YZ 426 opinions

ATKpilot99
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ATKpilot99
Edited Date/Time 4/28/2022 7:40am
These can be had for relatively cheap. Good bike? I'm just a slow 50+ rider , maybe enter a race or 2 on it but trail riding also.
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peelout
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peelout 2/6/2019 10:48am
2/6/2019 10:48am Edited Date/Time 2/6/2019 10:48am
compared to literally ANY other 4-stroke (except maybe an XR600, but there's a trick to them) i remember them being a nightmare to start. moto track is one thing, but trail riding is where i would say absolutely not. then again, i'm on a KTM 300 with the magic button and a kickstart for backup.

my .02
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gsxr6
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gsxr6 2/6/2019 10:48am
2/6/2019 10:48am
Worst turning bike I ever rode. Motor was ok. Heavy feeling. Planted yes. Get used to having the steering to the stops and still always being on the outside line. Back to back with a 14 yz450 make u appreciate the lightness and handling of a 14 lol
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Stuntman949
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Stuntman949 2/6/2019 10:50am
2/6/2019 10:50am
Might need shoulder surgery from all the high-fives you get. They are a bitch to start when they are hot, especially with race nerves. Put a Hot-Cam in it and call it a day.
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philG
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philG 2/6/2019 10:50am
2/6/2019 10:50am
There are far better bikes to be had, for the same money.
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AHRMA361
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AHRMA361 2/6/2019 10:53am
2/6/2019 10:53am
I had both the original YZ400F and then a YZ426 back then. They were great bikes in that time for what they were. Difficult to start cold or hot. Missed a few race moto's due to not wanting to start on the line.


Tons of torque, heavy and slow turning but they cut the path for modern four strokes. I would never personally own one again when there are so many better choices out there.
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mutti_wilson
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mutti_wilson 2/6/2019 11:05am
2/6/2019 11:05am
Mine must be a unicorn since it starts hot or cold with no issue. I agree it's heavy and ergo's are not what a new bike is, but power is solid and mine has been reliable as anything. I trail ride mostly and it does just fine for what I need.
BAD10
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BAD10 2/6/2019 11:11am
2/6/2019 11:11am
Boat Anchor or Anvil comes to mind..........
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Markopolo400
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Markopolo400 2/6/2019 11:11am
2/6/2019 11:11am
I had a 99 YZ400F, mine was actually super easy to start also. As long as you followed the procedure with the manual decomp lever it was constantly a one kick bike, hot or cold.
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brimx153
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brimx153 2/6/2019 11:11am
2/6/2019 11:11am
philG wrote:
There are far better bikes to be had, for the same money.
X2
Forty
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Forty 2/6/2019 11:20am
2/6/2019 11:20am
I had a 2000 426. I remember being one of only a few at the time but that changed quickly as 2 strokes went away. Very difficult to start hot and the hot start was on the carb. Good power and handled fine. Don’t chop the throttle on a jump! I thought it was a great bike but it’s nearly 20 years old now. Better options available.
jimmie
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jimmie 2/6/2019 11:20am
2/6/2019 11:20am
I had a 2001, really liked the bike. I raced it and did very well but...starting can in deed be a bitch at the most critical times. I wore myself out at one Elsinore GP (2003) trying the push start the damn thing just before the start! Over all though a very good ride.
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Phillip_Lamb
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Phillip_Lamb 2/6/2019 11:27am
2/6/2019 11:27am
I wouldnt. only from the stand point you can find 03-05 yz450f's for a few more dollars or 1st gen CRF450's.

both will be lighter handle better and dont have a hot start level and decompression lever.
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smashingpumpkins167 2/6/2019 11:34am
2/6/2019 11:34am
Phillip_Lamb wrote:
I wouldnt. only from the stand point you can find 03-05 yz450f's for a few more dollars or 1st gen CRF450's. both will be lighter handle...
I wouldnt. only from the stand point you can find 03-05 yz450f's for a few more dollars or 1st gen CRF450's.

both will be lighter handle better and dont have a hot start level and decompression lever.
My dad had an 07 and I will definitely get that generation of yz when I'm ready for a 450. They handle decently, power and suspension are excellent too.

