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KFX 450 or YFZ 450?

5452 Views 6 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  quad_runner
I have rode a stock 2006 YFZ 450 and it is fast, light, and has a low center of gravity. I like that. I am trying to decide between buying a 2006 or newer YFZ 450 or a brand new KFX 450. I havent rode the KFX yet. I like everything I have heard about it. I like that it has reverse and is F.I. I need to know from someone that has rode a 2006 or newer stock YFZ 450 and also a new KFX 450. I want to know which one has a higher compression ratio? Which one has more horse power Stock? which one has a higher top speed which one accelerates quicker. I know the YFZ is lighter by 14 pounds. How do the power bands compare. I would mostly be trail riding and going to some of the dunes here in Oregon. I also looked at the rapter 700 because it is F.I and has reverse to. I am 5'5 and 160 pounds. Which one would suite me best? Lots of questions. Thanks for your opinions.
The Newbie
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QUOTE (Newsport @ Apr 7 2007, 11:03 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=970
I have rode a stock 2006 YFZ 450 and it is fast, light, and has a low center of gravity. I like that. I am trying to decide between buying a 2006 or newer YFZ 450 or a brand new KFX 450. I havent rode the KFX yet. I like everything I have heard about it. I like that it has reverse and is F.I. I need to know from someone that has rode a 2006 or newer stock YFZ 450 and also a new KFX 450. I want to know which one has a higher compression ratio? Which one has more horse power Stock? which one has a higher top speed which one accelerates quicker. I know the YFZ is lighter by 14 pounds. How do the power bands compare. I would mostly be trail riding and going to some of the dunes here in Oregon. I also looked at the rapter 700 because it is F.I and has reverse to. I am 5'5 and 160 pounds. Which one would suite me best? Lots of questions. Thanks for your opinions.
The Newbie
I can help on some of this.
The HP is so close it wont matter
The KFX accelerates quicker, but mostly because of the way its geared
I am not sure the weights you have is correct-there is alot of contradicting info on weights if you research it
I'd say at your size the Raptor would feel like a tank to you.
My opinion would be if you ride primarily dunes, then the YFZ may be a better fit since it will be easier and cheaper to mod, but if you ridemainly trails, it sounds like the KFX cant be beat.
Hey, I have both machines.

Stock for stock, the YFZ does 76mph. The KFX does 69.8. The KFX is honestly geared too low so one thing you ll be buying is srockets if you plan on dragging your buddys.

Right now the KFX handles better both stock suspension. The seat is hard for me kinda likie a 04 yfz but harder. the reverse is perfect and i love it.

if you bought a raptor, like the other gentleman said, its a tank. My mrother is 5 foot 6 and 160 lbs and he loves the kfx and he said hes never felt anything handle so good around the trees or around the oval track.

There arnt too many mods for the kfx but theres enough to get up there with the yfz.

The EFI is better than the carb on my yfz, its got a very fast repsonse and is crisp. The KFX accelerates fast but theres too much shifting involved to beat a yfz until you gear the kfx, then bye bye yfz450.

The compression ratio is 11.4:1 on the yfz and 12.1:1 on the kfx(not positive as i read is on another post) If I had to guess its 12.0:1 like the dirt bike. Even the dirt bike has more hp than ll the other dirt bikes inits class.

If you want the newest technology id grab the KFX. IF not you can buy my YFZ. : )

If I were you, id wait a couple weeks till I get my stuff in for my kfx, and mod for mod ill tell you what I think.

Jeff
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If you want all the new stuff on a quad i would go with a kfx,I have a 07yfz-450 and it is horrible im trying to sale it now,And the bottom end on the yfz is terrible and unless you plan on riding everyday otherwise it will be a hassle starting it everytime in my opinion the kfx is the way to go.
i love the low end power on my kawi. i can pick up the front end in every gear except 5th. I couldnt do that on my yfz450. my yfz even had over 4 grand in mods also. If your a person that's into xc racing like I am, the kfx is really the way to go.

CHECK OUT MY SPONSORHOUSE PROFILE!!!
Thanks for the replies guys. I hope to buy a new KFX in the next couple months.
I agree with everything everyone else said except for the Raptor being a tank. The Raptor is very responsive and the SE version handles well. They are the easiest to ride because of the torque factor. Put it in 3rd and ride all day. If you can ride all 3 and then you can make a good choice.
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