I was wondering if anyone can comment on the YFZ 450 and it's woods fun.

I ride an 01 Warrior and love it in the woods, its got the perfect 1-2-3 gears for woods IMO.

I was talking about someday upgrading to a YFZ and I was told "no don't do it" because they are not made for the woods they are made for an MX track. This person pointed out that when he bought his YZ400 a few years ago he was forced to do some sustantial modification to make it woods friendly. He now owns a YZ450 with the "woods" package from Yamaha, it's more tame and won't stall in the woods.

I took the argument that his YZ400 was an MX bike set up for Doug Henry (at that time) and the YFZ is a quad and quads are made for the woods. I also pointed out that the YFZ engine is several years more advanced than the first Yamaha MX racing 4-stroke engine (the one in the YZ400)

So I wanted to hear from some people who've actually had some good seat time on the 450.

 

ok my experience in trails in the woods kinda sucked, i mean it wasnt bad but like we had to go around a fallen down tree and i couldnt make the turn so i got my front tire stuck on a tree and the back tire on a diff. tree and with no reverse it sucked and the width of the machine, but other than that it wasnt to bad

 

I suppose you COULD set it up for the woods...But that would cost some extra cash, that you could be spending on performance mods like intake, pipe, cam, jet, etc....


I'd be going with the 450R for woods...It's supposed to be good...

Maybe something like a z400, or a 400ex...then you could spend even more saved cash on mods..

have fun!

 

i may not have as much seat time as some on here but i have some... in my opinion (rode a 04) the seat was hard as a rock (it was changed for 05 tho), the bars felt too low and the foot pegs felt too high, the front suspension was harsh (again changed for 05), seemed a lil wide for a few of my trails, gearing didnt feel right on the long climbs, in my opinion id get a Z400/KFX/EX for trails... more comfortable ride... when will u need all the power the yfz had in trails?

 

Go with a R A P T O R.

Perfect trail / dessert sled.............

 

it does fine on the trails... If you're not a putter. make no mistake, the YFZ is a race quad therefor should be ridden as such. If you like to cruise the trails.. get a KFX/Z-400 or 400ex. If you want to haul A**.. get the YFZ

 

My friend has a 400ex and it sux in the woods because of no reverse.
He is always dragging and pushing. It would be ok if the trails were wider where he could spin it around but lots of them are just not wide enough. For purely tight woods riding get something with reverse.

 

That's like asking is a 250R good in the woods. The answer is yes. The low center of gravity, light weight and strong engine make it an excellent choice for off-camber situations, hill climbs and general trails.

If you need reverse than get a utility quad.

 

The Raptor has reverse and is far from utility.........

 

The YFZ will work fine in the woods. My banshee worked FINE FOR ME in the woods. I think it is all what you are use to.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]