VOLUME 57 ISSUE 29 JULY 21, 2020 P51
T
he YZ450FX highlights Yama-
ha's competition cross-coun-
try lineup for 2021. It now fea-
tures all of the major changes that
the YZ450F motocrosser got last
year (2020). The rest of Yamaha's
"X" lineup—YZ250FX, YZ250X and
YZ125X—return with visual updates.
The YZ450FX's 449cc, liquid-
cooled, four-stroke, electric start
engine features a compact cylinder
head with redesigned combustion
chamber shape and steeper valve
angles. The rearward-slanted cylin-
der houses a higher compression
piston with low friction rings at-
tached to a longer connecting rod.
The wide ratio, five-speed transmis-
sion has been refined to provide
smoother shifting, and a more
efficient crankcase breather system
has been adopted to decrease
pumping losses. In all, Yamaha
claims that the lighter, more com-
pact engine produces increased
power across the entire RPM range
for stronger and more linear pulling
power.
The frame has been redesigned
with all-new flex characteristics
that, according to Yamaha, pro-
vide improved cornering perfor-
mance, traction and bump reac-
tion. Other chassis components
such as engine mounts, top triple
clamp and front axle, as well as
its KYB suspension were refined
to reduce weight while improving
handling and performance. The
2021 YZ450FX features a newly
designed front brake caliper, brake
pads and front and rear disc.
Availability: September for the '21
YZ450FX ($9699) and October for
the YZ250FX ($8499).
The two-strokes—2021 YZ125X
($6699) and YZ250X ($7599)–are
available in July. CN
YZ450FX
2021 Yamaha YZ250X
