TEST: 2018 YZ450F 'Connected as one'
The new YZ450F was already on display during the Czech Republic Grand Prix in Loket and will soon also be on display at your local dealer, but what is so special about this brand new motorcycle? We at MXMag got the chance to test the new Yamaha.
The YZ450F has been completely renewed, a new engine, new frame and new plastic. The YZ450F is sometimes described as 'connected as one', a real sensation to ride, something that should immediately become clear during the first ride. 'Victory Zone' is the vision that Yamaha has recently developed, and they extend this vision throughout the entire production of 2018. With this they want to emphasize the continuous innovation that the engineers are always looking for. Based on this vision, engineers began designing the new YZ450F.
Connected as one – Umachine
Umachine represents the relationship between You (Human) and the engine (Machine). Thanks to the narrower frame, Yamaha ensures that the connection between the rider and the motorcycle feels better and more natural. The saddle has also become narrower and flatter as a result of the new frame. Centralization of the masses has been a hot topic among manufacturers in recent years and Yamaha is also getting on board with this. The mass distribution of the 2017 was slightly more forward compared to the 2018. This is due to the new engine suspension in the frame, which ensures that you can maintain better control when braking with the new engine. While other manufacturers such as Honda and KTM have already switched to air suspension, Yamaha continues to stick with the 'spring forks', the front suspensions with oil and springs inside the fork, simply because they are very easy to adjust. For the rear suspension, Yamaha has opted for a new KYB suspension with a larger reservoir. One last point that is certainly worth mentioning is the electric starter. Let's face it, in this day and age everyone wants one and Yamaha fulfills our need.
- Narrower frame
- Narrower and flatter saddle
- Centralization of the masses
- Oil and spring based fork
- KYB rear suspension with larger reservoir
- Electric starter
CCU Connectivity
The CCU Connectivity consists of two parts: ECU= Central Brain of the Bike and CCU= Communication Control Unit with the main purpose of managing the mapping of the new engine. This is brought together in the Power Tuner Smartphone app. As a young rider, new technology is very tempting, by playing with this app you become more involved with the bike and the mapping adjustment. The app is designed in such a way that you can try everything with it without damaging the engine, which is why I definitely recommend every pilot to download this app from the app store for Apple users or from Google Play for Android users. With the app you can control both the ignition and fuel injection to achieve the ideal setting on different courses. The app also keeps track of all kinds of information, such as each setup per circuit, number of hours with the piston, oil. The app is also very user-friendly and self-explanatory.
- Power Tuner Smartphone app
- Control inflammation
- Adjust fuel injection
ENG Performance
Engine Performance, the performance of the engine, was thoroughly overhauled by the engineers in 2018 with the main goal of designing an engine that is easier to control. First and foremost, Yamaha made sure to improve the engine's performance. The completely new cylinder head and the new position of the engine block, which has a slight upward angle, ensure optimized weight distribution. The new engine is equipped with a new crankshaft and a stronger high-pressure piston. The injection settings have also been completely changed, the cooling radiators have been made 5% larger and you can run longer in 2e, 3e in 4. e acceleration through a larger gearbox. Stronger clutch plates and a stiffer outer pressure plate ensure a more durable clutch. The combination of all these innovations ensures greater comfort while driving. The LCS (Launch System Control) is retained on the 2018 for better and faster starts.
- More control and comfort on the motorcycle
- Lighter cylinder head
- New crankshaft
- New high pressure piston
- Modified injection
- Larger cooling radiators
- Modified gearbox
- New clutch plates
look
The new look of the YZ450F is beautiful, the blue rims that come standard with the new motorcycles are a nice extra for me. Furthermore, little has changed in the 'look' of the new YZ450F. Nice to know: The plastic of the new YZ450F is lighter than that of the previous model and is made from a different type of material, polyamide instead of polypropane. This ensures that the plastic can withstand the heat better and is lighter. The weight of the 2017 model and the 2018 model is almost the same due to the addition of a lithium battery. Due to the narrower frame, Yamaha has chosen to design a more compact fuel tank for the new YZ450F. The new tank has a capacity of 6,2 liters and can handle the 25-minute series with ease.
- New look and design
- Blue rims
- Compact 6,2-litre petrol tank
Test
A beautiful circuit, a great crew and wonderful weather, everything this test needed to be a success. Test rider Herjan Brakke, ex-world champion Romain Febvre and the brand new YZ450F were waiting for us in the early hours on the beautiful Ottobiano course. Were we in Italy or the US? An impressive course, milled, sprayed and leveled. The first session with the bike I had so much fun, it handled a bit awkwardly in the corners but in the air it felt like I was jumping on a bike. The second thing I really loved was the sound of the stock exhaust, so powerful and deep. What I mainly had problems with was turning into corners and turning itself. The new Yamaha still acted awkwardly here and had difficulty keeping the track I wanted to ride. The harder the course became and the deeper the ruts, the better I could control the bike. When exiting the corners you felt that the engine responded smoothly, which ensures that riding the motorcycle is not as tiring as an aggressive motorcycle.
Decision
The 2018 YZ450F is a completely redesigned motorcycle with numerous innovations that provide better performance. The Power Tuner Smartphone app is a fun toy that both young and old can enjoy. The new Yamaha is a real 'thrill to ride', the electric starter, new frame and completely new engine will be appreciated by many fans. I have already enjoyed it!!
Text: Yente Dourte
Photo: Yamaha Europe
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