RACE SHOOT OUT I - Dubach Racing Development

RACE SHOOT OUT
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YAMAHA
YFZ450Rvs.
UZUKI
LT-R450
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Race mods from Dubach,
ITP, Precision, Pro Armor,
Quad Tech, One
Industries
& Fasst Co.
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Suzuki's QuadRacer LT·R450 and
Yamaha's YFZ450R took the top two
positions in our 2009 450 shootout.
Economically priced at $8100 (LT-R)
and $8500 (YFZR), both of these 50inch-wide 450s were built specifically
to tear up the A1V racing scene.
There are two others at 50 inches,
including KTM's 450SX and Can-Am's
DS450M. Both are great racing
machines as well, but they're
attached to a very hefty 12 grand
price tag. In this economy, amateur
racers need not apply. For those with
a few grand to blow, the Yamaha and
Suzuki are right-out-of-the-box contenders for even the Intermediate to
Pro ranks.
For this shootout, we installed the
top-selling aftermarket upgrades
needed to compete as a Novice racer.
For Ihe general trail rider, pay aUention, as these will be to your benefit as
well.
THE AFTERMARKET NECESSITIES
Our Reader's Survey has tires as
the number-one aftermarket accessory. Most riders don't even wait for
their stock tread to wear oul.
Aftermarket tires look better and offer
a variety of tread patterns Jor each
application.
Since we are heading to a deserttype race in the upcoming months,
we wanted both of our units
equipped with taller tires. The
YFZ450R comes standard with a 21inch front and 20-inch rear setup, so
we didn't make a change. To update
the Suzuki, we gave ITP a call.
Their 22x7-IO front ($79.95 from
www.rockymountainatvmc.com). and
20xll-9
fear
($86.95
from
www_Iockymountainatvmc.com)
QuadCross XC lires incorporate a sixply carcass and a tough tread that
offers a higher puncture resistance
and overall durability. The typical
While both the Suzuki and Yamaha are
e;(plosive, the YFZ450R is the faster of
the two, even after removing the airbo;(
lids and installing the timing plug in the
Suzuki.
motocross tread is four-ply, and they
are neither tall nor tough enough for
fast trail riding or cross-country racing.
MORE CONTROL
Since our goal is to race both the
LT-R and YFZR in an upcoming
desert or WORCS racing event. we
tum to the number-two aftermarket
seller: handlebars, We equipped
both units with Fasst Co.'s Flexx
Handlebar System ($349.99). Most of
the top pro WORCS facers pull up to
the starting line with Flexx bars on
their machines. The Suzuki was the
450 in most need of handlebars. The
LT-R450 still comes standard with old
school steel handlebars, which the
majority of owners replace within the
first few rides. The Yamaha comes
One Industries custom graphics supplied both models with a great new finish, while Fasst Co's FlelOC handlebars toughen up
the controls. These are top-rated bars for all forms of ATV racing.
72 www.dirtwheelsmag.com
YFZ vs.
LT-B
Stay tuned for Part 1/ of this 450 Race Shootout, when we will pit the Suzuki LT·R450 against the Yamaha YFZ450R at a World
Off· Road Championship Series event. Dsv; Haagsma and Zach Harris are at the controls.
standard with great oversized Pro
Taper handlebars, but the Flexx handlebars win out. They offer a controlled, consistent feel that is tunable
through four different density elastomers. The result is more control and
less fatigue.
The Flexx bars mounted right up to
the YFZ450R's stock perches. while
the LT-R4S0 required the use of rubber-mounted, aluminum replace-
ment perches. We used Rox Risers
you won't, either. We equipped both
machines with a $559 Pro model
Precision stabilizer. This setup is one
01 the lew with impact dampening
and
side-la-side controllability.
Precision oilers a more affordable
version at $395, but these new Pro
model updates might be worth the
price. it now hasa built-in reservoir to
allow lor thermal exp:msion, a new
sleeker housing, stronger linkage,
stem clamp and Jever.
($50). We then popped on some Scott
SAFETY AND COMFORT
Hurricane grips and a couple rounds
Another major aftermarket accessory is ner! bars. Used lor safety, ner!
of safety wire.
