2021 Yamaha YZ450F - My Five Favorite Things!

I can’t say enough good things about this bike! It is by far the best 450 made in my opinion and I find no evidence to the contrary. I now have about 5 hrs on the bike and I appreciate it more and more as I ride different tracks and trails.

[@SteveKiziak]

Great review! I’ve got a 21’ YZ250f and I love it for very similar reasons!

[@Bill-es8ds]

Awesome machine, I have a 06 anniversary model, it’s been awesome never any trouble, only thing I done in 15 years is change the oil, keep air filter clean, and adjust the chain, always starts on 1st or 2nd kick. Never adjusted the valves or turned a wrench on motor, and it still runs like a bat out of Hell.Yamaha makes awesome bikes, my brand for life. I bet u love your 21.

[@westkrider1132]

Absolutely! It has been absolutely amazing. Only sitting on 16 hrs of ride time still. Need to get out more!!

[@d4ljosh859]

Good video bro been trying do decide between this bike and the KX 450 or the Honda crf 450r

[@2slowcoach]

Awesome content, cant wait to see vids of the app i really wana see RPM taco in live action

[@westkrider1132]

Thanks for the feedback. I will try do a Tuner app video soon.

[@craigsteinman9807]

Ya I luv all those things and I luv yzs ..I have a yzx 250. But the 450f is so wide and talk i am 5'6..and I will be a noob to 4strokes ..so we hope they slim it down in a year or 2..cuase Tammy's have always been the most reliable.all you gotta do is go to vintage races .. mostly yzs ..Honda has been very solid too..mostly

[@jeanplug298]

Hi i love your videos they're really helpful i would like to buy a yz450f 2021 but i'm 6'4 and im kinda afraid it might be short for me especially between the seat and the footpeg height i come from a kx450f which was perfect for my size because you can drop easily the footpegs for more room in the cockpit and the transition from sitting to standing was also easy do you have problems standing up while you ride with the yamaha ?

[@westkrider1132]

Thanks so much for watching the videos! I just try share a little of my experience. I know exactly what you mean about the bikes feeling small! I too am 6’4” and 235 lbs so not the ideal target audience for this bike. That being said I LOVE this machine. I havent felt cramped at all. I am still amazed I can ride with stock springs on this thing. I love the ergos on this bike and appreciate them more and more as I get comfortable. I run practice with the A riders at my local track and at plus 40 have no problem running the pace to be out there.

[@jeanplug298]

westkrider Oh that’s really nice i ride huge desert whoops so I’m always sitting and standing every time should i buy a taller seat or for a better experience?

[@westkrider1132]

That I cant help with. I have no experience with a taller seat, though I have thought of one myself. I could see it being a benefit with the sitting/standing transition but it would be tougher to get down in the bike to really drive through a corner. I wouldnt want to compromise cornering speed for myself. Just my thoughts.

[@jeanplug298]

westkrider I understand thanks again for taking the time to explain your channel is really useful i can’t wait for more videos !

[@ridetillidieharleyyamaha4063]

Have you ever owned or ridden a 2017 yz450f? Im thinking of updating to this bike but I absolutely love my 2017 yz450f , the grunt and handling is by far the best bike I've owned and I've had 6 or 7 450f's and a 426f before them but I broke my hip riding 18 months ago and all the riding I do is bush (enduro ) and electric start will be a big benefit because i ain't no spring chicken (41) im trying to find someone that has brought the new 450fx but owned a 2017 450f in the past . .. I would hate to buy it and then it ain't what I thought it would be, I never kept a bike for more than 2 years but the 17 is just a freak

[@westkrider1132]

No Im sorry I never rode the 2017. I was out of riding for a long time. My friend at the track had a 2018 450F and went to the 2021 450F and said he really likes how much better the bike handles and hooks up. Cant speak for the FX. Im at 16 hrs on mine now and the bike just keeps feeling better and better as I dial it in!

[@amoore2165]

Thanks for the video. Love the bike. Tempted to get one to replace my 2012 RMZ 450. Suspension was terrible when I first got it. Got it set up for a 200 pound intermediate (stiffer springs, etc.) and it’s been great ever since. Given your size and weight and ability it was great to hear that stock suspension would work..been my biggest reluctance to get a new bike. Magazine reviews always seem to have light guys mostly. One question...for how little it’s been ridden the plastic looks awfully scratched up. My RMZ looks almost new still. Maybe it’s the yellow? Does the blue just show scratches more? Did you go through a bunch of brush or hard pack slide outs? Or does the sun and video just make it look worse than it actually looks in reality?

[@westkrider1132]

Thanks for watching the video! The bike is amazing and I agree that it is tough to get reviews on machines from guys north of 200lbs! The plastic is completely my fault. I live in the mountains here and my first few rides were in the bush because my local track closes mid summer due to heat. I took 4 low speed slide outs on super hard packed ground with granite shards embedded and it tore the plastic up. That is just my own dumb fault. It would have been the same no matter what I was riding. Frankly it looks pretty good for what it slid on. Since I have been track riding again I havent put another scratch on it.

