see now before i get going here, everyone understand what im stating is MY OPINION, so dont hate me for it
This is how i judge the latest 450 class from experience both riding on and with the machines
Suzuki - Best out of the box race quad, not good for much else with the stock setup
Kawasaki - Best all around 450 sportster due to the FI and the overall setup+ the reverse
Honda - WORST in reliability, i have shop slips to prove it, severaly underpowered when compared to the other ones, bad frame geometry which translates into a choppy ride
Yamaha - Good quads, but far from what DW's says, in the real world these quads are made to buy-build-race, for everyday riding and endurance riding the YFZ's require alot of stupid little mods, things Yamaha shouldve taken care of on the 06-07 redesign <This comes from ThumperTalk, those men are geniouses
This is my opinion, i know somebody who has one of each of these quads and the Suzuki and Kawasaki are the best in my eyes, and I'll take a YFZ over a TRX anyday of the week. so this is personal opinion from experience i guess you kould say. I was VERY disappointed when i read the DW write up.