I will probably get a 426 though one day just for nostalgia, I used to race one of those.
newmann
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newmann 2/6/2019 12:05pm
2/6/2019 12:05pm
I had (still have) the 2001 YZ250F and swapped rides with a friend who had an 01 426 one day at the track. I've always been a 125 guy and the 426 just had me scratching my head as to why anyone would find that thing to be fun. The 250F was my "big" bike.
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ATKpilot99
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ATKpilot99 2/6/2019 12:10pm
2/6/2019 12:10pm
Thanks for the replies. Newmann I've tried to be a 125 guy and just cant . Even on the 97 yz125 I had. It was a great bike and I was decent on it but too much shifting on a 125. I'm a point and shoot rider thus my thoughts on getting a 4 stroke
BroFoSho
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BroFoSho 2/6/2019 12:20pm
2/6/2019 12:20pm
For a few more bucks you could pick up an 02-03 CRF450 which is light years betters
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newmann
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newmann 2/6/2019 12:27pm
2/6/2019 12:27pm
ATKpilot99 wrote:
Thanks for the replies. Newmann I've tried to be a 125 guy and just cant . Even on the 97 yz125 I had. It was a...
Thanks for the replies. Newmann I've tried to be a 125 guy and just cant . Even on the 97 yz125 I had. It was a great bike and I was decent on it but too much shifting on a 125. I'm a point and shoot rider thus my thoughts on getting a 4 stroke
You spent any time on a 250F? I'm wondering how much better a new KTM would be over that old turd of mine.
ATKpilot99
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ATKpilot99 2/6/2019 12:34pm
2/6/2019 12:34pm
ATKpilot99 wrote:
Thanks for the replies. Newmann I've tried to be a 125 guy and just cant . Even on the 97 yz125 I had. It was a...
Thanks for the replies. Newmann I've tried to be a 125 guy and just cant . Even on the 97 yz125 I had. It was a great bike and I was decent on it but too much shifting on a 125. I'm a point and shoot rider thus my thoughts on getting a 4 stroke
newmann wrote:
You spent any time on a 250F? I'm wondering how much better a new KTM would be over that old turd of mine.
I rode a 2002 I think it was years ago. Just a few laps . I liked it but a used 250f makes me a little more nervous even though any used bike is a risk . I've seen some 06 yz 250fs for a little more than I want to spend but may be an option.

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EZZA 95B
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EZZA 95B 2/6/2019 12:36pm
2/6/2019 12:36pm
I loved my big tractor... When I could start it.
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coastie44
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coastie44 2/6/2019 12:49pm
2/6/2019 12:49pm
Bunch of pansies...I had a 2001 and never, not once, had an issue starting it. Get it to TDC and then kick it like you mean it.

But with that said, why bother??? I have a ‘13 KX450 in my garage with 20hrs on an engine rebuild that I would let go for $2k. Its a 1000x better bike.

So why put yourself through the pain of a pumper carb?? Buy something a lot newer.
Sir Roostsalot 2/6/2019 1:07pm
2/6/2019 1:07pm Edited Date/Time 2/6/2019 1:08pm
Don't ask me why, but I had a 2001YZ 426 model and to this day its the favorite bike I ever owned. Never had any problems starting it, left it stock might be why. Power was immense and usable. Okay the forks did suck but a revalve fixed them. It might be strange but my memory of that bike is nothing but good, bulletproof, low maintenance, lofting gobs of roost and railing the outsides.
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Teejay
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Teejay 2/6/2019 1:13pm
2/6/2019 1:13pm
I had one in 2001, just came off a 125 and remember it feeling like an absolute powerhouse. But as we all know nostalgia makes things seem better than they actually were, I only weighed about 9 stone at the time which probably helped, as others have said hot starting could be a real pain especially towards the end of the day. Had no trouble starting cold. Felt very tractor like and agricultural is the best word I can describe it with.
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EZZA 95B
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EZZA 95B 2/6/2019 1:24pm
2/6/2019 1:24pm
My issue with starting it was that I was small and weak.Laughing I had 125's and would only ride it for fun, it was awesome in the dunes, no paddle necessary.

Teejay
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Teejay 2/6/2019 1:38pm
2/6/2019 1:38pm
I’d say when I compared it to my 125 it felt like it was 2wd, would grip and pull through anything. I couldn’t believe how easy it was on a wet boggy sand track.
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Robbie
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Robbie 2/6/2019 2:56pm
2/6/2019 2:56pm
Those yz400 and 426ers were a revelation at the time when the other option was to kickstart a big rotax with your left leg......

As previously mentioned you would be better off picking up a more modern four stroke for a couple of grand instead, less tiring to ride and better parts availability.
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mikec265
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mikec265 2/6/2019 3:06pm
2/6/2019 3:06pm
Heaviest feeling bike I've ever ridden..... Well.... Maybe the Cannondale was worse....
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Forty
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Forty 2/6/2019 3:12pm
2/6/2019 3:12pm
mikec265 wrote:
Heaviest feeling bike I've ever ridden..... Well.... Maybe the Cannondale was worse....
Gotta remember we were all coming off 2 -stoke bikes and had not worked that kind of inertia around a mx track before.


At least for me they felt heavy at first because they were completely different.
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yz133rider
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yz133rider 2/6/2019 3:36pm
2/6/2019 3:36pm
08-12 rmz450 much better bike and 18-25 should get an immaculate one
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TymeMoto
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TymeMoto 2/6/2019 5:49pm
2/6/2019 5:49pm
From what I remember, the front end wants to come up everytime you give the throttle the slightest blip in 1st, 2nd, 3rd AND 4th year. Also impossible to start and literally the heaviest race bike ever made.
EZZA 95B
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EZZA 95B 2/6/2019 6:03pm
2/6/2019 6:03pm
Me and my mate on ours... Wish I had footage.



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