VOL. 54 ISSUE 12 MARCH 28, 2017 P109
YAMAHA
wr450F
1
st
PLACE
T
he 2017 Yamaha WR450F is
essentially a slightly detuned
version of the YZ450FX,
Yamaha's, Red Sticker, off-road race
machine. It shares the same suspen-
sion spring rates (with different valv-
ing) and the same transmission ratios
throughout the five-speed wide-ratio
gearbox. The major differences come
via the headlight, taillight, muffler and
ECU settings. And as we've men-
tioned before, the WR450F comes
stock with a throttle limiter. Without
the throttle limiter, the Yamaha engine
is potent, event with the stock ECU
and muffler. It is very free revving with
quick throttle response. It isn't quite
as snappy as the YZ450FX, but if
you're looking for an aggressive trail
bike engine, here it is. It still can be
ridden mellow and doesn't flame out
or pop-stall, making it very nice in
technical terrain, but be warned, if
you are reckless with the right hand,
the responsive engine is happy to de-
liver tons of juice. The clutch is also
very smooth and easy to modulate
without much fading. This is the most
aggressive and most powerful engine
of the group by far.
The Yamaha likes to be
ridden aggressively.
