Yamaha guys: YZ450f frame question

user760a
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user760a
Edited Date/Time 10/18/2012 8:55am
Found a mint , hardly used 06 YZ450F for sale, would like tyo buy it but I remember that bike pushing very badly in turns. Not a good handeling bike. I hear the 08 09 frame is a big improvement. Looks identicle in pictures. Can I run an 08 frame with all 06 parts? anything different, incompatable?
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motomike137
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motomike137 10/17/2012 8:28am
10/17/2012 8:28am
I don't think the difference in handling is that great that I would go to all that trouble unless you already have the 08 frame. With proper set up and riding technique and that bike will work just fine for most of us weekend hacks.
mxrose3
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mxrose3 10/17/2012 8:42am
10/17/2012 8:42am
I just did this upgrade to my son's 06' YZ450. The only difference is the steering head. You will have to get a shorter YZ250F or 125 steering stem pressed into your lower triple clamp. The difference in handling is noticeable IMO.
NB304
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NB304 10/17/2012 9:18am
10/17/2012 9:18am
i think mine hadles fine. keep sag set properly is the main thing. find a front tire you like and run a 110 rear instead of a 120. i also raised my forks in the clamps a little on mine. I think they handle on par with every other bike from that vintage besides a suzuki.
Highsider
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Highsider 10/17/2012 10:02am
10/17/2012 10:02am Edited Date/Time 10/17/2012 4:41pm
NB304 wrote:
i think mine hadles fine. keep sag set properly is the main thing. find a front tire you like and run a 110 rear instead of...
i think mine hadles fine. keep sag set properly is the main thing. find a front tire you like and run a 110 rear instead of a 120. i also raised my forks in the clamps a little on mine. I think they handle on par with every other bike from that vintage besides a suzuki.
Is the 110 okay on loose, sandy, loamy tracks? I am sure you have had plenty of hours on such tracks near you.
I have been temped to go to a 110, but I prefer Redbud (or sandier, looser) type tracks.

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user760a
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user760a 10/17/2012 10:14am
10/17/2012 10:14am
mxrose3 wrote:
I just did this upgrade to my son's 06' YZ450. The only difference is the steering head. You will have to get a shorter YZ250F or...
I just did this upgrade to my son's 06' YZ450. The only difference is the steering head. You will have to get a shorter YZ250F or 125 steering stem pressed into your lower triple clamp. The difference in handling is noticeable IMO.
thanks!
TX24
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TX24 10/17/2012 10:20am
10/17/2012 10:20am
Check with Applied Racing for triple clamps for that bike. I had a 250F that year that Dubach tested clamps to help that model for them. Probably worked for the 450 also.
Lightning78
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Lightning78 10/17/2012 10:58am
10/17/2012 10:58am
I always ran 110's on ALL my 450's ....to me the difference in agility and turning prowess is extremely noticeable. With a 120 the bike hooks the F up on straightened but it takes a LOT more energy to initiate a turn, same goes for the 250f's I used to own, ran 100's on those and got the same results, an added bonus is it perks up the throttle response because the tire is lighter and not hooking up like a road tire.....just my opinion but DEFINITELY go with the 110 on your 06 yz450f l, I remember langston saying his 07 wouldn't turn unless it was hit by a wrecking ball till he got the 08 frame and won the title. Prior to this newest generation, Yamahas have always been really stable but are not easy to make turn, especially once you get off a Suzuki or Honda
NB304
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NB304 10/17/2012 11:37am
10/17/2012 11:37am
yes the 110 seems to hook up just fine. now that it has been converted to my hare scramble bike it hooks up really good with the 110-90-18 @ 8-10psi and tubelis kit. unfortunaly i am having major handling issues after using up my stock pile of 756 fronts. the mx-51 front is all over the place and pushes like crazy. i have crashed my brains out this year with the way that tire likes to just walk out of a rut or small berm.
Highsider
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Highsider 10/17/2012 4:44pm
10/17/2012 4:44pm
NB304 wrote:
yes the 110 seems to hook up just fine. now that it has been converted to my hare scramble bike it hooks up really good with...
yes the 110 seems to hook up just fine. now that it has been converted to my hare scramble bike it hooks up really good with the 110-90-18 @ 8-10psi and tubelis kit. unfortunaly i am having major handling issues after using up my stock pile of 756 fronts. the mx-51 front is all over the place and pushes like crazy. i have crashed my brains out this year with the way that tire likes to just walk out of a rut or small berm.
Thanks. I'll try the 110 on my '09 YZ450.
When I ran out of front 756, I went to a Pirelli front and a 756 or 745 rear.
2whlfun
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2whlfun 10/17/2012 8:39pm
10/17/2012 8:39pm
I had an 06 YZ-450 and it was the best handling bike I've ever owned AFTER I started running a 90-100-21 on the front and had the suspension modified by Smart Performance.
MX558
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MX558 10/18/2012 8:55am
10/18/2012 8:55am
NB304 wrote:
yes the 110 seems to hook up just fine. now that it has been converted to my hare scramble bike it hooks up really good with...
yes the 110 seems to hook up just fine. now that it has been converted to my hare scramble bike it hooks up really good with the 110-90-18 @ 8-10psi and tubelis kit. unfortunaly i am having major handling issues after using up my stock pile of 756 fronts. the mx-51 front is all over the place and pushes like crazy. i have crashed my brains out this year with the way that tire likes to just walk out of a rut or small berm.
I had an 06, I put some 22mm clamps on and it made it turn pretty well. I had an 09 later, did the same and it really made a difference. Also try the mx 31 front it's a great tire (does ok in hard also) much better than pos mx 51

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