QUICKSPIN I 2027 YAMAHA YZ450F
P88
The 2027 YZ450F
returns with minimal
changes for the new
model year. The Monster
Energy Edition is $200
more than the
standard blue YZF.
PHOTOS: JUSTIN LEE
When the YZ450F was rede-
signed in 2023, it lost some of
its trademark stability but gained
agility in tight turns. Then, in
2026, a new frame helped split
the difference between the
two generations. An aluminum
bilateral-beam frame and revised
engine mounts were introduced
to give the chassis a more
settled feel at speed without tak-
ing away its newfound ability to
turn. For 2027, the frame remains
the same, and Yamaha focused
instead on suspension, braking
and clutch feel.
Up front, the KYB SSS fork
receives softer valving along
with an additional 15cc of oil.
Adding oil reduces the air space
inside the fork and increases
resistance as it moves farther
through the stroke. The idea is
to improve comfort early in the
travel while maintaining bottom-
ing resistance on bigger hits.
The KYB shock also gets revised
damping settings. Both the front
and rear suspension have finger
adjusters that require no tools to
make changes.
The engine itself carries over
largely unchanged from 2026.
Yamaha sticks with its 450cc liq-
uid-cooled four-stroke, reverse-
cylinder-head layout, five-speed
transmission and hydraulic
clutch, which was introduced
last year. The airbox, throttle
body, ECU settings and exhaust
system were all heavily updated
in 2026 to meet the 109-decibel
