With out an preliminary deep dive into the technical specs of the all-new 2023 Yamaha YZ450F, I walked as much as the bike for the primary time with nice anticipation and pleasure to see what this new platform has to supply. We met Yamaha at Glen Helen Raceway, they usually shocked us with the very sharp-looking 2023 Monster Vitality Yamaha Racing Version YZ450F—the idea of the bike Eli Tomac has been commonly taking to the highest step of the 2023 Monster Vitality AMA Supercross Championship Sequence podiums. In motocross, as you very nicely know, it’s at all times vital to look good and really feel good. Yamaha definitely succeeded within the seems division, so let’s learn the way it feels on the observe.
The Yamaha YZ450F is all new for 2023, from the bodywork to extremely notable modifications to the engine package deal. The earlier YZ450F fashions have been identified for being large and heavy. Nevertheless, this 12 months Yamaha shaved off over 5 kilos from the general weight and dramatically slimmed down the bodywork. In comparison with final 12 months’s mannequin, the physique is 50mm narrower on the shrouds and 6mm narrower on the gas tank. It’s simple to see the distinction together with your eyes—no spec sheet wanted.Instantly, I’m questioning how the brand new bodywork and updates to the rider triangle will have an effect on the texture within the cockpit. The footpegs have dropped 5mm down and 5mm again, whereas the seat is 15mm flatter and 5mm taller to assist simpler rider motion. These modifications mixed make for a extra open cockpit. I’m your common 5 foot 9 inch rider, and the seat top is okay for me, even being on the shorter aspect. I can inform you that I like these updates—general, they really feel snug for me. These modifications will certainly complement taller 450 riders.
So, I throw my leg over the YZ450F, wanting all fly in my Fluo Inexperienced Alpinestars package that contrasts nicely with the Monster Vitality Yamaha Racing Version plastic and graphics. Yamaha walks me by way of the controls and map change settings earlier than setting my sag at the usual 102mm.I push the electrical begin button to have interaction the all-new e-start system, and the 450cc motor fires proper up. Previously, Yamaha motocross fashions struggled to begin up rapidly after stalling. Throughout my take a look at experience, I had just a few tip-overs, but the YZ450F at all times began again up with out points.
The 2023 Yamaha YZ450F comes with a straightforward map change on the left aspect of the handlebars with Map 1(gentle off) and Map 2 (gentle on). Map 1 is the extra aggressive setting, whereas Map 2 is the extra linear, clean setting. It takes only a fast push of the button to vary maps whereas driving—no must cease. For many of the day, I saved it in Map 2 to swimsuit my driving model and observe circumstances. The linear setting delivers loads of energy with clean throttle response and rider-friendly energy supply.I roll onto the expansive Glen Helen begin straight, and crack open the throttle in 1st gear, then 2nd gear—then, I’m nonetheless in 2nd as I strategy Talladega—the enduring first nook! Each 1st and 2nd gears pull for much longer than anticipated. Second gear took me all the best way round Talladega at apply speeds with out the necessity to upshift.
After a small tabletop bounce right into a left-hand flip up Mount St. Helens, I’m nonetheless in 2nd gear. Practically pinned on my method up the lengthy, steep Mount St. Helens climb, 2nd gear simply saved pulling me up.Even at greater speeds and all through the day, I saved the transmission in 2nd gear, often shifting as much as third gear when happening the beginning straight or the longer sections within the again.
First gear is impressively usable in tight technical corners. Glen Helen is tilled deep and the grime is damp within the morning, making for deep ruts and gentle corners. First gear labored wonders for me and pulled me out of some corners earlier than needing to shift up. Nevertheless, I’ll say that 2nd gear nonetheless delivered sufficient torque to lug round at slower nook speeds with out the motor bogging down.Yamaha launched many engine modifications to create the longer pull in every gear. Beginning with the air consumption system, the air filter is now a dome for elevated dimension and floor space of 56 p.c, which will increase airflow. Moreover, the air consumption valves have been machined bigger—from 37 to 39mm—for a 9 p.c airflow enhance, in line with Yamaha. Different inner engine updates embrace a extra environment friendly cylinder head design, elevated combustion chamber quantity, lighter crankshaft, bigger gear diameters, revised ECU settings, and extra. We went into nice element on the updates when the 2023 Yamaha YZ450F was launched.These engine updates have mixed to create stronger and longer pulling energy that interprets to improved on-track efficiency and weight financial savings.
