2009 Yamaha YFZ450R
- Updated: September 8, 2008
It looks as though Yamaha may be holding some pretty impressive cards in its all-new YFZ450R. If the 450 ATV race-ready segment were a Texas Holdem’ poker game, Yamaha just may be All-In for 2009. Since Suzuki, Kawasaki, Can-Am and KTM have already determined that they’re prepared to play for their stake in the extreme high performance market share pot, this may be one of the best “poker games” in ATV history.
Yamaha today proved that it’s serious about its hand in the ultra competitive 450 sport quad segment with its all-new YFZ450R at its national dealer meeting in Las Vegas today. Yamaha is claiming that their 2009 model year machine is “built to be the world’s best all-around high performance racing and recreational sport ATV”, after checking out the machine for ourselves we’re not able to claim such a huge statement but since the new YFZ comes with state-of-the-art suspension, fuel injection, a no-weld aluminum frame, an all-new power packed engine and sits with a new wide motocross stance, we’re certainly impressed.
The first thing you’ll notice is the new black body panels. This material is made from a special soft plastic that should provide better comfort when moving throughout the machine.
450 Class Pioneers
Yamaha has a well deserved reputation of building some of the industry’s best sport ATVs. The original YFZ450 was announced in 2003 as the first race-ready 450-class ATV with leading technology and more pure sport performance than any machine ever built at that time.
Since then Yamaha has dominated the field across the board with the best selling big bore sport ATV in the Raptor 700R down to the best selling 250-class machine with the Raptor 250. But the YFZ is still the pinnacle of ATV performance, and even with a constantly growing number of competitors entering the 450 market, the YFZ has always been the top seller in its class.
This isn’t the same old power plant. The new YFZ450R 449cc engine gets all-new bigger cases along with a new beefed-up crankshaft that’s ready to handle the increased torque that this new engine can produce. The external oil tank has been incorporated into the engine. A bigger counterbalance aids in superior vibration control. In addition, new camshafts are used which are said to maximize the low and mid range power. Its new fuel injection uses a 12-hole injector and a 42mm Mikuni throttle body and includes an idle speed control. Also new are the gear ratios. A 5-valve titanium cylinder head is used but a made-for-racing CNC ported GYTR head assmbly, complete with titanium valves and GYTR Performance Camshafts, which are already pre assembled into the head, will be available at your dealer for $2,245.95. In addition a GYTR High Compression Piston Kit, which increases engine compression from 11:4:1 to 13:2:1 is available for $193.95. Yamaha claims a 33% increase will be obtained with its GYTR hop up components. Yamaha’s Dustin Nelson said the motor is amazing in stock form and with its beefed up crank and engine cases is far more acceptable to pro class modification.
MX Wide with Cast Aluminum Frame
The new YFZ450R meshes this history of dominance with the latest in Yamaha technology and innovation. In its stock form, Yamaha claims its new YFZ450R is the best all around performance ATV combining racing technology and features with all-terrain sport performance. Starting with its motocross track-width, the YFZ450R is immediately ready for the MX track. The no-weld cast aluminum frame is lightweight and has a tension-steel bottom portion that helps keep the engine as low as possible centralizing mass for excellent handling. The cast aluminum frame is bolted together, rather than welded, for maximum durability. It was said that Yamaha has been testing this new YFZ with professional quad racers for three years.
Suspension
The YFZ450R comes with newly designed front and rear suspension. The front frame is narrow at the A-arm mounting points reducing changes in the camber as the A-arms travel through their full range of motion. Frame rake is now 11 degrees vs. 8 in year’s prior. This will help the YFZ450R with improved suspension action. The front 44mm KYB shocks have Kashima coating for smooth operation and impact absorption with 9.8 inches of wheel travel. The gravity-fed aluminum rear swingarm is matched to a fully adjustable 46mm KYB piggyback shock affording the rear wheels 11 inches of travel.
