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/127967
Four strokes. One, mission. h is is where the YZ experience begins. And the moment you swing your leg aver a YZBD™, you became part of a st,oried history. With a legacy lined with victories much like its legendary bigger YZ brethren, the YZBD has made a habit of dominating pretty much everything that has anything to do with the mini class. And, of course, experts have been quick to chime in with their awn , praise, mast recently crowning it the 199B "BD of the Year" and "BDcc Motocross Shootout" winner. Can't really say we're surprised, , though. Alter all, from its torquey liquid-coaled B3cc single and smooth-shifting six-speed gearbox to its race-bred frame, ultra-strang brakes and fully adjustable suspension, the YZBD is the mini-racer of choice for those serious abut winning. And if you're going to kick all your career aboard a YZBD, you better be prepared to start doing that a lot. T I t started when Doug Henry delivered a crushing blow to the SX world twa years ago by spanking the entire field ab oa r d his factory YZM4DD four-stroke at the '97 Supercross finale in Las Vegas. We couldn't have wished for a better showcase for the dominating, state-of-the-art technology found an what's now our production YZ4DDF™-a bike that pretty much swept 1I19B Bike of the Year honors. With its ultra short-stroke, 5 valve, torque-packed powerplant, "works-style" KYB suspension and race-bred YZ chas sis, there's simply no bike like it. Cycle News called it "one of the mast exhilarating rodu ction race bikes an th e p lanet," while Dirt Bike Magazine hailed Y amaha as having "r ais ed moto cross to a new level...in one fell s woop," dubbing the four-stroke "definitely the Bike of the Year, maybe the decade:' Well, that hard-hitting, all-world package has just became even mare patent, as the ' 9 9 YZ4DDF gets a newly redesigne d, lightweight swingarm with an upgraded shack linkage ratio,. lighter, stranger rear huh and Excel rims,. new Dunlap 739s,. and a larger rear brake disc. The goad news? Enhanced handling and finer-tuned overall performance to make the "wor ld's greatest four-stroke" that much mare unstoppable. There are few j ays in life equal to the free-spirited fhri ll and experience of motorcycling, And rher's why it's 'important for a ll of us to do our part as respons ible r iders. By following I logical common-sense rules, we can maintain season after of season of lI'lparalleled enjoyment of our sport. Always remember to review your Yamaha motorcycle Owner's manual and Tips Booklet before you r ide. Before each ride , t ake t ime t o 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 first-class condition before riding. Never ride a yz on paved surfaces or public roc:ids; never carry passengers: never engage in stun t rid ing and avoid excessive speed . Every motorCycle r ider should be aware of the limits of his or her skills, experience and abilities and ride accordingly . Beginners should be extremely cautious and allow extra ti me and distance f or maneuvering and braking. All r iders should r ide will within the limits of their abilities, never beyond them. Do not drink and ride . I t is illegal and dangerous . Yamaho and the Motorcycle Safety Foundati on encourage you to ride safe ly and respect the environment. For further intormotion regarding the MSF course, please call 1-800- 446-9227. The riders used dur ing photography of this brochure are highly skilled , very t alented professionol racers. All of the action was shot on a closed course, and is not intended to be duplicated in any way. Specificotions subject to change without notice. VZs come with a 30 -Day Umited Factory Warranty. Umited warranty does not apply to Units f or racing. See your dealer f or details .