2008 Yamaha YZ450F

Modifying the motor to get better response off the bottom might be as simple as a pipe and silencer with the accompanying jetting changes. But, we hate to think about losing the awesome punched-cone muffler!

The KYB suspension is absolutely terrific. Easily the most forgiving and plush of the group, it still handles frame-dragging impacts with relative grace.

The Yammie definitely has the most unique feel in the saddle. Part of that is the aluminum chassis design.

With such soft action from the 48mm fork and titanium spring on the rear shock it was expected that big jumps, flat landings and sharp impacts would blow through the stroke and bottom the easy-going suspenders. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

The first word out of every tester's mouth after dismounting the 450F was 'plush.' There's absolutely no denying that Yamaha has figured out how to soak up the bumps and chatter of a motocross track.

The Yamaha turned its back on the competition for one year and it was overtaken by a tidal wave of technology. Regardless, the YZ450F has enough features to be competitive anywhere with a few tweaks.

Any time the reigning champion goes from first to fourth with much of the same testing crew on hand you know it was a big year of changes.

Super-easy clutch actuation, good feel and fade resistance are all great, especially considering that the weak low end requires plenty of fanning.

The YZ-F is still a screamer and the power really begins to boil on as the revs climb.

Factory Yamaha technician Johnathan Belding preps our test bike.