Launch: 2016 Yamaha YZ450F

This year marks Yamaha's 60th anniversary Down Under. The brand has been celebrating in style too with the release of some cutting-edge and exciting models like the new YZF-R1 road bike (review here), which was launched at Sydney Motorsport Park in February. It has already made a real mark on the superbike scene, particularly in the UK with Aussie Josh Brookes and with a recent victory in the Suzuka 8 Hour world endurance race.

The latest offering from Yamaha is the MY2016 YZ450F motocrosser, which was launched in Cessnock, NSW last week with a slew of former and current Yamaha riders — across all motorcycle racing disciplines — also on hand to have a bit of fun in the spirit of the 60th anniversary celebrations.
The bike will go on sale in the third week of August for $11,999 in blue (the same price as the 2015 model), or $12,199 in 60th anniversary yellow.

The YZ450F is quite an innovative machine with its rearward-slanting cylinder and reverse head. That’s right, the airbox is up in the position of the tank and nestled out of the way between the frame spars. The tank is under the seat and the exhaust exits from the rear of the cylinder. There are a number of advantages in this configuration, with the first being mass centralisation. Bringing mass as close to the centre of the bike means the rider doesn't have to move his or her weight as much to have an effect on positioning. Secondly, with the airbox up high, it’s out of the dirt — but even more than that, straighter and more efficient inlet tracts mean more power more reliably. The intake also grabs cool air rather than air that has passed by a hot engine and pipe.

That basic layout has been around since 2010, and the first attempt wasn’t perfect. There were issues but the designers listened and stuck to their guns. With gradual refinement over the last five years they have turned the YZ450F into the weapon it is today.

For 2016, Yamaha has really gone that extra step to unleashing even more performance from a bike which is already capable of winning at pro level. Probably the biggest new addition is launch control, which is linked with the ECU to cut a certain amount of wheel spin off the start. It’s designed to be used mainly on hard pack terrain where grip is low, and it works a treat.

New cams are fitted to tame the power and give it a more friendly power curve. It’s certainly punchy off the bottom, and finding the right gear is less important as there is an abundance of smooth power on tap.

Improvements to the clutch system mean the YZ has a better feel and connection to the engine without lever variation, which means grip is easier to find and with more consistency. Just another way of making life easier for the rider…

The frame has also undergone a number of changes to give the rider more confidence and feel. At my pace it certainly wasn't immediately recognisable, but after CDR Yamaha rider Dan Reardon got off the bike for the first time he gave it two thumbs up. It is basically what his race bike is, but now built as a production machine for the masses.

A new triple clamp with a 25mm offset produces less trail of 118mm, which makes the Yamaha turn easier, especially on loose terrain.

The suspension has stiffer springs than MY2015, which brings it closer to the American-spec YZ450F. But at my clubman level pace it's probably too much, which means I'd have two options: finding some extra pace — a long shot… — or fit softer springs. The rear shock is fantastic though, and was confidence-inducing just like the YZ250FX I rode in New Zealand last year (review here
). I was actually pleasantly surprised to find out that Yamaha tailors the suspension for different markets, which means the 450 is shimmed and sprung for motocrossers in Australia.

There is also a bigger 270mm front brake rotor which reduces the pressure and energy needed to stop this rapid missile. There were some complaints about the old braking system, but major strides have now been made.

The standard fitment tyres are Dunlop Geomax MX, and for original equipment they certainly don't disappoint. I wouldn’t be rushing out to buy a different set until you try the Geomax, as a lot of the testers on the day were very complimentary.

Riding the YZ450F is less intimidating than I thought. There is no mistaking it's a powerful 450 but it’s also one of the easiest 450s I’ve ridden. When you open the taps and snick through the five-speed ’box the scenery starts to blur and that’s when you realise that this bike is more than capable of winning at pro level with the right rider — Reardon the last cab off the rank in round eight of the 2015 MX Nationals.

Even at my skill level the YZ-F is friendly, which makes it extremely versatile. It’s ergonomically amenable as well with four-way adjustable bars making it fit a wider range of rider’s needs.

A bike that is easy to ride means less energy expelled and more confidence — which means faster lap times. The Cessnock motocross track was perfectly groomed at the start of the day, waiting for me to put that theory to the test. At the end of the day, with seven barking YZ450Fs on track, it wasn’t quite as pristine! Roosts flew, rev limiters were hit, but all the bikes came back in one piece.

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 55hp

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: 27.15 degrees
Trail: 118mm
Claimed weight: 112kg wet
Seat height: 965mm
Wheelbase: 1480mm
Fuel capacity: 7.5 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $11,999 standard, $12,199 60th anniversary
Colours: Blue White , Yellow Black
Warranty: Three months parts only
Bike supplied by: Yamaha Australia, www.yamaha-motor.com.au