Quote:
Originally Posted by lil-man23
i am 15 and an experienced rider and i will be getting a 450 this august or september----i really like reverse cause i will be doing alot of trial riding so ive been thinking about the kfx450r but the quad i want so bad is the new yfz450r - what is your opinions on the 450s and do u really think i will need reverse to much? the trials are wide for the most part but some sections are tight - tell me what you have to say
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Well, I will tell you like this...
I was able to observe both the YFZ450R and the KFX450R together... as a matter of fact, they were literally sitting side-by-side on the same showroom floor.
In my honest opinion, Yamaha's "R" is their attempt to borrow from the KFX450R.
In any event, make no mistake... the YFZ450R is aimed at motocross. Just because Bill Balance rides one does not make it the top XC trail quad. Bill is making Yamaha happy... and that man is a freak of nature when it comes to racing GNCC.... he could podium on a Raptor 350 LOL... and his race bikes are FAR from stock.
Stock for stock, the KFX450R is the top XC/woods/trail machine of the 450 class. If it wasn't I d@mn sure would not own one. It has the right size, the right suspension, the right ergos, and the right things like reverse, good lighting, etc...
Only the KTM 450 XC has it in bottom end low speed grunt, and that is by a VERY SMALL MARGIN, which gets passed up with the first performance mod you do to it.
In my opinion, it could use a little better transmission gearing for 1st gear type work... better yet, it could use a new lower 1st gear below the 5 gears it already has.... all of the 450's could...
I have the stuff here now to lower my sprocket gearing so I can stay out of 1st gear almost all the time... so I avoid the dreaded "catching neutral" at the wrong time while shifting.
Out in the real tight woods, it's not going to be like a 400 without doing a specific pro-level engine build... but it tops the other 450's.
I would highly recommend it if you are stuck on 450's.
Oh... and yes, reverse is a priceless feature for a trail quad.
I found I used it real often when I had it and it was easy to use...
And that made me realize how much NOT having it SUCKS!
I can lift and push my quads with the best of them... but screw that!
When you have been letting it all hang out GNCC style back in the mountains for hours... and you miss that turn onto the trail home, it's nice just to flick into reverse and be on your way.
It's well worth the ounces added... and I will not trail ride or race again without reverse if I can help it... just no point I can see in it...