All through the whole 2023 YZ450F platform, Yamaha targeted on weight financial savings—the subframe, footpeg brackets, airbox, chain information, throttle cables, handlebar switches, and gas pump all went on a food plan. Moist weight this 12 months is 240 kilos. With the lighter weight, the YZ450F tracks nicely by way of the corners. I’ve management of the bike, whatever the grime circumstances within the corners.Nevertheless, throughout my first few laps on the YZ450F, I felt the rear finish get slightly free on me. It danced round slightly within the braking bumps and the acceleration bumps within the corners. Additionally, I used to be getting some wheel spin on acceleration whereas exiting the corners.I returned to the pits to elucidate the issue to the Yamaha techs. They prompt softening the KYB shock’s compression damping to maintain the rear wheel planted. After that minor adjustment, I felt an enormous distinction, and it labored nicely. I didn’t want to regulate the fork clickers, because the entrance finish felt fairly good for essentially the most half. At excessive speeds, nevertheless, the KYB Pace-Delicate System fork felt barely on the stiff aspect when plowing by way of the tough, uneven bumps.
The 2023 Yamaha YZ450F is balanced, on the bottom and within the air—a essential design characteristic for a motocross motorbike. It’s a enjoyable bike on the jumps, monitoring by way of the corners to assist me arrange for airtime. On the bounce faces, the YZ450F tracks confidently, even when the lips get pitted later within the day.
Within the air, the YZ450F feels super-light and nimble, permitting me to regulate when wanted. Maybe the mass-centralizing rearward-slanted cylinder, with entrance consumption and rear exhaust, contributes to the spectacular steadiness. On the landings, even with the stiffer fork setting, the bike maintains management in tough terrain, simply because it does coming right into a nook.It was an ideal day testing the all-new 2023 Monster Vitality Yamaha Racing Version YZ450F, although I’ll must spend extra time on it to essentially dial within the settings for my driving model. Regardless, I can inform you that this bike is very rider-friendly off the showroom flooring, with loads of energy and linear supply, particularly in Map 2. All the brand new updates to the physique and engine package deal make for an extremely snug and enjoyable 450cc motocross bike.Images by Don WilliamsRIDING STYLE2023 Yamaha YZ450F SpecsENGINE
- Kind: 4-stroke single
- Displacement: 449cc
- Bore x stroke: 97.0 × 60.8mm
- Compression ratio: 13.0:1
- Valvetrain: DOHC; 4 titanium valves
- Fueling: EFI w/ 44mm Mikuni throttle physique
Beginning: Electrical - Transmission: 5-speed
- Clutch: Moist multi-plate
- Ultimate drive: Chain
CHASSIS
- Body: Twin-spar aluminum
- Entrance suspension; journey: Absolutely adjustable KYB Pace-Delicate System inverted fork; 12.2 inches
- Rear suspension; journey: Linkage-assisted absolutely adjustable KYB piggyback-reservoir shock; 12.5 inches
- Tires: Dunlop Geomax MX33
- Entrance tire: 80/100 x 21
- Rear tire: 120/80 x 19
- Entrance brake: 270mm disc w/ Nissin caliper
- Rear brake: 240mm disc
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 58.3 inches
- Rake: 26.9 levels
- Path: 4.7 inches
- Seat top: 38.0 inches
- Floor clearance: 13.8 inches
- Gas capability: 1.6 gallons
- Moist weight 240 kilos
- Colours: Crew Yamaha Blue
2023 Yamaha YZ450F Worth: $9899 MSRP
2023 Monster Vitality Yamaha Racing Version YZ450F: $10,099
2023 Monster Vitality Yamaha Racing Version YZ450F Evaluate Photograph Gallery
