Image: Greg Smith (iKapture).

CDR Yamaha teammates Dean Ferris and Dylan Long are pleased with the 2018 YZ450F after taking their initial ride on the highly-anticipated machine at the Australian launch in Coolum, Queensland, earlier this week.

Defending Australian motocross champion and current MX1 points leader Ferris stated his first impression was good, commenting on the turning of the bike, while he thinks it will be a good base to build off once testing commences.

“My first impression is good,” Ferris explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “The thing turns unreal, I noticed that straightaway. It felt light and it’s cool that it has an electric start.

“We have a really good base coming off the 2016 and 2017 bikes, which I clearly like. But again, I feel like there’s some improvements there. It won’t be too long until we’re testing it with my suspension and stuff, I think it’s going to be really good from what I can tell.”

Long, who’s still easing his way back into usual form following injury, spoke of the front end feeling, stating it’s much more enhanced than the 2017 version.

“It’s really good, it’s going to be a really good base to start,” said Long. “It had a lot of good feeling in the front end, which is something I personally had to work with from our current standard bike to the factory bike.

“This one straightaway had a really good feeling, it stuck to the ground, and even with the standard handlebars – I like really low bars, these a little bit higher than what I’m used to – it felt really good. We’re in sand, so to have that feeling first off, it’s really good.

“I think it’s going to be step forward from what we’re currently riding on, just the way it all sits – it’s a bit lower in the back end, and the way it all feels, it’s really good.”

It’s yet to be revealed when the team will make the switch to the 2018 models, with additional testing and availability of parts being a determining factor in the decision.