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|
|
The
YFZ450R
has larger kashima coated shock bodies
to reduce fricition & increased durabability |
The shocks worked nice, on both machines, and
they both feature dual compression adjustments
as well as pre-load and rebound adjustments,
so with a little time you can adjust them both
to work well. They both jump very nice and are
very predictable in the air. The older YFZ450
is 30 pounds lighter than the new YFZ450R, though
it really doesn’t feel it.
I also became aware of how much lower the ground
clearance is at the front a-arms. When I was
riding the YFZ450, I hit a lot more rocks with
my front end. The YFZ has a “Gull Wing”
design, which causes them to hang lower and
more vulnerable to rocks and stumps. The YFZ450R
has a wide arc a-arm, which increase the ground
clearance, which is prefect for trail riding
or racing.
| |
|
2008
Yamaha YFZ450 |
2009
Yamaha YFZ450R |
| The
YFZ450R
now features 9.8” of long travel
suspension with a new wide arc A-Arms
for dramatically increased ground clearance
over the gull wing design on the YFZ450.
Also, YFZ450R
is now nearly 49” wide compared
to the YFZ450 at 46”, which dramatically
improves in handling in turns. Also, the
frame rake on the YFZ450R
has been increased to 11 degrees for improved
suspension action. |
With all of these improvements on the YFZ450R
over the YFZ450, it was still a tough decision
on which one to race this year in the GNCC series.
I would have to say that the new YFZ450R is
the fastest, best handling, and most comfortable
450 Sport ATV out there that I have ever ridden.
I personally think it will dominate every shootout
in 2009 from track, to trail, to dunes! On the
other hand, the YFZ450 will still be available
from Yamaha and should not be forgotten.
Even though I was really impressed with the
new YFZ450R, I have decided to go with the race
proven YFZ450 for atleast the start of the 2009
GNCC racing season. Sure the YFZ450R has a significant
advantage over the YFZ450 in stock trim, but
for nearly every issue, there is an aftermarket
company that has developed a replacement part
to fix the issue. Also, the Yamaha YFZ450 is
$800.00 cheaper, and I can use the extra money
saved to buy aftermarkets parts.
| |
|
Dustin
Nelson's custom aluminum gas tank for
the YFZ450R,
but before long IMS or Clarke will release
a plastic replacement fuel tank |
My biggest concern with the YFZ450R is surprisingly
its EFI system because in GNCC racing, the race
begins with a dead engine start, and the YFZ450
fires up instantly with the FCR carburetor while
the YFZ450R EFI system has a slight delay, which
can make a big difference at the start of the
race. Also, many with the YFZ450R just being
released, there aren’t many aftermarket
parts available for it and most importantly,
an oversized gas tank wasn’t available
yet, and they may not even be available before
round one, and racers are having custom aluminum
tanks built for the start of the season.
I know that Bill Ballance and the entire Yamaha
GNCC ATV racing team will be making the switch
to the YFZ450R for the start of the season,
so I will see how everything comes together
for the first half of the season, and I may
decide to make the switch after the summer break.
Either way, I feel you can’t go wrong
with either the YFZ450 or the YFZ450R, and I
can’t wait till the 2009 GNCC racing season
kicks off on March 1st in Florida.
www.yamaha-motor.com
