Overhauled 2021 Yamaha WR450F revealed
With hopes of topping the sales charts once again, Yamaha has given the WR450F enduro machine a serious overhaulAustralia’s favourite motorcycle has been updated significantly, with Yamaha revealing the new 2021 Yamaha WR450F overnight.
Following in the footsteps of its smaller sibling, the WR250F, the 2021 Yamaha WR450F has been updated with components and technology from the championship winning YZ450F motocross machine.
In a further announcement, Yamaha also announced a special 'Aussie Edition' which is exclusive to Australian shores.
Yamaha will be hoping that the 2021 WR450F, which is priced at $15,449 ride away, will pick up where its predecessor left off, as the best-selling road-legal motorcycle in Australia.
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Yamaha Australia reveals 2021 WR450F 'Aussie Edition'
‘More power and sharper handling’ were both part of the design brief for the new WR450F, with Yamaha using the 2020 YZ450F as a starting point. With the help of Kiwi motocross champion, Josh Coppins, as well as significant input from Australian off-road riders, Yamaha has tweaked the top-selling WR450F in multiple areas, to build a better all-round enduro machine.
Headlining the updates is a more powerful and compact 450cc engine. Yamaha says that the engine is ‘essentially the new generation YZ450F tuned with enduro settings.’ The engine is more compact and lighter than previous years, with a number of tweaks to the internals and the cylinder head.
Also new for 2020 is smartphone tuning and a handlebar-mounted map switch, both which featured on the 2020 WR250F. With on-board WiFi, riders can connect to the bike wirelessly via the Yamaha Power Tuner App that is available on iOS and Android. Users can easily adjust fuel/air mix and ignition timing to set the bike up for different riding conditions.
Other features borrowed from the 2020 YZ450F is a lightweight aluminium bilateral beam frame that is tuned for enduro use with WR specific engine mount brackets, and stronger braking performance with larger caliper pistons, new improved pads, and changes to the front rotor shape.
Since it was first introduced in 1998 as the WR400F, the WR450F has been hugely popular, and has regularly topped the FCAI annual charts as the best-selling road-legal motorcycle. It has won multiple championship and races across the world, including the Australian Off-Road Championships, the Finke Desert Race and the Enduro World Championships. It has also served as the basis for Yamaha’s factory Dakar Rally machine.
The 2021 Yamaha WR450F is priced at $15,499 ride away, and includes 12 months registration. It is expected to arrive on dealer floors in December 2020.
Visit www.yamaha-motor.com.au for more information or speak to your local Yamaha dealer.
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