Yamaha YZ426F reviews

I don't have any complaints about this bike. The suspension is awesome the motor is unstoppable. I am way faster on this thing than I was on a 250 2 stroke. Maybe it's just me but this is the perfect bike. Show less

This bike is a total bad ass!!! It is incredibly fast.It will do a wheelie in any gear! It will do over 100 mph. It is perfect for the track. It has tons of snap. It is a good trail bike too, but I would install a flywheel weight. I would like to say "SHUT UP, YOU DUMBASSES!" to everyone who says the YZF is hard to start. There is NO problem with starting this bike. I am 13 yaers old, 5'8", and 125 lbs. It is simple for me to start it.Roll the throtle forward and grab the front brake. Kick it untill you can't kick it anymore. Then, pull in the compression release. Kick it over just a TINY bit. Then, let go of the compression release. Peturn the kickstarter to the top, and kick it like you got a set! (not tits) If it hasn't been started in a day or longer, give the throtle ONE twist before starting kicking procedure. Show less

In the Washington Cascades, trails can be steep, switchbacks or tight tree riding, either way, this bike handles it. For a big bike, it handles so great, and the power is always there, just a flick of the wrist to get you over those nasty root sections. "When in doubt, gas it" now comes with a grin instead of a frown and you start looking for the hardest trails around. Wide open is fun too, as this thing will do wheelies all day. I did follow the unwritten hint about removing the throttle stop screw, although the mechanic told me to just cut off half of it and re-install, so the throttle won't stick. The rest of the upgrades can wait until I feel like I need something more to play with, until then, this bike has me daydreaming of mountains...streams...and ear to ear grins. Show less

OK - back in 1992 I was a motor cycle freak - mainly dirt bikes but my last road bike at the time was the genesis 5 valve from Yamaha - what a beast!. I have ridden YZ's, RM's, KX's and CR's and personally I have always loved the power from Kawasaki and the handling from Yamaha. About a year ago I again got the fever and bought a HD fatboy with a totally worked donk - 105HP on the Dyno - what a machine - straightline machine that is. The bug got me to re-visit my dirtbike enthusiasm but I really hate 2 stroke engines - they suck gas, sound like model aircraft, smell bad (really bad for the environment) and you always have to keep them in the powerband - they always top out so quickly and when you are in top gear and peaking it out - they sound like they are hurting badly - which is true because frequent top-end rebuilds are popular with these oil burners. I needed something that was reliable - like a 4 stroke engine, has power throughout the RPM curve, has low maintenance requirements with proven technology. Well I always loved the handling of Yamaha and now they have the 5 valve technology (remember my Genesis beast) in a dirt bike - WOW! My mind was made up - Yamaha handling with the 426F 5-valve titanium engine has to be it. I have always loved motorcross but enduro is much more challenging to me so I opted for the WR426F - and assumed that the engine was the same as the YZ426F (more about this later). The next week I picked up the beast and on the way home at a gas station some guy came over and said that most people he knows HATE the 426F engines because they are so hard to start - obviously this concerned me because at the dealer it took 5 different guys to start this beast (every single one of then tore a hole in their expensive shoes :))and now within 2 hours from owning my pride possession another person confirms my fears - If you ride enduro and cant start your bike after a fall - your screwed. I got home rolled it off the trailer and tried to start it - about 100 kicks later it started much to my disappointment. I jumped on it with jeans and tee-shirt and rode it - what a disappointment as far as power goes - it had what I considered the power of a YZ125, and I immediately thought something was wrong with the throttle cable - not opening enough (more about that later) - I decided that this dog was going back the following day. Woke up the next day tried to start it - another 100 kicks and it still would not start - I then came to my senses and did some trouble shooting - after some checking I found much to my surprise that the spark-plug was bad. I got a new one and put it in and she started after 3 to 4 kicks each time. After the run-in period the WR started after 2 to 3 kicks every time - You MUST get the hang of starting this 12.5/1 high compression beast - once you figure it out (it also helps if you are over 6" and weigh over 200lb) - your laughing, I remembered what the guy at the gas station had told me - I chalked it up to pussy riders complaining - I'm OK with it as long as she starts on the 1 or 2nd kick - I was getting 3 or 4 kicks at this time. After the run-in period she started after 1 - 2 good kicks - every time - hot or cold - sweet - my confidence was coming back. Now - is it still going back? I asked myself. No I thought because the engine has to be the same as the YZ and the YZ's have gotten such awesome reviews - what is missing? I took the carburetor air box side off and looked at the needle travel while operating the throttle - AND THERE LAY THE PROBLEM - the throttle only operated 60% of the way. 20 minutes later I had the "throttle stop screw" out and the carburetor back in - what a pleasure to work on this machine - everything is designed so well and is re-assembled with ease and without any problems. I was excited because this was the REAL test - she started after 2 kicks - sounded the same - I let her warm up and then revved the engine with 80% throttle - she replied with a completely different voice - the voice of EVIL POWER. I jumped on and WOW she comes up in 1, 2 and 3rd gear without ever trying. I came back from the ride stopped the engine and re-started it after 1 kick. THIS is what I expected - a bike that can do enduro, has motorcross suspension, clearances, lights, long range fuel capacity, AWSOME power and a 4 stroke. Power came all the way through the rev curve, handling was what I was used to from Yamaha but better - what a machine!!!!!!!!!!!! You don't need this much power in enduro racing but - it is nice to have it there in-case. BUT WAIT - I am a WFO rider - I can add header and pipes and change the timing - providing even more power - this will have to wait till later - until I harness this incredible bike. Suzi, Honda, Kawasaki and the European high maintenance jobs - Y'all have some catching up to do!!!!!!!!!! SHWeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet Show less

