2021 YZ450

navalseabee
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navalseabee
Anyone have the inside scoop on what may be coming? Worth waiting for a 21 or grabbing a 20?
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Ryno23
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Ryno23 6/8/2020 12:47pm
6/8/2020 12:47pm
We haven't heard anything much from Yamaha other than expect them later than normal. They are still trying to figure out how to get current bikes back to dealer showrooms. We haven't even been able to do the orders on MY21 yet either. I personally don't expect huge changes to the YZ450f for 21. But I haven't heard much from my rep about it either.
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AH387
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AH387 6/8/2020 12:51pm
6/8/2020 12:51pm
I have no info at all, but considering the 20 got some significant changes, I would expect 1 more year before a big generation change.
Tenacious P
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Tenacious P 6/8/2020 8:58pm
6/8/2020 8:58pm
From 2014-2017 they made minor changes... triple clamp angle, gearing, bigger front brake, ect. I bet we won’t see a new bike until 2022-23. The difference between a 2020 and a 2021 will probably be a couple cheap aftermarket parts away, not enough to wait for the new bike.

Curious - why Yamaha? I ride a 2016 YZ450 and I probably won’t get another one. It’s an awesome bike everywhere but just won’t turn!
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TbonesPop
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TbonesPop 6/8/2020 9:24pm
6/8/2020 9:24pm
Tenacious P wrote:
From 2014-2017 they made minor changes... triple clamp angle, gearing, bigger front brake, ect. I bet we won’t see a new bike until 2022-23. The difference...
From 2014-2017 they made minor changes... triple clamp angle, gearing, bigger front brake, ect. I bet we won’t see a new bike until 2022-23. The difference between a 2020 and a 2021 will probably be a couple cheap aftermarket parts away, not enough to wait for the new bike.

Curious - why Yamaha? I ride a 2016 YZ450 and I probably won’t get another one. It’s an awesome bike everywhere but just won’t turn!
Ride an '18 or newer YZ and try saying the bike won't turn. Hint - It won't be the bikes fault.
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mingham97
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mingham97 6/8/2020 10:12pm
6/8/2020 10:12pm
Tenacious P wrote:
From 2014-2017 they made minor changes... triple clamp angle, gearing, bigger front brake, ect. I bet we won’t see a new bike until 2022-23. The difference...
From 2014-2017 they made minor changes... triple clamp angle, gearing, bigger front brake, ect. I bet we won’t see a new bike until 2022-23. The difference between a 2020 and a 2021 will probably be a couple cheap aftermarket parts away, not enough to wait for the new bike.

Curious - why Yamaha? I ride a 2016 YZ450 and I probably won’t get another one. It’s an awesome bike everywhere but just won’t turn!
TbonesPop wrote:
Ride an '18 or newer YZ and try saying the bike won't turn. Hint - It won't be the bikes fault.
No bro it’s definitely the bikes fault!! Decrease the centre of gravity by 4mm and bring in the steering stem angle by 1 degree and it’ll be mint
Serial Thumb Down Voter 6/8/2020 10:43pm
6/8/2020 10:43pm
I rode a 17 and it felt really really wide where you grip with your knees while standing. I know they slimmed down the shrouds recently but what about down where the gas tank is? That is where it bothered me. And it felt very heavy overall. Anyone know how the 19/20 version compares with the 19/20 KX450?
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navalseabee
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navalseabee 6/9/2020 2:35am
6/9/2020 2:35am
Serial Thumb Down Voter wrote:
I rode a 17 and it felt really really wide where you grip with your knees while standing. I know they slimmed down the shrouds recently...
I rode a 17 and it felt really really wide where you grip with your knees while standing. I know they slimmed down the shrouds recently but what about down where the gas tank is? That is where it bothered me. And it felt very heavy overall. Anyone know how the 19/20 version compares with the 19/20 KX450?
Cant speak for the 2018, bit the 2019 2020 YZ's feel completely different than the 17's.
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Dirty Points 6/9/2020 3:59am
6/9/2020 3:59am Edited Date/Time 6/9/2020 4:48am
Tenacious P wrote:
From 2014-2017 they made minor changes... triple clamp angle, gearing, bigger front brake, ect. I bet we won’t see a new bike until 2022-23. The difference...
From 2014-2017 they made minor changes... triple clamp angle, gearing, bigger front brake, ect. I bet we won’t see a new bike until 2022-23. The difference between a 2020 and a 2021 will probably be a couple cheap aftermarket parts away, not enough to wait for the new bike.

