New/old guy here YZ450, Bubba

oldercat
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oldercat
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 7:22pm
In an effort to introduce myself, I am new to this site but have been around the industry.....forever. I have been fortunate to have know many movers and shakers, etc.
In a first effort to stir up some controversy, I thought it might be fun to explore the new backward Yamaha. Some folks have mentioned attempts to make the front of the YZ450 stick better; them notice Bubba ofttimes has the front end wash out. Insiders tell me that much of the reason is NOT any fault to be laid at Bubba's very talented feet; rather; lack of weight on the front end. The Yamaha has Less weight on the front and more on the back. That makes it more problematic to get enough traction for cornering and makes the launch off the line more chancy. On the other hand, in a straight line, more traction is evident. Most manufacturers do their best to have more weight on the front than the new Yamaha, but with the bizarrely routed pipe, the rearward slanted motor and the relocated gas tank the die is cast. Time will tell if Yamaha can evolve the bike into something superior to the Cannondale technology which is it's cousin
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zookrider62!
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zookrider62! 1/27/2011 1:30pm
1/27/2011 1:30pm
he slid out on the 09 also. Bubbas fault.
Faceaz
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Faceaz 1/27/2011 1:32pm
1/27/2011 1:32pm
I think he runs his front suspension so stiff for the whoops, that it doesn't allow him to get up over the front wheel in the corners. It's a trade-off that apparently he prefers.
R-acer
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R-acer 1/27/2011 1:33pm
1/27/2011 1:33pm
He looked the best on this IMO....


Faceaz
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Faceaz 1/27/2011 1:37pm
1/27/2011 1:37pm
Something we agree on... Actually best on the KX125, but a Kawi either way.

The Shop

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peelout
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peelout 1/27/2011 1:42pm
1/27/2011 1:42pm
bubba's been losing the front end since he got on big bikes. whether it be in a corner or over a jump.

i attribute it to his riding style and preference in stiff ass front forks
Highsider
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Highsider 1/27/2011 1:46pm
1/27/2011 1:46pm Edited Date/Time 1/27/2011 6:25pm
Did you see where James was sitting?
His ass was back at the rear of the seat.
Oh, and WELCOME, oldcat!
oldercat
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oldercat 1/27/2011 1:55pm
1/27/2011 1:55pm
Well most here seem to agree that Bubba does have issues with the front end washing. Anyone out there with a YZ450? Just weigh it front and back and compare it with any other Japanese bike; One of the magazines did just that and there IS a marked difference. I can tell you that inside Yamaha they KNOW this and will attempt some rectification next year.
Tarz483
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Tarz483 1/27/2011 2:07pm
1/27/2011 2:07pm Edited Date/Time 1/27/2011 2:08pm
i have always thought he looked faster an more comfortible on his kawasaki's even at times when he is the fastest man on the track an when he is winning , seems like he woul have one by even further and been even faster on the kawi , seems like the yamadog slows him down ..

maybe he sould be the fill in rider for weimers idle bike . lol
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 1/27/2011 2:15pm
1/27/2011 2:15pm
Whoa...

Eventhough Faceaz touched on this...

How the HELL is James NOT reponsible for his own chassis set-up?

If you run the front REAL stiff...it's gonna skate. Jus' like it did his 1st season on the KX450F-SR.

Just like the settings they took to Unadilla...it's all on him/The Team.

He's, actually, pretty good about taking responsibilty for this stuff.
CASH476
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CASH476 1/27/2011 3:11pm
1/27/2011 3:11pm
oldercat wrote:
Well most here seem to agree that Bubba does have issues with the front end washing. Anyone out there with a YZ450? Just weigh it front...
Well most here seem to agree that Bubba does have issues with the front end washing. Anyone out there with a YZ450? Just weigh it front and back and compare it with any other Japanese bike; One of the magazines did just that and there IS a marked difference. I can tell you that inside Yamaha they KNOW this and will attempt some rectification next year.
Maybe they could turn the cylinder around and have the exhaust out the front, throttle body at the back.............................................................well you get the pictureGrinning
motomike137
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motomike137 1/27/2011 3:31pm
1/27/2011 3:31pm
I think James gets his body weight committed off the side of the bike and forward a little bit too soon sometimes and that contributes. What I mean is he gets right at that transition point where he anticipates the front end sticking and turning and once in a while the front end doesn't bite and down he goes. He did it on the Kawasakis also.
slowvet
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slowvet 1/27/2011 3:55pm
1/27/2011 3:55pm
I've sent Bubba an email to attend my cornering clinic. I haven't heard back from him.
mxb2
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mxb2 1/27/2011 3:59pm
1/27/2011 3:59pm
I think Stewart could rip on a xr80!
Mr. G
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Mr. G 1/27/2011 4:04pm
1/27/2011 4:04pm
Wow what a hateful guy. I bet he is one of these guys that has a different tone when you are standing in front of him.
fader418
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fader418 1/27/2011 4:59pm
1/27/2011 4:59pm
James looked way faster on the Kaw......Never looked good on the Yamaha until this year....now he goes thru the whoops straight and fast......however it just seems like there is something missing.....I mean he was in the lead and RV was 9th and he ran him down! That has never happened....I think when they get to the real tracks back east might be a different story....
motoxxx599 1/27/2011 5:25pm
1/27/2011 5:25pm
mxb2 wrote:
I think Stewart could rip on a xr80!
I saw him rip around Lorettas on a KLX 110 a couple years ago. I think he could have top 10'd the supermini class on that thing!
Drfletcher
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Drfletcher 1/27/2011 5:59pm
1/27/2011 5:59pm
It looked to me that Stewart just got real lazy in that corner.
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Hank_Thrill 1/27/2011 6:44pm
1/27/2011 6:44pm
Great first post! Instead of taking the "black or white" view, I'm feel everybody in this thread has been right. I think even when Stewart was the fastest on his Yami (09), it still doesn't compare to his Kawi days.

