2023 Yamaha YZ450F Launch Review

If racing results were a strict pre-cursor to success in the showroom, Yamaha would be pretty well wiping the floor with its motocross competitors right now.

The Japanese manufacturer has been one to beat on circuit, wrapping up numerous AMA motocross and supercross titles in the US and dominating the 2023 MXoN classes, not to mention several Australian motocross titles under the CDR Yamaha Racing umbrella.

Now, Yamaha is hoping to turn its racing success to production sales with the release of the 2023 Yamaha YZ450F. Available in Australia from December 2022, the new YZ is slimmer, lighter and faster than before. It is priced at $14,499 ride away.

We recently attended the national launch at the epic Ride Park motocross facility in Victoria. Let’s get to it.

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Yamaha seemingly left no stone unturned with the 2023 Yamaha YZ450F.

We’ll lead with the engine since it boasts the biggest overhaul. It still employs the reverse cylinder concept that Yamaha introduced in 2010, but with a heap of weight carved out of it.

In terms of strict numbers, Yamaha claims the engine is 1.37kg lighter yet boasts a 5 per cent increase in overall power, plus a 500rpm higher rev ceiling. That might sound like a recipe for a more aggressive motorcycle, but the real-world translation isn’t what you’d expect. More on that shortly…

Elsewhere the engine scores dry sump lubrication, new exhaust and intake port shapes, a new crankshaft and balance assembly, larger diameter titanium intake valves and a new piston and cylinder.

The engine is matched to an updated five-speed transmission and a new conical spring cable clutch system (yes, Yamaha is still persisting with the cable clutch… but it is offering an optional GYTR hydraulic clutch from its accessories catalogue). The new clutch ditches the old-school multi-spring design for a single cone spring which is lighter and more compact.

The air intake is now set 15mm lower and measures 400 grams lighter, with a new air filter design offering increased airflow, and no more inner ducts to feed the air box – paring back the total width at the shrouds by a mammoth 50mm.

The riding position is more spread out, too. The footpegs are 5mm lower and 5mm rearward, while the seat is 5mm higher and 15mm flatter than before. Those dimensions, combined with a narrower tank, make the YZ noticeably flatter, slimmer and open – a positive portent for shorter and taller riders alike.

Gearing is the same as before – 13/49 – but Yamaha has taken the opportunity to revisit the traction control and launch control systems. Three levels of traction control can be selected – high, low and off – while the updated launch control can be adjusted in 500rpm increments between 6000rpm and 11,000rpm.

Both systems are controlled through Yamaha’s smartphone-based Power Tuner App, which also offers a lap timer that is activated by existing handlebar switchgear but stored on your phone, and tuning guides for the engine and suspension. In our opinion, Yami is leading the pack where this level of integration is concerned.

The engine is shrouded by a completely redesigned aluminium bilateral beam frame composed of 10 pieces welded together, promising greater torsional rigidity yet enough flex for optimum stability and cornering performance.

All told, the physical changes are aimed at making the 2023 Yamaha YZ450F lighter and easier to ride. Engineers struck success on the former, with the new model tipping the scales at 108.9kg fully wet.

While they were at it, it seems Yamaha has addressed some longstanding gripes over manoeuvrability and even the predecessor’s loud airbox induction noise.

Given Yamaha already has a reputation for good suspension, most will be pleased to hear the venerable KYB Speed Sensitive System (SSS) 48mm coil-spring fork and KYB shock carry through relatively unchanged. The forks now feature a new hand-operated compression clicker adjustment and tweaked damping characteristics, while the rear gets revised internal valving to match the chassis changes.

Finally, the YZ450F is dressed in sharp new futuristic bodywork that sets it apart visually from its peers.

It’s true that 2023 looms as a big year for the big-bore motocross fleet. In recent months, we’ve attended launches for the updated Husqvarna, Honda and KTM ranges, and are about to spend some time aboard the 2023 Kawasaki KX450.

In our mind, the 2023 Yamaha YZ450F is the easiest of the bunch to feel immediately comfortable on – even withstanding its additional power.

Launch day at Ride Park presents like the equivalent of a fresh powder morning at the snow, with a deep layer of fluffy loam bringing delicious turns, together with perfectly prepped jumps cut into the hillside of the Melbourne venue.

