I traded off the 02 426 for the 03 450. Just got done with the first ride(break in). SaaaWEEEET! Started second kick with the choke. Rode for 10 mins., shut it off, started right back up, no hot start. Shut it down and waited 5 mins, first kick, no start, pulled the hot start, first kick. This bike is going to be fast. 40 mph easy in second gear. Big step between 3rd and 4th. Loads of power.
The fit and finish is not perfect. The tops of the radiators look discolored and the assemblers used a marker on everything. This will all likely wash off but detracts from the finished product. The shrouds don't line up 100% at the top of the tank. They used a hex head to attach the shrouds to the radiator and phillips heads to attach to the tank. Lack of consistancy IMO. They have used hex, torx, phillips, and allen screws and bolts almost randomly. It will require a #1, #2, & #3 phillips to service everything. :think:
Most if not all of the hose clamps are easily accessable with the screw heads facing out. A skid plate is definitely in order if you will take it into the woods. There is a vent hose run from the valve cover down the front left side of the motor and there is a "chincy" clamp held on by a ignition cover screw, one tree branch and it is history. The hot start is moved to the left handle bar where the decompression lever was on the 426. Yamaha has conspicuously bent the lever forward in an effort to remind former 426 owners that it is NOT a decompression lever. It is very convenient. The grips are typical stock Yamaha, HARD. That is on my list of upgrades.
After my first ride, over all the bike gets an High A but just short of an A+. The fit and finish is less than perfect and Yamaha's choices of fasteners baffles me. Can't hardly wait to wick the throttle open hard and report on the grin(pucker) factor. :aj: