Yamaha YZ450GP: affordable road racing

Yamaha Motor Australia is offering a new road racing sports bike designed to get riders racing without breaking the bank, by modifying a dirt bike.

Indeed, the simple idea is not new but it is effective - take an inexpensive dirt bike, in this case a Yamaha YZ450F motocrosser, then change the wheels, suspension, handlebars, footrests, then add sports bike fairings, Brembo brakes, and a few other particulars.

The result is the Yamaha YZ450GP, and it's priced at $16,625.

The YZ450F dirt bike costs a bit over $12,000, so the conversion kit is essentially a $4500 bundle.

Yamaha's new YZ450GP bike qualifies for the newly formed GP450 class that is "rapidly becoming popular around the globe" says the company.

"This entry level class makes use of relatively inexpensive MX bikes that are available from nearly every manufacturer. These models are lightly modified to become genuine road racers that are capable of similar lap times as 125GP bikes at most circuits," reads the Yamaha press statement.

Developed with the knowhow of Yamaha Racing Developments (YRD), the ultra light race bike is fitted with 17-inch cast alloy wheels shod with Dunlop racing tyres, 120/70 ZR17 D211 GP-A fronts and 150/60 ZR17 D209 KP 523 medium-soft compounds.

YRD chief John Redding says the idea behind the new race bike to attract newcomers to road racing by offering a fun and affordable entry level race bike.

"The 450GP class is aimed at encouraging newcomers to the sport. With the help of Yamaha Motor Australia, the RRP of the YZ450GP machine is subsidised to help competitors enter this new and exciting race class.

"Plus if racers are serious about competing and have an existing YZ450F, we can supply kits for them to build themselves," explains Redding.

YRD has built a limited number of YZ450GP bikes and selling them as 'ready to ride' 2013 YZ450GP bikes, all of which are fitted with the same race kit as the bike in the first photo. Buyers will also get the MX parts that have been removed from the new YZ450F donor bike.

Best of all, if you're road racing career ends poorly with the MX gear can be retrofitted "because the GP kit does not require any permanent modifications to install," says Yamaha.

All YZ450GP race bikes are delivered with a selection of 14, 15 and 16 tooth front sprockets and the cost ex YRD in Melbourne is $16,625.00. Interested parties can email or call John Redding at YRD on yrd@bigpond.com or 0438 105 303.

2013 YZ450GP parts:

- Marzocchi 43mm USD forks (fitted with fully adjustable MUPO racing cartridge kit and springs)
- Modified shock
- Triple clamps, handlebars, footrests, brake pedal and gear shifter
- Cast alloy 17in wheels
- Dunlop production racing tyres Front: 120/70ZR17 D211 GP-A Med-Soft / Rear: 150/60ZR17 D209 KP 523 Med-Soft
- Full fibreglass road race bodywork kit (in white gelcoat – not painted) with mounting brackets
- Brembo front brake assembly
- Tacho/laptimer
- Rear stand pickups