Test: Yamaha YZ450F - the first "smart" motocross bike

For the upcoming 2018 season, Yamaha has prepared an all-new 450cc motocross model. See It is now connected to your smartphone, with which you can customize the motorcycle to your liking. Under the auspices of Avto magazine, the new special YZ450F was tested at the Ottobia Open National Open Class by Jan Oscar Katanec, who raced the same Yamaha, but in 2017, and gave the first direct comparison.

Alessio Barbanti

The new smartphone app (IOS and Android) allows the rider to connect to the motorcycle via a wireless network. The driver can change the engine patterns over the phone, monitor the rpm, engine temperature ... The app also offers a note in which the driver writes down what he wants for certain routes or conditions. But that's not all, new suspension, frame and standard electric motor. The cylinder head is new and lighter, offset higher for better mass centralization. The piston has also been improved, the radiators, which have become larger and installed in such a way that air flows into them more directly, as well as the structure.

Jan Oskar Katanetz: “The biggest novelty that immediately catches the eye is of course the electric starter, which I really missed as a racer of previous models, especially when I made a mistake in the race and lost a lot of power to restart the race. engine.

What I felt the most was a different power delivery which I feel is much better with the 2018 model because the motor is not as aggressive in the low speed range but still offers plenty of power when you need it so I would describe the power of the motor or its delivery is more forgiving compared to last year, although the 2018 model has more “horses”. The handling of the bike surprised me, especially in corners, where I had a better sense of balance and control of the first wheel (fork offset changed from 22 millimeters to 25 millimeters), and also in acceleration, as the rear wheel remained in place. it should be. Although the brakes are the same, the suspension has changed slightly from last year, I felt this in the balance of the bike, as the center of gravity was shifted a little more towards the rear of the bike compared to last year's model. But I also had the opportunity to try out the WR450F (enduro) bike, and the first thing I noticed was the lightness of the bike, although it weighs about 11 pounds more than its motocross counterpart.

It was this lightness that gave me a sense of safety and well-being when entering corners, and the suspension did a great job on bumps, but it was too soft for jumping on the flat side of the track. As befits an enduro bike, the engine power was quite low, so I had to drive quite aggressively on the motocross track. I was very surprised at how fast I was able to ride this enduro bike on a track full of bumps, deep canals and long jumps. "

text: Yaka Zavrshan, Jan Oscar Katanec 

photo: Yamaha

• Basic data

• Technical information

  engine: 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valve, 1-cylinder, tilted back, 449 cc

  Power: np

  Torque: np

  Energy transfer: 5-speed gearbox, chain

  Frame: aluminum box

  brakes: hydraulic single disc, front disc 270 mm, rear disc 245 mm

  Tires: front - 80 / 100-21 51M, rear - 110 / 90-19 62M

  Growth: 965 mm

  Fuel tank: 6,2

  Wheelbase: 1.485 mm /

  Weight: 112 kg