You also can't ignore the fact that bike has tons of weight towards the rear. Physics do exist, and if anybody is trying to deny these facts, are simply warping reality. Stewart also does have his bike set up for whoops, and he was leaning quite towards the rear in that corner.

All of the above..

Pit Row

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Towelie
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Towelie 1/27/2011 7:09pm
1/27/2011 7:09pm
Hank_Thrill wrote:
Great first post! Instead of taking the "black or white" view, I'm feel everybody in this thread has been right. I think even when Stewart was...
Great first post! Instead of taking the "black or white" view, I'm feel everybody in this thread has been right. I think even when Stewart was the fastest on his Yami (09), it still doesn't compare to his Kawi days.

You also can't ignore the fact that bike has tons of weight towards the rear. Physics do exist, and if anybody is trying to deny these facts, are simply warping reality. Stewart also does have his bike set up for whoops, and he was leaning quite towards the rear in that corner.

All of the above..
In an alternate universe, James did not crash and the physics are different, they all float down there
crashnburn11 1/27/2011 7:40pm
1/27/2011 7:40pm Edited Date/Time 1/27/2011 7:40pm
R-acer wrote:
He looked the best on this IMO.... [IMG]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e27/r-acer/james_stewart_2_10241.jpg[/IMG]
He looked the best on this IMO....


I have to say, that video of him on his home track on the KX250 2-stroke is the sickest I've ever seen him look. Although, the video from milestone on the YZ250 2-stroke where he nose-wheelies/turns into the rut at the same time is pretty damn sick too.
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Highsider 1/28/2011 5:35am
1/28/2011 5:35am
crashnburn11 wrote:
I have to say, that video of him on his home track on the KX250 2-stroke is the sickest I've ever seen him look. Although, the...
I have to say, that video of him on his home track on the KX250 2-stroke is the sickest I've ever seen him look. Although, the video from milestone on the YZ250 2-stroke where he nose-wheelies/turns into the rut at the same time is pretty damn sick too.
You are aware James says the KX250 was a "very scary" bike to ride?
Hank_Thrill
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Hank_Thrill 1/28/2011 10:15am
1/28/2011 10:15am
crashnburn11 wrote:
I have to say, that video of him on his home track on the KX250 2-stroke is the sickest I've ever seen him look. Although, the...
I have to say, that video of him on his home track on the KX250 2-stroke is the sickest I've ever seen him look. Although, the video from milestone on the YZ250 2-stroke where he nose-wheelies/turns into the rut at the same time is pretty damn sick too.
Highsider wrote:
You are aware James says the KX250 was a "very scary" bike to ride?
What's the source on this? Not doubting what you say isn't true. I've just heard this man times, but can't recall ever hearing it from James.
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 1/28/2011 10:20am
1/28/2011 10:20am
crashnburn11 wrote:
I have to say, that video of him on his home track on the KX250 2-stroke is the sickest I've ever seen him look. Although, the...
I have to say, that video of him on his home track on the KX250 2-stroke is the sickest I've ever seen him look. Although, the video from milestone on the YZ250 2-stroke where he nose-wheelies/turns into the rut at the same time is pretty damn sick too.
Highsider wrote:
You are aware James says the KX250 was a "very scary" bike to ride?
Hank_Thrill wrote:
What's the source on this? Not doubting what you say isn't true. I've just heard this man times, but can't recall ever hearing it from James.
There was a time when the Stewart's were talking about the Kawi's in a less than stellar way...

They'd jus' been insulted by Kawi's offer and were still not quite over Kawi f'ck'n'em outta the Red Bull money.

Btw, It was Big James that, often, talked smack about the Kawi's...jus' after they'd gone to "Blue".

I'm jus' sayin'...
Karma
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Karma 1/28/2011 11:50am
1/28/2011 11:50am
Yamaha needs to duct tape a gold brick to the lower side of each fork leg, problem solved and very trick Silly
BDOG
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BDOG 1/28/2011 1:09pm
1/28/2011 1:09pm
I dont think any of the Yamahas in the 450 class look like they handle well. Kawi on the other hand looks dialed and so does the suzi.
zookrider62!
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zookrider62! 1/28/2011 1:13pm
1/28/2011 1:13pm
oldercat wrote:
Well most here seem to agree that Bubba does have issues with the front end washing. Anyone out there with a YZ450? Just weigh it front...
Well most here seem to agree that Bubba does have issues with the front end washing. Anyone out there with a YZ450? Just weigh it front and back and compare it with any other Japanese bike; One of the magazines did just that and there IS a marked difference. I can tell you that inside Yamaha they KNOW this and will attempt some rectification next year.
wait, so you agree that he has had problems washing out on every big bike, but then you go right back to saying it's the bikes fault Dry

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