VOL. 53 ISSUE 7 FEBRUARY 23, 2016 P79
radiators as compared to mo-
tocross, so that's why Yamaha
redesigned the FX's radiators to
capture more air. Compared to
the YZ450F, the FX's radiators
are 30mm longer and the pitch
of the radiator fins has increased
half a millimeter; this allows more
air to pass through the radiators
at slower speeds. There is no
radiator fan but there is a mount
for one in case you want to
install one later. The mounts are
designed for the same fan unit
that comes stock on the 2016
WR450F, so it will bolt right up.
Otherwise, the FX's 449cc
liquid-cooled four-valve DOHC
four-stroke motor is the same
as the YZ's, which features
its rearward-slanted cylinder
design, with a reversed cylinder
head and forward-positioned
straight intake. Any performance
changes were done electroni-
cally via a different ECU and
different fuel-injection mapping.
ECU tuning can be personalized
via a GYTR Power Tuner, which
is sold separately for $291.95
and can also be used on any
fuel-injected YZ or FX model.
Suspension has been tinkered
with, of course. However, it uses
the same 48mm KYB Speed
Sensitive System spring fork and
shock as the YZ but with minor
valving changes. The fork has
lighter 4.5 N/mm springs versus
the F's 5.0 springs. Surprisingly,
the shock spring is the same as
the FX's.
It goes without saying that the
FX is fitted with an 18-inch rear
wheel, which allows for a taller tire
sidewall that better absorbs the
rocks (for a smoother ride) and is
less susceptible to pinching (flats)
than 19-inch wheels/tires. Cross-
country-spec AT81 Dunlop tires
are standard on the FX.
The FX is also fitted with a
kickstand, an O-ring chain, a
skid plate, but no hand guards
or oversize fuel tank. The stock
tank holds 2.0 gallons, same as
the YZ450F.
MSRP is $8890, which is
about $300 more than the
YZ450F, but the electric starting
and wide-ratio transmission are
worth their weight in gold. The
2016 KTM 450 XC-F, a compa-
rable bike that quickly comes to
mind, sells for $9999.
T W I S T I T
Close your eyes, climb aboard
and you wouldn't know which
bike you are on. The YZ and the
FX have the exact same ergos.
Feel around the right handlebar,
though, bump the button, and
when the bike suddenly comes
to life, you'll quickly know that
you're on the FX. It starts that
"YOU CAN JUST
LEAVE IT IN A
TALL GEAR AND
LET THE MOTOR
DO MOST OF
THE WORK
WHILE YOU
CONCENTRATE
ON THE
IMPORTANT
THINGS LIKE JUST
HAVING FUN."
