Yamaha presents new YZ450F
For 2023, Yamaha has turned its attention to developing an all-new YZ450F motocross machine that is lighter, faster and easier to ride, and designed to live up to its distinguished heritage.
Equipped with a lighter and more powerful new engine, a newly developed lightweight chassis and all-new ergonomic fairing, the 2023 YZ450F represents a major step forward for Yamaha's industry-leading motocross bike.
On any motorcycle, the rider and machine must work in harmony to deliver optimal performance, and this is especially true on a dirt bike where a constant shift of body weight is required when accelerating, braking and cornering. A successful Off Road Competition motorcycle must behave as an extension of the rider's body and mind, which is why the YZ450F development team started with the rider's needs and expectations as its primary focus.
Rider-focused design
Rather than introducing new technology for technology's sake, Yamaha's designers have put the rider first and taken a rider-centric approach that continually evaluates the potential benefits each new feature would bring to a wide range of riders with different riding skills. skill levels.
The result is a highly competitive dirt bike that is both fast and fun to ride on any type of track – whether the rider is an experienced pro or a weekend racer. Delivering 5% more power and weighing just 109kg with a full tank of fuel, this new model is designed to reaffirm Yamaha's position as one of the leading brands in motocross.
All-new YZ450F engine: Lighter, faster, easier.
For 2023, the YZ450F engine has undergone a complete redesign, with every component rethought and analyzed. This is the most significant change to the powerplant since the original reverse-head layout was introduced in 2010. With a forward-facing intake and rear-facing exhaust, this unique engine layout delivers a high degree of efficiency – and the positions of the airbox, fuel tank and exhaust and the rear-slanted cylinder contribute to mass centralization.
The all-new engine is lighter and more durable and is designed to deliver more linear output characteristics for stronger and better pulling power with improved drivability, making the 2023 model easier to ride at all speeds.
New piston, lightweight cylinder and redesigned crankshaft
The inverted head engine benefits from an optimized combustion chamber and newly designed piston, as well as a lighter cylinder housing that improves power and handling. To increase the rev limit from 500 rpm, the new engine is equipped with a high-precision, low-friction camshaft chain – and for more efficient operation, the crankshaft and connecting rod have been redesigned, and a lighter sleeve bearing replaces the previous needle bearing design. A new single balance weight features a new hollow balance shaft, and this improved lighter design reduces vibration.
Larger volume air intake
For 2023, the highly efficient forward-facing intake design has been further improved by a new intake port shape with a straighter passage to the cylinder head and the use of larger 39mm diameter titanium intake valves, increasing the air intake volume at maximum valve lift by 9% increases. Complementing the improved intake design, the shape of the exhaust port has also been revised for a smoother connection to the exhaust.
New air intake path with vortex airbox
There is a completely new air intake path, with fresh air now routed through the space between the fuel tank, frame, seat and side panels. This redirected airflow helps prevent water, dust and mud from entering the airbox, resulting in a lighter and sleeker machine with more compact bodywork.
The 2023 model also features a highly efficient airbox design, which creates a vortex so that dust is separated from the incoming air by centrifugal forces before entering the new round three-dimensional filter.
Newly designed transmission and lightweight clutch
To compensate for the 5% increase in total engine power, a newly designed transmission has been fitted. The distance between the driveshafts has been widened and the diameter of each sprocket has been increased to reduce weight and increase the power of the five-speed gearbox.
The two-piece steel/aluminium coupling of the previous model has been replaced by a durable and lightweight one-piece steel design with disc springs instead of conventional coil springs. This new clutch is significantly lighter and narrower, weighing 0,75 kg less – and there is a more direct feel and lighter pull on the lever.
Better durability
For greater durability across the wider rev range of the more powerful engine, the new YZ450F engine features an updated cooling system and a new dry-sump lubrication system – as well as a new timing chain and tensioner, and a redesigned connecting rod.
Redesigned aluminum double cradle frame
Following the company's rider-centric approach, Yamaha engineers focused on redesigning the aluminum double-cradle frame to provide a lighter feel, greater agility and improved stability.
The character and behavior of the new chassis are determined by many factors, including geometry, the specific stiffness balance of each individual component, and the way the components interact. A major change for 2023 is the relocation of the connection between the tank rails and pipe, which is now 15mm lower than before – and the connection between the frame tubes that connect the tank rails to the down tube has also been lowered by the same height.
Other significant changes include increases in stiffness to the down tube, cross tube and swingarm pivot – and the new frame now features a 4mm thick steel front engine mount with three through-bolts – as opposed to an 8mm thick aluminum engine mount with one through bolt.
