I have no clue what year it is :-(

and I agree on the options thing, quads should atleast come with grips that warm your hands!

 

I stand corrected. I started this thread by stating that I didn't see Honda's ad in Dirt Wheels. What I intended to say was I didn't see any ads for the TRX450R but I was wrong about that too, their ad on page 6 is about them winning Baja. Anyway, I've never been brand loyal, I have a Yamaha (Raptor) a Suzuki (DRZ400S) and a Honda CRF450R and now a TRX450R, which I picked up today. When I was comparing the 2003 YZF450 to the CRF450 dirtbike, DirtWheels sister publication, Motocross Action, picked the Yamaha as the clear cut winner. A friend of mine who's a mechanic on the National circuit suggested the CRF450R for a rider of my caliber (SLOW) because its power is smoother. For 2004, Yamaha shaved 20 lbs from the YZF450 and made numerous other improvements and now Motocross Action (Jan. 2004 issue) picks the Honda as the best 450. My point is, don't be surprised if the May issue of Dirt Wheels does a shootout where they replaced the tires with lower profile units or some other minor modification and then picks the Honda as the better quad. They're selling magazines and need fresh material.

 

wow...good information!
so whats gonna be the stock weight for the 04 yfz?

 

so i got the issue...and ran to the DW reading area (my toilet). yup, there it was...stating the TRX450's front end is too light and that it gets tippy going into corners and wheely's out.

Having had this thrown in my face for over 4 years by Honda Natzi's trashing my raptor....i find this claim most satisfying...one can only hope the TRX trannies start failing soon.

But hey...don't worry Hondites. Take it from a raptor owner. you can always pump an additional $2-3k in your front end and suspension to correct the tippynes... but your gonna have to get comfortable sitting on your gas tank to keep that front end down...i would recommend CR low bend bars so you can get on top of it

 

The front end is fine for me. I am not sure what they are talking about.

 

you guys always say throw a leg over them and try them out then decide.
where in the hell do you find anyone to let you try them out? no people near me will let you ride theres and there is no where that lets you test drive them either.

 

Why are someguys bellyaching? I haven't got my issue yet but it wouldn't surprise me if Honda wasn't the best. What the heck has Honda done lately? This isn't the 80's where you could pretty much guarantee that every shootout would end up with Honda being the winner. For the past few years Honda has been getting their @sses handed to them by Yamaha.

Doesn't seem like many people remember all the discussion about when the 450R was first introduced and many of us were underwhelmed. Seems like the YFZ is a more serious package. Thing is, I don't care either way which is better since neither 450 offers what I want in a quad.

 

If a dealer won't let you take even a short test rip, find another one who will. If they know the money goes out the door with you, they'll listen.

Lot's of great choices, take what others say w/ a grain of salt, and go test them for yourself. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] You're the one who has to like the quad, not them.

 

no kidding about the dealers. They ride the things around the parking lot and leave some outside all day long. If you arent allowed to get on one and at least putt around, you need to find a new dealer.

 

I own a 450r and can tell you from experience the stock honda 450r is faster than the stock yzf 450.race at pismo over the weekend.a yzf with a pipe could only beat me by 2 or 3 quad lengths.