Launch: 2010 Yamaha YZ450F

In terms of race results, Yamaha had a stellar season with the '09 YZ450F. James Stewart claimed the AMA Supercross Championship, Antonio Cairoli blitzed the World Motocross Championship and Jay Marmont raced to glory in the Australian MX Nationals.

Despite such success, the championship-winning blue bike hadn't received a major overhaul since it scored an aluminium frame in 2006 and was beginning to appear dated alongside its major Japanese rivals of Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki.

For 2010, the racing public expected fuel injection at the least, but what it received was a whole lot more. Early internet leaks and then final confirmation from Yamaha revealed a whole new package that, in technological terms, is even more advanced than its competitors.

How the advancements translate to the race track is another story and one the Australian and New Zealand moto media had a chance to investigate during the recent official launch at Appin Raceway in NSW.

NO COMPARISON
It's natural to compare a new model to the one it replaces but when it comes to the latest YZ450F it seems pointless comparing it to the multiple title-winning '09 bike. From front-to-back, top-to-bottom, inside-to-out the new Yamaha is nothing like the bike it supercedes and is radically different to its current competitors.

The new YZ450F marks a wildly exciting time for Yamaha and for those lucky enough to own one. In years to come, this bike will undoubtedly mark an important moment in the history of the YZ-F, just like the YZ400F did when it made its groundbreaking debut back in 1998. 

LAID BACK APPROACH
The attention grabber of the 2010 YZ450F is the engine, starting with a cylinder that leans back rather than forward. According to Yamaha, the benefit of a rearward inclined cylinder is the centralisation of mass for improved handling.

Much of the development of the new model has been focused on shifting the weight lower and more central within the machine to give the bike better manners through turns and a lighter, more nimble feel. Making the bike easier to ride has also been a major priority for the boys in blue.

Helping keep the weight low and central is a reduction in overall engine height via a shorter stroke, a larger bore and a funky tornado-style exhaust that exits from the rear of the engine instead of the front.

With the exhaust gasses exploding from the back of the engine, the fuel is pumped into the front via tunable fuel injection. Numerous sensors keep track of throttle position, intake pressure, air temperature, crankshaft position and even coolant temperature to ensure the YZ450F is fed with just the right dose of go juice.

With the fuel injection system in front of the cylinder, the airbox is also positioned up front, beneath the fuel tank. Access to the air filter is more complicated than any of the previous YZ-Fs, but the claimed benefit is less contamination of the filter from the dust kicked up by the back wheel.

The fuel pump required for the fuel injection is mounted inside the 6-litre fuel tank, which extends under the seat, again placing more weight towards the centre of the bike.

Add to all this the move to a four-valve cylinder head, increased valve angle and lift via new intake and exhaust cam profiles and a pumped up compression ratio and there's so much to be excited about. But wait, there's more!

And this is the feature that scored maximum attention at the press launch. For just under $400, YZ450F riders can take advantage of a hand held, plug-in power tuner that enables them to transform the engine's power output with the touch of a few buttons.

This nifty little blue box was given a solid workout during the launch and I wasn't the only one impressed by its capabilities. Thanks to the current Australian MX Nationals champ, Jay Marmont, churning out more than 70 laps on the new beast the day before the journos arrived, the Yamaha technicians had created numerous ignition timing and fuel supply settings.

Without exaggeration, riders could exit the track, roll into the mechanics tent, have the fuel supply and ignition settings changed and be back on the track in under a minute. And back on a track with what felt like a completely different engine.

From a point and shoot rocket – for the likes of Jay Marmont – to a Clubman inspired torque monster – for the likes of yours truly – the little blue box empowers the latest YZ450F with incredible versatility.

YZ-F riders can create their own fuel supply and ignition settings to suit their style, ability, track conditions, even energy levels! And once the settings are recorded into the power tuner, the engine setup can be tweaked so much more easily than changing jets, gearing or exhaust systems. While the majority of riders won't resist the temptation of bolting on aftermarket go-fast goodies, a budget conscious rider could seriously stick with the stocker and just make the most of the little blue box.

Suspension components have been given the once over, particularly the shock and its placement. With the airbox now located at the front of the bike, the shock has been mounted along the central axis of the frame, rather than slightly offset. This change is said to give the bike a more balanced feel.

Revised fork settings, new shock, new frame and a triple clamp offset of 22mm instead of 25mm all combined on launch day to generate a confidence-inspiring ride. The YZ-F barely put a wheel out of place, even though all I did was have the compression settings backed off by four clicks front and rear. The heavier, faster guys at the launch noted a softer than ideal front end, but that was the only criticism I heard all day.

ALL HYPED UP
If the comments of all present at the press launch are anything to go by, the new YZ450F is well on its way to meeting and even exceeding expectations. Factory racer Jay Marmont was so impressed he wants to park his '09 bike and race the new weapon at the final round of the Super X series in Brisbane.

If you're expecting a bike – as Yamaha intended – that's easier to ride than the previous model you'll be impressed. If, as early reports suggested, you're expecting the new 450 to feel like a 250 on steroids you'll be disappointed.

The new YZ450F is definitely easier to manage, especially by taking advantage of the adjustable ignition and fuel supply, but it's still a thundering high-performance 450cc four-stroke with more power than most riders – myself included – know what to do with.

It'll still power wheelie out of turns like a good 450 should and punish its pilot if it doesn't get the respect it deserves.

The 2010 YZ450F is a giant leap ahead of the '09 bike and, in my opinion, will be an important model in the history of the YZ-F. To own a piece of MX history all you have to do is part with $12,099 for the blue bullet or $12,199 for the white weapon.

Oh, and while you're handing over your cash don't forget to grab yourself a $400 little blue box.

SPECS: 2010 YAMAHA YZ450F

Engine: Liquid-cooled, DOHC, single-cylinder, four-valve four-stroke
Displacement: 449.7cc
Bore x stroke: 97 x 60.8mm
Fuel supply: Keihin fuel injection, 44mm throttle body
Transmission: 5-speed
Fork: Kayaba, 310mm travel
Shock: Kayaba, 300mm travel
Fuel capacity: 6 litres
Claimed weight: 111.5kg (fully fuelled)
Seat height: 998mm
Retail price: $12,099 (blue model) $12,199 (white model)