Posts: 1418
Joined: 3/28/2015
Location: Satan's Hollow, OK USA
Found one of these I’m going to look at this weekend. Bike has 11 hours time on it owner claims, and from the pics I’ve looked at, I don’t think he’s too far off. I know zilch about this particular year, and wanted some feedback on their hits and misses...... I’ll never push it too it’s limit, but for the price and it’s condition, I think it would make a fun toy. Thanks guys!
Posts: 1920
Joined: 6/12/2007
Location: byda beech, CA USA
I love it when guys claim low hours, they know there is no way for the buyer to verify so these kooks know they can make shit up.
Posts: 5919
Joined: 12/12/2007
Location: Huntington Beach, CA USA
Maybe not for you and your salty attitude but it's usually more of an indication the bike hasn't been ridden much like stock tires chain and sprockets cluctch covers without scratches....still fresh graphics....shifter tip texture still good...and ...wait for it...the bike still feels right and fresh all around.
You'd have to go to A LOT of expensive trouble to mask all that so 99.9999% of the time when you see a bike that has very low hours it's really easy to tell if the seller is lying
Posts: 5663
Joined: 8/16/2006
Location: Grass Valley, CA USA
I sold an 04 in 07 with under 2 hours, I had people calling me giving me shit, saying I was lying. I rode 2 practice days on it from 10-2 with a lot of downtime. Absolute truth.
Posts: 805
Joined: 7/18/2018
Location: AZ, USA
big fan of the 06-09 year yz's. Had an 07 250 for a few years, loved the bike. but wasn't enough speed for desert riding.
I still have my 09 yz450f which I believe is still competitive with most bikes of today. The chassis is the best part, next to the motor. Throw a full pipe on, get the suspension set and it will run for years. I think the biggest downfall of the bike which seems to be a yamaha problem is changing the oil filter with an aftermarket header.
Just make sure the guy seems legit and the bike isn't backfiring.
Posts: 1418
Joined: 3/28/2015
Location: Satan's Hollow, OK USA
Edited Date/Time:
The story I was given was from the owners Dad. The parents bought the bike as a holdover in Jan of 08 for their son, who never raced. The kid goes off to college as an athlete that June, and the kid only plays on it when he’s home for breaks. After college, he attends graduate school for an additional 4 years, then hooks up with his wife soon afterward. All the while it’s just sitting in his folks garage. The bike is the limited while color, with the only add on being Cycra hand guards. The Dad replaced the tires, tubes, and grips a month ago. Still has perfect OEM graphics, and all stock decals. I’ll see it Saturday, he’s wanting 2000 obo.... we will see them I guess
Posts: 805
Joined: 7/18/2018
Location: AZ, USA
Posts: 1418
Joined: 3/28/2015
Location: Satan's Hollow, OK USA
Guess I’ll see! It’s only a 45 min drive, and if it’s not what it appears, then the wife and I will have a nice meal together without the kids for a change!
Posts: 3341
Joined: 8/3/2016
Location: CA, USA
Those are good bikes, I'm going to pick up an 06-09 yz450f this winter for the desert. They are usually very affordable and have the really good SSS suspension, only slight down side is that they're old enough to still be carbureted, which isn't really a real issue. My dad has an 07 that he had had for a very long time. I recently rode it and loved it.
Instagram: vanillaice782
Amateur helmet painter
Posts: 7023
Joined: 9/18/2007
Location: York, SC USA
Very good solid bikes that do everything good. Full exhaust brought my 08 to life. I need to sell it to make space too.
Posts: 1101
Joined: 8/19/2016
Location: ItStInKs, CA USA
I bought an 07 450 back in 2010. It had been never been in the dirt. Dad bought for kid, bad grades, put up for 2 years. Added sticker kit, big front rotor, DR. D exhaust, cut out air filter screen, little carb work and a couple odds an ends. Nice bike, but did not turn very good.
Posts: 267
Joined: 1/17/2018
Location: Orangevale, CA USA
I had an 07 that I bought barely used in 08. I rode the hell out of that thing and finally sold it in 2016 for $2200. I did I think 2 top ends in it and never once split the cases. Those bikes are bulletproof!
Posts: 1557
Joined: 3/25/2014
Location: VA, USA
Edited Date/Time:
I liked those years YZF a lot. Put plenty of time on a friends 09 250.
And low hour old bikes are out there. I know a guy who bought an 03 YZ250 that was ridden one time, and then stuffed in a barn for 14 years. He snagged it for $2500 last summer. Unicorns do exist.
Posts: 6477
Joined: 1/3/2010
Location: Norwich, KS USA
If it looks legit when you get eyes on it...I'd say that's a sweet deal. I wouldn't hesitate.
If it ain't yer's don't take it, If it ain't the truth dont say it, If it ain't right don't do it...Marcus Aurelius
Posts: 2158
Joined: 11/2/2011
Location: Chapin, SC USA
Its bulletproof and has good suspension. The DR D radiator lowering kit actually did help the turning. Mine seemed to push, but I think the fork springs may have also been a bit stiff for me. It was not as fast as my 05 CRF but it had nice power. Id take it over a 10-13 any day.
Posts: 3642
Joined: 1/17/2013
Location: TN, USA
Herb Eaversmells wrote:I bought an 07 450 back in 2010. It had been never been in the dirt. Dad bought for kid, bad grades, put up for 2 years. Added ...more
Great looking bike! I can't help but think if Yamaha stayed with this chassis maybe they would have a few more Premier Championships... just my opinion. To OP...Yep, go check it out.
