Yamaha YZ144 limited edition

Yamaha has taken the wraps off its new limited edition two-stroker, which adds another model to its motocross line-up: meet the YZ144.

The new model was recently unveiled to bolster Yamaha's local motocross offerings and was developed in Australia for competitive riding.

Priced at $9599, the new Yammy motocrosser will probably compete against 250 four-strokes and 150 two-strokes in the senior Lites class.

Powered by a liquid-cooled 144cc two-stroke engine wedged into a YZ125 chassis and hooked up to a six-speed gearbox, Yamaha reckons the new YZ144 will be a "serious contender" and considering the bike is fairly light at 95kg wet (with eight litres of juice), we're not inclined to disagree.

Yamaha reckons the 2135mm long YZ144 will be able to compete "not only in the Junior up to 150cc two-stoke class, but also MX/SX Lites and Class 1 off-road competition where two-strokes up to 200cc compete." Big claims, them, but there is sure to be a lot of interest in this trick new model.

With more power across a wider rev range thanks to a range of tweaks, including several new internal components, Yamaha's new two-smoker has been "thoroughly tested to ensure the high level of reliability".

Yamaha Racing Development (YRD) explored the idea of the 144 and then developed the bike in-house after extensive testing. Compared to the YZ125, the new model gets a modified crankcase, plus cylinder and head, not to mention a custom-made 58mm piston and ring (both made in Germany) to produce a bore and stroke of 58mm x 54.5mm, which results in a 143.9cc capacity.

Other changes include new carburettor jets, an hour meter, modified L+R power valves, plus new look decals on the front and rear guards and radiator shrouds.

The YRD-tuned bike is "not a backyard bolt-on kit" says the company, explaining that because of the extensive amount of machining work undertaken, a parts kit will not be offered.

If you want even more herbs, various upgrades on top of the YZ144's are available, from vendors like Cisco's Race Tuning which offers things like crankshaft mods that increase displacement to 149.2cc, custom ported cylinders and HPI programmable ignition units to name a few.

As is, the Yamaha YZ144 will sell for $9599 - not including dealer delivery and statutory charges - and will available via the Yamaha dealer network in limited numbers.