The Yamaha Enigma

Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp
Edited Date/Time 9/8/2019 5:59pm
Wins the 450 shootouts. Packs the top 10 in 250's.

Why such a struggle for 450 Pro results?
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GoonRider93 7/19/2019 6:17pm
7/19/2019 6:17pm
Who knows? They haven't exactly had a shortage of talent over the years.

I'd say it was less to do with the bike and more to do with the competition riding other brands which is fierce at the moment.
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VicDaMoan03
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VicDaMoan03 7/19/2019 6:19pm
7/19/2019 6:19pm
GoonRider93 wrote:
Who knows? They haven't exactly had a shortage of talent over the years. I'd say it was less to do with the bike and more to...
Who knows? They haven't exactly had a shortage of talent over the years.

I'd say it was less to do with the bike and more to do with the competition riding other brands which is fierce at the moment.
What about Cooper Webb?
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Timo_2824
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Timo_2824 7/19/2019 6:23pm
7/19/2019 6:23pm
VicDaMoan03 wrote:
What about Cooper Webb?
Wasn't training at the factory, lost 15lbs and still isn't fit enough to run with the main guys outdoors.
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GoonRider93 7/19/2019 6:28pm
7/19/2019 6:28pm
GoonRider93 wrote:
Who knows? They haven't exactly had a shortage of talent over the years. I'd say it was less to do with the bike and more to...
Who knows? They haven't exactly had a shortage of talent over the years.

I'd say it was less to do with the bike and more to do with the competition riding other brands which is fierce at the moment.
VicDaMoan03 wrote:
What about Cooper Webb?
What about him? He never took the 450 class seriously said so himself. Didn't change his programme from his 250 days and found out the hard way that it wouldn't cut it. Hated testing.

Moved to KTM, figured his machine out, Aldon has great programme that works for most.
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GoonRider93 7/19/2019 6:42pm
7/19/2019 6:42pm
There is a good interview with Chad Reed where he details his 2nd stint at Yamaha and he does not look back fondly on that experience. The bike was (his exact words) "the worst chassis I've ever ridden"... Google "Chad Reed Yamaha" and you'll find it
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Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp 7/19/2019 6:51pm
7/19/2019 6:51pm
GoonRider93 wrote:
Who knows? They haven't exactly had a shortage of talent over the years. I'd say it was less to do with the bike and more to...
Who knows? They haven't exactly had a shortage of talent over the years.

I'd say it was less to do with the bike and more to do with the competition riding other brands which is fierce at the moment.
"other brands which is fierce at the moment." doesn't sound like the rider...
VicDaMoan03
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VicDaMoan03 7/19/2019 6:52pm
7/19/2019 6:52pm
GoonRider93 wrote:
Who knows? They haven't exactly had a shortage of talent over the years. I'd say it was less to do with the bike and more to...
Who knows? They haven't exactly had a shortage of talent over the years.

I'd say it was less to do with the bike and more to do with the competition riding other brands which is fierce at the moment.
VicDaMoan03 wrote:
What about Cooper Webb?
GoonRider93 wrote:
What about him? He never took the 450 class seriously said so himself. Didn't change his programme from his 250 days and found out the hard...
What about him? He never took the 450 class seriously said so himself. Didn't change his programme from his 250 days and found out the hard way that it wouldn't cut it. Hated testing.

Moved to KTM, figured his machine out, Aldon has great programme that works for most.
I love Yamaha but it's clear the switch to KTM was a huge part of his turn around. Going from a 10th place guy to championship after moving says a lot
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GoonRider93 7/19/2019 6:59pm
7/19/2019 6:59pm
GoonRider93 wrote:
Who knows? They haven't exactly had a shortage of talent over the years. I'd say it was less to do with the bike and more to...
Who knows? They haven't exactly had a shortage of talent over the years.

I'd say it was less to do with the bike and more to do with the competition riding other brands which is fierce at the moment.
Johnny Depp wrote:
"other brands which is fierce at the moment." doesn't sound like the rider...
If you're going to quote me at least quote the whole sentence so it has some context not part way through it haha

What I'm saying is you can have the best bike on the gate but theres some bad ass dudes on other brands that are ripping too. Having a good bike is only part of the equation!
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CPR
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CPR 7/19/2019 7:10pm
7/19/2019 7:10pm
Johnny Depp wrote:
Wins the 450 shootouts. Packs the top 10 in 250's.

Why such a struggle for 450 Pro results?
theprizefighter wrote:
Better than the bc Suzuki.
Except the "the bc Suzuki" has better results.....
Racer111
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Racer111 7/19/2019 7:18pm
7/19/2019 7:18pm
Johnny Depp wrote:
Dean Ferris interview:

"“Picked up my bike this morning and instantly gelled with it 👌🏼 Stoked to have ‘that feeling’ back"

https://www.dirtaction.com.au/dean-ferris-returns-to-mx-nationals-with-…
He rides for Yamaha. What do you expect him to say?

