!(center-photo)http://atvcowboy.com/images/blog/09YFZ450Rblue.jpg(09YFZ450Rblue.jpg)!

While it's not a true race ready quad, it's more like the Suzuki than the Can-Am or KTM, it looks like a great upgrade. They did a good job of adding new features that would appeal to both the racing and casual market.

A few notable ones. 49" width. Aluminum frame. Fuel Injection. New more powerful engine.

A few sites have written YFZ450R Previews.

"ATV.com":http://www.atv.com/manufacturers/yamaha/2009-yamaha-yfz450r-preview-901.html

"ATVScene.com":http://www.atvscene.com/machines/yamaha/yfz450r_091.html

"ATVriders.com":http://www.atvriders.com/atvmodels/yamaha-2009-yfz450r-sport-atv.html

DUDE, it looks like yamaha decided to step up their game. I wonder how well it will do in the dunes?? Also yamaha has a griz 550 that has power steering. I so glad that honda decided to put IRS on there latest power steering quad. If it was still a straight axle I would have leaned towards the griz 550. As usually honda is waiting to realease anything new for the TRX450r. I am hoping they will make it way sweeter because right now I would purchase the KTM 525 or the DS 450 over the honda. I was going to get the yfz 450 over the R but, as you already know that didn't happpen. Well, honda seems to take longer but they could come out with something really sweet.

Honda really impressed me with the Rancher. They went and added almost everything (No Diff lock, although I'm not sure its really a must have for a mid sized quad). I hope they do the same with the TRX450. It is sorely in the need for an update.

If I were shopping new the the TRX450 would be one of the lowest on my list.

Ranked right now I think i'd put the big 7 in this order.

DS450X-XC/MX or KTM 450XC/MX DS450X or YFZ450R DS450 or LTR450 YFZ450 or KFX450 or TRX450 or Outlaw 450MX

The top 3 groups would be distinguished by price. Buying new I'd try to get as close to the top as I could afford. That leaves the bottom row off my list completely.

Keep in mind however, the older I get, the more I think the Raptor 700 has enough suspension for anything I want to throw at it. Which mean's I would probably choose it over any of the 450's.

well Honda just annouced that the crf450r dirt bike has efi. So maybe they are working on a new trx450r or they might just play it safe and just make minor adjustments. But it doesn't make any sense now that yamaha built a totaly new bike! Yamaha is honda biggest rival! I don't think Honda will sit back and watch everyone including yamaha kick their butt in the stock wars. I think Honda should do what ktm did, build a Offroader and a motocrosser! Well the only thing is that would be more expensive but that elimates the need to build a bike that kinda does both.