Yamaha releases 2018 450!
Yamaha PR:
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, today unveiled an entirely reimagined 2018 YZ450F with electric start featuring the world’s first smartphone engine tuning app on a production motocross bike. An all-new engine, new frame, new bodywork and more are also major focal points of the extensive model redesign.
“The 2018 YZ450F with all-new technology, power and performance connects YZ riders to their bikes like never before and will launch Yamaha riders into the victory zone when bikes hit dealers in July,” said Mike Doughty, Yamaha’s General Manager of Motorcycle Operations. “With the all-new design and performance features of the 2018 model, the YZ450F enters a new era of advanced racing technology that brings the ultimate balance of power, confidence and customization to Yamaha riders.”
The 2018 YZ450F utilizes an all-new engine design that features a new cylinder head, piston, cam shaft profiles, cylinder geometry and more – all working together to deliver class leading power, with even more controllability. Its bilateral beam frame is all-new with an optimized engine mounting position to improve the machine’s rigidity balance, improving cornering ability, and traction.
WORLD’S FIRST PRODUCTION POWER TUNER APP
The 2018 YZ450F is the world’s first production motocross bike with a wireless smartphone based engine tuner. The all-new Yamaha Power Tuner iOS® and Android® App and communication control unit connects the rider with the bike like never before. The new Yamaha Power Tuner App can make fuel and ignition mapping changes – uploaded wirelessly to the bike via the onboard Wi-Fi system – for the ultimate in track-side tuning. A “Log” function allows you to make notes about your riding location, conditions, bike settings and more, giving you a baseline for future rides. The app can also monitor a range of information such as RPM, throttle position, engine coolant temperature and more. There is also a maintenance function with customizable trip meters to monitor run times for items you decide.
The new Yamaha Power Tuner App released with the 2018 YZ450F makes it possible to modify engine mapping in even greater detail than before. It also allows users to share settings among their team or with friends (along with other information) thus evolving the system into a tool that helps facilitate communication.
ALL-NEW ELECTRIC START
Utilizing a compact starter motor and ultra-lightweight lithium-ion battery, the 2018 YZ450F brings the convenience of push-button starting to the racetrack for effortless restarts under pressure and relaxed riding when the clock isn’t ticking. Powered by a high-capacity and ultra-lightweight lithium-ion battery, the system adds minimal weight.
NEW ENGINE
For 2018, Yamaha has refined its distinct rearward-slanted cylinder design for the YZ450F engine – complete with a rear exhaust and forward-mounted downdraft intake system. The all-new cylinder head is lighter and the cylinder slant is more upright to work with the bike’s updated frame for optimized front weight distribution. Inside, the engine features new cam shaft profiles, a new crankshaft, a stronger high-compression “box bridge” piston design with a DLC-coated (Diamond-like Carbon) piston pin, and now breathes through a new 44mm Mikuni® throttle body. Together, these updates give the rider an ideal balance of 450cc class power with exceptional control and response.
The transmission and clutch have been overhauled for a more direct connection as well as enhanced durability. Revised gears with a wider surface area, updated clutch plates and a stiffer outer pressure plate all combine to boost controllability and durability.
The YZ450F radiators and exhaust have also been modified for improved performance and weight distribution. The updated radiators are larger and angled more directly in the incoming air stream for improved cooling under the most demanding race conditions. The innovative wraparound exhaust pipe design improves mass concentration and improves power development, with revised geometry for 2018. This layout moves the rear end of the exhaust pipe farther forward and enables a muffler position close to the center of the mass.
Returning for the 2018 model, Yamaha’s Launch Control System (LCS) is integrated into the YZ450F for optimized engine output that results in a quicker, smoother race start, boosting controllability out of the gate and ensuring the rider has the best chance to get the holeshot and lead the competition into the first turn.
NEW FRAME AND OPTIMISED ERGONOMICS
The all-new compact bilateral beam frame of the YZ further refines the instinctive handling. Redesigned upper frame bracing, rear frame spars and all new engine mounts centralize mass and increase rigidity on lateral, horizontal and vertical axis to provide an ideal balance between cornering feel and straight-line rigidity. Simply, the new frame was designed to improve contact to the ground and provide the best possible balance of stiffness for bump absorption, and effortless cornering.
Surrounding this fully redesigned chassis, the 2018 YZ450F features a new lighter, compact body from tip to tail. The radiator shrouds incorporate a new air duct with a concave shape that not only improves styling, but is also narrower for better knee grip and overall rider movement. The seat height has been reduced by 8mm towards the front and almost 20mm lower at the tail end, giving the rider better maneuverability on the bike.
Class-leading KYB® suspension
The easily tuned, fully adjustable KYB® spring-type forks feature speed sensitive damping that provides exceptional balance between handling and bump absorption for race-winning performance. Their AOS (air-oil-separate) design is widely regarded as being one of the industry’s leading systems, giving excellent low speed feel with high-speed stability – and offers the added advantage of being easy to set up.
The KYB® rear shock boasts new damping characteristics to match the new chassis, and is equipped with a lighter spring for reduced weight – and for consistent damping performance in longer races, the reservoir capacity has been increased by 30cc.
New graphics and blue rims
The all-new slimline bodywork is highlighted with the use of new graphics, and the new 2018 YZ450F is also equipped with blue wheel rims that reinforce its factory bike DNA.
2018 YZ450F Chassis and Ergonomics
Main Technical Changes
Newly designed high-rigidity bilateral beam frame
New engine mounts for mass centralization
Narrower and flatter seat for improved rider manoeuvrability
Slimmer, more compact body design
Optimised suspension matching the new frame
Redesigned KYB® rear shock with larger reservoir
Compact 6.2-litre fuel tank
New graphics and blue wheel rims
Availability and retail price
The all-new 2018 YZ450F will be available at Yamaha dealers starting in August 2017. Pricing varies per country. Please contact your local press officer for country specific information.
Connected as One
The 2018 YZ450F raises the bar in the world of motocross machine design by offering the very highest level of connectivity between the rider and the bike, both in terms of instant tuneability and also rider/machine unity. You could not be more Connected as One with the YZ450F.
Rest of the 2018 YZ range
For 2018 the YZ250F and YZ 2-stroke models will also feature new graphics as well as new blue wheel rims.
GYTR off road racing parts
Yamaha dealers will again be able to supply competition riders with a wide range of GYTR (Genuine Yamaha Technology Racing) parts for the 2018 YZ450F. Full details will be available on the Yamaha official website from August 2017.
2017 MX Pro Tour
Yamaha will once again visit various tracks around Europe where customers will be able to test, feel and gain knowledge about the 2018 YZ range. Complete details will be live on national Yamaha websites in July.