[@amoore2165]

westkrider Ok great. Thanks a lot for the reply! Was hoping it was extenuating circumstances and not just from your pants/boots, etc. Will be between this and the new CRF pretty sure. The suspension thing is the most important piece. An added expense/time/wrenching to get those setup I’d rather avoid. One other quick question if you don’t mind...the last couple bikes I’ve had I’ve put on after market radiator braces before I even rode it. Has worked great to keep the radiators from getting tweaked/bent. Are the new ones any better stock these days? Again would be nice to avoid another expense/time/wrenching. I can wrench but I don’t like it.

[@amoore2165]

P.S. Btw, the guy who did my suspension last time said the same thing regarding the YZ. Said I probably don’t need to do anything. Nice to hear/confirm direct feedback from somebody even heavier and skilled.

[@westkrider1132]

That was my logic as well. I can tear the bike down and rebuild it if required but I would way rather be riding! I think Honda makes a great bike and the new design is pretty exciting but I have owned and raced mostly Hondas in my life. The one thing I can say is I loved the suspension on none of them. I liked a whole lot of other things on the Hondas but never their suspension. I started out on Yamahas and owned and raced one for one year in the middle of all my Hondas. It was the best experience I have had personally. I have watched the manufacturers for years now and like the KTM, Yamaha and Honda. I would spend my money on any of those three but the Yamaha won out simply because I can ride harder for longer without spending more on it. Great dealership support plays a big part in the decision as well! I cant offer much in the way of experience with bent rads. For some silly reason I always fall on my right side and my rad isnt tweaked at all. I would imagine they arent building them for more strength though as they try get the bike lighter and lighter.

[@amoore2165]

westkrider Ok. Thanks a lot for the feedback. Yeah dealer is another factor. I have a fantastic Honda/Suzuki dealer around the corner from my house. Great on Sales, Service, and Parts. Knowledgeable friendly people in each area and no sales bs. I’d highly prefer to buy from them both to give them the business and for my own comfort in the bike/experience but that would mean the Honda. But if the Honda would cost more and mean the suspension isn’t great for me out of the box it won’t be worth it and I’ll have to get a YZ from a stranger and cross my fingers. I got my new street bike from them, too, which was also a great experience. On a side note...I started to heavily side on another RMZ despite the issues with the new ones. I like the look of the bike, could get it so cheap, from my local dealer, and my 2012 has been bulletproof with zero issues...none...seriously none...the bike always starts right up even after sitting all winter...all the components still feel new, no maintenance issues whatsoever. Start it and ride. The caveat was the suspension especially the rear shock but I figured if my suspension guy could make it as good my current one I’d say f’ it, save a few thousand bucks and go that route. Called him up. He said “actually no I can’t fix it or get it as good as your 2012. I’ve messed with it and tried everything. Your only option to fix it is to get a whole new shock. And even then is only to get it as good as the Yamaha off the floor.” He obviously gets to ride a lot of different bikes which most of us don’t. He said he’s owned 11 Suzuki’s. He then went on to rave about the YZ. Vehemently. Which was even going to possibly mean no business for him from me. When I asked about the reliability difference he did say that to be honest he’d have to give the nod to the RMZ for engine reliability...he said it’s made of heavier metal and he agrees with me that it’s bulletproof but is also why it’s heavier. But he said, that the Yamaha is reliable too and it’s not enough of a difference to not get it. He said of he were me he’d get the YZ hands down and if I had the opportunity to ride them back-to-back I’d understand.

[@sassafraswakeboyz4121]

Yeaaaahhhhh

[@MOTOSYMOTOCICLTETAS]

did you put the handlebars in the front holes because of your height? I have a height of 6.1 with long legs and I weigh 220 pounds and I tried a yz450f 2021 from a friend but I had the handlebars in the back holes and it was difficult for me to stand up, the bike felt very tight. I would like to know your opinion. Best regards from Guadalajara mexico

[@westkrider1132]

I am 6’4” myself with long legs so I did put the bars in the front holes and turned the mounts around to move the bars forward even more. It feels great for me like that. I have just ordered some lowered footpegs as well to give myself even more comfort and room to move.

[@MOTOSYMOTOCICLTETAS]

@@westkrider1132 thanks friend . What make and model of fotpegs did you order?

[@westkrider1132]

I cant remember off the top of my head. They are not a brand name I recognize but they move the pegs down 5mm. They are supposed to arrive in a week and I will try remember to update you on the brand.

[@MOTOSYMOTOCICLTETAS]

@@westkrider1132 would be good a. video and you will tell us about your experience for a tall pilot. with the footpegs

[@westkrider1132]

Thanks for the idea

[@Easycooking422]

How much does this bike cost cause I want to get myself one