By Danny Brault

Just over two weeks ago, my boss Jason Griffiths hollered from across the desk, “Do you want to go to California?” I didn’t know what to say—I was interested in this journey, but I was curious in its purpose because we hadn’t discussed any stories involving a trip to my absolute dream world. So I replied, “Uh, sure … but what for?”

Long story short: Yamaha Canada didn’t have a 2006 YZ450F for a press launch because it was stolen at a plowing match in Sarnia and there would have been snow on the ground when Japan finally sent over a few new models. So, the blue boys from Canada decided to send Racer X Canada down to Hesperia, California (two hours south of LA, near San Bernardino) to ride the new Yamaha models. Few things in life irk me more than a stolen motorcycle, but this time it somehow indirectly benefited me, giving me the opportunity to ride in California. Cool.

I left last Tuesday from Toronto airport at 9:40 a.m. I don’t fly much. In total, I’ve been crammed into the coach seat of an airplane three times; so I don’t have the routine down too well. My first boo-boo was when my cell phone rang while I was walking through customs, I answered it—big mistake. Right away the customs officer yipped at me and I hung up ... quickly. 

I arrived at LAX airport in the late afternoon (dinner time back home) and was picked up by Yamaha Canada’s marketing guru Bryan Hudgin. On our two hour tour in the super cool convertible Hudgin rented, we discovered that we had some friends in common. From this past April to October, I lived with two girls (yeah, lucky me) and the owner of the home, Michelle, was in a very serious relationship with Bryan's best bud Jason. Small world, eh? Following a discussion on our love for country music, and old concert memories, we arrived at the Holiday Inn at Hesperia, CA. The next morning I woke up just after 6:00 a.m. I couldn’t wait! After riding the brutally powerful 2003 YZ450F for a very long and difficult season, I had a feeling the totally redesigned ’06 YZ450F would be the cat’s behind.

Just pulling into the Competitive Edge track, I knew that this would be quite an experieince. I could see rollings hills, wide and fast corners and big, but safe looking tabletops. Yamaha Motor USA had a trick looking fun mover that was painted up like a factory semi. In front of it was a cube, all surrounded by at least ten spanking new YZFs. I was in heaven. “This here is your bike for the day,” said one of the Yamaha techs in a collared shirt. “We’ll set the sag first, and then you can pound a moto and then we’ll make suspension adjustments,” he added. His name was Jonathan, a good guy and a good rider as well. At the end of the day, he kept me honest for a short moto.

I was a little nervous heading out onto the track. Sitting on the sidelines was Pingree, Doug Dubach, Casey Johnson, Craig Decker and a few tech guys. I’m not sure why, but when I ride with really fast guys, I start thinking "I can’t &@#* up." Actually I do know why, I do have a nasty habit of attracting mayhem when under pressure. When I borrowed Davey Coombs' bike for Steel City, I turned the muffler into an artist's rendition of a badly bent stove pipe in only a few laps. Luckily I didn’t have a relapse for this trip--except for the first time I tried this 80 foot table and I overshot it by a good 20 feet; pretty much a flat land. That may sound bad, but actually, since I’m only 145 pounds, I barely make the suspension work on a stock 450.

Within a few seconds of riding the bike, I knew it wasn’t comparable to the previous tank-like YZ 450Fs; it was its own bike. The ’06 YZ 450F now has a "sit in" feel and turns quite well thanks to the redesigned aluminum frame. The power is rideable (like the Honda 450) but still has a super broad and torquey pull and the biggest shocker--it feels relatively light. I wouldn’t say the new Yamaha handles quite as well as the CRF 450R, but it’s competitive. However, the Yamaha suspension is too stiff for me; Ping said that I could probably go down two spring rates for my weight. The stock shock spring is 5.5 (it was 5.3 in ’04) and the forks are .47 (was .46). So if I had spring rates more suited to my weight, the handling might be right there at the top of the class.

Oil is no longer held in the frame of the YZFs as it was moved to a cradle under the front of the engine. This helps to lower the centre of gravity and creates a more balanced feel. The engine and components are now situated lower in the Yamaha, again helping to balance the bike better and improve handling. New forks (with reduced friction) and a titanium rear shock compliment the handling improvements. Coesmetically, the new YZF line looks factory. From its Pro Taper handlebars, to it's sharp aluminum frame, to the new clean plastic design, the blue thumpers will definitely be the coolest looking bikes on the circuit this year. Overall the ’06 YZ450F is a solid bike. It feels lighter, it pulls just as hard as the previous fire breathers but the power delivery is more rider friendly.

Following the afternoon riding session, a few big white rigs pulled into the supercross track just north of us. Curiosity got the best of me, and I drove to the fence line to see who was riding. It was Team Honda: Jeremy McGrath (250), Travis Preston and Ernesto Fonseca (450s) and Davi Millsaps and Jake Weimer (250Fs). Definitely a different atmosphere out here in SoCal.

My day concluded around 4 p.m. and Bryan and I shook hands with the men in blue and headed back to the hotel. I was exhausted and hit the hay around 9 o'clock, to be ready to head to the airport at 6 a.m.

Since it was my first trip to California, I was secretly hoping I could do some sight-seeing and star-gazing while I busted out 40 minute motos on a YZ450F. Sadly, there was never any free time to socialize with my boys 50 Cent, Nick Lachey or rekindle my love affair with Paris Hilton. (Don’t ask her about it, she will lie and say she has no idea who I am.)

A big thanks goes out to Yamaha Canada and Bryan Hudgin, the U.S. Yamaha tech support, and my co-workers for allowing me to eascape the craziness of the office for a few days.