ATV Connection Magazine

Got my new 450R, and have a question

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Posted by: PADZZ

Drop the front sprocket to a 13T from the 14. Helps a lot, but you lose a bit of top speed. They're only 15 bux or so, so give it a try.

Posted by: reconranger

Usually, one thinks of gearing DOWN, for more low end control when trail riding. Gearing up, is just going to cause you to have to do even more clutch work. You are going to have to rev the engine out even more, and it is going to be even more prone to stalling.

Posted by: reconranger

An autoclutch like the Rekluse, is a real good idea for a trail machine!

I have thought of going one tooth bigger in the rear, but my bash plate doesn't give me enough room. Don't want to shim it down either, and lose any ground clearance.

Posted by: mahnster

Six2notScaredofU- His gear ratio was too high so he was having to feather the clutch, whereas your gears were too short so you had to shift more often. Opposite ends of the spectrum.

Posted by: ridinsmooth

if you are going to do something to your quad at least do that to it

Posted by: hondarider300

Clutches are cheap for ATV's and are meant to be used, so go ahead and feather the clutch

Posted by: Six2notScaredofU

Everyone on here says Not to go to a Bigger Front Sprocket. I have a Banshee and when i Rode it Thru the Trails i had to Shift alot. I Installed a 15T Front Sprocket on the Front 1 tooth up. and now i get in 2nd Gear and can Pretty much Stay there. I Do Shift up to 3rd on the long Straitaways but Normally stay in 2nd. Is this just because of the Diff of the Machines?

Posted by: Six2notScaredofU

BOING

Posted by: Six2notScaredofU

Cool Thanks for explaining that.

Posted by: Morewood

Hillbilly, trust me on this...
First thing to do is DEFINITELY go to a one tooth SMALLER front sprocket. Going to one tooth larger up front will make your problem worse, and you will have just thrown away $15-20. Gearing larger in the rear will do the same thing as smaller in the front, but it takes three teeth in the rear to equal one in the front, and rear sprockets cost more and are usually harder to install.
My firends have 450Rs and they like them one tooth smaller up front. One friend even likes two teeth smaller up front!

Clutches are made to be feathered, so don't be afraid to do that, they won't wear out soon.

Don't forget that the 450s (both Honda and Yamaha) are not really designed for trails, although the 450R is much better on trails than the YFZ450 because it has a much more linear power band. Dirt Wheels noted the same thing as you have about the 450R "diving" into the corners. This is part of the reason they rate the Predator and Raptor number one and two on the trails. Having said that, I would own a 450R today if it just had electric start.

Good Luck!

Posted by: Hillbilly920

Ok i just brought home a sweet 2005 450r a few days ago. I just have to say WOW!!! this quad blows my mind!! It is so fast!!! i have never felt torque like this on any machine. It pulls so hard threw every gear, it is amazing. And the suspention is outstanding, it dosnt matter how you land off a jump you can always ride it out. Here is my question though, The only thing that is tough with this bike is slow speed trail riding and taking slow tight turns. When your in first gear and tryin to make a tight turn and you have to slow down a lot the bike almost stalls, and if you try to give it more gas it just takes off, or pully wheelies. It dose ok when you feather the clutch but thats not very good for the clutch. I figured if i change the front sproket it would help out a little. So if im thinking right i would want to go with a bigger front sproket at make 1st gear a little longer? right?

Posted by: Hillbilly920

Thanks guys, i had only bike a few days when i wrote that post, after putting another 20 hours into the bike trail riding is not that bad anymore, i just needed to get use to it, Most of my riding is jumping and backyard racing anyway, i still might go down a tooth in the front if i ever go riding somewhere thats all tight trails.

P.S. this bike kicks ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: raptor010

That's true. My buddy got the 2004 last year and it's a very high rev machine. I rode it through the trails and I had the same problem. You just have to keep on it and yes feather the clutch. That clutch won't burn up. He has been riding it alot in a year and it's still seems brand new. The bike is meant for racing. Just watching it up big hills. Keep on it. Peace in the MiddleEast!

Posted by: 660Rryder

Mr. or Mrs. Hillbilly920 i could not help but notice your delima. If you do alot of trail riding, have you looked into a Z-start system. This makes your clutch semi automatic, but you retain your clutch feature.See what it does is well........................i dont really know how it works but it does.You can hold in your hand clutch and not move but when you engage it the bike takes off. Even if you screw up on take off you cant stall. This is kinda what people put on their z250's and 250 EX's. This is just a thought. Hope i could help.