If you’re 6 foot tall or taller, you’ll like the YZ 450. If you’re under that, you won’t. They are just a weird fitting bike. You have to steer with the rear wheel because they just don’t turn for shit. RV loves them because he has always steered with the rear. I’m sure he is in heaven on the bike.

I rode a 19 and it was as I expected. Typical Yamaha 450. I have ridden the 16,17,18 and 19 250. All 4 of those bikes are ballers I liked the 2019 250 the best.

I’ll take the RMZ 450 over the YZ450 all day.




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Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp 7/19/2019 8:10pm
7/19/2019 8:10pm
Johnny Depp wrote:
Dean Ferris interview:

"“Picked up my bike this morning and instantly gelled with it 👌🏼 Stoked to have ‘that feeling’ back"

https://www.dirtaction.com.au/dean-ferris-returns-to-mx-nationals-with-…
Racer111 wrote:
He rides for Yamaha. What do you expect him to say? If you’re 6 foot tall or taller, you’ll like the YZ 450. If you’re under...
He rides for Yamaha. What do you expect him to say?

If you’re 6 foot tall or taller, you’ll like the YZ 450. If you’re under that, you won’t. They are just a weird fitting bike. You have to steer with the rear wheel because they just don’t turn for shit. RV loves them because he has always steered with the rear. I’m sure he is in heaven on the bike.

I rode a 19 and it was as I expected. Typical Yamaha 450. I have ridden the 16,17,18 and 19 250. All 4 of those bikes are ballers I liked the 2019 250 the best.

I’ll take the RMZ 450 over the YZ450 all day.




You missed the link where now rides KTM...
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Matt Fisher
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Matt Fisher 7/19/2019 8:44pm
7/19/2019 8:44pm
Johnny Depp wrote:
Dean Ferris interview:

"“Picked up my bike this morning and instantly gelled with it 👌🏼 Stoked to have ‘that feeling’ back"

https://www.dirtaction.com.au/dean-ferris-returns-to-mx-nationals-with-…
Racer111 wrote:
He rides for Yamaha. What do you expect him to say? If you’re 6 foot tall or taller, you’ll like the YZ 450. If you’re under...
He rides for Yamaha. What do you expect him to say?

If you’re 6 foot tall or taller, you’ll like the YZ 450. If you’re under that, you won’t. They are just a weird fitting bike. You have to steer with the rear wheel because they just don’t turn for shit. RV loves them because he has always steered with the rear. I’m sure he is in heaven on the bike.

I rode a 19 and it was as I expected. Typical Yamaha 450. I have ridden the 16,17,18 and 19 250. All 4 of those bikes are ballers I liked the 2019 250 the best.

I’ll take the RMZ 450 over the YZ450 all day.




While my 13 YZ450 doesn't do much coming into corners, it's just fine once heeled over in a rut. I've ridden the 19 YZ450 and it's front end grip is much, much better. A bit heavier and more positive feeling front end than the 19 KX450, which is quite light and positive in it's feel. Neither have the front end grip of my son's 18 KTM 350SXF. That damn thing really inspires confidence.
powertrip456 7/19/2019 8:46pm
7/19/2019 8:46pm
Racer111 wrote:
He rides for Yamaha. What do you expect him to say? If you’re 6 foot tall or taller, you’ll like the YZ 450. If you’re under...
He rides for Yamaha. What do you expect him to say?

If you’re 6 foot tall or taller, you’ll like the YZ 450. If you’re under that, you won’t. They are just a weird fitting bike. You have to steer with the rear wheel because they just don’t turn for shit. RV loves them because he has always steered with the rear. I’m sure he is in heaven on the bike.

I rode a 19 and it was as I expected. Typical Yamaha 450. I have ridden the 16,17,18 and 19 250. All 4 of those bikes are ballers I liked the 2019 250 the best.

I’ll take the RMZ 450 over the YZ450 all day.




Nothing about this makes sense to me. RV isn’t over 6 foot, but because he steers with the rear it’s ok? And is the cutoff exactly at 6’0”, or is it 5’11.7854” or maybe 6’1.4623”? Does weight play any role?
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early
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early 7/19/2019 9:01pm
7/19/2019 9:01pm
Johnny Depp wrote:
You missed the link where now rides KTM...
He was riding a yamaha when he got second in a moto at high point in '17 and everyone outaide the US lost their shit over him. Most people will say the '19 bike isbetter than the '17 as well.
Motocrossjunky
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Motocrossjunky 7/19/2019 11:48pm
7/19/2019 11:48pm
To me it always just sounds like The Factory Yamaha team doesn’t give the riders enough freedom to ride with parts/settings they like and therefore never gel with the bike.
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Timo_2824
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Timo_2824 7/20/2019 4:50am
7/20/2019 4:50am
Racer111 wrote:
He rides for Yamaha. What do you expect him to say? If you’re 6 foot tall or taller, you’ll like the YZ 450. If you’re under...
He rides for Yamaha. What do you expect him to say?

