Cycle News Staff | June 12, 2017
2018 Yamaha YZ450F First Look – Yamaha has introduced an all-new YZ450F motocrosser for 2018. Everything is new: the engine, chassis, bodywork, and even tuning technology, according to Yamaha.
2018 Yamaha YZ450F First Look
For starters, the 2018 YZ450F gets an electric starter like its off-road brother, the YZ450FX. Unlike the FX’s starting system, however, the starter motor is positioned behind the cylinder rather than in front.
As for the YZ’s 449cc liquid-cooled DOHC, four-stroke engine, Yamaha says that its been completely reworked for 2018, claiming it has better controllability at low-to-mid rpm, stronger and longer pulling power at high rpm, smoother clutch engagement and, of course, quicker and easier starting. The cylinder head, camshafts, piston, exhaust pipe, muffler, ignition coil, and even the spark plug are all new. It even has a new throttle body. It’s been changed from a Keihin to a Mikuni. The new 44mm throttle body with 12 injectors features a new push-type knob cold-start system and compact Throttle Position Sensor (TPS).
Clutch has also been modified for smoother engagement, and in the five-speed transmission, second through fourth gears have been beefed up.
A new chassis has resulted in more connected and predictable traction, lightweight nimble handling and improved stability and impact absorption, according to Yamaha.
Yamaha says the bilateral beam aluminum frame is completely new, most notably are the new extruded straight tank rails, which replace the hydroformed “S” pipe. Also, the engine is hung differently in the frame—the cylinder incline, compared to the previous model, is more upright by two degrees. In addition, the upper engine bracket has been moved to the rear of the head and the material has been changed from steel to aluminum.
The frame’s layout is radically changed, which includes the dimensions of the steering pipe, triple clamps and handlebar mounts. The steering pipe position has been moved 6mm forward, triple-clamp offset has changed from 22mm from 25mm, and the handlebar mounting position is 5mm higher.
Seating and ride position is much flatter and lower than before. It’s 8mm lower in the saddle and 19mm lower at the rear fender. Handlebars are lighter but stronger, and the new blue rims are lighter, as well.
The KYB suspension has been refined, which includes a stiffer spring in the back, from 56 to 58 N/mm.
Much work went into making the new YZ feel slimmer and, as a result, it gets all-new bodywork. The airbox’s air ducts are now integrated with the shroud and uses a flat-type filter element.
Tank width has been narrowed by 16mm at the front section, which comes at a slight loss of fuel capacity. It’s gone from 1.9 to 1.6 gallons. The tank/seat junction is 18mm narrower.
Overall weight remains close to what it was before at 245 pounds (claimed).
Yamaha now offers a “tune and moto” Power Tuner App, so you can now tune the YZ via your smartphone. Via wireless connection, you can tune fuel and ignition, and log race settings. There are also trip and maintenance features, monitor functions and diagnostic codes. It also has share capability.
The YZ450F will again be offered in two colors—Team Yamaha Blue and White, and MSRP is $9199 for both.
2018 Yamaha YZ450F First Look
From Yamaha:
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, today unveiled an entirely reimagined 2018 YZ450F with electric start featuring the world’s first smartphone engine tuning app on a production motocross bike. An all-new engine, new frame, new bodywork and more are also major focal points of the extensive model redesign.
“The 2018 YZ450F with all-new technology, power and performance connects YZ riders to their bikes like never before and will launch Yamaha riders into the victory zone when bikes hit dealers in July,” said Mike Doughty, Yamaha’s General Manager of Motorcycle Operations. “With the all-new design and performance features of the 2018 model, the YZ450F enters a new era of advanced racing technology that brings the ultimate balance of power, confidence and customization to Yamaha riders.”
The 2018 YZ450F utilizes an all-new engine design that features a new cylinder head, piston, cam shaft profiles, cylinder geometry and more – all working together to deliver class leading power, with even more controllability. Its bilateral beam frame is all-new with an optimized engine mounting position to improve the machine’s rigidity balance, improving cornering ability, and traction
WORLD’S FIRST PRODUCTION POWER TUNER APP
The 2018 YZ450F is the world’s first production motocross bike with a wireless smartphone based engine tuner. The all-new Yamaha Power Tuner iOS and Android App and communication control unit connects the rider with the bike like never before. The new Yamaha Power Tuner App can make fuel and ignition mapping changes – uploaded wirelessly to the bike via the onboard Wi-Fi system – for the ultimate in track-side tuning. A “Log” function allows you to make notes about your riding location, conditions, bike settings and more, giving you a baseline for future rides. The app can also monitor a range of information such as RPM, throttle position, engine coolant temperature and more. There is also a maintenance function with customizable trip meters to monitor run times for items you decide.
The new Yamaha Power Tuner App released with the 2018 YZ450F makes it possible to modify engine mapping in even greater detail than before. It also allows users to share settings among their team or with friends (along with other information) thus evolving the system into a tool that helps facilitate communication.
