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Im almost over my 450 experiment..my 17 yz 450 us just too damn heavy...in the end...that's what it comes down to for me
The Shop
But that's not what i said.
I admire Yamaha for their different approach. Mass centralization is science...not voodoo. It seems maybe they've finally found the complete, correct balance. Time will tell.
No one should accuse me of being a "BluCru" fanboy. I've made it plain here, more than a few times how my 2013 YZ250 crapped third gear THREE TIMES. That's disappointing to say the least.
Keefer, thanks for the info. Lost a pound. Woohoo!
I can't wait to get the 2020!
The weight issue works for me like this..if Im busting a gut to lift it onto the stand..thats a bad sign...if I tip over in a sloppy mud race and struggle to pick the thing up..thats a bad sign ( on my 125 im up and gone instantly ) if Im on sloping ground and trying to kick start the thing , my short little legs and all and I slop over on one side or the other and the weight of the bike wants to knock me down cause im not strong/ tall enough to stop it from going..thats a bad sign
In motion it works like this..when Im trying to seat bounce a tricky flat trajectory uphill double out of a tight corner and I case it with the bike a bit sideways and the momentum of all that weight is too much for me to correct..thats a bad sign..
when I launch off a big step up jump and feel as though I just got airborne with a boat anchor attached to my bike..thats a bad sign..
The only real attraction for me with a new gen yz 450 over my 17 is the electric start as that negates one of my biggest problems with racing that bike..I did get about 3 laps on a new 19 but was not comfortable because of the way it was set up for a much bigger guy..
Ive done a few good laps on a 19 ktm 350 and the weight difference is incredibly noticeable in every way..I would like to ride the ktm 450 as I know its only ab out 1 pound heavier than the 350, so it would b good to get an idea of just how much difference engine inertia makes....
But my yz 450 is just too damn heavy.....ive tried everything and Im over it..I could say that Im really just not a 450 rider...and thats more thsn likely accurate..but I'd like a chance to get in some solid laps on a current ktm 450 b4 making that call..
Pit Row
This is only one old farts experience and does not reflect what others think. Each person is different and each also wants something different in a bike and power delivery.
I remember when the Yamaha 250F's first came out and the word was that it would tuck in the corners real bad. I owned one of the first ones and then also a 2006 and to be honest, they were the best bikes I owned at that time and I lover the turning of the bike.
Paw Paw
One friend of mine has a 19 YZ450, another has a 19 KX450, and my son has a 18 KTM 350.
I have a 13 GYTR equipped YZ450, and while it does make more power than any of the other bikes, particularly in the low rpm ranges, it doesn't inspire confidence in the front end when cornering. The KX feels very light in the front end but sticks to corners well, the 19 YZ has more bottom end than the KX, and it does have good front end feel and is a bit more stable than the KX. Both are great bikes, though the KX feels much taller than the YZ when riding it. The KTM has front end grip for days, and although it has minimal power at low rpms (in comparison to the others), it's top-end is excellent. It's likely going to be my next bike.
The 20 Yamaha 450 could feel lighter as well. Someone I know is picking one up in a month so I'll be asking him for feedback on how the new blue 450 feels while in motion.
https://youtu.be/LgBA1jA2-mo?start=43
Let me know when you're going to be back out there, I'll get the 19 collars out to you.
When I sell my 17, Im not all that fussed about ever having a 450 again..the 19 yz 250 f is still the best bike Ive ever ridden..so I intend to get one...will ride my friends ktm 350 some more and hopefully score a ride on a 450 to compare.
But honestly...I consider myself too small for a 450..in a couple months when Im flat out with work I'll be down to about 154 pounds and at 5'6, I reckon a KTM 85 big wheel with a stiffer shock spring would be the go 😀
I never had a mini bike in my life so seeing as how im taking my mid life crisis to the next level..one of those is next on the list after the 250 f 😁😁
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