5/13/2018 6:16 AM
Edited Date/Time: 5/13/2018 6:24 AM
MxKing809 wrote:
Well Bros.... pulled the trigger on the ‘18 today.
/endthread
MX558 wrote:
Post up how you like it compared to the 16 yammie
Alright guys, took the new bike out yesterday:
Let me say that it took some getting used to. The Yamaha is straight line oriented and you have to work to turn, the Honda is turning oriented and I needed to learn how to keep the front end straight through rollers and pushing through breaking chop.
After 15-20 laps, a few bar adjustments, cranking down the steering stem, adding some high-speed compression, removing the back 2 tank bolts (and eventually putting them back in)... I trimmed 3.5 seconds off my fastest time at Bulldogs M/C here in Michigan. The track was race worn because they didn’t groom it since their race last weekend, so it was as fair of a test as you could hope for.
The power is linear, with less hit off the bottom (in map 3) compared to my Yamaha (with FMF and GYTR map)... but I felt I could lug 3rd easier with the Honda. The torque was deceiving and not so “punchy” like the YZ, but was still there. The bike likes to be ridden on the rear wheel. I started wheeling over steep breaking chop and it was butter smooth. Rowing through 8-10 consecutive 4’ sand rollers was easy, and much more confidence inspiring them my YZ, which was surprising.
Overall, I would give the Honda these ratings compared to my 2016 YZ450F:
Engine: 3+
High speed front end stability: 2.5
Low speed front end stability: 3.5
Rear end feel/stability: 3+
Handling/cornering: 4
I’m super happy with this bike, and once I retrain my brain to ride this bike, and not for the ultra straight Yamaha, Im going to love it. Oh yeah, e-start is nice too!

Washed up moto and enduro weekend warrior.