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/127974
Four strokes. One mission. h is is where the YZ experience begins. And the moment you swing , your leg aver a YZ80™ you hecome part of a storied history. With a legacy lined with victories much like its legendary bigger yz brethren, the YZ80 has made a habit of dominating prelly 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 1998 "80 of the Year" and "80ee Motocross Shootout" winner. Can't really say we're surprised, though. After all, from its torquey liquid-coaled 83cc single and smooth-shifting six-speed gearbox to its race-bred frame, ultra-strang brakes and fully adjustable suspension, the , YZ80 is the mini-racer of choice for those serious abut winning. And if you're going to kick off your career aboard a YZ80 , you beller be prepared to start doing that a lat. T I t started when Doug Henry d elivered a crushing hlow to the SX world two years ago by spanking the entire field ahoard his factory YZM400 four-stroke at the ' 97 Supercross finale in Las Vegas. We couldn't have wish e d for a b e ll e r showcase for th e dominating, s tate-of-the-art technology found on what 's now our production YZ400F™- a bike that prell y much swept 1998 Bike of the Year honors. With'its ultra short-stroke, 5valve , torque -packed powerpl ant, "w or k s - s t yl e " KYB suspension and race-bred YZ chassis, there's simply no bike like it. Cycle News called it "one of the most exhilarating production race bikes on the planet, " while Dirt Bike . Magazine hailed Yamaha as having "raised motocross to a n e w level...in one fell s woop," dubbing the four -stroke "definitely the Bike of the Year, maybe the decade:' W~ll; ihat hard-hitting, all-wor ld package has i1!~t ~eeome even mare p at ent, a s th e ' 9 9 Y Z"~H!~ -ge t s -a newly redesigned, lightweight s'!!'ringiil'm with an upgraded shack linkage r atio; !i; Mer, stranger rear hub 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. z Maximum mini. There are few joys in lif e equal to the free -spirited thrill and experience of motorcycling. And t hat's why it's important f or 011 of us to do our port os responsible riders . By following I logicol common-sense rules, we can maintoin season after of season of unporo/leled enjoyment of our sport. Always remember to review your Yomoha motorcycle Owner's manuoJ and Tips Booklet before you r ide . Before ,eoch ride, to ke t ime to check 011 your equipment . Always weor an approved helmet , eye protection, long- sleeved shirt, long trousers, gloves and boots . And always be sure your bike is in f irst-closs condition before riding. Never r ide 0 yz on poved surfoces or public roods ; never CO""f passengers; never engage in stult r iding and ovoid excessive speed. Every motorcycle r ider should be oware of the limit s of his or her sk ills, experience and ab ilit ies and ride accordingly. Beginners should be extremely coutious and allow extro t ime and distance for maneuvering and braking. All riders should ride will with in t he limits of their ab ilities , never beyond them. Do not drink and ride . It is illegal and dangerous . Yomoha and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation encourage you to ride safely and respect the environment. For further information regarding the MSF course, please coli 1-800-446- 9227. The r iders used during photography of this brochure are highly skilled, very t alented professional racers. All of the action WQSshot on 0 closed course , and is not int ended to be duplicated in any way . Specificati ons subject to change without not ice. VZs come with 0 3D-Dey Umited Factory WCI1TOnty. Umited wCI1TOnty does not apply to units for racing. See your deoler for detoils. 43