Words: Dylan Wills

Over the last couple of years Yamaha had loads of success on its 250 machine internationally and domestically with Jeremy Martin, Cooper Webb and reigning Australian MX2 Champion Luke Clout, however the YZ450F hasn’t had as much.

But as of late we have really seen a resurgence of the YZ450F with Justin Barcia in the American Pro Motocross Championship, Romain Febvre in the MXGP World Championship and also the CDR Yamaha combination of Kade Mosig and Dan Reardon in the MX Nationals; each of these riders continually putting themselves on the podium and winning races in their respective championships.

After reading about the minor changes to the 2016 Yamaha YZ450F including the addition of an 60th Anniversary Yellow colourway, I was excited because I knew this bike was going to be better than the previous model. I had the chance to ride the 2015 model on more than one occasion and I was already a really big fan, but in saying that, there were definitely some changes that needed to be made – the bike was a little too much to handle at times.

Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

On the 2016 Yamaha YZ450F we see of host of updates. I’m going to jump straight to what I personally think is the biggest improvement for the new machine: all-new intake and exhaust cam profiles. These changes were made with the intent to improve the engine’s ease of use in the low- to mid-rpm range.

These revisions were ones that I knew were going to show with a track that had many flat turns and shallow ruts at Cessnock for the official Australian media launch. I felt like I had complete control of the bike on the exits of turns, this being a feeling that was not quite there on the previous version.

Another great update we see on the 2016 Yamaha YZ450F is 5mm lower footpegs, which creates more room for the rider to move around on the bike. On last year’s model I found that if I ever dabbed a foot in a rut, I would kind of get tangled up in the bike.

Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

The main reason for this change was to help lower the rider’s center of gravity for improved balance. Although 5mm doesn’t sound like much at all, this was one change for me that was really a step in the right direction. I felt extremely comfortable and balanced entering turns, while on the exits I felt like I could really get the power to the ground whilst weighting my footpegs.

New on the 2016 YZ450F we also see the launch control button on the handlebars. This is one feature we see on a few other brands of bikes, and for me, it’s a great one. The launch control comes in handy on your more hard-packed and skatey surfaces, by helping the reaction of the bike off the mark.

A revised chassis on the 2016 Yamaha YZ450F are also big changes that I personally thought could go either way, but once again Yamaha has delivered. This year we see new triple clamps that are set at a 25mm offset (formerly 23mm).

Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

I’d thought this was going to make the bike to hard to steer through tight turns, but that wasn’t the case at all, as it steered unbelievably well. I was able to over-steer the front in some of the loamier turns and front wheel stayed glued to the ground.

The place I noticed this revision the most was on the entry to turns, as the bike stayed planted and stable under brakes. So for me this change is one that could’ve gone either way, but Yamaha hit the nail on the head and made it work.

Complementing the new triple clamp setting is the modified aluminum bilateral beam frame, which features a new forged section at the swingarm pivot and 2mm thicker motor mounts to further improve the rigidity balance for more front-end feel as well.

Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

The fully adjustable KYB spring-type fork with speed sensitive damping and KYB shock feature refinements to damping settings, which added to the confidence in handling. Most of the manufacturers now feature air forks, however Yamaha has opted to remain with the spring and it provides a lot of confidence through a familiar feeling.

There’s a new 270mm front brake disc (up from 250mm) and, along with the new brake pad material, this bike stops extremely well under massive amounts of pressure. I really put this to the test and ran in hot on purpose, but the bike responded well.

For 2016 I really believe Yamaha has put together an MX1 contender that can win races and championships. I jumped on this latest YZ450F at the launch and after half a lap I felt extremely comfortable. I think that in itself says a lot about the bike’s capabilities.

The 2016 Yamaha YZ450F will be available later this month for $11,999 (Blue) or $12,199 (60th Anniversary Yellow). For further information visit www.yamaha-motor.com.au or complete technical info can be found here.