What will Honda have to build in order to beat the YZF450? From what I've read it doesn't sound like their 450 motor has what it takes to beat the Yamaha. I don't know, but things most be really grim over at Honda R&D lately. At the very least they could try to do something with the XR650 motor.

I've been holding my breath so long that I'm turning blue- Yamaha blue[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img]

 

Word has it that Honda will release a new QUAD at septembers show.

 

their 450 doesnt have the same hit but it has about the same peak hp and it delivers it smoothly. also they probably wont destoke it like yamaha since the limit has been changed to 450cc

 

Warpig is right on...the CRF450R just doesn't have the hit like the YZ450F. I have heard people that have ridden both back to back and they said that when riding the CRF you were going alot faster than it felt but on the YZF you have the big hit and it really makes you feel like you are riding really fast..both have around the same peak HP the honda is just smoother which can be better on a big 450. Matt

 

I've had some dealers tell me it'll be released in Sept. But Sept. is months away and there is alot of riding to do until then. Then if they don't release something in Sept. then people have wasted a whole summer. I think if Honda has something really in the works. Honda needs to step up and release something about it. Even if it's one of those false pictures that DW's runs. (Looks kinda like it but turns out different in the end.) Honda doesn't have anything to lose by releasing a little info. But if they don't, Honda will continue to lose customers. Customers that might have waited to purchase if they knew something was honestly coming.

 

If Honda does introduce a new high performance ATV in September it will still be a long time before anyone can buy it, right? The Yamaha will be here in a couple weeks and the Honda might be available next summer. To me that is really aggravating. I'll turn 38 next month and this summer I would like to buy what will probably be my last sport quad. I don't feel like I have lots of time to wait around for Honda.

My problem with buying a Yamaha has been the feeling that they aren't as reliable or well engineered as a Honda. The overly complicated chain adjustment, poor airbox design and weak 01' Raptor tranny's are good examples. Maybe that's changed with the new YZf450; I noticed that they redesigned the chain adjustment - hopefully they improved the air box design too.

I'm frustrated with both Honda and Yamaha. Why is it taking Honda so long. Why hasn't Yamaha done a better job with the engineering. I mean, if Yamaha would put as much effort into engineering as they do into wide open performance they would dominate the market. It just seems like neither manufacture really cares that much, although Yamaha is doing better than Honda.

I think Honda needs to come out with a quad that will make our jaws drop. Not just a CRF450 motor in a reworked 400EX chassis but something radical like a Cannondale Moto. Sadly, my gut feeling is that any new sport quad from Honda will only be sport as in "sport" utility vehicle.

 

Honda is suppose to make it available right away. A friend rode a crf custom 450 destroked to a 440, he said it was the fastest quad that he has rode. The only quad that was comparable was a cr 500 quad. They got 52hp out of the 450, also HONDA is suppose to make a announcement within the next few weeks.

 

When Honda does release their new quad all the chumps who bought the YFZ are going to be crying. Everyone knows that Honda builds the best quads. They just take their time, see what the other OEM's build and then improve on it.

 

My latest info is that Honda Japan built this new quad with a kick starter and no reverse as a full on racer, then Honda USA did not like the concept because they thought the market was limited for a quad like this, so they have had to rebuild this quad to have electric start and reverse because this is what the majority of the people want, the release date has been put forward because of this.
This is from local Honda dealer who had a meeting with the guys from Honda about this.
I tend to agree with Honda USA on this because from a buisness point of view it is better to build what the majority of the people want.

 

Honda has always waited late in the game to introduce new quads because they wait to see the big drawbacks of their rivals and make a supeior product give them time and they will rule the playing feild.