2017 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: Motocross

The 2017 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards will recognise excellence across 11 separate categories, after which we'll shortlist three finalists and then announce the outright winner on Friday, November 24 at the Sydney Motorcycle Show.

This time out we announce the winner of the Motocross category, and that bike is the Yamaha YZ450F.

The last major shake-up for the YZ450F was back in 2014, but the 2018 model lifts technical firsts to a new level. The biggest advance is the new Wi-Fi tuning App, which can be downloaded for free and lets the rider adjust the bike's fuel and ignition settings from their own personal device rather than the setting tool previously sold by Yamaha.

It’s not only the App that makes the electric-start 2018 YZ450F special though, as there have been a raft of major changes including a lighter engine with new cam profiles and a new crankshaft, as well as a 44mm Mikuni throttle body.

The transmission and clutch have also been overhauled for a "more direct connection", while the frame has been altered to allow more flex and force.

Without a shadow of doubt, the 2018 YZ450F is a much friendlier proposition. The new chassis absorbs everything you can could throw at it, and holds a brilliant line. It's the most versatile 450cc Yamaha yet, and we reckon that all grades and sizes of Yamaha riders will not only be faster with the new tackle, but that will be doing it easier and for longer.

Congratulations Yamaha.

Honourable mention: Honda CRF450R
Honda’s gave its 2017 CRF450R motocrosser a massive overhaul, which delivered an 11 per cent increase in power, a lower centre of gravity, a slimmer body and a shorter wheelbase. Incorporating Honda’s UniCam design, the 449cc unit is smooth right off the bottom, and it resists typical low-speed jerkiness common among 450s. That means you can carry a higher gear through slow corners and still pull away effortlessly. There is a smooth transition into middling and upper revs and the modulation and feel in throttle response is superb; not too reactive but never delayed. As modern 450s go, the CRF450R has to be one of the most user-friendly yet deceptively quick options on the market.

Honourable mention: Husqvarna FC450
The 2017 FC 450 received some schmick technology such as traction control, the choice of two ignition maps and the lighter WP AER air forks, while chassis updates included a new triple clamp. It's fast, nimble, light and well suspended, which is a recipe that all riders can enjoy.