Spent the whole day Sunday riding my friends 450R(mine is being torn down now for the TT Nationals). We put some 8" American Racers on the back and some Hoosier Fronts. Also put on a Rath Swaybar. I put in about 70 laps. The quad is awesome. The front end is light, but not wheelie happy like some say. Brakes are incredible. Shifts very smooth. The one sore spot is the gas tank. Depending on riding position; your knee smacks against the pointy part of the tank. It just takes a little bit different riding position. It handles awesome. We rode @ the TT track in Birch Creek Virginia. It was rough, but the 450R handled awesome. Starting was no problem w/hot. There was also a stock YFZ there. Both are pretty equal. Depending who got out in front of who; neither really pulled either.

 

Good post, thanks for the info!