04' YFZ- pros and cons

[Blue_Streak23]

My bro is looking at buying a close to stock 2004 YFZ! CAn you tell me some pros and cons of this model? What are some mods with the biggest "bang for the buck"? If you have one for sale PM me.

[4TraxRider]

Some of them had battery charging problems. Mine did, but warrenty covered it. The swingarms are a little on the weak side for mx and super agressive riding but they are really nice bikes. Put on a decent slip-on, rejet and do the cam-mod. It really wakes it up. Good luck with the new bike.

[Blue_Streak23]

Originally posted by 4TraxRider
Some of them had battery charging problems. Mine did, but warrenty covered it. The swingarms are a little on the weak side for mx and super agressive riding but they are really nice bikes. Put on a decent slip-on, rejet and do the cam-mod. It really wakes it up. Good luck with the new bike.

Thanks. :D Also I have heard about the battery problems. Do you know what the repairs where to fix the problem? How well did they work?

[hoser 400ex]

most of the problems came when removing the headlights. then SOME yfzs would have charging problems. i say some because i have had mine removed for 2 years with no problems same with my buddies. others that remove them have alot of trouble. then you just need to get a resistor kit from yamaha.

[Blue_Streak23]

Do the battery problems only happen when removing the head lights? Also how much does a resistor kit cost?

[Splatter Matter]

most of the time yes
about 60$

[Blue_Streak23]

Do you know of any other problems with the 04-06 YFZ's?

[boot46]

sent you a pm

[lafinrat]

decompressor plug pops out of the head on '04. there's a cheap little aluminum plug available to fix the prob. don't wait til it pops out to replace it. trust me

[Legal250R]

I bought my first in January of 04. I killed a battery pretty quickly (due to my improperly charging it after I ran it down) but replaced it with a Honda 400EX battery and ran the lights all the time with no further problems. I lost a decompression plug. I broke a rear bearing carrier. The stock a-arm bushings wear out quickly but a set of Helm bushings will last forever. The stock suspension is great for MX but too stiff for casual riding. My quad was raced from day one and is still going strong after probably 35 or more cross country races and at least 100 hours of trail riding. I replaced the top end this winter and it runs like new. Change the oil and clean the airfilter regularly and the quads are as tough as nails. I was so impressed with the durability and performance of my 04 that I bought a fully built 05 YFZ to race this season. Good luck.

[boot46]

Check your pm box. The post above is spot on!

[Blue_Streak23]

Thanks for the replies everyone! "Boot46" I have checked my PM's, ant sent you another one.

[DieselBoy]

the decompresson plug is news to me ive never heard of this before what causes this to happen? that really blows nuts

[boot46]

chek your pm

[Pitmom]

decompressor plug pops out of the head on '04.

This happened to my YFZ450 in Glamis over Christmas week. My son comes in from riding all covered in oil...what a mess. Spent hours looking for a leak. We had NO idea what happened, luckily our Kasea Mechanic was a couple washes over, so got him to help (we call him McGyver) (I was there alone with my 4 kids, hubby had to go home for work) and we compared a new 450 to my 04 and saw that the new bikes have closed that off permanently. No parts to fix it. Had some JB quick weld, put in a piece of foil as a stop, then put the weld in, (hint, get your finger wet with spit, and you can mold it nice and smooth) smooth it out and ready to go.

We did get the new plugs for our other 2 450's, but worried those will pop out also. Keeping jb on hand!

[Pitmom]

Also wondering what caused it...thinking it was from possibly over reving? My son said the bike was running great, he hit a jump and came down and his brother had to stop him and tell him oil was everywhere. Bike ran ok, (of course lost oil) but unless you look down and notice all the oil everywhere, you might not know it until too late.

[DieselBoy]

i hope it's not that common, im looking for one and a 2004 is probably gonna have to do..... :eek:

[Honda400exrox]

Originally posted by DieselBoy
i hope it's not that common, im looking for one and a 2004 is probably gonna have to do..... :eek:


Im looking for a 04 yfz as well, but why not just buy a decompression plug from thumpertalk and put it in?

[DieselBoy]

dont like pullin the engine apart if i dont have to.