450 Shootout!
 

June issue of DirtWheels, shootout between the 450 "trail" quads. While I DO NOT agree that the 450's make good trail quads when compared to machines like the 400EX or Z400, I do realize that many people ride them that way.

Here is what they said about the Honda 450R: "For the non-racer....It's probably the most refined, reliable and well-made performance ATV in the world, and it costs less than the others. It has great low-end power and obviously can be made into a race winner with a little work and money". So it is the winner in the "value" category.

In the performance category the KTM was the winner, and overall they picked the Yamaha.

I will agree with them that the stock 450R is a bit tipsy. I blame this mostly on the stock tires and rims....which most folks replace anyway. I went with ITP Holeshot XC tires and Baja rims which are wider and have a greater offset. I am easily +3" in front and nearly 50" in the back....all without replacing a-arms or a new axle!

The joke about these shootouts is that all the machines are bone stock. Anybody can make night-and-day changes in any machine, if they spend enough money.....

I can honestly say that if anybody offered to give me any of those quads I wouldn't turn my nose up at any of them. Competition has created some great machines in this class. Maybe I'll move to desert climes so I could enjoy a nice throwable sport quad...

I agree about the YFZ being the best all around. Friend has one and it handles every terrain well.

i have rode many and have came to like the yfz the best

The only problem with the shootout is that is was published in Dirt Wheels. Everyone knows that a Yamaha would win no matter what the shootout is about or what other manufactures are in it. The only way a Yamaha would not win is if it wasn't in it. But in that case they would also mention what a previous Yamaha model did in a past issue.

I thought it was a decent article. pretty much stays in line with what the other rags have been saying as well. The funny thing about Yamaha "always" winning, is that in the 80's Honda always won. It couldn't be that Yamaha has been making great products or anything, could it? In reality, most of the 450 class are so close with a few aftermarket tweaks to suit the rider, any one of them could be a winner.

Im Gonna Have To Go With The Trx450r...I Have A 06 And Its Race Ready And Its Great On The Trails

i think that the old yfz's and honda's were pretty close but i think that the newer yfz 450rs are a step ahead i would definatly pick a honda on lasting longer but running harder and faster i would have to give it to the yamaha. the top end has more pull while the honda has low end. low end is great but in a race low end isn't really needed but i do like the honda a lot not dogging on it in anyway definetly comfortable and reliable but id give the edge to the yamaha in the end.