M
So I was holding off on this until I got a bunch of days under my belt on the new setup.
The bike. Virtually brand new 2011 YZ450
So far I'm really pleased and impressed by this bike. I have ridden lots of other bikes brand new and older and I'd put this up against any 450. The combination of the GYTR head and the GYTR race cams is very impressive. I thought the cams would make the bike have a more 2 stroke feel and be peaky but what they do is bring torque in abundance to the table particularly in the mid range and bottom end. I'm sure this bike makes more torque than my POS 520 Thumper racing ever did (read here total waste of money). I can lug the $hit out of this bike. I think I may switch to a 14 front sprocket to lengthen 2nd gear a bit. I've been messing with tunes but without data its hard to know how aggressive to go. We were talking and I think we will build a data logger and add a wideband so we can develop some proper tunes. The bike starts easily all the time hot or cold. I've got the temps dialed in now so after I go 3 rides there's no gas in the oil at all. Zero. The bike can hold its own against the CR500 but if the 500 had a better track on the kit the YZ wouldn't keep up.
The Camso Kit:
The more I ride this kit the more I like it. A friend of mine describes it as a "an easy ride" which is accurate IMO. It doesn't wear you out at all, you are never fighting it. I use my legs so much more now and my hands are just kind of along for the ride. The monorail design is where its at, all kits will be narrow soon.
The good:
Monorail design A+
Ski took some getting used to Rating B+ room for improvement
Spindle A- Needs wheel kit adaptability ie larger hole
Track A+ It just flat out works
Handling in POW A+
Handling on Hard pack B-
Construction and quality B+ Some things feel cheap to me
Climbing A-
Sidehilling A
Track tensioner B+ works pretty good
Value vs cost Hard to beat A-
All around A-
The bad:
Rear suspension C- Its nothing special shock blows Torsion spring is lame
Weight C Its porky and it packs a lot of snow
Chain adjustment with stock tunnel cover D maybe F PITA
Limiter strap adjustment and range F NFG kind of a joke
Ski stability There's a nervous zone but I'm used to it
Chains adjuster. Mine may be slipping a bit still using the new Camso procedure but I think it moves I'm monitoring.
The brake lever/reservoir. Knock $100 off the kit and don't even bother shipping it. It ridiculously huge. Pre bleed the brake caliper and line then just cap it. You have to remove the reservoir to feed the line properly so don't even bother.
Storage and options D, there are none from Camso, you are missing the boat here guys
All and all a pretty functional setup for what I have sunk into it. I'm not ready to part ways with the 500 though I still think it has way more potential I just don't want to ride it everyday.
Pics of old vs. new. 500 could use some love cosmetically.
M5
The bike. Virtually brand new 2011 YZ450
So far I'm really pleased and impressed by this bike. I have ridden lots of other bikes brand new and older and I'd put this up against any 450. The combination of the GYTR head and the GYTR race cams is very impressive. I thought the cams would make the bike have a more 2 stroke feel and be peaky but what they do is bring torque in abundance to the table particularly in the mid range and bottom end. I'm sure this bike makes more torque than my POS 520 Thumper racing ever did (read here total waste of money). I can lug the $hit out of this bike. I think I may switch to a 14 front sprocket to lengthen 2nd gear a bit. I've been messing with tunes but without data its hard to know how aggressive to go. We were talking and I think we will build a data logger and add a wideband so we can develop some proper tunes. The bike starts easily all the time hot or cold. I've got the temps dialed in now so after I go 3 rides there's no gas in the oil at all. Zero. The bike can hold its own against the CR500 but if the 500 had a better track on the kit the YZ wouldn't keep up.
The Camso Kit:
The more I ride this kit the more I like it. A friend of mine describes it as a "an easy ride" which is accurate IMO. It doesn't wear you out at all, you are never fighting it. I use my legs so much more now and my hands are just kind of along for the ride. The monorail design is where its at, all kits will be narrow soon.
The good:
Monorail design A+
Ski took some getting used to Rating B+ room for improvement
Spindle A- Needs wheel kit adaptability ie larger hole
Track A+ It just flat out works
Handling in POW A+
Handling on Hard pack B-
Construction and quality B+ Some things feel cheap to me
Climbing A-
Sidehilling A
Track tensioner B+ works pretty good
Value vs cost Hard to beat A-
All around A-
The bad:
Rear suspension C- Its nothing special shock blows Torsion spring is lame
Weight C Its porky and it packs a lot of snow
Chain adjustment with stock tunnel cover D maybe F PITA
Limiter strap adjustment and range F NFG kind of a joke
Ski stability There's a nervous zone but I'm used to it
Chains adjuster. Mine may be slipping a bit still using the new Camso procedure but I think it moves I'm monitoring.
The brake lever/reservoir. Knock $100 off the kit and don't even bother shipping it. It ridiculously huge. Pre bleed the brake caliper and line then just cap it. You have to remove the reservoir to feed the line properly so don't even bother.
Storage and options D, there are none from Camso, you are missing the boat here guys
All and all a pretty functional setup for what I have sunk into it. I'm not ready to part ways with the 500 though I still think it has way more potential I just don't want to ride it everyday.
Pics of old vs. new. 500 could use some love cosmetically.
M5
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