2007 - KX450F vs YZ450F - Help Please.

[gretch6364]

So I went and looked at these two bikes tonight as I have narrowed my search to these two. They both have the same dry weight and I am sure they perform to levels I will never attain.

When choosing between these two bikes for me it comes down to maintenance time and cost.

Is the Yamaha going to be more expense due to dealer marker on parts because of the "yamaha name brand" ?

Has anyone heard anything on issues with these two bikes? I know the Kawasaki has now been out for a few years so we should know if they are mellons.

I am mostly concerned with the valving and any issues with parts breaking and monitoring the valves.

They are both priced the same from the dealer 5699. The white Yamaha's are sharp. Thanks in advance for the advice and any experience.

 

[XRpredator]

Personally, I'd go Yamaha just because they've been building the high performance 4-stroke engine since 1998, while Kawasaki is still new to the program. I really don't think you'd have issues with either, though.

Might come down to you picking your favorite color.

 

[gretch6364]

I am thinking about the Yamaha. The dealer has two of the special edition white/silver ones. That way....I don't have a color!

 

[dirtbike_freak]

If he's begginer would he really be able to tell much difference?

 

[XRpredator]

If he's begginer would he really be able to tell much difference?

I'm going by how reliable the machine might be. Yamaha's been building 'em longer, so it would follow that maybe they know more about what they are doing.

 

[kawicam250]

both are very nice bikes and have attained a high status among the other 450's, just pick a color.

 

[gretch6364]

I am not concerned with which one is faster or better performing...there is no way I will be disappointed either way with the performance. I was more concerned with the service and cost of ownership. I am going to try and get to the dealer and pick one tonight

 

[Chili]

I haven't really seen or heard of many issues with the KX450F's, that being said as Pred pointed out Yamaha has a much longer history of solid engines in this class to fall back on.

 

[Rich Rohrich]

Over the course of time the YZF engine design has proven itself to be the most reliable and least expensive to maintain of all the current big bores. The Kawasaki is a nice design but for most people it will be more expensive to own over time.

 

[Zoomer]

depending on how long you plan on keeping it, the Hondas seem to have a better resale value.
I had a 06 yamaha 450. Great bike
Seems parts are cheaper on the yamaha over my honda.

 

[04rm125]

i,v riden the yzf once and the biggest thing i found was that the first gear was geared real high