I disagree. This is not meant to be a trail quad though it will do fine there. It's meant for MX and the like, no need for reverse, plus reverse is a problem child of the 01 Raptors and who knows about the other years.

 

Adding reverse is not so much a matter of weight but mostly rotating mass, slowing it's ability to rev quickly. This new 450 is not a sport quad but a race quad.

 

I think I disagree with that just a little. If it is geared towards MX why is it SOO narrow? I mean I do see some reason, if it was wide then most people would not buy one...blah blah Never mind....LOL

 

Yamaha is offering wider a-arms and axle for it according the the GYT-R page.

/Jon

 

If they made it any wider then people would not buy it for trail riding. Am I right? I like it because it looks good, and it has a kick a$$ motor. Plus the fact that is a proven motor. I also don't think that they learned from the raptor about the tranny problem. Overall I think this will probably be the best first year quad to come out. I'm still curious about what Honda is doing, how much longer can they wait?

Chris

 

Honda is working on a 450f powered wheelchair for me right now. It should be available by the time I need it. I'm guessing at the September dealer show 2053.

 

Did you guys look at the rest of the site or just the pics it looks like the reg. yamaha site the price is 6899.00 check out this address http://www.yamaha-motor.com/products...&cid=1&mid=323

 

I was at the Dealer show, got to sit on the new 450, and talked to some of Yamaha's engineering and marketing people. Their position is that even though the 450 will outrun a Raptor, (as well as any other stock ATV), they don't look at it as de-throwning" their current performance leader, as they regard the Raptor as a Sport Quad, and the 450 as a Race Quad. Pretty strange logic, if you ask me, but that's how they want to play it. Pictures of this Quad don't do it justice, it looks to be very well put together, the rear swingarm is a work of art, and the piggyback front shocks are awesome. One thing the photos don't show is how physically small this bike is, at only 350lbs, you'd expect it to be small, but this thing is really compact. It makes my son's LT-Z400 feel roomy, and it makes my Baja 650 feel like a couch! (Oh, sorry, I forgot, it is one). If i were a few pounds lighter and a few inches shorter, I'd be the first one in line to have one of these, but at my size, I think I'll hang on to the DS. My son, on the other hand, is going to be workin' me hard to trade in his LT-Z. (it ain't happening)

 

6899???? Good lord!! My wifes cousin has a 250r and was racing (drag strip St. A) a piped and jetted yfz, the z barely got him. Wifes cousin(being a smartazz) asks him about it, with the up grades he is in over $7500. Cousin nods then says this R is 17 years old and I paid 2600 for it, owe nothing and you beat me by a 6 inches? Then rides away, I laughed all night!! 6899, then a clamp on filter, pipe, (no jetting that is cool), new handlebars, tires, sprockets, and your in at nearly 8k just to make it to the dunes to have your azz handed to you all day. SOOOO then its get in the motor and your at $10k just to hang with the shees and r. Yamaha is smart, new models every other year or so makes for increased sales!! I thougt I ate it at $5900 for my rap. I wonder about EFI in the sand, I am always nervous about electrical. Seems like your adding more things that can go wrong( i know I have a rap, a lot of electric). You all go buy one and in two years I'll ask you what is the problems with them so I can decide If I too must have one!LOL