Curious - why Yamaha? I ride a 2016 YZ450 and I probably won’t get another one. It’s an awesome bike everywhere but just won’t turn!
TbonesPop wrote:
Ride an '18 or newer YZ and try saying the bike won't turn. Hint - It won't be the bikes fault.
mingham97 wrote:
No bro it’s definitely the bikes fault!! Decrease the centre of gravity by 4mm and bring in the steering stem angle by 1 degree and it’ll...
No bro it’s definitely the bikes fault!! Decrease the centre of gravity by 4mm and bring in the steering stem angle by 1 degree and it’ll be mint
They did both tighten the stem angle and lower the center of gravity (especially on the 2020 with the more compact head).
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mxrose3 6/9/2020 7:47am
6/9/2020 7:47am
TbonesPop wrote:
Ride an '18 or newer YZ and try saying the bike won't turn. Hint - It won't be the bikes fault.
mingham97 wrote:
No bro it’s definitely the bikes fault!! Decrease the centre of gravity by 4mm and bring in the steering stem angle by 1 degree and it’ll...
No bro it’s definitely the bikes fault!! Decrease the centre of gravity by 4mm and bring in the steering stem angle by 1 degree and it’ll be mint
Dirty Points wrote:
They did both tighten the stem angle and lower the center of gravity (especially on the 2020 with the more compact head).
Sorry to tell you guys that the steering head on the 18' YZ450 was moved 6mm further FORWARD than the 17.
Dirty Points 6/9/2020 8:18am
6/9/2020 8:18am Edited Date/Time 6/9/2020 9:01am
mingham97 wrote:
No bro it’s definitely the bikes fault!! Decrease the centre of gravity by 4mm and bring in the steering stem angle by 1 degree and it’ll...
No bro it’s definitely the bikes fault!! Decrease the centre of gravity by 4mm and bring in the steering stem angle by 1 degree and it’ll be mint
Dirty Points wrote:
They did both tighten the stem angle and lower the center of gravity (especially on the 2020 with the more compact head).
mxrose3 wrote:
Sorry to tell you guys that the steering head on the 18' YZ450 was moved 6mm further FORWARD than the 17.
That's BECAUSE steering head angle (rake) was reduced.

