Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127961
YZ40 Four strokes. One mtasron. T t start'ed when Doug Henry delivered a crushing hlow to the SX world two years ago hy spanking the entire field ahoard his factory YZM400 four-stroke at the '97 Supercross finale in Las Vegas. We couldn't have wished for a hetter showcase for the dominating, state-of-the-art technology found on what's now our production YZ400F™-a hike that pretty much swept 1998 Bike of the Year honors. With its ultra short-stroke, 5valve , torque-packed powerplant, "w or k s - s t yl e " KYB suspension and race-hred YZ chassis, there's simply no hike like it . Cycle News called it "one of the most exhilarating production race hikes on the planet," while Dirt Bike Magazine hailed Yamaha as having "r ais ed motocross to a new level...in one fell swoop," duhhing the four-stroke "definitely the Bike of the Year, mayhe the decade." Well, that hard-hitting, all-world package has just hecome even more potent, as the ' 9 9 YZ400F gets a newly redesigned, lightweight swingarm with an upgraded shock linkage ratio; lighter, stronger rear huh and Excel rims; new Dunlop 7395,' and a larger rear hrake disc. The good news? Enhanced handling and finer-tuned overall performance to make the "wor ld's greatest four-stroke " that much more unstoppahle. I h i s is where the YZ experience . hegins. And the moment you swing . your leg over a YZ80™, you hecome part of a storied history. With a legacy lined with victories much like its legendary higger yz hrethren, the YZ80 has made a hahit of dominating pretty much everything tha t has anything to do with the mini class. And, of course, experts have lieen quick to chime in with their own praise, most recently crowning it the 1998 "80 of the Year" and "80cc Motocross Shootout" winner. Can ' t rea ll y say we're surprised, though. After all, from its torquey liquid-cooled 83cc single and smooth-shifting six-speed gearhox to its race-hred frame, ultra-strong hrakes and fully adjustahle suspension, the YZ80 is the mini-racer of choice for those serious abut winning. And if you're going to kick off your career ahoard a YZ80, you hetter he prepared to start doing that a lot. Maximum mini. T here are few jays in lif e equal to the free -spirited thrill and experience of motorcycling. And t hat's why it' s important for all of us to do our part as responsible r iders : By following I logical convnon-sense roles, we can mainta in season after of season of unparalleled enjoyment of our sport. Always remember to re view your Yamaha motorcycle Owner's manual and TIps Booklet bef ore you r ide . Before each r ide, take t ime to check all your equipment. Always wear an approved helmet , eye protection, long- sleeved shirt, long trousers, gloves and boots . And always be sure your bike is in f irst- class condit ion before riding. Never ride a yz on paved surfaces or public roads: never carry passengers : never engage in stunt riding and avoid excessive speed . Every motorcycle r ider should be aware of the limits of his or her skills , experienc e and abilities and r ide accord ingly. Beginners should be extremely cautious and allow extra t ime and distance for maneuvering and braking. All riders should ride will within the limits of th eir abilities , never beyond them. Do not drink and r ide. It is illegal and dangerous. Yomaho and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation encourage you t o ride safely and respect the environment. For ftrther information regarding the MSF course , please call 1-800-446-9227 . The riders used during photography of this brochure are highly skilled, very t alented professional racers . All of the action was shot on a closed course , and is nat int ended to be duplicated in any way. Spec ificat ions subject t o cho"ge without notice. VZs come with a 30-Day Umited Factory Warranty. Umited wan"lInty does not apply to lI'lits f or rac ing. See your dealer for deta~s . IlJ Cf) 35