This is the best dirt bike in the world. Starting takes a little getting used to, but once you develop the "touch" it's really easy. The way this thing just hooks up out of corners is incredible-no more two-stroke fishtailing. The power is everywhere and my favorite thing about the power delivery (since I'm a beginner/novice)is when I'm coming up to the face of a jump, I don't have to worry about bogging the motor or the sudden hit of the motor coming on the pipe. Very confidence inspiring. Show less

My review is actually on the WR426F. First off, it is very difficult to start. I don't care how many times you read the manual or got tips from a dealer. Every review that I have read states that this is a great alternative to a two-stroke. Not even close. I have ridden 125 two-strokes with more snap. don't get me wrong it has gobs of low-end. Comes up easily in first with just the throttle. Getting it to come up in second takes a little clutch work. For all types of riding, I will go with a good 250 two-stroke any time. Not impressed. Show less

This is my first mx bike, I did not want to buy a 125 2 stroke and out grow it. My choices seemed to be the yz250f or 426. I went big am glad I did. Fear not of this blue behemoth awaiting you at the local shop, if I can ride it anyone can. The power is smooth as silk from the basement to 10 grand and past. If you get lazy, put it in 2nd or 3rd and it will pull all the way around. This power has what some say are 2 drawbacks, the compression braking as you roll off the throttle, and starting. The compression is handy I think, for my skill and aggression, which are both in the 1-2 range, a down shift usually suffices in for rear wheel brakes, sure I could go deeper and brake late, but I am too busy thinking about that pesky step up 3 turns later. As for starting the thing, my dealer said try the choke, then the hot start, then nothing. My advice is read the manual. My bike so far has been simple, just learn the procedure. Make sure the neighbors baby is not napping, this thing sounds like a .50 cal at the cyclic rate. As for the weight of the bike, they say 231 lbs. as far as I can tell it does not ride heavy. Keep the throttle on for takeoff, that pesky compression will pitch you forward the first chance it gets. If you are just starting out or want to upgrade, give the yz426f some thought. The smooth power is easy to manage for a first timer or it will scream like a scalded ape in experienced hands, and the bike is bullet proof. Happy landings. Show less

I JUST BOUGHT A 2001 YZ426F! I have always riden a yz250! The 426F has more power than the YZ250! AT first iwas kind of sceptcal about buying it but they let me test ride it before i bought it ,and the whole time i rode it all i could do is smile!!!!My advise two anyone who is riding a two stroke to is to give the 426F A chance and you will be very impressed!!!!! If anyone has any questions just E-MAIL me and i will help you all i can!!!!! Show less

I've been a two-stroke junkie for 20 years. I have had CRs, RMs, KXs, you name it I've had and raced them all. don't get me wrong, I loved everyone of these bikes and I am not writing these off. I kept on hearing about the YZ 426F and how awesome this four-stroke bike is and that it outperforms the 2 strokes. I had to experience this to believe it, sure enough; I did and I have to tell you I was so taken over by how flawless the bike ran that I purchased a 2001 YZ 426F. Everything on the bike is maintenance free and no pre-mixing all you have to do is gas it up and go. Remember guys always wear your safety equipment and enjoy. Show less

My friend just purchased one of these babies. (We have nicknamed TAZ.) I have ridden bikes for over 20 years and this one is the dream bike I would create if given the chance. Great low end through top end power. The only thing I would change is how hard it is to start. You "have to get the hang of it" to get it going without killing yourself (your leg to be exact). Overall excellent ride and a bike to grow into. Show less