All-New Trail-Designed YFZ450X
- Updated: September 7, 2009
The YFZ450X is not just a narrowed 450R. It uses Closer Lower Pivot Mounts (16mm closer), Closer Upper Pivot Mounts (59mm Closer), The same 11 degree front frame rake is used, while wide arc A-arms increase ground clearance. Yamaha calls their new YFZ450X the ultimate high performance tight trail sport ATV. Of course the newly designed hi-tech engine found in the YFZ450R is also used in the new X, no arguments there. And the good news doesn’t stop there for cross country riders. Yamaha could have just narrowed up the R and called it an X. Yes, the new YFZ450X is 46.1 inches wide compared to the R’s 48.8 inches, but they didn’t stop there. The new 450X also features a few key changes that should provide for an impressive ride out on the trail as well as the GNCC track.
The original YFZ was the first race-ready 450 sport quad. At one point in 2004 nearly every serious production ATV racer relied on their YFZ in order to be competitive. In 2009 Yamaha completely rebuilt the YFZ and the YFZ450R was born. The R excels in many situations, especially motocross tracks and sand dunes, but wasn’t just right for cross country applications.
Enter the YFZ450X! It’s the latest evolution of Yamaha racing technology and it’s optimized especially for tight trail riding and GNCC racing!
Caster is reduced from 5 degrees on the R to 4 on the new X. Seen here is the Bill Ballance Special Edition YFZ450X.
Size Does Matter
It’s common sense, if you want to weave your way through narrow trees and trails you’ll want a machine that’s smaller in size. The new X takes care of that. This is accomplished through a new front end design and a 50 mm shorter rear axle. Accompanying those updates is a change in steering geometry specific to woods riding translating into less fatigue for the rider.
Optimized Suspension
Like we said Yamaha didn’t just narrow up the width of their 450R. The YFZ450X comes with a newly designed front suspension. The front A-arms are shortened 43.9 mm to 395.2 mm, which Yamaha feels is the optimal dimensions needed for tight cross country trails and race tracks. The front KYB shocks on the X are 426 mm long versus the 462 mm length of the YFZ450R. The easy to adjust damping goes unchanged. As a full package, the new suspension settings, A-arm design and trail track width allow the YFZ450X to soak up bumps while also allowing the rider great handling through tight, technical terrain.
The gravity-cast aluminum rear swing arm is matched to a fully adjustable 46 mm KYB piggyback shock affording the rear wheels 11 inches of travel and is identical to the rear end on the 450R.
The 450X comes with the exact same engine as the 450R, which includes; a Titanium 5-Valve Head, Integrated Oil Tank/ Lines, Optimized Gear Ratios, Beefed up case design and Crankshaft, a New Smoother Counter Balancer (100% Balanced Vs. 70% on the old YFZ) and is fed by a 42mm Fuel Injection System.
Engine and Performance
The YFZ450X features the powerful titanium 5-valve DOHC liquid cooled single cylinder 449cc engine using the cylinder head and cylinder from the championship-winning YZ450F motorcycle. The titanium five-valve cylinder head comes with camshafts designed just for ATVs that hammers out superior low- to mid-range torque and pushes through to a high-revving, hole-shot grabbing top end.
Like its track-dominating brother, the technologically advanced 450X is also equipped with electronic fuel injection featuring a 42 mm 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. For 2010, the YFZ450X receives a new FI setting specifically designed for those situations unique to technical woods riding. The system also includes idle speed control for easy, reliable startup. A stainless steel head pipe with a titanium heat shield and a new oval muffler provide maximum performance while keeping the YFZ450X well below recommended noise limits. A job well done if you ask us.
Cast Aluminum Frame
The new YFZ450X features the lightweight, no-weld cast aluminum frame exclusively from Yamaha and first introduced on the 450R. The frame’s high tension-steel bottom portion helps keep the engine as low as possible, centralizing mass for optimized handling. The cast aluminum frame is bolted together, rather than welded, for maximum durability. Frame rake is the same as the 450R at 11 degrees, which is up from 8 degrees found on the old YFZ.
