VOLUME 59 ISSUE 43 OCTOBER 25, 2022 P93
is a lighter and more compact
transmission. Other internal
notes, like eyelets on the crank
and the removal of the y-shaped
water pump pipe are also aimed
at overall weight savings.
Launch Control is back and
you now have Traction Control.
Yamaha gives you three levels
of TC: high, low and off. Both
Launch Control and TC can be
controlled via Yamaha's up-
dated Power Tuner App. Launch
Control now features an rpm
limiter which can be adjusted in
500 rpm increments between
6000 and 11,000 rpm. You can
now toggle from one preloaded
engine map to another on the fly
via one of two new handlebar-
mounted switches.
The chassis got a major over-
haul, as well. The YZ's bilateral
aluminum frame is now made up
of 10 different components that
are all welded together. Yamaha
says this gave designers a more
precise way of tuning in the de-
sired amount of flex to improve
feel and handling on the track.
Yamaha went all out to give
the YZ450F more comfort. The
seat is flatter, and the bike's
profile is slimmer between the
rider's legs, especially around
the fuel tank and airbox area.
The airbox has been completely
redesigned. It's narrower now
and has a redesigned air intake
pathway. Aiding ergonomics ever
further, the handlebar/seat/
footpeg relationship has been
reworked to give the rider more
room to spread out.
The new YZ450F
is a claimed five
pounds lighter than
before.
