i am looking for a new quad. right now i have a very modded 400ex. i like the yfz450 better then the 450r. i am 5'9 and 190#. aggresive rider. i want to know which would be a better quad for me for my height and weight? i know the 450r is more comfortable. and know the yfz is not as comfortable but faster. how could i make the yfz more comfortable if i got one?

 

you'd be best ridin a yfz due to its more aggressive powerband.

 

New seat foam will help.

Personally, I would wait a few more months to see if Honda makes any changes. Not sure why but it seems that there are always 5-6 Hondas in the top 10 of every race and 2-3 Yamahas. Given the Yamaha is faster, I guess Honda attracks better riders? I am guessing the Honda has a better overall powerband. Or perhaps Honda has a better payout program or better reliability. What gives with Honda finishing so many riders in the top 10?

For me, I would get the yfz because of the electric start. If I was all mx then it wouldn't matter to me.

/Jon

 

If you can, just ride them both and see which one feels more comfortable to you. I personally didn't like how freakin narrow the seat is on the 450, it literaly feels like you are riding on a rail, and i didn't like it at all compared to my nice saddle on the z.

 

sounds like the comfort issues have been resolved with the 06 YFZs. They have altered the handle bar heights, fooot begs and added additional foam to the seat. check out the Yamaha website dude.

 

my friend and relative each have one of each that i have riden. They are both amazing quads and i couldnt have picked one to go with. If it were up to me I would probably end up going with the one that was cheapest, and came from a good dealer.

 

FWIW, it sounds like the YFZ frame still handles well with more power, while the 450R loses a little unless you make chassis mods as well. If you are going to race it probably won't make much of a diff, but if you are just a recreational rider it might. I think there are a lot of racers that grew up on 250R's and are staying Honda loyal. The two quads are close enough in race form that brand loyalty just might be the biggest difference for many people.

 

i will not be racing i am a recreational rider. i will not be buying a brandnew quad. i heard the yfz also had stiff suspension. is it that the yfz suspension is not plush or is it that the way the front end was made?