Lighter new Yamaha WR450F coming in 2024

Yamaha has updated its legendary WR450F enduro bike for 2024, with the changes aimed at reducing weight and improving handling, tractability, and user-friendliness.

Checking in at a ride-away price of $17,999, the 2024 Yamaha WR450F is set to arrive in Australian dealerships from January.

The headline news is the adoption of the same engine found with the latest YZ450F motocross machine. It features a wide range of internal updates and is tuned specifically to offer tractability at low speeds, and high power at medium to fast speeds.

Also new for 2024 is a redesigned wide-ratio gearbox with wider main-shaft gears, and a lightweight disc spring clutch taken from the YZ450F. The new clutch is apparently more compact and has a lighter feel and more positive engagement point.

Yamaha has also revised the KYB suspension which now features tool-free compression damping adjustment on the top of the fork.

Elsewhere, the new WR450F has a flatter seat with rounded edges, a lower centre of gravity achieved by lowering the alloy frame by 15mm, a roomier rider position, and a new lightweight rear wheel.

All of the changes add up to a claimed weight reduction of 2kg, with the 2024 WR450F tipping the scales at 117kg when full of fuel.

In addition, the Yamaha Power Tuner app has been overhauled to make tuning easier, including the ability to record and monitor suspension settings with preset themes, and also dial in different amounts of traction control.