What 450 quad is best

[rivercat]

Looking at new toys. With all the members that pull toyhaulers im sure there are allot of quad riders out there. looking at the yfz450, hondas 450r and suzuki's ltr450. seems the popular vote is that the yamaha is the fastest the honda has the most comfortable ride and the suzuki gives the best cornering/handling for the most "race ready" machine. Any one else have any thoughts. seems like always the yamaha has the most potential for power improvment, sporting a low CR and a slightly small carb.

Also interested in the big bores like the kfx700 or raptor 700 so this forum is not limited to 450s.

 

[KBennett]

My neighbor got the Yamaha this spring and really likes it. He has ridden it down the road a few times and it looks very fast.

He put a performance pipe and air filter on it. If I see him, I will ask him about the ride.

 

[BigPapa]

Suzuki just had a recall on the frames. Got to have it welded or replaced at owners decision.



A word of advise..... unless you like lots of engine maintenance, stay away from the 450's. They have nickel bores, no cast iron sleeve, which require rings and pistons as part of regular maintenance just like a 2-stroke. This is something that not everyone knows. They're not like the older 4-strokes where all you have to do is change the oil and ride them. If you want the performance but less maintenance, the big bore Yamaha Raptor's can't be beat.



Scott

 

[DBogo]

a raptor will be easier to maintain and have just as much if not more power either a 660 or a 700, as for the 450s i like the suzuki its a real nice race ready bike but the honda is also a great one the yamahas may be faster but unless your strictly racing there no good and extremely uncomfortable

 

[scootergmc]

Suzuki just had a recall on the frames. Got to have it welded or replaced at owners decision.



A word of advise..... unless you like lots of engine maintenance, stay away from the 450's. They have nickel bores, no cast iron sleeve, which require rings and pistons as part of regular maintenance just like a 2-stroke. This is something that not everyone knows. They're not like the older 4-strokes where all you have to do is change the oil and ride them. If you want the performance but less maintenance, the big bore Yamaha Raptor's can't be beat.



Scott

+1



When I was taking motorcycle repair classes the 250 four stroke dirt bikes were getting very popular. One of our instructors said the top end rebuild schedule on a YZ250F was something like every 10 hours. Geez. Might as well have a 2 stroke.



I have to totally agree on the Yamaha Raptor. 700 cc's and it still has reverse and electric start.

 

[DieselFite]

out of the box the Yamaha is faster, although I perfer Honda. I have a Honda 250r 2- stroke completely modified if anyone is interested. It has had over $12,000 put in it over the last 8 years and has the best of everything.

 

[rivercat]

Good stuff guys keep it coming never knew that the 450s had "soft" bores and wouldn't give long service life. Quicker rebuilds mean you get to put in the big bore kits quicker and justifiy it with the wife. I think that anything liquid cooled is better than air cooled cause it keeps the intake air a stedy temp and can run more fuel at a higher CR due to the ability to dissapate more heat than AIR COOLED. Not many people talk about the diffence in the old 660 and the new FI 700 raptor.

 

[BigPapa]

Quicker rebuilds mean you get to put in the big bore kits quicker.....

Big bore kit on the chrome bores means boring the cylinder and having it replated..... VERY expensive, or installing a cast iron sleeve which means you lose the benefits of the chrome bore and..... VERY expensive.



Also, being water cooled will have no effect on intake air temperature over air cooled. The FI units will have an advantage because of the computers ability to inject the proper amount of fuel for the intake air temperature.



Scott

 

[crobertson1]

I have a Yamaha WR 450F. The engine rebuild/top end maintainance talk is exaggerated. Yes, they require more frequent oil changes than the older 4 strokes, but I'm no expert. From what I've read, the Honda high performance four strokes, have some engine issues but that's all I've heard of. I just know I've got 600 miles on mine, and it runs like new. I suggest you check out ThumperTalk for more info.



http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=311012&parentpage=2&highlight=engine+rebuild



http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/

 

[BigPapa]

The engine rebuild/top end maintainance talk is exaggerated.

Ever seen one lose a piston skirt? Sure I know a few people who ride theirs like they road their old XR600 and don't worry about it, but I also know a few who have had rings and pistons fail from lack of proper ring and piston maintenance.



I'm not trying to scare anybody, just puttin' out some facts. The 450 ATV's are similar to the 2-strokes in that they have been built, tuned, and tweeked for the most power that they can reliably put out. Therefore, they require more, and more involved, maintenance.



If your up to it, go for it, they're great machines. But if you want similar performance in an ATV that's a little heavier, takes a lot more punishment, and a lot less maintenance, go with the big bore Raptors.



Just my . 02.



Scott

 

[KMahnke]

I just bought an 06 YFZ450 last november. I've always been partial to Honda but when I went to the dealer, the 450r and yfz were sitting next to each other I felt alot more comfortable on the yamaha. The stance of the bike and the suspension definitely felt better. Needless to say the bike is very fast and i havent had any problems with it. It was a big step up from my ATC 185s and 200x They're both great bikes and you cant go wrong with either.

 

[KBennett]

It you want something fast, nimble, and light, then go with a high revving 4-stroke. The Raptor has good low end torque but is much heavier.



I know of two guys that have over 2000 miles on their Yamaha WR400's without any engine work. They change their oil every 3 rides.

