Revalved 19 YZ450F or FX350 for woods/desert/MX?

luckyguy19
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Albuquerque, NM US
7/19/2021 3:01pm
I know there's always a compromise.

At this time, only one bike for myself is practical. We also have my daughter's 19 YZ250F that I ride quite a bit.

I really love my YZ450, it does great in the desert and MX of couse. But I've been riding woods more lately, really rocky terrain. The rocks are just about the only place that I don't enjoy this bike. Its just too firm, I get deflected constantly, which starts to wear as the ride goes on.

So it's time for a decision, re-valve the YZ450 so it does better in the rocks, or sell the YZ and pick up a 2022 FX350.

I'm still not totally sold on air forks, but I know they've gotten a lot better for 21 and 22. Also I think having less power and torque will be better for the arm pump I constantly get.

I'm looking for advise from anyone who uses one bike as a do it all. I probably ride about 60% desert/20% moto/20% woods.

I'm thinking with a revalve the YZ450 could still be a really great all around bike.
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Darrin Willis
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Red Deer County, AB CA
7/19/2021 3:34pm
As a current owner of a 21 150 sx and a 19 350xcf and former yz450 owner.07 and 09 .I say get a 350.I say this with zero hesitation..Unless you weigh 400lbs or ride dunes.
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luckyguy19
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7/19/2021 3:38pm
I weight about 175#s

I don't want to have to spend a bunch of money on the FX to get the suspension to work. This only makes sense if its good out of the box.
JWACK
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7/19/2021 4:14pm
I did not love my 350 here in the desert.
It was mostly awesome but because of the air forks I hit the ground more than I had in a long time. The front end let go a lot on corner entry. It was very unpredictable coming into hard pack corners with hard edges like at montessa.
I highly suggest riding one before buying one.

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chump6784
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AU
7/19/2021 5:07pm
Have you played with the wifi tuner on the yzf to make the power more manageable? If not, try that first to see if that improves the bike for the rocks
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The Shop

luckyguy19
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7/19/2021 6:56pm
chump6784 wrote:
Have you played with the wifi tuner on the yzf to make the power more manageable? If not, try that first to see if that improves...
Have you played with the wifi tuner on the yzf to make the power more manageable? If not, try that first to see if that improves the bike for the rocks
I've messed with maps a ton. I have a pretty mellow map in there now that I like a lot. But its not the power that makes it tough in the rocks, its the suspension, and maybe gearing a little.
luckyguy19
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7/19/2021 6:58pm
JWACK wrote:
I did not love my 350 here in the desert. It was mostly awesome but because of the air forks I hit the ground more than...
I did not love my 350 here in the desert.
It was mostly awesome but because of the air forks I hit the ground more than I had in a long time. The front end let go a lot on corner entry. It was very unpredictable coming into hard pack corners with hard edges like at montessa.
I highly suggest riding one before buying one.

I've ridden a KR 350 at Rainbow for a few miles. Its felt pretty awesome. But it was not deep sand. The 21/22 forks are supposed to be vastly improved. They felt almost as good as my YZ, but again it was a short ride.
vdrsnk04
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7/19/2021 7:51pm
You will hate the stock forks if left untouched in rocks. Deflection city. I have KYB kit PSF1 air forks on the way for my 250xc tpi for just what you are complaining of on your YZ450.
Moto88
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TX US
7/19/2021 10:17pm
You already have the YZ, revalve it, give it a chance and go from there. If you don’t you might always wonder if you made the right choice. IMO
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183Matt
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7/19/2021 10:27pm
Moto88 wrote:
You already have the YZ, revalve it, give it a chance and go from there. If you don’t you might always wonder if you made the...
You already have the YZ, revalve it, give it a chance and go from there. If you don’t you might always wonder if you made the right choice. IMO
This.

Although the suspension on the 21 and 22 KTM bikes is worlds better than the 2020 and before, your KYB stuff on your YZ is better overall.
4
Broseph
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Stevenson, WA US
7/19/2021 11:32pm
You’ve got all the right parts there for a great do it all bike. Have a suspension tuner drop in the settings from a YZ450FX and you’re pretty much set. Might also look at the G2 throttle tamer to help with jerkiness at low speeds. Plush suspension with a less twichy throttle and I bet your arm pump goes away.

