Which one ?

[pjg351]

I know this is a bit to early to make a real assesment of the new 09 models yet, due mainly to Honda dragging the chain But in general what brand or what changes are you looking for in the current crop of bikes. I personally won't look at Honda untill they get rid of Uni cam, it's the thorn in the inlet side of the valve issues that are continuing on the pink brand. One cam lobe operating 2 valves with a whishbone arrangement, is not the answer, what other reason would there be for the inlet side to be soft
Yamaha has made changes to their problem areas, ie clutch, back link and swing arm to try and make it turn better, but the reality is it probably needs a whole new frame , and get rid of the 5th valve. Interesting that the new WR 250f has only 4 valves and fuel injection so this is probably where they intend to go with a whole new look in 2010, if it works on the WR in 09. The Suzuki has changed virtually nothing, which tells me their sitting on the fence to see what everyone else pulls out for 09, and the fact that their 08 450 was so late coming out that it probably restricted their 09 build. So expect big things on their 2010 model. So that leaves us with the green bikes, They are the only brand to make major changes in 09, new frame, new engine, fuel injection for the 450, new ergo's, suspension and linkages basically a factory spec race bike , interesting that the compression has dropped back to 13.2 to account for the higer cam lift. All sounds good but i'm not one who likes to go for a bike with substantial changes first up, unless the test rides report on it being an absolute dream machine, we will just have to wait and see.

[Aus_Rider_22]

What? Where is this info coming from Pete??

Yamaha can't be getting rid of the 5 valve design???? What did I miss??

How come you say get rid of the 5th valve? IMO it's part of the reason Yamaha's 250f has been one of the most reliable if not the most reliable 250f. The load is spread over 5 valves rather than 4. And with Honda's unicam? Single doesn't neessarilly worse. And double doesn't mean better I don't think. It's just about how the cam(s) operate that matters and Honda can get the uni to work very well (CRF450) as can Yamaha with the double.

Not critisicing just wondering where you've heard this from and saying what I currently understand.

No love for the KTM's??

[Woody_393]

Not to turn this into a Uni-cam debate, but the problem with the honda valves as I see it relates to valve float and has nothing to do with the uni-cam. The intakes are the ones that take the beating, and the Unicam sits right on top of them. The Y is over the exhaust.

Just to keep with the actual topic, I'm just glad I don't need to choose a bike anymore.

Though if I were buying I would have a really and I mean REALLY hard time passing on the '09 YZ450F.

[the_privateer]

I believe its the wr250r (dual sport) and wr250x (supermoto) that have the FI and 4 valves, completely different bike from the wr250f

[pjg351]

Originally Posted by the_privateer

I believe its the wr250r (dual sport) and wr250x (supermoto) that have the FI and 4 valves, completely different bike from the wr250f

your right about the 250f staying with 5 valves, i was refering the ones we use here for mustering bikes, not sure which of the other two it is our dealer said the new wr's are 4 valve and fi which is different to what we could buy before.

[pjg351]

Originally Posted by Aus_Rider_22

What? Where is this info coming from Pete??

Yamaha can't be getting rid of the 5 valve design???? What did I miss??

How come you say get rid of the 5th valve? IMO it's part of the reason Yamaha's 250f has been one of the most reliable if not the most reliable 250f. The load is spread over 5 valves rather than 4. And with Honda's unicam? Single doesn't neessarilly worse. And double doesn't mean better I don't think. It's just about how the cam(s) operate that matters and Honda can get the uni to work very well (CRF450) as can Yamaha with the double.

Not critisicing just wondering where you've heard this from and saying what I currently understand.

No love for the KTM's??

Don't panick just yet Aus, the 5 valves aren't going anywhere, but thats not to say they won't. It's all about weight saving and engine development for the future, as with uni cam Honda will probably keep it, i just don't like the whisbone rocker arm idea being good enough when it get's big over rev. Maybe that's what causes the valve float that Woody's on about

[kenyz]

I want some EFI e-start, but I don't want an ATK

There's something I like about all the dif brands so I couldn't really pick one I'd want anyway.

But if I HAD to, I'd go with KTM since I would rather re-jet sometimes than kick most times

[Aus_Rider_22]

A close friend of mine just bought a KTM 250SX-F, my dream bike.

Having a few drinks at his place this weekend so hopefully I can throw a leg over sometime while there!!!

[MotoMan]

I will jump on Woody's bandwagon and say I am glad I dont' have to choose this year. I honestly don't know what way I would go.

[Macho393]

YAMAHA for me