pit Row
Bump for magic maps?
PS: Is shock removal on 23/24 the same as 22? Thanks!
I'm just coming off a 2021 KX450. Loved that bike, but had the same complaint about the forks (too soft, no hold up, even after going up a spring rate). I recommend driving your suspension up to Factory Connection (they have a spot in Leesburg, FL) and have them revalve/spring fork and shock. It made a world of difference on that bike for me.
I'm 1 ride on my '24 YZ450. The big things I noticed was the rigidity of the frame vs. my Kawi and the gearing. Installing new handlebars this week (stock bend was no bueno) and ordered 1 tooth higher rear in hopes of carrying 3rd gear more and 2nd less. Bike is awesome though and I look forward to dialing it in!
Still waiting for this magic map…..
I don’t know which map is the ‘Magic’ map, but I’ve found a map that hits a sweet spot for this bike. It doesn’t have a name that I’m aware of, but to get there you simply…
1. Click to create a new map
2. Drag FI/IG all the way to Smooth
3. Drag TC all the way to High
4. Save and load it up 👍
This map mellows out the midrange a touch and allows 2nd to carry even further up than it does normally. Give it a shot
Yup! Same procedure. It's even a bit easier to get the top bolt out as the cable routing from the ecu is better.
I've heard of guys using a shop vac to remove any loose dirt around the filter before removing it.
Have anyone experimented with gearing change? MXA says drop a tooth to 48 to reduce the snappy-ness. Keefer suggests going up a tooth to ride 3rd easier.
I’m torn between both ideas. But I feel like with a 48 I might be burning even more of the clutch?
The only "Magic Map" I've been able to find was the Magic Map for the 21-22's on Yamaha's website. Haven't found anything else yet for the 23-24.
I can tell you that if you are running an FMF 4.1 slip on and T4 and looking for a good map for more "excitement" run the hard hitting map in the tuner app.
I like 13/50. But most tracks I ride are tight…
should have my bike soon, got a 48 sitting here to throw on it... we'll find out soon i suppose! interesting about the clutch. idk whats harder on it, higher rev in 2nd or lugging around in 3rd at low rpm.
I’ve had good success going up on sprocket sizes in years past on other bikes. Like adding 1 up front and 3 out back.
My son has one ride on his 24 and said he definitely needs to cover the clutch coming out of turns because the bike is so connected if traction is abundant. Normally on his 22 450 Honda he doesn’t use a clutch out of turns. For reference the Honda is by no means a slow bike either.
I rode the Yamaha and my impression was it also felt riding a street bike power wise. Super connected, power is very strong and broad. The bike just drives forward rapidly if that makes sense.
I’m wanting to try to change gearing to a 14/51 and use a stronger map. My theory is to get the power to slow down a little off the bottom and pull longer.
I did something similar on my 23 350sx with good success. I dropped one tooth to a 51t and added a Vortex running the max power map.
I liked the added power feeling of the green map but the power seemed to short compared to the white map.
I love to hear someone’s thoughts that’s currently running a 14/51 combo on the 23/24 bike.
Keep the stock gearing and have Twisted tune a vortex ecu . This will do everything you want and more. Get your smooth bottom while having more torque, with a broad midrange and more over rev. Will help pull third out of turns as well. Then change the gearing. My .02.
Post a reply to: New 2023 YZ450F