VOLUME 58 ISSUE 36 SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 P111
T
he year 2022 won't be known as a
year of changes when it comes to
production motocross bikes. Only a
few models receive what we would deem
significant updates. Like many others, Ya-
maha is one of the manufacturers that left
well enough alone with its two premier MX
models, the YZ250F and YZ450F. Luckily
for the blue crew, the YZ250F and YZ450F
are already stellar motorcycles, so no great
concern here that they weren't significantly
updated. Last year, the YZ250F won our
annual 250F motocross shootout for the
umpteenth time over the past decade,
while the 2021 YZ450F slipped a few notch-
es from the previous year, but our test riders
were still impressed with the '21 YZ450F.
For 2022, the YZ250F ($8499) and
YZ450F ($9599) share the same shortlist of
changes. Both get new rear-wheel assem-
blies and minor suspension updates, aka
clicker changes.
The YZ's rear wheels are said to be lighter
thanks to re-worked hubs, sprockets and
drive chains. As a result, Yamaha claims this
all adds up to reduced "unsprung weight
and driveline inertia, contributing to more
agile handling."
The 2022 Yamaha
YZ450F (left) and
YZ250F return much like
they were last year but
with updated rear wheels
and suspension settings.
