My friend and I are looking to buy ATVs and we were originally going to get YFZ450s but I have seen some people say that they are quite uncomfortable on trails. The reason I was choosing the 450 over the Raptor was because it is more of a race ATV, supposedly handles better, and I would like to go to some tracks but I will also be trail riding. I am 21 years old so I don't need anything super comfortable and I am 5'11 and weight 175lbs so I fit fine on a 450 I just don’t want to get back from a day of riding and feel like I've been beat up. I guess I basically want to know if a 450 is ok for trails also or if it is strictly a race ATV.

 

I have an '05. It is true what they say, anything less than warp speed can be a rough ride. I have over a decade on you though, and I only trail ride and go to play mx tracks. I'm usually not to sore the next day, even after a full day of riding and 4 hours round trip in the truck. If you are going with an '06 450, they are supposed to have softer suspension and be much more trail friendly. You are young enough that it isn't going to be a big deal for general purpose riding regardless of year. I say if you are looking at a 660 Raptor, just go with the YFZ. If you are planning on logging a lot of flight time or any organized racing, get the YFZ. If you just want to play around at the track, don't care for massive quantites of air(without shelling out $$ for new shocks) and spend the vast majority of your time trail riding, the 700R looks real nice. If you are more the type of person to neglect maintenance, a raptor engine is generally more forgiving. If price is a concern, then the 660 is also capable, and worth looking into. Of course, other manufacturers also make nice productge

 

No and yes. If you want the best trail quad out there go with the 700. If you think you are going to be riding aggressive the majority of the time and want the more performance mined machine get the yfz.
I trail ride my yfz all the time. As long as you go its speed, its just fine, actually better then the 700. But the minute you just want to take it easy and go slow, the thing will beat you up. This is wear I prefer the 700. IF you are going to be doing a lot of "everything", I would say the 700. It still performs very well, and is still fun.
The yfz is a very....how should I say......pointed quad, where as it was made to do one thing, RACE and go fast!

 

Thanks for the advice. I think I am going to go with the YFZ. I owned a yz125 and a warrior three years ago and I always used to haul a$$ everywhere and complain how the warrior wasnt fast enough. I think I'll probably be happier with a race quad as long as it is still ok for trails.

 

The ONLY time I have any problems on trails is when I get stuck behind the 5mph utes. Until I can get by that is[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

as already mentioned, i thought for 2006, yamaha changed some things (seat, springs, rider position, some engine work, etc) to make it better for trail riders (even though its not the true intent of the machine).

any 2006 YFZ owners out there that can vouch for the real world diferences between the 04/05/06 YFZ's
in the trails?

 

Insane34,
I'm 45 years old and do only desert racing and trail riding with my YFZ (never been on a track with it). Desert racing in our district is pretty much just really fast trail riding, because they race us on the dirt bike race courses that are very narrow and rough, with essentially no roads at all. I don't have a problem with the YFZ beating me up nearly as much as other quads I've owned in the past have done. The worst for me was a V-Force 700. That thing was a tank with horrible suspension, and I couldn't move without wincing for a week after a race on that ATV. In comparison the YFZ floats like a butterfly over the rough stuff. If you're an aggressive rider you'll love the YFZ. If you like to cruise you should also consider the Raptor.

And whatever quad you get, you can make it a much better trail quad without shelling out $2000 on a set of shocks. Fasst Flexx handlebars are pricey at $300, but they REALLY smooth out the rough stuff. For $50 Fasst anti-vibration bar inserts pretty much eliminate arm fatigue. And a steering stabilizer will also really smooth out the trail for you, and they vary in price depending on the brand. Good luck.

DV

 

Actually, I was referring to someone using the Raptor for racing mx and/or getting big air/freestyle type of riding. The YFZ shocks are better(while still not ideal.) If this is his intent, or something he is interested in, well handlebars are no substitute for a quality aftermarket suspension .