The next lop-selling aftermarket
products are exhausts. It is an afford-
bars are a requirement for almost
every racing circuit. We used Pro
Armor's Revolution ner! bars lor both
units as well. These nerfs are great in
that you can choose to run either heel
guard nets or aluminum heel guard
plates. If either one wears oul, a
replacement is available lor purchase for $64.95 for the nets or $74.95
lor the plates. The plates come in
brushed aluminum or powder-coated
black.
The Pro Armor brand has you
piece together both the ner! and heel
guard nets, as well as bolt together
able way to bump up horsepower
and stay competitive without any
major modifications. For $525 (YF'ZR),
and $590 (LT-R450), Dubach Racing
has a great system. Their stainless
steel design features a removable
USFS-approved spark
arrestor
screen, so you can still hit up your
local trails. Plus, being race tested
and designed with help Irom ITP
QuadCross
Champion
Dustin
Nelson, you know the quality is topnotch. Both exhausts mounted easily.
The LT-R450s remain center-mounted
to the rear, and the YFZR hung on the
side per, usual.
Once you make your way into
aggressive racing, a top aftermarket
purchase is a steering stabilizer. Most
lop amateurs and pros will not race
without one, and once you try one,
74 www.dirtwheelsmag.com
We installed Pro Armor's Revolution neff bars on both 4505. These neffs allow you
to run either heel guard nets or aluminum heel guard plates.
Suzuki's LT-R450 is a solid jumper. It
flies straight and is predictable in the
air.
For 5125, Quad Tech has your seat COIIered. These are the most comfortable,
high-quality seats on the market.
Dubach Racing's stainless steel
exhaust were a great addition to both
of these high-performance sport quads.
the sharp pegs. It's a pain the first
time around, but it gets easier with
practice. The YFZ450R nerfs mounted
right up in minutes, while the LTR450s required the use of a hammer
as well as needing the use of longer
mounting bol1s (not supplied), that
76 www.dirtwheelsmag.com
YFZ Vs. LT-R
connect the heel guards to the sub
frame.
Graphics and seat covers are the
last of the aftermarket upgrades we
have done so for. Both the LT-R450
and YFZ450R come stock with decent
seats, but are nowhere near the quality of Quad Tech's high-grade design.
For $125, the Quad Tech products
look great and take abuse.
Graphics keep your 450 looking
fresh and are a great way to reach
out to sponsors. We worked with One
Industries on this shoolout to customize awesome matching graphics.
Each of the aftermarket brands was
incorporated into the design, along
with the Dirt Wheels LT-R450 vs.
YFZ450R Race Shootout design . We
love it. These One ID customized
backgrounds start a t $59.99. They
also oller Race Team Replica graphics starting at $69.95 and now have
neck brace decals available for
$49.95. For more information, check
out www.oneindustries.com .
TRACK AND TRAIL TEST
To put a run on the new products,
we took a trip out to our local AV
Motoplex. We pulled up to the
entrance, and the girls at the gate
commented on how great the One
Industries graphics looked . You can't
get much better results than that.
Period.
We started out with both airbox lids
on, and the LT-R's Dubach timing
plug (much like Yoshimura's Cherry
Bomb) out. At 99 dB each, the
exhausts are much louder than stock,
In this close-to-stock setup, the
Yamaha YFZ450R proved to be the better machine in the whoops. With more
tinkering on both, we should have them
ready for Round 2 of the 2010 WORCS.
Both models were supplied with a pro
model PreciSion stabilizer, the numberone trusted stabifizer in GNCC and
AMA ATV racing.
but not annoying. The Yamaha
YFZ450R is the faster o f the two, even
after we removed the airbox lids and
installed the liming p lug in the
Suzuki. The YFZ has arm-jerking
power, and at times made it harder to
ride. The LT-R450 rides smoothly with
YFZ VS. LT-B
2010 SUZUKI
QUADRACER LT-R450
Engine .
. ... Uquid-cooled, OOHC, ..
4-valve,4-stroke
2010 YAMAHA
YFZ450R
.Llquid-cooled, DOHC,
5-valve, 4·stroke
DIsplacement
.449cc .. ,............ ,... ,... ...........
