The motor on the 2009 YZ450F was the first thing to catch my attention. A lot like the 2008, it had plenty of power, but was still deceiving due to the smooth power delivery. At first I found myself wanting to downshift because the motor sounded like it was bogging down. Well, maybe it sounded like that, but it definitely wasn't slowing down, and after a couple of turns I was one happy camper, I mean rider. It was pulling strong and putting traction to the ground. Most of the power was in the bottom to mid range, so the YZ liked to be short shifted. What do you know, a 4-stroke that's made to be ridden like a 4-stroke. I have never understood why people like to ride 4-strokes on the rev limiter; I mean after all, that's not where the power is, and who wants to replace valves more often then their oil.
The suspension on the Yamaha was again very plush and worked great all around. I only had a couple issues that could easily be remedied with some minor suspension work. With the back end kicking coming into hard braking corners, I felt that the bike could use a little more hold up in the front. This would also help with those unsuspected pot hole landings and make the bike a little more stable at high speeds. I'm sure that would effect the corning a little, but that shouldn't be a problem because this thing turns on a dime. Can you say "corners like a Suzuki"? Yes, I said it, and yes, it does. As long as you are fully committed, you can throw this bike into any tight, rutted turn and come out smiling. If I had to pick out something that I don't like about the YZ all I can come up with is the skinny feel. Being 6'1", I'm a little more comfortable on the wider bikes like the Kawasaki and Honda, also which, are the bikes I am used to riding. That's just rider preference though.
Yamaha has once again put together an awesome machine. The motor alone makes the YZ one of the easiest 450 motocrossers to ride. Then you add great suspension, awesome Handling and little extras like ProTaper Bars, wide foot pegs and some serious braking power. The '09 YZ450F is definitely competitive right out of the crate.-Chris Barrett 6'1"/185 lb/Pro
Seeing as the 2009 YZ450F didn't receive any major motor or suspension changes this year, it's no surprise that new blue is essentially a slightly tweaked version of last year's model. And what stood out on that bike? Rideability, among other things, was the 2008 Yamaha's prominent characteristic, and the new model is no stranger to this same ease-of-use. Thanks to a hearty but well-mannered motor, the YZF is less "get up and go" and more "I'm here if you need me". In other words, the mellow nature of the bike's delivery doesn't wear you out, doesn't knock your socks off and doesn't feel very fast. On the stopwatch, though, the benefits of a useable 450cc power spread can be a bit surprising. As far as the chassis goes, the Yamaha again exhibits a nimble and easy-handling feel that can be in part attributed to the narrow seat and shroud setup. With stock settings, the suspension was a little stiff for my weight and riding style, but even still it took hard hits and chop like a champ. The stock Pro Taper bars on the YZF are killer, and the overall fit and finish of the bike is also solid. But can this bike win our shootout? It's too early to tell, but if the stopwatch is any indication of the potential it has, I wouldn't be surprised to see a Yamaha on top this year.
-Chris Denison/ 5'10"/ 155 lb./ Intermediate
For 2009 Yamaha didn't change a lot on the big YZ. However, riding the big blue bike today reminded me of what a potent performer it really is. The first thing everyone in the world wants to talk about on the YZ450 is the power. For me, it's perfect. And I've personally spent the last two years modifying the two powerhouses in this displacement class to reflect exactly what the YZ does in stock trim. It simply delivers the most usable helping of 450 power I've ever experienced.