The Best Upgrades to YFZ450

The Yamaha YFZ450 was introduced in 2003 as a high-performance sport ATV with a lightweight four-stroke engine. The race ready ATV performs well from the factory, but enthusiasts looking for more performance will find a wealth of upgrades from graphics to engine components. The best upgrades will improve the ATV's performance while also maintaining the rider's safety.

  1. Kill Switch

    • Safety is a big concern whether you are racing or trail riding your YFZ450. Although the YFZ450 comes with many safety features, a few upgrades will greatly benefit the rider. A tether kill switch should be on your list of upgrades to ensure the motor shuts off in case you are thrown from the ATV. Pro Design kill switch kits come in several colors to match your ATV color and retail for about $25 as of 2011. The majority of racetracks and riding areas now require all ATVs to have a tether kill switch.

    Nerf Bars

    • The YFZ450 come standard with small rear nerf bars, which keep the riders' feet from slipping off the foot pegs into the rear wheels. Aftermarket nerf bars offer the rider more protection and stability with a perimeter aluminum frame around the pegs and woven netting. Various manufactures have slightly different designs with a few replacing the foot peg with a large sturdier peg, which fit ATV racing boots. AC Racing, Yamaha GYTR and DG Racing all sell direct bolt-on nerf bars with or without new foot pegs and the buyer chooses the color netting.

    Exhaust

    • Yamaha's YFZ450 comes from the factory with a mildly tuned spark-arrestor exhaust system. It is designed for legal use on state and national park trails while not hindering on performance. Owners of the YFZ450 can make large power gains buy replacing the stock exhaust with and aftermarket upgrade. The exhaust is made up of two parts, the muffler and header pipe which can be replaced entirely or separately. Yoshimura, FMF and Dubach make the most popular aftermarket exhaust systems that are simple to install and will dramatically improve the ATV's peak horsepower.

    Tires

    • The stock tires and a Yamaha YFZ450 are designed for all-around functionality. Riders can gain stability and grip by replacing the stock tires to a model suited toward their riding application, whether it be racing, trail riding or mud bogging. ITP and Maxxis manufactures lines of tires that will suit most riders' needs, including the ITP Holeshot and Maxxis Razr, which are designed for racing and trail riding.