No trendy motocross bike generates such numerous reactions because the Yamaha YZ450F. Some find it irresistible, others find it irresistible quite a bit. There are some dissenting votes within the combine as properly, even amongst current teammates on the Monster Power Star Yamaha racing staff. Final 12 months Eli Tomac was a real believer, whereas Dylan Ferrandis listed it as the first cause he left the staff. Tomac, it ought to be identified, rode the bike completely in Supercross, whereas Ferrandis virtually completely rode open air. Might the bike be that completely different within the two settings? Possibly. Even amongst Dust Bike’s most seasoned check riders there are wildly numerous opinions.
The usual model of the YZ450F sells for $9999. The Monster Power Version sells for $10,199.
FINISHING THE JOB
The Yamaha YZ450F was the topic of a mega redesign in 2023. The engine and chassis have been revised, and the underside line was a a lot lighter, extra agile machine. The broad ideas remained intact; the motor retained its reverse, rearwardtilting cylinder head, and the chassis was as soon as once more wrapped round that design with a high-boy airbox and mid-frame gasoline tank. Every little thing was new, and it was mentioned that only some half numbers have been carried over from the earlier 12 months.
Then, Yamaha turned its consideration to the 250 in 2024. It received the very same remedy within the chassis division, whereas the 450 was unchanged. Now, the 450 is again within the crosshairs with refined revisions. The motor obtained a number of further oil passages within the clutch internal hub. The chassis received new linkage, adjustments to suspension valving and a lighter rear shock spring (from 5.8N/mm to five.6). The decrease motor mounts have been additionally altered. Beforehand, two motor mounts have been sandwiched collectively. Now, they’re single width and have a barely completely different form. Different adjustments are very detailoriented, issues like a beveled space on the footpeg mount, a brand new throttle tube and so forth. Basically, it’s been the identical bike since 2023 when it misplaced weight and had a serious persona transplant. Our 2025 check bike weighs in at 232 kilos with out gasoline, which positions it because the lightest Japanese 450 and solely 3 kilos heavier than the Husqvarna FC450 we examined final month.
IT’S GOT PERSONALITY
That persona is in the beginning outlined by horsepower. The YZ450F makes a ton of energy and isn’t precisely refined in its supply. You twist the throttle, and it strikes out arduous and quick. Most riders find it irresistible for that cause alone. Although we all know that few riders can use that type of energy successfully, all of us like the texture and the reward. It’s an exhilarating bike to experience. These of us who run out of expertise earlier than the YZ runs out of energy usually need to tame it down by the usage of Yamaha’s Energy Tuner. That is the smartphone app that Yamaha launched 4 years in the past to the delight of hardcore engine tuners. For weekend riders—i.e., the riders who wanted it most to relax the bike’s manners—the unique Energy Tuner was too tough to make use of. You might change parameters simply, however there have been no pointers on the outcomes you must anticipate from these adjustments. Now, it nonetheless permits intricate tuning by adjustments in gasoline combination and ignition advance at completely different rpm and throttle openings for the hardcore guys, however there’s additionally a dumbed-down thumb slider to go from easy to aggressive. It’s also possible to alter traction management and launch management on the app. The handlebar change allows you to swap between any two maps on the fly. Weirdly, there’s no devoted button for turning traction management on or off. You do have one for launch management.
The one downside with that slider is that it doesn’t differentiate between high finish, midrange or low finish. If you’d like extra particular management, the Energy Tuner app has three preloaded recipes: Easy Linear, Onerous-Hitting and Linear Torque. You may truly see these formulation represented on a chart. For essentially the most half, we selected Easy Linear and left it there. The chances are countless, and there’s a wholesome neighborhood of Yamaha riders who freely share maps for various functions. One instance is Mammoth Mountain MX, the place the observe elevation is 8000 ft MSL. Boards like ThumperTalk, Important, and Reddit have maps galore for that location and others. Although the Mikuni fuel-injection system has sensors to compensate for air density, there’s a lot to be mentioned for actual individuals who have executed real-world testing.
VERSATILITY
In case you just like the inventory energy supply, high quality. If you wish to calm it down, high quality. Regardless of who you’re, you may tailor the YZ motor to your liking. It seems that it’s a lot simpler to take efficiency away from a quick bike than add it to a sluggish one. Most riders like the way in which the Yamaha handles as properly, however it’s essential to perceive that the brand new YZ isn’t just like the ultra-stable Yamahas within the previous days. It has very fast, responsive steering. That’s been a pattern throughout all makes and fashions in recent times. We chalk it as much as Supercross affect. The Yamaha continues to be very steady in a straight line, however when you chop the throttle and lean over, the entrance wheel isn’t as planted because the YZs of previous years. The answer, as opposite because it sounds, is extra throttle. Regardless of the faster steering, the YZ nonetheless likes you to be aggressive in turns and “steer with the rear.” It’s a troublesome mixture to get used to, however when you get it, you get it. Now we have discovered that almost all riders like to slip the fork tubes down within the triple clamps; 3mm makes a giant distinction. That raises the entrance finish of the bike simply sufficient to extend stability. This isn’t fairly the identical as operating much less preload on the shock, as a result of that compromises suspension motion barely, and suspension stays the Yamaha’s biggest asset.
The suspension adjustments for 2024 are geared toward making the bike extra degree as you enter turns. It’s transfer, and the YZ will most likely be the general suspension champion as soon as once more. The rougher the observe, the higher the suspension works. Have in mind, although, that the YZ is designed with elite riders in thoughts. In case you’re a 40-something intermediate and also you anticipate the YZ to ship a luxurious experience in your over-prepped Saturday follow observe, you is likely to be dissatisfied. Different bikes are cushier when the bumps are small and the landings are easy. Our recommendation is to come back again on the finish of the day. The Yamaha loves crummy situations.
ROUTINE EXCELLENCE
We nonetheless love lots of the adjustments that got here in 2023. Tops on the listing is the structure. The YZ450F is a really snug bike. Gone are the times when most riders discovered it cramped and thick. There are solely delicate complaints from brief riders. They love the bike as soon as they’re transferring, however when stopped, the seat peak is a bit extreme. Different objects that everybody likes embrace all of the controls, the brakes and the clutch. Sure, that’s proper, even the clutch, which nonetheless has an old school cable. Tomac loves cables. As a aspect be aware, Yamaha does supply a hydraulic clutch as an adjunct and, for us, it’s wonderful. The pull is lighter, the actuation is constant and it by no means fades. Tomac is solely a special type of human.
For a lot of riders, the Yamaha YZ450F has no actual weak spot. It’s extremely quick, the suspension is excellent, it’s gentle and it’s dependable. As soon as upon a time, that mixture of property would have made it unbeatable. Right now, nonetheless, we dwell in an age of on a regular basis miracles. The sector of excellent 450 motocross bikes is deep and getting deeper as extra gamers come to the desk. Yamaha will as soon as once more have its arms full, staking a declare on the high of the category. It’s a good time to be a motocross fan.
