The group of freinds that Ive been riding with has changed a little bit, there is my own raptor (stock+durablue eliminator axle) 2 piped/jetted/geared raptors, a piped/jetted predator (he rides like a ***** so he doesnt count in this) and a Z400. There was another raptor, but that was switched out to a YFZ... piped/jetted. THIS THING IS INSANE!! Handles like its on rails, and is very fast. I rode it through the trails and it seems as if the faster you go the better it performs. One thing I did not like about it though was the fact that crawling over rocks, you have to barrel through or feather the clutch a lot, it just doesnt have the low end that my raptor does... We dragged a few times as well, the guy that owns the YFZ is 195lbs, Im 160.... and I was able to hang with him for the first few feet (30-40 maybe?? hard to tell) and then he started to walk off. At a rolling start at the very top of first, I was able to hang with through the end of 2nd, and then he started to walk off. I am very impressed with the YFZ!!! I would consider buying one, but Im not sure that with the majority of my time being on trails (fast trails, some slow rocky deals) that its the right bike for me, and with my raptor not really being too god awfully slower (considering the weight of course), Im going to stick with it and just start modding it.

 

Ok.

selector

 

We have precious little woods trails here in So. Calif., but what we have is a world class challange (Pinnacles behind Lake Arrowhead). A friend with a new (still stock) YFZ rode the trails this weekend, and he swears it is the ultimate trail machine! And, this is at 5,000 ft on a machine with stock jetting. He calls it a Blaster, with more power.

 

Great post thanks for the honest review of the 450. I can't wait to ride one. Seeing as you have an 03 I would probably do like you said and just mod it.

 

Dakota, tell your buddy to pull the baffle, airbox lid, and rejet to a 45 pilot, needle 2nd from bottom, and a 168 main..he will have much better low end grunt. Of course your jetting may vary slightly, but that will get you in the ballpark.

 

Im not sure what all he has in it as far as jets go, but I know he has the air box lid off and has the K&N filter on it... he has changed the jets, just dont remember what to.