I'll either go Yami 450 or Honda if it's out before the end of the year. The timeline of the new 450r mirrors that of the 400ex; unveiled in Sept, showroom by Nov.1. If the specs are similar and the prices are too, then being a current happy Honda owner I'll go 450r, HOWEVER, if big red happens to lay an egg or overprice the unit, I have no problem adding the YZF450 to my stable. I like both companies and will purchase the one I feel is superior in my mind. You will get no brand loyalty out of me. I'll promote a product if it works for me, bash it if it stinks regardless of brand. My 400ex is a excellent handling, bulletproof reliable yet woefully underpowered quad that I have thoroughly enjoyed, but it's time to move on.
Good Luck on your decision.

 

How did you determine the steering stems were bent and it wasn't some other front suspension component?

 

the last race the kid told us he was having trouble steering and after checking the frontend he pulled his stem and it was bent about 1in forward?

my dads first race on it he dumped it in pratice and coulden't steer (he thought it was his handle bars at first) after we bent them back up the stem was hitting the gas tank! we took it out and bent it back (good enought to race) with a BIG hammer! he put in a anti V lonestar.