ALL-NEW ELECTRIC START
Utilizing a compact starter motor and ultra-lightweight lithium-ion battery, the 2018 YZ450F brings the convenience of push-button starting to the racetrack for effortless restarts under pressure and relaxed riding when the clock isn’t ticking. Powered by a high-capacity and ultra-lightweight lithium-ion battery, the system adds minimal weight.
NEW ENGINE
For 2018, Yamaha has refined its distinct rearward-slanted cylinder design for the YZ450F engine – complete with a rear exhaust and forward-mounted downdraft intake system. The all-new cylinder head is lighter and the cylinder slant is more upright to work with the bike’s updated frame for optimized front weight distribution. Inside, the engine features new cam shaft profiles, a new crankshaft, a stronger high-compression “box bridge” piston design with a DLC-coated (Diamond-like Carbon) piston pin, and now breathes through a new 44mm Mikuni throttle body. Together, these updates give the rider an ideal balance of 450cc class power with exceptional control and response.
The transmission and clutch have been overhauled for a more direct connection as well as enhanced durability. Revised gears with a wider surface area, updated clutch plates and a stiffer outer pressure plate all combine to boost controllability and durability.
The YZ450F radiators and exhaust have also been modified for improved performance and weight distribution. The updated radiators are larger and angled more directly in the incoming air stream for improved cooling under the most demanding race conditions. The innovative wraparound exhaust pipe design improves mass concentration and improves power development, with revised geometry for 2018. This layout moves the rear end of the exhaust pipe farther forward and enables a muffler position close to the center of the mass.
Returning for the 2018 model, Yamaha’s Launch Control System (LCS) is integrated into the YZ450F for optimized engine output that results in a quicker, smoother race start, boosting controllability out of the gate and ensuring the rider has the best chance to get the holeshot and lead the competition into the first turn.
NEW FRAME AND OPTIMIZED ERGONOMICS
The all-new compact bilateral beam frame of the YZ further refines the instinctive handling. Redesigned upper frame bracing, rear frame spars and all new engine mounts centralize mass and increase rigidity on lateral, horizontal and vertical axis to provide an ideal balance between cornering feel and straight-line rigidity. Simply, the new frame was designed to improve contact to the ground and provide the best possible balance of stiffness for bump absorption, and effortless cornering.
Surrounding this fully redesigned chassis, the 2018 YZ450F features a new lighter, compact body from tip to tail. The radiator shrouds incorporate a new air duct with a concave shape that not only improves styling, but is also narrower for better knee grip and overall rider movement. The seat height has been reduced by 8mm towards the front and almost 20mm lower at the tail end, giving the rider better maneuverability on the bike.
EASILY TUNED KYB COIL SPRING SUSPENSION
The industry-leading, fully adjustable KYB coil spring-type fork with speed sensitive damping provides exceptional balance between handling and bump absorption for race-winning performance. The KYB shock boasts new damping characteristics to match the new chassis. The reservoir has been increased 30cc to increase damping control during long motos.
Available in either Team Yamaha Blue or White color schemes, complete with the onboard Communication Control Unit (CCU) and the Yamaha Smartphone Power Tuner App, the all-new 2018 YZ450F will arrive at Yamaha dealers starting in August 2017 with a MSRP of $9,199.
More information on the 2018 YZ450F and all Yamaha motocross models can be found at www.yamahamotorsports.com/motocross.
To find out more about Yamaha’s bLU cRU rider support program, as well as demo opportunities and riding schools, click here.
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2018 Yamaha YZ450F First Look
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE TYPE: 449cc liquid-cooled DOHC 4-stroke, 4 titanium valves
BORE & STROKE: 97.0mm x 60.8mm
COMPRESSION RATIO: 12.8:1
FUEL DELIVERY: Mikuni fuel injection, 44mm
IGNITION: TCI
TRANSMISSION: Constant-mesh 5-speed, multiplate wet clutch
FINAL DRIVE: Chain
FRONT SUSPENSION: KYB Speed-Sensitive System inverted fork, fully adjustable
REAR SUSPENSION: KYB single shock, fully adjustable
FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: 12.2 in.
REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: 12.5 in.
FRONT BRAKE: Hydraulic disc, 270mm
REAR BRAKE: Hydraulic disc, 245mm
FRONT TIRE: 80/100-21 Dunlop MX3S
REAR TIRE: 80/100-19 in. Dunlop MX3S
SEAT HEIGHT: 38.6 in.
WHEELBASE: 58.5 in.
RAKE: 27.33°
TRAIL: 4.7 in.
GROUND CLEARANCE: 13.0 in.
FUEL CAPACITY: 1.6 gal.
WET WEIGHT: 245 lbs.
WARRANTY: 30 Day (Limited Factory Warranty)
COLOR: Team Yamaha Blue, White
MSRP: $9199
2018 Yamaha YZ450F First Look
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