The truth is that if you’re looking for more comfort in the rocks, a lighter bike and air forks are a step backwards from what you already have.
CKNY
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7/20/2021 3:52am
Revalve the 450. The XACT fork is gonna need a revalve if you get a 350. It’s worse in the rocks than your KYB’s.
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luckyguy19
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7/20/2021 6:10am Edited Date/Time 7/20/2021 6:11am
Thanks for all the info guys. I have a local suspension tuner that used to work for Factory Husqvarna GNCC, everyone who has used him raves about the results. My 450 only has 85 hours on it and has been perfect since new. It will save me a lot of money just to keep this bike and make it work.
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Gravel
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4/26/2022 5:31am
What about getting a YZ450FX? Off road suspension, wider range gearbox and keeps the feel you’re used to.

I’m a big fan of slightly wider ratios for a do it all bike. I’m on a KTM 450xcf with a 500 exc motor swapped in. For a regular guy it’s no real compromise on a track and way better anywhere else. Can’t speak to the air fork, I’ve got coil spring cartridges.
4/26/2022 7:22am Edited Date/Time 4/26/2022 7:23am
I recently got to ride a buddy's '20 YZ450FX with the suspension revalved for J-Day racing (an east coast GP/hare scramble format). I rode it on rocky single track and did a lap on a PA rock hare scramble course. It had a mellow engine map and was absolutely fantastic, first 450 I ever felt at home on for offroad riding and is making me reconsider my 250F. I say go for a revalve if you are otherwise happy with the bike, the suspension has a ton of potential for rocks. Also check with your suspension tuner about what spring rates you should run, make sure those are dialed first.
user760a
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4/26/2022 11:17am Edited Date/Time 4/26/2022 11:19am
If I rode in a lot of open stuff such as desert and moto, I would be all 450....I have a 2019 YZ450FX.....love it. I think a Yamaha 450 FX would be as good as you can possibly get in the west
user760a
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4/26/2022 11:20am
I recently got to ride a buddy's '20 YZ450FX with the suspension revalved for J-Day racing (an east coast GP/hare scramble format). I rode it on...
I recently got to ride a buddy's '20 YZ450FX with the suspension revalved for J-Day racing (an east coast GP/hare scramble format). I rode it on rocky single track and did a lap on a PA rock hare scramble course. It had a mellow engine map and was absolutely fantastic, first 450 I ever felt at home on for offroad riding and is making me reconsider my 250F. I say go for a revalve if you are otherwise happy with the bike, the suspension has a ton of potential for rocks. Also check with your suspension tuner about what spring rates you should run, make sure those are dialed first.
Honestly, the suspension on the 450FX is so good stock, I think any sort of valving work would be for super fast or super heavy riders only. is your buddy in either of those categories?
4/27/2022 2:39pm Edited Date/Time 4/27/2022 2:41pm
I recently got to ride a buddy's '20 YZ450FX with the suspension revalved for J-Day racing (an east coast GP/hare scramble format). I rode it on...
I recently got to ride a buddy's '20 YZ450FX with the suspension revalved for J-Day racing (an east coast GP/hare scramble format). I rode it on rocky single track and did a lap on a PA rock hare scramble course. It had a mellow engine map and was absolutely fantastic, first 450 I ever felt at home on for offroad riding and is making me reconsider my 250F. I say go for a revalve if you are otherwise happy with the bike, the suspension has a ton of potential for rocks. Also check with your suspension tuner about what spring rates you should run, make sure those are dialed first.
user760a wrote:
Honestly, the suspension on the 450FX is so good stock, I think any sort of valving work would be for super fast or super heavy riders...
Honestly, the suspension on the 450FX is so good stock, I think any sort of valving work would be for super fast or super heavy riders only. is your buddy in either of those categories?
He is good local level B rider (probably around 180lbs) and purchased it from another B rider racing J-Day (whom I don't know) who already had it set up. I have not had the chance to ride a FX with stock suspension so I don't know what the changes where.

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