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/1540780
of the other 450s. The 2026 YZ450F is noticeably more manageable. I immediately felt more in control and for a longer time on the '26 thanks to its mellower power curve. The YZ is still feisty, but it has more manners now. The initial roll-on isn't as aggressive, and the transition from bottom to mid is much more linear. You can still rely on strong torque to pull you out of a tight inside line or load up the throttle to clear a double im - mediately out of a turn. I didn't have to fear for my life while riding the new YZ; instead, I could actually use the power to my advantage and enjoy the moto for longer than three laps. Normally I find myself tam - ing down the Yamaha's engine to make it more rideable, but on the '26, I eventually opted for a more aggressive map. If someone had told me I'd do this a year ago, I'd think they were crazy. Just a few slides forward on the Power Tuner app gave the bike a more powerful feel, helping with carry-through on the faster All these modifications added one pound to the YZ's wet weight (now a claimed 243 pounds) and resulted in a smoother, more controlled engine feel. Although we didn't dyno this bike, we are informed that the 2026 YZ has slightly less overall horsepow - er than its predecessor. The 2026 YZ450F is avail- able in two colors: traditional Yamaha Racing blue and a 70th Anniversary Edition featuring white, red and black coloring. You'll pay $200 more for the Anniversary Edition. LAPS TIME Yamaha brought a 2025 mod- el and allowed us to do some back-to-back comparisons during our first ride test. Even though the Yamaha YZ450F is known for being the fastest- feeling bike in the 450 class, it can be tough to ride over a long moto. Its raw power and snappy throttle response give it an aggressive personality like no other, but, based on my experience, riding the Yamaha tires me out faster than some It was only a matter of time before Yamaha would fit the YZ450F with a hydraulically operated clutch. That time is now. You can feel the YZ's footpeg mounts on your boots' instep when standing. Not great. top-end sections of Cahuilla Creek MX, where we rode the new YZ. The more aggressive map balanced the wide-open feel of the '25 with the smoother version of the '26. The overall fueling is noticeably cleaner on the new bike. There's less gurgling and popping from the airbox/exhaust combo, which aids in a smoother feeling from the first crack of the throttle. This also contributes to a lower sound from the front of the bike, something the Yamaha desperately needed. Even without earplugs, the induction noise from the airbox is muffled and less obnoxious. These updates make the bike feel much more refined as soon as you fire it up. Updates to the frame continue to boost rider confidence. The new chassis overall feels more planted to the ground than the 2025 model. When testing back-to-back, the '25 felt more skatey and less predict - able, especially at high speeds. The '23 and newer Yamahas have excellent turning ability, but they sacrifice some of the high-speed P94 RIDE REVIEW I 2026 YAMAHA YZ450F