There's something happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear.
Posts: 346
Joined: 9/14/2016
Location: AUS
kpersonius264 wrote:I had an 07 that I bought barely used in 08. I rode the hell out of that thing and finally sold it in 2016 for $2200. I did I ...more
Exactly this. I had an 06. Fantastic bike and absolutely bulletproof. I rode the living hell out of mine and only ever changed the oil.
Only thing to be careful of is stripping out the threads on the oil drainage bolt. The case material is a lot softer than the steel bolt and it's easily done. Worst case you just helicoil it. I did and then never had another drama from then on.
Posts: 1418
Joined: 3/28/2015
Location: Satan's Hollow, OK USA
Thanks everyone for the responses! I just thought it would be a fun bike to enjoy and do a few subtle mods as far as personal touches. Will it hit a track? Sure! We have over 200 acres here, and I’ve been dying to build a mild old school track to enjoy and take care of. Been looking for a really clean, affordable, older bike to enjoy, this one may be the one. I’d post a pic if I knew how?
Posts: 106
Joined: 8/17/2014
Location: OH, USA
This one got my attention. Had a very similar experience on an 07 450 earlier this summer. Pops up on CL 15 minutes from me. I call the guy up and he says "I'm 69 with bad knees, bought it to ride with my grandson in the backyard" He actually bought it from a quad rider who rode it once and was afraid of it. Off I went and he did actually have nice yard. I think this one had less than 4 hours on it. No scratches anywhere besides a grip torn on the end where I am sure he dumped it. It still had the rubber flaps between the knobbies on the original tires. I did pay $3K but I don't care - I'll take it all day over some clapped out 12 or 13 that is beat to crap. It truly has been like having a new bike. I don't really have plans to race it besides some possible "decade" class GP's, yep it works for that! Great bike and if it's what they say it is I'd get it.
Posts: 1418
Joined: 3/28/2015
Location: Satan's Hollow, OK USA
Aside from some numbers on the one I’ve found, your bike is a twin. I’m looking at it tomorrow afternoon, hopefully it’s as nice as the pics. If not, well, I’ll probably just wait for the right one to come along. I’m just wanting a nice, clean, low hour original bike to enjoy. There’s one out there......
Posts: 303
Joined: 7/5/2008
Location: MA, USA
I loved my 07. Its my only dirtbike i refused to sell, bought it brand new and ill never get rid of it. Got my first holeshot on it,first win and first championship. I liked it just fine stock but if you are a fast rider I suggest aftermarket offset triple clamps and a pipe. Also you may have issues with the kehin fcr carb. It was the hardest carb to tune in my life. Cant stress how hard tuning that tbing was back in 07.
Posts: 1521
Joined: 6/20/2016
Location: southern, CA USA
Had an 08, best bike I've ever owned. 200 plus hours and never even needed a valve adjustment
Posts: 3839
Joined: 12/10/2012
Location: Bremen, OH USA
Didn’t they make some changes on the ‘08 model year. I thought Langston was doing decent outdoors in ‘07 but then towards the end of the season, he was able to get the ‘08 model to finish out the season, and he said it was much improved. Anyone know any back story to that, or am I mistaken.
Posts: 303
Joined: 7/5/2008
Location: MA, USA
downard254 wrote:Didn’t they make some changes on the ‘08 model year. I thought Langston was doing decent outdoors in ‘07 but then towards the ...more
You are correct. Cant remember exact changes but I know it was mostly front end. Steering head angle was changed from what i remember. It was subtle changes but helped the front end substantially. I rode a 07 and 08 and noticed no handling advancements but Im just a slow B rider so i cant really push a 450 to the point where i notice that stuff. GL on the other hand can
Posts: 228
Joined: 1/21/2010
Location: Ardmore, OK USA
Posts: 1033
Joined: 7/10/2016
Location: CA, USA
I had my 08 turning on a dime and ultra reliable. Sad i sold it cheap for a 15 yz450. Biggest pos mistake I ever made. My 08 was a great bike.
Posts: 7023
Joined: 9/18/2007
Location: York, SC USA
Dr D Pipe & jetting brought my 2008 YZ450F alive. Suspension works well for a 220lb rider with stock valving & heavier springs. I need to sell it and a TY350 to make room.
Posts: 1521
Joined: 6/20/2016
Location: southern, CA USA
Posts: 1521
Joined: 6/20/2016
Location: southern, CA USA
Posts: 733
Joined: 10/29/2007
Location: Yorba Linda, CA USA
mark_swart wrote:Its bulletproof and has good suspension. The DR D radiator lowering kit actually did help the turning. Mine seemed to push, ...more
Good points, and I'd go even farther taking a clean 2007-2009 over a used 2010-Present generation without hesitation.
Solid info on the 2008 rigidity changes here: https://motocrossactionmag.com/2008-test-ride-yamaha-yz450f/
The Dr.D radiator lowering kit helps these bikes more than different clamp offsets, in my opinion. http://www.dubachracing.com/shop/radiator-lowering-kit/
FCR carb is very good once properly cleaned/inspected after all these years; easier to diagnose than any modern EFI dilemma...If it's as described, I say go for it.
