Quick Ride: 2026 Yamaha YZ450F...Best 450F?

Quick ride on my buddy Dave's 2026 Yamaha YZ450F (Thanks Dave!). The engine still stands out on this bike! Super quick revving (almost 2-stroke like) with a very free feel (little engine braking) even at high RPM's. Yamaha updated the chassis and suspension for more compliance and stability at speed, and made the power smoother all to make the 26 YZ450F easier to ride longer. After a few sessions on the 26 YZ450F the chassis does feel a little more compliant, the suspension is plush (especially after I opened the front and rear compression a few clicks softer), and the engine while a little smoother is still a BEAST (even with Yamaha's Soft map - I think the engine power can be dialed back further). All the updates are noticeable but do not obsolete a well dialed 25 YZ450F. Yamaha is so good at refining their bikes!