Posts
178
Joined
2/7/2017
Location
Tahoe, CA
US
Edited Date/Time
2/13/2019 6:23pm
Am I a lone wolf on this? A lot of magazines and people didn't like how the 16' and 17' YZ cornered, but I simply love it. I have owned and ridden newer bikes, and I don't like them nearly as much in stock form.
I chose to buy a leftover 17' YZ450f over a 19', because I knew the 17' was going to feel this way. I emailed Keefer and he told me to go with the 17' over the 19' as well. Not only did I save over $3000, but I have a bike that really suits my riding style and also works phenomenally well as a high speed off road desert bike. Obviously the YZ450 isn't as light and "flickable", however I find my 17' YZ450 less "vague" feeling at turn in than my 14' YZ125 or 06' YZ250, and it's the most stable stock bike I have ever ridden. The two strokes have some head shake at high speeds along with that vague feeling, but the 17' YZ450 doesn't have any of those negative feelings. For me it's the perfect bike. I'm 6'2" 200lbs nekkid, intermediate.
I am looking for a slower bike with this feel, and will probably get rid of my 18' Husky FC 350 for a 17' or 18' YZ250F. 350 engine is great, but finding this type of handling is more important to me as that does more for my lap times than power.
The Shop
I am going to start hoarding them, which is nice because a lot of people hate them, and are willing to accept lowballs because they think the handling is a handicap. Some people ask high dollar, cuz they know YZ's have a good reputation for durability, but most don't ask high dollars for 16 and 17 YZs. Good for me!
Took a few months but I'm pretty happy with the handling. But in all honesty, getting rid of it to try something else.
I've always been on Suzuki and Yamaha since 20004/2005 and it's just grown stale on me. Plus other bikes seem to fit my tall build a little better. Like Kawi and strangely enough, KTM/Husky.
Flat corners may be the only place I prefer my Husky. I dont have a hard time changing my line mid turn on the YZ for some reason. I wouldn’t trade how the rest of the YZ feels for more flat cornering performance though.
I love how I feel sitting on a kx450, but I wanna get some ride time in before I buy one to see how it is. Still leaning towards KTM/Husky.
Pit Row
But then you go read about some bigger guys who absolutely love the bike, feeling like the bike is almost built for bigger riders. Still though, I have heard/read a fair amount of taller guys not getting along with the bike either, like Pat Foster..but also some small-medium guys who like it like Keefer. It seems 70% of people do not like the bike, and the rest love the bike. And the taller and heavier you are, the more likely you fall into the category that loves it.
You aren't the first to say more sag for better turning though. I ran 112-115 on my Suzuki when I had it and it was one of the best balanced bikes I've ever had. More sag made it a lot more stable but it still cut in it and turned wherever you wanted it to. Just don't like how I fit the chassis.
Before the fork lower swap I hated the way the bike turned. Now, it's a completely different motorcycle.
I'm so amazed at the difference it made. Blew me away.
Post a reply to: Anyone else love how their 16' or 17' YZ450F corner?