Prevailing winds and occasionally deep, loamy entry into some corners might potentially spell hesitancy on rival machines, but that’s not the case with the Yamaha YZ450F.

Immediately, the YZ450F feels more comfortable than before, with a flatter seat and slimmer profile – especially around the fuel tank and airbox area.

The new open cockpit layout immediately streamlines the riding layout and promotes rider movement transitioning into and out of corners. This combines with predictable front end purchase and more handling precision to quickly endow the machine and rider with confidence.

Whereas other launches have had us chasing clicker adjustments and moving the fork through the triple clamp in pursuit of front-end stability, we didn’t touch the YZ450F all day. It just feels right.

Of course, we’ll reserve full judgement until we’ve assembled the 2023 450 class in one place (stay tuned) – but on initial impression, the Yamaha YZ450F does as it promises, offering excellent stability and grip, but with newfound agility to match.

It remains a bike that likes to be throttled steered, but so long as you’re approaching corners with intent, it avoids any tendency to tuck or feel nervous over the front. And for an intermediate-level rider, that’s a sure-fire way to promote confidence.

As ever that KYB fork and shock live up to their reputation, offering great initial compliance, loads of feel, yet excellent, linear damping through the stroke over larger obstacles including jumps. Since Ride Park was devoid of any harsh acceleration bumps on launch day, the verdict is still somewhat out, but the initial impression is strong: only once is the shock caught out with some stiffness upon landing on approaching some whoops out of sync.

The other handling talking point here is turn-in. The Yamaha YZ450F feels like a lighter machine and therefore doesn’t need to be manhandled in the same way as its forebears. It means you can exit a corner on the gas looking at the next obstacle up ahead – not worried about squaring away the section immediately in front.

Braking performance from the Yamaha is strong, but not segment leading. We reckon the Austrians still hold a slight edge where stopping power and lever efficacy is concerned.

Then there’s the engine. Smoother and more manageable, the 2023 Yamaha YZ450F matches the 2023 Honda CRF450R where low-speed smoothness is concerned, with a light-feeling and connected response upon initially cracking the throttle.

But on face value, the Yami pulls harder and longer. It’s a bike that seemingly never signs off with its power delivery; so much so, you can ride the entire Ride Park facility in second gear if you wish, the engine offering instantaneous power and smoothness throughout the dial.

Initially, we’d say the only caveat with the power delivery is that the Yamaha YZ450F is quite eager to lift its front wheel out of turns. It’s not a criticism, per se, but more of a consideration in the new machine: the throttle hand is ultra-connected to the rear Dunlop Geomax rubber, so best to keep your weight forward.

Not to confuse fast for unrideable, the engine feels linear and transitions cleanly through the rev range, finding its natural cadence in the beefy mid-range. We settled on using the milder mapping throughout the day and found it a nice blend of manageable punch.

For all the hype around hydraulic clutches, the traditional feel and ease of ownership afforded by the Yamaha YZ450F’s cable unit makes a compelling case, too.

The 2023 Yamaha YZ450F production bike immediately feels like a winner – and on initial inspection, looks as though it will mirror Yamaha’s recent on-track success in the showroom.

Faster, more agile and more rideable, the Yamaha also brings newfound levels of on-the-go tuning and smartphone connectivity. It feels like a complete package, and one that will suit professional, advanced and intermediate riders alike.

It makes a compelling argument for ‘win on Sunday, sell on Monday’.

ENGINE
Type: Four-stroke, single-cylinder
Capacity: 450cc
Bore x stroke: 97/68.8mm
Fuel supply: Mikuni EFI, 44mm throttle body

TRANSMISSION
Type: Five-speed
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet, multiplate, cable

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Bilateral beam aluminium
Front suspension: 49mm KYB SSS spring fork, 310mm travel
Rear suspension: KYB single shock with linkage, 315mm travel
Front brake: 270mm disc
Rear brake: 240mm disc
Tyres: Dunlop Geomax MX33F – Front 80/100-21, Rear 120/80-19

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed kerb weight: 108.9kg
Seat height: 965mm
Ground clearance: 336mm
Fuel capacity: 6.2 litres

OTHER STUFF
Ride-away price: $14,499
Colour: Blue, white