Hey choadium, how different is the DS's power vs. the LTR's was? I was just wondering because I'm getting a new quad soon and I'm lowered my choices from 7 450's to the LTR and DS and I was just wondering how they stack up against each other and does the DS have a lot of leg room cause I'm 6" foot tall and growing and need room. I'm sorry to interupt your thread kawabunga just needed to ask some questions.
if you are going to buy a new quad wait for the 09 yfz. it is going to be good. read this
Code:
Grayson man to help design new 4-wheeler for Yamaha
A Grayson County man has been dubbed to help Yamaha design the frame and suspension for some of their 2009 series four-wheelers.
Yamaha California and Japan have enlisted the help of Rocky Ridge Racing owner Kenny Cornwell to help with their 2009 Yamaha YFZ 450 four wheeler.
Cornwell, who is a Leitchfield resident, was asked to build an aluminum frame and better suspension on Yamaha's bike for seven-time national champion Bill Balance.
The first prototype was built in January 2007. Cornwell and Balance tossed ideas back and forth on what would work best for the bike. Plans were for a new modified frame, suspension, better travel, front rear, and also improved ride height.
Two engineers from Japan and two from California flew in for a meeting to discuss plans for the bike. "It took five hours to discuss and explain to the engineers what we were trying to do," said Cornwell. "The funny thing is that I still don't think they fully understand what we were talking about."
The bike was then sent to Balance motocross park in Bowling Green. The park is located just off of 31W in Bowling Green. "Two Japanese riders and engineers were flown in to test the bike," explained Cornwell. "Yamaha approved the bike for research and development purposes."
The bike was then shipped to California for further testing. It is now in Japan undergoing further testing. "Yamaha California plant didn't want to let the bike go, they loved it," said Cornwell. "That bike was put through the paces, they were trying to break it down."
He said it didn't fail testing. It took six weeks to design and engineer the bike, then 80-100 man hours to build it. They made four bikes total for Bill Balance to use for racing purposes.
"The other guys racing against Bill knew the bike wasn't production," explained Cornwell. "They protested it but AMA threw the complaint out, Yamaha had already recieved approval through AMA to race."
Cornwell said he and Balance talk on a weekly basis. He said Balance was really good at setting up changes on bikes and giving feedback on how a bike is doing.
Balance has been a factory Yamaha rider for three years. Cornwell said the bike will be available to public in September 2008. "Depending on production time, limited quantities may be only available at first," explained Cornwell. "It will have in 2007 a new frame, new motor and be fuel injected."
He estimates the cost of the bike to be any where from $7,000-8,000. As for Balance's prototype bike. "He has a six to eight point lead this season," said Cornwell. "He is going for his eighth championship, which is unheard of, he took second place last year."
Cornwell himself talked of possibly returning to the sport competitively in the future. He has been involved with racing all of his life. He won three national championships in 1997.
Then he came back in 2000 and won two more national championships.
"Yamaha Race team approached me about being their team coordinator for them," said Cornwell. "I told them thanks but no thanks, I am settled with my two young kids and want to spend time with them."
By Missy Mudd
Reporter