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/127969
tit 1 1'8 Z4 Four strokes. One mission. h is is where the YZ experience . hegins. And the moment you swing your leg aver a YZ80™, you hecame 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 prelly much everything that has anything to do with the mini class. And, of course, experts have heen quick to chime in with their awn praise, mast recently crawning it the 1998 "80 of the Year and "8 0cc Matal:l'Oss Shaataut winner. Can 't really say we 're surprised, lhaugh. After all, from its tarquey liquid-coaled 83cc single and smooth-shifting six-speed gearhax to its race-hred frame, ultra-strang 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 ahaard a YZ80, you heller he prepared to start doing that a lat. T H I t started when . Doug Henry delivered a crushing hlaw to the SX world twa years ago hy spanking the entire field ahaard his factory YZM400 four-stroke at the '97 Supercrass finale in Las Vegas. We couldn't have wished for a hetter showcase for the dominating, state-of-the-art technology found an what's now our production YZ400F™-a hike that prelly much swept 1998 Bike of the Year honors. With its ultra short-stroke, 5valve, torque-packed pawerplant, "w a rks-style KYB suspension and race:-hred YZ chassis, there's simply no hike like it. Cycle News called it "ane of the mast exhilarating p~aduclian race hikes an 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-hilling, all-world package has just hecame even mare patent, as the '99 YZ400F gets a newly redesigned, lightweight swingarm with an upgraded shack linkage ratio; lighter, stranger rear huh and Excel rims,· new Dunlap 739s; and a larger rear hrake disc. The goad news? Enhanced handliRg and finer-tuned overall performance to make the "warld's greatest four-stroke that much mare unstoppable. ll H H II 1I 00 0\ 0\ ..... II 00 ..... ~,.., are few jays in life equal to the fro:e-spirited thrill and experience of motorcycling. And that's why it's important for all of us to do our part as responsible riders. By following I logical common-sense rules, we can maintain season after of season of unparalleled enjoyment of our sport. Always,..,member to review your Yamaha motorcycle Owner's manuaJ and Tips Booklet befere you ride. Beforo: each ride , take time to check all your equipment. Always wear an approved helmet, eye protection, long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, gloves and boots . And always be SIre your bike is in f irst-class condition before r iding. Never ride a yz on paved surfaces or public roads; never carry passengers; never engage in stunt riding and CMlid excessive spud. Every motorcycle rider should be aware of the limits of his or her skills, experience and abilities and ride accordingly . Beginners should be extr<:mely cautious and allow extra time and distance for ~ n g and braking . All riders should ride will within the limits of their ab ilities, never beyond them. Do not drink and ride . It is illegal and dangerous. Yamaha and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation encotrage you to r ide safely and respect the environment. For further information regarding the MSf course, please call 1-800-446-9227. The r iders used dlring photography of this brocIure are highly skilled , very talented professional racers . All of the action was shot on a closed course, and is not intended to be duplicated in any way. Specifications subject to change without notice . ns come with a 3O-Day Umited Factory Warranty. Umited warranty does not apply to units for racing. See your dealer for details . . l-< III ,n E III ;> o z 47