Basic geometry dictates that you have to move the head forward if you intend to steepen the rake while maintaining the same wheelbase. Moving it BACK would chopper out the front end more.
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Zycki11
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Zycki11 6/9/2020 9:14am
6/9/2020 9:14am
Here we go again, the bike is great. They handle well, turn well, have a phenomenal engine, have the most tuning capabilities by far, and last a long time. Hopefully Yamaha understands it needs to lose some lbs the next major update. With ktm, and Honda(2021) being so light, the kawi only a few lbs heavier. Yamaha needs to bring in the gut and be with 5-7lbs. No longer can it be significantly heavier
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kiwifan
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kiwifan 6/9/2020 1:28pm
6/9/2020 1:28pm
Zycki11 wrote:
Here we go again, the bike is great. They handle well, turn well, have a phenomenal engine, have the most tuning capabilities by far, and last...
Here we go again, the bike is great. They handle well, turn well, have a phenomenal engine, have the most tuning capabilities by far, and last a long time. Hopefully Yamaha understands it needs to lose some lbs the next major update. With ktm, and Honda(2021) being so light, the kawi only a few lbs heavier. Yamaha needs to bring in the gut and be with 5-7lbs. No longer can it be significantly heavier
Yup, I hear the new CRF450R will be announced in July, the other models possibly before that
mx317
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mx317 6/9/2020 1:31pm
6/9/2020 1:31pm
Zycki11 wrote:
Here we go again, the bike is great. They handle well, turn well, have a phenomenal engine, have the most tuning capabilities by far, and last...
Here we go again, the bike is great. They handle well, turn well, have a phenomenal engine, have the most tuning capabilities by far, and last a long time. Hopefully Yamaha understands it needs to lose some lbs the next major update. With ktm, and Honda(2021) being so light, the kawi only a few lbs heavier. Yamaha needs to bring in the gut and be with 5-7lbs. No longer can it be significantly heavier
I won't be sure on the new Honda's weight until someone throws the production bike on a scale.
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DonM
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DonM 6/9/2020 2:21pm
6/9/2020 2:21pm
Zycki11 wrote:
Here we go again, the bike is great. They handle well, turn well, have a phenomenal engine, have the most tuning capabilities by far, and last...
Here we go again, the bike is great. They handle well, turn well, have a phenomenal engine, have the most tuning capabilities by far, and last a long time. Hopefully Yamaha understands it needs to lose some lbs the next major update. With ktm, and Honda(2021) being so light, the kawi only a few lbs heavier. Yamaha needs to bring in the gut and be with 5-7lbs. No longer can it be significantly heavier
mx317 wrote:
I won't be sure on the new Honda's weight until someone throws the production bike on a scale.
Well it will be one pipe lighter...
Zycki11
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Zycki11 6/9/2020 2:37pm
6/9/2020 2:37pm
I’m a die hard Yamaha guy. They have finally found a good recipe for us regular folk riding. Whether your a vet rider or local A/B, or even privateer. They made a great bike. The next biggest thing they need is chassis/weight loss
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gristle568
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gristle568 6/9/2020 2:49pm
6/9/2020 2:49pm
I have about 5 hours on my 20 yz450f and I’m super happy with it. I came off a 2019 150sx and was considering a 350 And actually rode a new husky and ktm 450 but I just couldn’t get comfortable on the ktm so I decided to change it up after I sat on a yz. I have never hopped on a bike and felt as comfortable immediately as I did on this yz. it feels light and flickable and turns surprisingly well. It doesn’t turn quite as tight as the ktm but I feel a lot better charging through bumps and deep ruts on the yz plus the suspension on the yz is about perfect out of the box. im 5’10” and weigh about 200. if you want to buy a bike that you don’t have to do anything to the yz is it.
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kiwifan
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kiwifan 6/9/2020 3:33pm
6/9/2020 3:33pm
Zycki11 wrote:
Here we go again, the bike is great. They handle well, turn well, have a phenomenal engine, have the most tuning capabilities by far, and last...
Here we go again, the bike is great. They handle well, turn well, have a phenomenal engine, have the most tuning capabilities by far, and last a long time. Hopefully Yamaha understands it needs to lose some lbs the next major update. With ktm, and Honda(2021) being so light, the kawi only a few lbs heavier. Yamaha needs to bring in the gut and be with 5-7lbs. No longer can it be significantly heavier
mx317 wrote:
I won't be sure on the new Honda's weight until someone throws the production bike on a scale.
DonM wrote:
Well it will be one pipe lighter...
not a massive weight saving there, you are replacing 2 smaller pipes with one big one (the normal 450 anchor muffler)...perhaps 2-3 pounds?
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loftyair
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loftyair 6/9/2020 4:39pm
6/9/2020 4:39pm
I think if they moved peg position, adjustable, it be nice.
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Zycki11
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Zycki11 6/9/2020 5:02pm
6/9/2020 5:02pm
loftyair wrote:
I think if they moved peg position, adjustable, it be nice.
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Spudnut
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Spudnut 6/9/2020 5:09pm
6/9/2020 5:09pm Edited Date/Time 6/9/2020 5:11pm
Best 450 ever made for me. I raced a 19 last year from March-August and felt absolutely amazing. I was hitting jumps I’ve never done before and beating people that I never thought I would, very confidence inspiring . . Now I ride a 2 stroke and get tired in 3 laps Sad
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navalseabee
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navalseabee 6/9/2020 5:24pm
6/9/2020 5:24pm
Spudnut wrote:
Best 450 ever made for me. I raced a 19 last year from March-August and felt absolutely amazing. I was hitting jumps I’ve never done before...
Best 450 ever made for me. I raced a 19 last year from March-August and felt absolutely amazing. I was hitting jumps I’ve never done before and beating people that I never thought I would, very confidence inspiring . . Now I ride a 2 stroke and get tired in 3 laps Sad
I'm with you, I jumped ship from KTM to a 19 KX450 and was in love...until inspun some laps only buddies 20 YZ450. Got my wife a 2020 yz250f and its gangster too, so I'm gonna switch from Kawi to Yamaha.
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Spudnut
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Spudnut 6/9/2020 6:03pm
6/9/2020 6:03pm Edited Date/Time 6/9/2020 6:04pm
navalseabee wrote:
I'm with you, I jumped ship from KTM to a 19 KX450 and was in love...until inspun some laps only buddies 20 YZ450. Got my wife...
I'm with you, I jumped ship from KTM to a 19 KX450 and was in love...until inspun some laps only buddies 20 YZ450. Got my wife a 2020 yz250f and its gangster too, so I'm gonna switch from Kawi to Yamaha.
The husky (and I assume ktm too) are just too twitchy for me, I love my tc 250 but I rode my buddies 19.5 fc and couldn’t stand how it felt so flat compared to my bikes and just wanted to dance around on me but not in the fun way a 2 stroke does... Did a lap and a half and parked it lol

Don’t get me wrong though all these new bikes are great just better in different areas
nolookpass
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nolookpass 6/9/2020 7:49pm
6/9/2020 7:49pm
Spudnut wrote:
Best 450 ever made for me. I raced a 19 last year from March-August and felt absolutely amazing. I was hitting jumps I’ve never done before...
Best 450 ever made for me. I raced a 19 last year from March-August and felt absolutely amazing. I was hitting jumps I’ve never done before and beating people that I never thought I would, very confidence inspiring . . Now I ride a 2 stroke and get tired in 3 laps Sad
I'm right there with you on the Yami's jumping well. I went from a '13 Yz to a '16 Kx450 and every jump the new bike is trying to kill me, vs the Yz I could just grip and rip and it was very predictable.
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Spudnut
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Spudnut 6/9/2020 10:45pm
6/9/2020 10:45pm
nolookpass wrote:
I'm right there with you on the Yami's jumping well. I went from a '13 Yz to a '16 Kx450 and every jump the new bike...
I'm right there with you on the Yami's jumping well. I went from a '13 Yz to a '16 Kx450 and every jump the new bike is trying to kill me, vs the Yz I could just grip and rip and it was very predictable.
Yeah I’m still kinda chasing that same level of comfort with jumping on my tc, it’s close now but the 2 stroke requires a certain amount of seat time that I no longer have I will probably end up selling the tc for a easy riding blue 250f or 450 when the 2022s come out

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