450R ---- 450F reliability opinions

[bigred1981]

Just wanted some honest opinions on what some of ya'll prefer in the woods and on the trail . The new Suzuki and Kawi look real F-n awesome, but I'm not sure they are made for the kind of riding I do... Not really planning to race and I didn't want a stretched out machine for the woods. I'm really trying to decide between the Honda and Yamaha. Anyone know of any realiablilty issues with the dual overhead cam 5-valve Yamaha engine?? Are the Honda single cammed engines more reliable??? any opinions accepted. Thanks

[85ytz250n]

I dont really know about the Yamaha, but the Zuk 400 is a freadking blast to ride, anywhere you want to put it. My bud has one of the 03 models, it is a hoot to ride trails on. He bought it new and hasnt done anything to it but put brakes on it. it takes a beating everytime we ride. It has the bottom end grunt and is as fast as anything out there. My 400ex is still going strong but its only an 05 so I cant really say anything about reliability except I havent had to walk home yet. I cant really say anything about any of the 450 models but they cant be far off of the 400 models, except the liquid cooled 450ex.

Barry

[MRPoopie]

i have read alot of bad things about yamahas new bikes (raptors yfz450)

but honda has some nice reliable bikes such as the 400ex that are great for trails

and suzuki has the ltz400 which is the same as the kawasaki kfx400 and the artic cat dvx400
i own a kfx400 which is a awsome bike and makes more power stock than the 400ex

but if you are just gonna trail ride the bike the i would say go with a 400 cause of the electric start and reverse

clayton

[Eric250R]

Yeah, if I were going to buy a new quad that I were going to do alot of trail riding with, I would go with a 400EX or maybe one of the Suzuki Z400. And it's hard to beat Honda for reliability. The 450s are not really made for slow trail riding. Not saying you can't ride them on trials, but the 400 would be a better choice.

[smokinwrench]

As far as comfort I think the 450r is better then the yfz. As far as perfromance I think the yfz is a better choice. I know honda has had soem crankshaft issues in 04 and 05.

If I was buying brand new and had to choose between a YFZ and a 450R, I would also look at which dealer treated me better. I won't be buying either because for my riding style nothing beats my Predator.

[devildog_0431]

I ride a Raptor 700R and it's a blast on the trails, just gotta watch the wheelies cuz it can get away from you and throw you off the trail quick. I have a couple friends w/ Honda 450R's are I've rode them and they are a blast in the woods. YFZ450's tend to have starter and crank problems, I've had buddy blow starters and have their motors lock up. The Zuki LTR 450 Quad Racer is fun in the trails but no reverse which sux, plus it's wider and can't go everywhere the smaller quads can. An all around machine is a Raptor 660, 700 or a Honda 400EX or 450R. It's really up to how much performance you want and *Edited**Edited* riding style.

[bigred1981]

It's probably safe to say that a Z400 or 400EX may be all I'd really need. I'm not really sure as it's been a while since I've rode a 400EX and I've never been on a Z. I want something also that I can jump and not be afraid to break ( Not talking 90 ft triples). I have heard a lot of good things about the Z400. I guess it really depends on which dealer is courteous and which one is not. A 450 may be too much, I'll have to study this thing furthur.

[deathman53]

if you buy a first year z400, watch as the frames tend to crack in several spots. The later years were fixed of this problem.

[MRPoopie]

but SOME of the later years had a magnesium clutch cover which corroded from anti freeze it was 05 and early 06

[mean350]

i had a buddy that bought a brand new yfz450 and it locked up in 2 days. someone else i know had the 700r raptor and had fuel injecton problems in about 2 hours after he bought it home