, ... " ,.. .449cc
Bore x stroke ............. ,.... 95.5mm x 62.8mm ... ,......... ,.... ,..... "...... 95mm x 63.4mm
Transmission..
. ., .. Manual-dutch 5·speed .......... ,..... ". .... Manual-dutch 5-speed
fmal d riVe..
. ..Chain "" ..............
......Chain
fuel system .. ..................Eiectronically injected, ....................... Electronically injected
Starting ..
. .... ,... Electric wino backup..
.. ... Electric wIno backup
Length/width/height .... 72.6·/49·/42.7· ,
...... 70.7·{48.S·/41.9'
Wheelbase .,..... ," .... ,' ..... 50.6·
.. ,' .........SO'
Seat height
...... 30.7'
"....... ,....,...................31.9·
Suspension/wheel trave/:
Front
..... Dual A-arms w/lO' .. ................... " .... Dual A~rms w19.S·
Rear.
.." ....... Swingarm wIl0.9' ..
.. ..Swingorm wIll'
Brakes:
Front.
R~,
.. Dual-hydraulic discs
.. Dual-hydraulic discs
,.. Hydraulic d isc .. ,...................... ,....... ,.... Hydraulic disc
Tires:
Front " ............... ....... " ...2Ox7·10...
.. ... . ............ ......2Ix7-10
.. ISxIO-S ..... ,', ..... ,...... ,....... ,.... " .... ...... ,....... 20xIO-9
Fuel capacity ..............2.6 gal
............. " .... ,................... 2.6 gaL
Claimed dry weight .....368lb "
... .405 lb.
Rear.
Ground clearance .. ....3.9· ....
,............................... "... .4.5
Colors .... , ... ,..... ,.. .. " ..... Whitelyellow .......................... " ....... ,...... Blue, White
Price
Contact ..
............ ,$8100 ........ ,.. "................. .
. ......... www.suzukicycles.com.
(BOO)
828-7433
__ .$8500
....... www.yamaha-motor.com,
(BOO)
962-7926
the Dubach exhaust, Irom low- to topend.
All of our testers enjoyed the leel
of the Flexx handlebars. "I came out
of the corner too slow on the LT-R
and approached one of the double
jumps. Landing into the face of the
next lip. I thought surely my wrists
were in trouble. If the stock bars
were mounted, I think they would
have, but these Flexx bars really do
what they say," said test rider Zach
Harris. After a day of testing. we
wound up using the red (ha rd) elastomers and still felt the movement in
the bars. For the motocross track,
the hard setting worked the best, but
when we make the transition from
MX to desert terrain. we will probably change up to either blue (medium) or yellow (soft). We'll keep you
posted.
The taller lires were not a great
setup for the Suzuki on a motocross
track. The gearing was affected by
the two-inch size difference in rear
tires. However. this should be an
ideal setup lor WORCS, without a
gear change. On the Suzuki, the stock
tires, or JTP's QuadCross Utes, are a
more appropriate selection for
motocross.
Over the deep whoops and rough
section 01 the track, the taller tires on
both machines excelled. The
QuadCross XC tires hooked around
every part of the track. The stock
Dunlop treads on the Yamaha did
great in a ll areas as well.
MORE TO COME
For part two of this shootout. we
will be entering both the Suzuki
OuadRacer LT-R450 and Yamaha's
YFZ450R in a couple selected
WOReS racing events. This is where
we will get a better idea o f how these
compare in tough racing action. We
will relay the specific suspension
setups and race results. Stay tuned. 0
CONTACTS
Dubach Racing www.duoochraing.com.
(877) 382-2241
Company . ........ www./asstco.com.
1562} 601-81 19
ITP ...... www.i tptires.com. (909) 390·1905
One Industries .. www.oneindustries.com.
Foss!
(BOO)
663·5567
Precision ........ ".wVlw.precislon-rp.com,
(209) 365·18SO
Pro Armor ...... " ..... www.proormor.com.
{95l} 343-9270
Po wer on both machines was helped by the addition of Dubach exhausts. The
YFZ450R had more power off the line, but with taller tires, the LT-R450 caught up
down longer straights.
78 www.dirtwheelsmag.com
Ouod Tech ...... www.quadtech-alv.com.
(949) 859·7823