CDR Yamaha hosted the 2014 YZ450F launch yesterday at QMP.

CDR Yamaha could introduce the 2014 Yamaha YZ450F as soon as the upcoming Swan Hill round of the Monster Energy MX Nationals.

The all-conquering five-time defending champion team is currently holding a private test with current Australian champion Josh Coppins alongside team regulars Billy Mackenzie and Lawson Bopping.

Just 24 hours after the model was officially introduced to national media outlets at the South East Queensland facility yesterday, CDR is undertaking its first real assessment of the highly anticipated model.

If the test is a success as expected, CDR Yamaha owner Craig Dack has confirmed to MotoOnline.com.au that the all-new bike could make an MX Nationals appearance before the season’s out.

“We’ve already completed three days with Josh, because what we’ve done is when he retired, we kept him on as a CDR test rider,” Dack explained. “Without disrespecting the riders that we have, we wanted Josh to do a lot of the testing for us.

“So when we get down to our riders, we’ve cut the process in half so we know what’s going to work and then it’s the riders’ personal preference. Now it’s just a case of going through the usual process we go through when developing a new race bike.

“After the launch where Billy and Lawson had their first rides on the bike, both are really positive about it. I think they’re going to say they want to race it, but we have to work out spare parts supply, speak to Yamaha about it and go through the regular process.”

With Mackenzie inching within 31 points of the MX1 series lead following his victory at Hervey Bay on Sunday, it’s vital the CDR Yamaha team makes a decision sooner rather than later.

“We need to make a decision at the end of this test,” Dack declared. “We have less than two weeks before the next round, so there will be a lot to do. We need to make the decision based on a whole array of things.

“If we don’t make it in time for Swan Hill, we’ll then assess for Toowoomba and then for Coolum.”

Mackenzie’s initial impression of the 2014 Yamaha YZ450F during the press introduction was a positive one.

“The engine’s just incredible,” he said. “I was able to ride the track today pretty much in third gear, it was pulling out of the corners and really picking up nicely in third gear, which is unusual. The engine feels focused on that gear, it’s the gear I use most so for me it’s a massive advantage to have that characteristic.

“I don’t think it’s going to take a lot to improve it at all – I think it’s strong enough. I was really surprised with the bike in stock form.”

Bopping is also excited with the bike’s characteristics in production form following limited seat time at QMP.

“The bike’s really good and I’m happy with it,” Bopping said. “I rode after it was watered, which made it really slippery on the blue groove sections, but the bike handled a lot better and it’s a big improvement as far as traction goes at the front and rear.

“I can’t wait to do a bit more riding on it – I’m pumped. Everything’s positive at the moment, I’d like to race it and I really like it. We’ll see what happens tomorrow.”