If you’re 6 foot tall or taller, you’ll like the YZ 450. If you’re under that, you won’t. They are just a weird fitting bike. You have to steer with the rear wheel because they just don’t turn for shit. RV loves them because he has always steered with the rear. I’m sure he is in heaven on the bike.

I rode a 19 and it was as I expected. Typical Yamaha 450. I have ridden the 16,17,18 and 19 250. All 4 of those bikes are ballers I liked the 2019 250 the best.

I’ll take the RMZ 450 over the YZ450 all day.




I'm 5'7" and love mine, tall guys don't like it because of the low seat makes it hard for them to transition to standing. I love it because I can touch the ground easier, this bike feels compact so I've never got the it fits larger riders thing. I'm also a front wheel steering rider, which I have no issues doing on this bike.
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danoh
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danoh 7/20/2019 5:20am
7/20/2019 5:20am
VicDaMoan03 wrote:
What about Cooper Webb?
GoonRider93 wrote:
What about him? He never took the 450 class seriously said so himself. Didn't change his programme from his 250 days and found out the hard...
What about him? He never took the 450 class seriously said so himself. Didn't change his programme from his 250 days and found out the hard way that it wouldn't cut it. Hated testing.

Moved to KTM, figured his machine out, Aldon has great programme that works for most.
VicDaMoan03 wrote:
I love Yamaha but it's clear the switch to KTM was a huge part of his turn around. Going from a 10th place guy to championship...
I love Yamaha but it's clear the switch to KTM was a huge part of his turn around. Going from a 10th place guy to championship after moving says a lot
Maybe he didn’t take the training seriously when he was at Yamaha. Remember I sa an interview where he said something about how he don’t like training. He lost a lot of weight in the offseason after moving to KTM. I think with Aldon it’s do your training or you’re out of here. Yamaha might me a little to loose on that.
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UpTiTe
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UpTiTe 7/20/2019 5:37am
7/20/2019 5:37am
Factory speed riders that have rode/tested the bike all say the same thing, it’s very unforgiving at speed and mistakes are amplified because of it’s ridged chassis.
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UpTiTe
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UpTiTe 7/20/2019 5:38am
7/20/2019 5:38am
Motofinne wrote:
They seem fine in the GPs.
They use a different frame.
UpTiTe
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UpTiTe 7/20/2019 5:45am
7/20/2019 5:45am
Motofinne wrote:
They seem fine in the GPs.
UpTiTe wrote:
They use a different frame.
Motofinne wrote:
Wilvo bikes too?
From what I was told, yes, and Paulin likes it much better.
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Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp 7/20/2019 6:41am
7/20/2019 6:41am
UpTiTe wrote:
They use a different frame.
Motofinne wrote:
Wilvo bikes too?
UpTiTe wrote:
From what I was told, yes, and Paulin likes it much better.
Hmm, the Enigma may be unraveling..

Perhaps the Shootouts are flawed? A unanimous vote for Blue except for 1 who picked Orange.

https://motocrossactionmag.com/mxa-shootout-the-real-2019-450-four-stro…

6 of the top 10 in AMA 450's on Austrian bikes.

But everyone likes to hate on MXA?

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Dirty Points 7/20/2019 6:51am
7/20/2019 6:51am Edited Date/Time 7/20/2019 6:54am
Motofinne wrote:
Wilvo bikes too?
UpTiTe wrote:
From what I was told, yes, and Paulin likes it much better.
Johnny Depp wrote:
Hmm, the Enigma may be unraveling.. Perhaps the Shootouts are flawed? A unanimous vote for Blue except for 1 who picked Orange. https://motocrossactionmag.com/mxa-shootout-the-real-2019-450-four-stroke-shootout/ 6 of the...
Hmm, the Enigma may be unraveling..

Perhaps the Shootouts are flawed? A unanimous vote for Blue except for 1 who picked Orange.

https://motocrossactionmag.com/mxa-shootout-the-real-2019-450-four-stro…

6 of the top 10 in AMA 450's on Austrian bikes.

But everyone likes to hate on MXA?

They may have picked the KTM, but they still had the Yam ahead of all other Japanese bikes.
Dirty Points 7/20/2019 7:49am
7/20/2019 7:49am
UpTiTe wrote:
They use a different frame.
Motofinne wrote:
Wilvo bikes too?
UpTiTe wrote:
From what I was told, yes, and Paulin likes it much better.
Might just be the '20 frame that they were developing.
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