2012 Yamaha YZ450F First Ride

2012 Yamaha YZ450F First Ride

Since it’s achieved and revolutionary redesign in 2010 the Yamaha YZ450F stays to receive small tweaks and amendments each model year. For 2012 the items of modifications are two times as prolonged the beforehand year, but that immobile isn’t much. The engineers at Yamaha had their hands full with the2012 Yamaha YZ250F, so the strengthen on the YZ450F was to write a more linear power band, advanced bump absorption and smoother shifting with minimal changes. 

Last year in our 2011 450 Motocross Shootout the YZ450 was a beat with all of our tryout riders in terms of suspension performance and handling. Our crew lauded the virtues of the Kayaba 48mm Speed Sensitive System front fork and 50mm rear shock. This year the valving has been modified, but the spring rates have stayed the same. The objective was to transform the bump absorption where diminishing fore and aft pitching in the corners on braking and throttle application

The first tire of the YZ450F trapped like glue in the corners, but the rear end didn't deliver the same measure of grip.

Right out of the gate the suspension difference was apparent. The novel valving sanctioned us to vitality through the rougher parts of Glen Helen Raceway with more hostility and confidence. Headshake even on the choppier parts of the track at the end of the day was not on subject, and the diminished ahead pitching on the brakes saves item soft moving into chewed corners.

Handling educated we strived a bit. The front end has phenomenal grip in the corners and will take any row that you point it at. Feedback from the Dunlop Geomax MX51 lets you know right where you are in the traction department, and sanctions you to either stick in ruts or retain tight on flat corners. The load is that the rear end desires to boogie-woogie round object much too easily. More than a small proportion times we had numerous hairy instances after the rear tire would lose grip and boogie-woogie round object where exiting flat corners hard on the gas. We think adding a bit more sag and falling the rear would assist out, but we outpoured out of assessing time.

The suspension spring rates on the 2012 YZ450F remain the same as terminal year, which is a good thing.“I discerned like a superhero after lobbing the bike into a rut,” statements our endeavoured and true tester rider, Frank Garcia. “On that message, I just expect the rear of the bike had as much grip as the front.”

Changes to the internals of the YZ450F drive are minimal with a more inflexible movement fork to transform movements from second to third gear. The fuel map and ignition time has been tweaked to deliver a more linear vitality goods effected and smoother throttle reply at low to mid-RPMs. Lastly, the silencer has been lengthened 42mm, and the outlet has been diminished by 3mm to bind to the AMA Pro Motocross utterances crosswise justice of 94 dB.

Power goods affected on the 2012 YZ450F are very interchangeable to the 2011 model, but the primary snap has been mellowed out. The vitality is immobile noble on the bottom end, but the candle switch delivery is gone. Still you deficiency to save your wrist in investigate, as the rear end contravenes loose basically and rungs out with tiny provocation.

“The novel ignition mapping for this year organized numerous decent vitality improvements,” says Frankie. “But, I think the vitality of the bike was a tiny snappy and had me spinning higher the rear wheel with just come seal every twist of the throttle.”

On the seal end the YZ’s vitality tapers of speedily and lacks over-rev like numerous of the other 450 racers. It is definitely a bike that desires to be condensed transferred, but on longer tracks like Glen Helen more revs would be understood after seizing another apparatus is just too much task right in the past having to brake for a corner.

The bottom and mid-range vitality of the 2012 Yamaha YZ450F has been smoothed out but not removed.

Ergonomics on the YZ are just the same as 2011, which is a love/hate thing for our crew. Frankie was without hold back comfy behind the ProTaper bars and praised the flat seat and tank junction. He also discerned the seat to foot peg relationship was a bit cramped but alleviated with cornering. 

“Another noticeable attribute to the bike are the foot pegs, they sense to be a tiny on the high side but I did not pinpoint this to be a problem,” says Frankie. “It presently gave me numerous confidences after laying the bike through in the ruts and not having to dread come seal hauling them.” 

I found the YZ450F cockpit cramped and challenging, condition like I sat too high on the bike where the bars were too low. Standing was comfy, but originating to grips with the compact layout took a small diagram rides. Moving the bars ahead in the clamps alleviated out meaningfully, but I immobile would prefer a taller set of bars to residual out the seat height to handlebar height. 

With bulk of the 450-class machines receiving just a candle overseen through, minus the 2012 Kawasaki KX450F, every bit alleviates in this ultra-competitive arena. Without distrust Yamaha has organised improvements to the 2012 YZ450F with a just small proportion decide changes. It will be very interesting to suppose how item will shake out after we row the YZ higher its rivals for our 2012 450 Motocross Shootout.

 2012 Yamaha YZ450F Spec :

Engine: 449cc liquid-cooled Single, DOHC, 4-valve Bore x Stroke: 97 x 60.8mm
Compression Ratio: 12.5:1
Fuel Delivery: Fuel-injection
Clutch: Wet multi-plate, cable actuation
Transmission: 5-Speed
Final Drive Gearing: 13F/48R
Front Suspension: Kayaba Speed Sensitive System 47mm fork, 20-position compression and 20-position rebound damping adjustment; 12.2 in. travel
Rear Suspension: Kayaba gas charged shock absorber, 20-position low-speed and step-less high-speed compression damping, 20-position rebound damping and adjustable spring preload; 12.4 in. travel
Front Brake: 250mm petal disc, dual-piston caliper
Rear Brake: 245mm petal disc, 1-piston caliper
Handlebar: Pro Taper
Front Tire: Dunlop Geomaz MX51 90/100-21
Rear Tire: Dunlop Geomax MX51 120/80-19
Wheelbase: 58.7 in. Length: 86.3 in. Width: 32.4 in.
Ground Clearance: 15.0 in.
Seat Height: 39.3 in.
Fuel Capacity: 1.64 gal.
MSRP: $8,350

Ref : motorcycle-usa.com