Yamaha Reveals Easier-To-Ride WR450F
T
he 2027 Yamaha WR450F
gets a major update, featuring
engine, suspension and chassis
updates.
"The new WR450F has under-
gone significant changes in order
to refine its power and handling
characteristics," said Dan Rivito,
Yamaha Motorsports Motorcycle
Business Manager. "The result is a
machine that sets the standard for
being easy to ride on both fast-
flowing trails as well as tight, tech-
nical singletrack. Because easy to
ride means easy to ride fast."
Engine character has been
tuned to emphasize low- to mid-
range power. A revised intake
port design is said to produce a
more linear delivery that enhanc-
es throttle control. Cam-timing
changes have, says Yamaha,
resulted in more stable combus-
tion, while increased AC magneto
inertia promotes a confidence-in-
spiring delivery aimed at technical
and low-speed riding situations.
Both changes also increase low-
speed stall resistance. To further
improve power delivery, especial-
ly on flowing third-gear trails, the
rear drive sprocket has increased
by one tooth, from 50 to 51.
Yamaha claims a new frame
design balances rigidity and flex
characteristics, and a revised
front downtube results in a highly
stable ride with enhanced front-
end feel for improved cornering
performance. The new frame
is paired with a new high-per-
formance KYB rear shock and
revised fork settings with more
progressive tuning to deliver
better front-end contact, feel and
initial-movement comfort.
The updated shock features a
new piston to improve damping
force in the lowest speed range
and expands the range of damp-
ing adjustments. The shock also
has a new hand-operated low-
speed compression clicker for
simplified trailside adjustments.
The Yamaha WR250F returns
unchanged for 2027. Both bikes
will be available in October,
with an MSRP of $10,499 for
the WR450F and $9199 for the
WR250F. CN
VOLUME 63 ISSUE 37 SEPTEMBER 15, 2026 P39
Yamaha updated the
2027 WR450F to be
more user-friendly
and easier to ride.
