Nick Kouwenberg tests 2020 Yamaha YZ250F/YZ450F
To test the flood of 2020 bikes, MXMag has been reinforced in recent weeks by former European MX and SX champion Nick Kouwenberg! As a motocross rider, Kouwy gained experience in almost all possible conditions and rode many different motorcycles. Furthermore, this test brought Nick back to a set of motorcycles that he is very familiar with…
Different than usual, that is the least you can say about my first experience as a test driver. I can tell you that the life of a journalist - at first glance - is not that bad! Yamaha had invited the media to Teutschenthal, the famous Talkessel, a hard track that has hosted the German GP for many years. Everything at the event was arranged flawlessly.
STRONG AND PROVEN
Last year I rode in the Swedish championship with the YZ250F and for the 2019 model year the brand with the crossed tuning forks launched a completely new generation. In case you forgot: a completely new engine, frame and plastic!
Both in Europe with Jago Geerts in the GPs (and Raivo Dankers in the EMX250) and in the US (SX champion with Dylan Ferrandis), Yamaha has done and continues to do well with this engine. This bike has changed very little - except for the new graphics - compared to 2019, so we can be brief about that. The YZ250F is strong, rides comfortably, behaves predictably and has two different engine mappings as standard that you can choose between while riding. It is also a fantastic basis for those who really want to appear competitive. At Yamaha they (rightly) place a lot of emphasis on all the wonderful adjustments you can make to this engine yourself with the Yamaha Power tuner app.
STANDARD VS. GYTR
When you say power in the quarter-liter class, you automatically think of the YZ250F. In the mid-range and upper range, the YZ250 sets new standards for 2019. Actually, at Yamaha they have given the standard engine more or less the same power as in the past with the GYTR kit on it. And of course, the more the engine is pushed to achieve higher power, the less maintenance-friendly it becomes and the piston will need to be replaced more often...
So we were especially curious about the GYTR kit. And maybe in 2019, or should I say 2020, we are spoiled. The standard YZ250 is already so great in these times that it somewhat disappointed my expectations of the YZ250F GYTR.
Of course the GYTR is better. It certainly became stronger in the midrange and in terms of top power. This certainly offers advantages on a hard, flat or fast track. I thought it was a bit less at the bottom, but perhaps this can be smoothed out with a different mapping. Naturally, you risk losing something in the upper area. This is of course personal for everyone.
THERE'S THE POWER TUNER!
In any case, the wireless(!) Yamaha Power tuner app is a revelation. Anyone who has or wants a YZ250F should definitely use it. The nice thing is that you can work with your personal preference without having to fear that you will mess it up! There is freedom to try a lot of adjustments, while Yamaha has built in limits to keep everything technically safe and secure.
Also useful is the race log function in which you can save all adjustment data, both from the map and the suspension setting, and link it to the track conditions. Moving on to the YZ450F, we again had the opportunity to test both the standard machine and the machine with GYTR kit.
YZ450F: THOROUGH UPDATE
The third generation of the YZ450F is normally in its penultimate year in 2020, but there is still a truckload of novelties for 2020: renewed frame, the top-end of the power source has been overhauled (cylinder head, camshaft, valves), etc. the extensive technical presentation mentioned a new connecting rod for the crankshaft, improvements to, among other things, the exhaust, gearbox and suspension.
The goal of all this thorough homework: controlled power, and precise and predictable behavior. The standard engine immediately gave a very good impression in Teutschenthal. This 'heavy' 450F is starting to come closer to the steering qualities of the 250F! When they came out with the new model in 2018, there was of course a big difference. Yet the improvements of this makeover are also clearly noticeable.
The YZ450 has received some more power, the chassis feels less stiff, the engine seems lighter and the steering is sharper. In short, the entire package was taken to a higher level. You can also do a lot with the mapping with this engine. Especially because it already has easy to use and strong power as standard. Map 2 -light on- that we received in Germany was recommended for the Talkessel. On a sand track you can go into battle with this powerhouse without much fuss.
A matter of ease of use, I thought it was still a bit too aggressive for hard driving when coming out of corners and when accelerating again when landing after a jump. Maybe a smaller sprocket would do wonders? Or of course more 'test work' on the Power tuner app to find the best possible setting for your style!
GYTR: REVERSE EFFECT
Finally, I took a seat on the YZ450F GYTR machine, and here I was surprised in a positive way. What I was a bit disappointed with with the lighter machine, I got twice as strong with the MX1 engine. It may have a little more power, but this kit will certainly cover more meters without pulling on your arms! From the bend you could also easily hit the gas while the engine neatly puts the power to the ground.
I also noticed that despite the extra power, it took less energy to drive this engine. Ideal actually. The sharp handling also remained good and I noticed little difference here compared to the standard engine. So that's perfect!
WINNING COMBINATION
In the MX1 class, the YZ450F was always considered a strong, even aggressive bike. Sometimes the steering behavior was on the nervous side, but Yamaha listened carefully and after two years they have already come up with an impressive list of improvements. The result is a balanced, well-balanced engine that still has a lot of power. How Yamaha has managed to get the 2020 YZ450F to perform in a controlled manner is excellent news for all riders from hobbyists to ambitious privateers at World Championship level.
As I heard, the kits were rather pricey. But for the YZ450F it was certainly a great addition to an already good engine.
With four engines to test and the almost endless adjustment options, our day in Teutschenthal flew by very quickly. There is no doubt that Yamaha has a winner with the new 2020 YZ450F. I am very curious to see how the engine will perform on typical tracks in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Prices Netherlands
2020 Yamaha YZ250F: €8.799 (incl. VAT and unavoidable costs)
2020 Yamaha YZ450F: €9.399 (incl. VAT and unavoidable costs)
Tekst: Nick Kouwenberg
Photos: Yamaha
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