All-New Engine with Fuel Injection
The YFZ450R has a powerful 5-valve DOHC liquid cooled single cylinder 449cc engine that uses the cylinder head and cylinder from the championship-winning YZ450F. The titanium five-valve cylinder head comes with camshafts designed just for this machine that hammers out superior low- to mid-range torque and pushes through to a high-revving, hole-shot grabbing top end.
The technologically advanced 450R is also equipped with electronic fuel injection featuring a 42mm Mikuni® throttle body, 12-hole Denso injector system and a Mitsubishi 32 bit ECU, which provides exceptional atomization of the fuel for maximum power, unrivaled throttle response and automatic altitude and temperature adjustment. The system also includes idle speed control for easy, reliable start-up. A stainless steel head pipe with a titanium heat shield and a new oval muffler provide maximum performance while keeping the YFZ450R well within current noise guidelines.
Check out the beefy 2.6 inch wide stock pegs, which also feature a swept up design to assure good footing. Those that want to race motocross might be interested in a set of Yamaha’s new GYTR Nerf Bars, which include netted footwells and one inch longer pegs which can be installed in two different height positions. They will retail at just over four hundred bucks.
The front frame is noticeably narrow at the A-arm mounting points. This dramatically reduces changes in camber as the long A-arms travel through their full range of motion. Wide independent double wishbone A-Arms allow the YFZ450R to measure in at 48.8 inches wide. Much like the new Can-Am DS450, the new YFZ450R will come stock with race-worthy shocks from KYB. Up front you’ll find a set of Kashima coated 46mm KYB piggy back shocks which feature High/Low speed compression, rebound and threaded preload adjustment that offer 9.8 inches of travel. In the rear is a cast aluminum swingarm with a Kashima coated piggyback KYB unit with High/Low speed compression, rebound and threaded preload adjustment. The rear measures in at 11 inches of travel.
Adjustable Bars and Easy Maintenance
Yamaha Factory Racing experience led to a host of enhanced features on the YFZ450R. One benefit is race prep and service made simple. Body panels come off easily, and there is no need to remove the battery or other components to take off the fenders. The oil tank is integrated with the crankcase so it’s easier to service the engine.
The YFZ450R also boasts ProTaper® handlebars and all-new four-position adjustability. There are two sets of holes in the handlebar crown and eccentric clamps that allow the rider to choose between the standard setting, 10mm or 20mm forward, or 10mm back. A newly shaped thumb throttle lever delivers smooth throttle control requiring less effort and causing less fatigue. A new seat design is thin yet roomy in the front and wider and more padded in the back for a more comfortable all-around ride. The YFZ450R also comes with very large 65mm wide foot pegs with kick-ups that provide maximum traction and added comfort when moving around on the machine.
An ultra-smooth newly shaped thumb throtle should make a lot of riders happy. This improved assembly is also found on the 2009 standard YFZ.
ProTaper® handlebars are mounted on 4-way clamps for exceptional adjustability. There are two sets of holes in the handlebar crown, and eccentric clamps so the rider can choose the standard setting, 10mm or 20mm forward, or 10mm back.
The keyed ignition has been moved closer to the dash instraments and away from tall rider’s knees.
More New Goodies
Newly designed Dunlop® tires have a superb combination of compound, tire profile, tread pattern and sidewall-to-tread center stiffness to provide outstanding comfort, bump absorption and precise cornering performance. At 20 inches in the rear and 21 inches in the front, the tires also provide maximum ground clearance for track, trail or dune riding. The YFZ450R has excellent stopping power from dual front hydraulic disc brakes and a lightweight wave-type rear rotor including dual piston calipers in the back as well as the front.
Rounding out the ATV’s top features is an instrument panel located on the fender in front of the rider including vital indicators signaling low fuel, coolant temperature, check engine, and neutral gear in a straightforward LED display. The 2009 YFZ450R comes in a standard color Team Yamaha Blue/White or in a second color Red/White. It will be in dealerships in November with an MRSP of $7,999.