 

[MKinner]

when it comes time for me to buy one, i'm getting the DS650X. since i'm a bit tall, i like that it sits higher than most being stock and i keep hearing that reliability on this machine is excellent. not to mention the thing just looks plain tough. of course it is going to be heavier than your yzf450 and 450r. it depends on what type of riding you are going to be doing, ect. check it out:

http://www.can-am. brp.com/en-US/Vehicles/DS650/ enjoy! #ad

 

[Dieselnut59]

I am a utility fan and I LOVE my Polaris diesel Sportsman (4x4,455 cc) and Honda Foreman ES (4x4, "450" cc). The Polaris rides WAY better due to 4 wheel independent suspension. The Honda is oil/air cooled, which is nice because it eliminates the troublesome radiator system. I had a Honda 300 and have friends with Hondas. They are a great machine, but definately not the fastest, best riding or most powerful. Polaris has a GREAT ride, but by my experience, TERRIBLE reliability (had a 600 twin that was a TOTAL POS!!). I love my diesel because it is diesel powered, great for pulling and mud bogging, a workhorse, VERY fuel efficient and because I don't have to keep a seperate kind of fuel around. Diesel stores well in bulk in my shop because it is not explosive. I have had issues with the diesel Sportsman, but I have ridden the H3LL out of it too. A friend of a friend has a 6 hundred something cc Yamaha that is a single cylinder. It would run circles around my former 600 twin Polaris and was a GREAT riding and powerful machine.

 

[rivercat]

If a quick oil change often will get me two years of summer riding out of a 450 before any trouble im all in. Whats a couple quarts of oil? hell my truck smokes so bad I been changing 12 quarts every month whats 2 quarts every all day of riding? mayby change the filter every 5. NO Sweat. Looking at some old 250r s they can be had fully setup= +2 all the way around, the GOOD shocks, the good handlebars, bbore and stroke kits, clutch work all for like 4000 used almost half what a new 450 is. Comments?

 

[Dual EE]

If you are going to try to figure out which quad to buy (250r vs 450) based on performance, good luck. I have both (86 250r and 04 YFZ)and can't really decide really which one I would rather ride (in the sand) more, but leaning more towards the 450. Nothing will will ever replace the 2-stroke sound, smell (race fuel/oil), and out of the hole pop. The new 450's quads are about as close the new generation of quads have come to replacing the dominating R. I agree with BigPapa regarding maintainance issues of the 450. My buddy's yfz had his piston turn sideways in the bore. Probably the broken piston skirt that was mentioned earlier. The outer water pump seal has also been known to go out.



Good luck on you decision.

 

[Gifford]

Ever seen one lose a piston skirt? Sure I know a few people who ride theirs like they road their old XR600 and don't worry about it, but I also know a few who have had rings and pistons fail from lack of proper ring and piston maintenance.



I'm not trying to scare anybody, just puttin' out some facts. The 450 ATV's are similar to the 2-strokes in that they have been built, tuned, and tweeked for the most power that they can reliably put out. Therefore, they require more, and more involved, maintenance.



If your up to it, go for it, they're great machines. But if you want similar performance in an ATV that's a little heavier, takes a lot more punishment, and a lot less maintenance, go with the big bore Raptors.



Just my . 02.



Scott

I've heard the same thing from the shop manager at my local Honda shop- the 450's (BIkes and quads) have very short pistons and close tolerance (titanium??) valves which require much more maintenance than the older

style 4 strokes. They are NOT your daddy's 4 strokes! If you are very skilled (expert) and need massive power then get the 450. If you dont need the extra power and slightly better suspension, the Honda TRX 400 is a fine sport quad which does great on the dunes and has a bulletproof motor.



If you want INSANE power, get a BANSHEE! (2 cylinder 2 stroke lightswitch power!)

 

[1smoknC]

Suzuki just had a recall on the frames. Got to have it welded or replaced at owners decision.



A word of advise..... unless you like lots of engine maintenance, stay away from the 450's. They have nickel bores, no cast iron sleeve, which require rings and pistons as part of regular maintenance just like a 2-stroke. This is something that not everyone knows. They're not like the older 4-strokes where all you have to do is change the oil and ride them. If you want the performance but less maintenance, the big bore Yamaha Raptor's can't be beat.



Scott

i work at a big cycle dealer and i un-crate and work on used quads/db's/skis/streetbikes. i have to do all the recalls (if any) before i can send the stuff up to the floor. ive never heard of any such recall on the ltr450.



oh and yea, if you want REAL power, get a banshee. im crazy so of course i have one, (its no where near stock), and have blown away sooo many 450s its unreal... takes a little mech skill but its really worth it. :-laf

 

[BigPapa]

ive never heard of any such recall on the ltr450.

Ask your service manager. I'll get you a bulletin number Tuesday morning if you like.



Scott

 

[BErmoyan]

I've got a TRX 450r and have been riding it for over 2 seasons. I did leave the gas on once and it filled up the crankcase, but other than that, it's been regular maintenance and the bike runs excellent. It really depends on your type of riding to justify which bike to get. Any quad will be a blast.



I've heard a lot about those suzuki's, how you can get 7 hp from a single plug-in. :--) I haven't seen many around, but I will sit the guy down if we race in the woods. :-laf