The YFZ450X comes in a Blue/White, Red/White and pictured is the Bill Ballance Special Edition model, which comes with Ballance graphics, silver wheels, a darker gold shock color, SE badging, a GYTR front bumper and Bill Ballance-inspired #1 plates. Check out all the YFZ450X GYTR bolt ons as well as several Ballance Racing products available at yamaha-motor.com
Quick Access and Quality Controls
The YFZ450X gets the same great ergonomics as the 450R including a narrower tank area, wide seat, cushioned side panels and 65mm wide foot pegs. Well done Yamaha! Like the 450R, the all-new YFZ450X has the benefit of years of Yamaha Factory Racing experience – on resulting highlight is simple race prep and service.
Body panels come off easily, and there is no need to remove the battery or other components to take off the fenders. Also, the oil tank is integrated with the crankcase so servicing the engine is a snap.
The YFZ450X also boasts a set of ProTaper® handlebars with four-position adjustability, which allows riders of any size to find a comfortable setting. The 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 YFZ450X also comes with large 65 mm wide foot pegs with kick-ups that provide maximum traction and added comfort when moving around on the machine.
21 inch fronts and 20 inch rear Dunlop® radial tires are mounted to newly designed lighter wheels with rolled inner edged lips to allow dirt and mud to exit the wheel.
Wheels, Tires, Brakes and Less Weight
It should come as no surprise that YFZ450X is lighter than the 450R. In addition to the weight saved with the reductions in the rear axle and front A-arm and suspension design, the front and rear wheels have been updated to reduce weight while also increasing structural rigidity. With the seam of the wheel now rolled inwards, not only is the wheel more rigid, it is also prevents debris that could otherwise build up after a day of riding. In all, five pounds have been scrubbed off the overall weight of this model bringing the YFZ450X in at 400 pounds.
Those new wheels host Dunlop® radial tires with 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 should provide sufficient ground clearance.
Just like the YFZ450R, the YFZ450X 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.
The Red and White YFZ450X is seen here.
Yamaha has worked closely with champions Bill Ballance and Traci Cecco to aid in the design of the YFZ450R and now the made for cross country version, the YFZ450X.
Adjustable Pro Tapers handlebars come stock on the YFZ450X. And thanks to well designed mounts you’ll be able to adust the bars to four different positions.An instrument panel located on the fender in front of the rider includes vital indicators signaling low fuel, coolant temperature, check engine, and neutral gear in a straightforward LED display.
The YFZ450X comes in a Team Yamaha Blue/White or a Red/White color scheme. Also available is a Bill Ballance Special Edition model comes with a special color pattern, graphics, wheel color, shock color, SE badging, a GYTR front bumper and Bill Ballance-inspired #1 plates.
Our Honest Impression
We’ll give you the low down on the new YFZ450X after we test ride the quad on Sept 18th. Stay tuned.
Specs
ENGINE
Engine Type – 449cc, 4-Stroke Single, Liquid Cooled w/ Fan, Titanium 5-Valve DOHC
Bore x Stroke – 95mm x 63.4mm
Compression Ratio – 11.6:1
Carburetion – Yamaha Fuel Injection (YFI) , 42mm
Ignition – TCI (Digital)
Starting System – Electric
Transmission – 5-Speed Manual Clutch
Drive Train –2WD; Sealed O-Ring Chain, Eccentric Adjustment
CHASSIS
Suspension/ Front –Independent Double Wishbone, 9.4”. Kashima Coated Piggy Back Shocks, High/Low Speed Compression, Rebound and Threaded Preload Adjustment.
Suspension/ Rear – Cast Aluminum Swing Arm, 11.0”. Piggy Back High/Low Speed Compression, Rebound and Threaded Preload Adjustment.
BRAKES
Brakes/ Front – Dual Ventilated Hydraulic Disc , Twin Piston
Brake/ Rear – Wave Style Ventilated Hydraulic Disc, Twin Piston
TIRES
Tires/ Front – AT21x7-10 Radial
Tires/ Rear – AT20x10-9 Radial
DIMENSIONS
LxWxH – 70.7”x46.1”x41.9”
Seat Height – 31.9”
Wheel Base – 50.0”
Ground Clearance – 4.5”
Fuel Capacity – 2.6 Gal
Wet Weight – 400 Lbs
Lighting – Dual 30W Krypton Multi-reflector Headlights and 3.9/0.5W LED Brake light
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zerokido0o
January 18, 2011 at 12:52 pm
this is a nice bike but i wouldnt wanna get it it seems like it wont handle that well