Compact and sleek next generation bodywork
The YZ450F features all-new 'Horizontal Movement' fairing that gives this class-leading dirt bike a sleek and sleek new look. Each exterior panel has been redesigned and the result is a sleeker and more compact body with a seamless and rounded finish that provides greater agility for rapid body weight shifting.
A new fresh air supply route to the intake allows the front air ducts to be removed, and this has allowed the fitment of a much more compact cladding with a reduced width of 50mm, as well as a narrower new fuel tank – yielding a much sleeker center section .
The compact front fender is matched by a new, shorter rear fender, and together with the new seat, air filter cover and fuel tank, the YZ450F has a flatter horizontal profile and a much shorter fairing length from front to rear. New side panels and fork guards complete the dynamic new look.
Revised rider triangle
The relative positions of all three elements of the rider triangle – namely the saddle, handlebars and footpegs – have been changed to achieve an ideal riding position for different body types. The seat height has been increased by 5 mm and has a much flatter surface. Another improvement is the rounder profile of the left and right sides of the seat, making the lateral movement of the body easier and more comfortable.
The footpegs are now positioned 5mm lower, increasing legroom by a total of 10mm for taller riders. In addition, the natural sitting position with the 4-position adjustable handlebar has been improved while the rubber handlebar supports ensure driving comfort.
Renewed valve system KYB suspension front and rear
A new suspension valving system improves bump absorption and increases traction – and for easier tuning, the best-in-class KYB fork features a hand-adjustable compression damping adjuster. Riders can now access clear information and recommendations on suspension setup via the Power Tuner app on their smartphone, taking the guesswork out of setup.
Improved rear brake feel
The rear brake plays a key role in changes of direction and in entering a corner effectively, and the level of feel transmitted to the rider is critical to maintaining control. That's why the new model is equipped with a new rear hose with reduced stiffness that improves the balance of braking input and gives the rider more precise control.
New adjustable traction control system
The use of a new traction control system is another example of how Yamaha's rider-centric philosophy aims to introduce technology that works to the advantage of the YZ450F rider. This electronic control system offers two levels of assistance and a shutdown function, and by preventing the machine from completely losing traction, the rider can fully concentrate on the trail ahead.
The YZ450F's new traction control system is controlled via the Power Tuner app, allowing the rider to adjust the level of intervention based on track conditions, changing weather conditions and skill level.
Sophisticated Launch Control System
The Launch Control System features a new 'rev limiter' that can be set to a maximum speed between 6000 and 11.000 rpm in 500 rpm increments, allowing the rider to take off at full throttle and concentrate on achieving a lightning-fast start. When the Launch Control System recognizes that the start is complete, the rev limiter is automatically disengaged and when third gear is reached, the Launch Control System is deactivated.
Lower weight
Yamaha designers have analyzed every major and minor component in their mission to make the new YZ450F one of the lightest machines in its category – when measured with fluids.
A new fuel pump, airbox and chain guide contribute significantly to the reduced weight and help centralize mass for better chassis agility. . Even the smallest components – including the throttle cable, handlebar switches and water pump impeller – have been redesigned to reduce weight to just 109kg (wet weight) – a reduction of 2,3kg.
More intuitive new Power Tuner app
For 2023, the Power Tuner app has been upgraded to include an intuitive 'Quick Tuning' feature that makes it much easier and faster to select the desired engine characteristics by sliding a slider bar ranging from 'Smooth' to 'Aggressive'. The new app includes additional features such as a lap timer, rpm, fuel consumption, speed and other data, and there is also a suspension FAQ page to help the YZ450F owner arrive at the best setup.
Technical features
- Brand new, lighter, sleeker and more compact 450cc engine
- More linear power at all speeds, and 500 rpm higher speed limit
- Increased air intake capacity with 39mm intake valves
- Revised five-speed gearbox and new lightweight clutch
- New dry sump lubrication system
- Overall motorcycle weight reduction from 2,3kg to 109kg with full fuel and other fluids
- Redesigned bilateral aluminum cradle frame with revised stiffness balance
- Renewed internal valves on the front fork and rear shock absorber
- New, manually adjustable front fork compression damping adjuster
- Slimmer and more compact bodywork for more agility
- Flatter and narrower saddle for more freedom of movement
- New 3-position adjustable traction control system
- Renewed Launch Control System
- New, more intuitive Power Tuner app with Quick Tuning
- New lap timer feature and more
- FAQ style installation guidelines for the suspension
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