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Last time I had a YZ450 it was a 2014 model. It's been 9 model years.
Right off the bat I was reminded that Yamaha makes these bikes thinking that moto tracks are the baseline and that you won't encounter rocks or roots. It's pretty darn stiff. So, I took off my handlebars (damn clickers are right under the bars) and loosened things up as much as they'd go.
Bouncing off everything like a pogo stick at first, but it became more manageable afterwards. If you were racing desert in 4th gear, it's likely really good. But I was going in 2nd gear and 3rd gear through some relatively rocky terrain.
Motor - holy crap power! In fact, in the MX power feeling map (the main hot map), it's too much for the terrain I was riding. Talk about wrist and arm fatigue. It just wears you out since every bump or minor twist of the throttle is like when the Saturn 5 rocket ignites to send you to the moon.
There is too much power here for mere mortals riding tight trails, or rocky trails. It's just too much hit. I'm sorry, but it's true.
Luckily, Yamaha has the power tuner app and I was able to really make a difference to the power
This might be the best reason to buy the Yamaha over the Honda, KTM, or the Kawi. Ability to make meaningful changes to the power right out on the trail. Why don't they all do this? Makes no sense.
When you soften the motor, it also seems to soften the feel of the rear end of the bike. I know it sounds strange, but it's not the first time I've felt it on a bike either.