Motorcycle specifications YamahaWR 450 F 2017 Enduro stung by YZ genetics

devilishly well designed

in 2015, Yamaha made clear its intention to return to the forefront of the enduro world, with the launch of the much-anticipated WR 250 F. Featuring an all-new engine and chassis, the WR 250 F impressed with a string of top 5 finishes, including multiple podiums in the 2015 Enduro World Championship, highlighting its competitiveness at the highest level.

in 2016, Yamaha strengthened its off-road range with a vastly redesigned WR 450 F, a sophisticated enduro that benefits from best-in-class engine and chassis technologies.

inspired by the YZ 450 F that won the 2015 MXGP World Championship and developed in parallelthe latest production model of the YZ 450 F, the WR 450 F features a rearward-tilted cylinder and Yamaha's own inverted cylinder head. This engine design offers the WR 450 F rider a high level of linear, controllable torque. Improved mass centering enhances the bike's handling and agility.

by adopting the engine inherited from the YZ-F and combining it with the lightweight, compact chassis chassis inspired by the YZ-F, the WR 450 F benefits from major improvements in terms of weight, power, flexibility and rideability.

aimed at enduro and rally-raid riders, as well as simple amateurs, the WR 450 F has all the characteristics of an enduro. It features a custom-tuned engine and chassis, designed to optimize performance in a number of specific off-road situations at low and high speeds.

linear torque with plenty of power reserve

like the YZ-F models and the recently launched WR 250 F, the WR 450 F engine features an inverted cylinder head with a forward-facing intake and rear exhaust system. By increasing intake and exhaust efficiency, this innovation enhances the engine's linear torque feel and offers a large reserve of easily usable power.

a concept described by Yamaha as "devilishly well thought-out", the inverted cylinder headthe WR 450 F's inverted cylinder head and rearward-tilted cylinder have already proved their worth on the MXGP World Champion YZ450F. Like its popular "cousins", the YZ-F and WR 250 F, the WR 450 F's compact engine, under-seat fuel tank and snake-type exhaust contribute significantly to mass balance.

like many innovative technologies, the look of the inverted cylinder head may initially seem "diabolical" to some, but with its performance gains and accentuated mass centering which guarantee greater lightness and flexibility, it will delight riders who want top performance combined with enhanced ease of driving.

44 mm throttle body with revised fuel injection settings

inspired by the latest YZ 450 F system, the WR 450 F's fuel injection system has been completely reprogrammed to meet the needs of the enduro rider. The 44 mm throttle body is 2 mm larger than that fitted to the current WR 450 F; the revised spray angle and wider throttle opening contribute to the WR 450 F's perfect balance of power, ease of use and low-speed ride.

enduro radiators with lightened fan

for efficient cooling performance in all riding conditions, the WR 450 F is equipped with enduro-compliant radiators. They feature a different pitch angle to the YZ-F design. The swingarms have also been specially designed to meet the specific demands of enduro and rally-raid riding.

to ensure good cooling performance at low speeds, the WR 450 F is fitted with a radiator fan as standard; a feature that will be appreciated by all riders who have ever got stuck or been slowed down by a particularly difficult obstacle.

electric starter

the electric starter makes it easy to start the WR 450 F in cold weather, or to restart it when it's hot. A self-decompression system intervenes when the electric starter is activated to facilitate starting. In addition, the engine's air supply can be increased by 40% for reliable cold starting. The WR 450 F is also equipped with a kick starter for starting in all circumstances.

5-speed gearbox and enduro clutch

equipped with a five-speed gearbox, the WR 450 F is capable of mastering any terrain, whether in the woods at low speed or during time trials. What's more, it achieves a good top speed in rally and enduro. Compared to the previous edition of the WR 450 F, the model features longer second, third and fourth gears, while first and fifth remain unchanged.

in addition to this wide-ratio transmission, this new-generation enduro features a clutch designed to handle long, hard days of riding. Combining a lightweight feel with endurance, the clutch uses materials for the friction plates and clutch disc.

optional Yamaha Power Tuner

the Yamaha Power Tuner is a compact, easy-to-use electronic device. It allows WR 450 F riders to adjust engine power to suit each type of terrain. Riders can choose from nine easy-to-program settings for ignition and fuel mapping. A supervisory function allows the user to set the idle speed and view the total engine runtime. Powered by two AA batteries, this unit can be connected directly to the WR 450 F. No computer or download is required.

chassis - Compact size and centered mass

the rear-tilting engine configuration allowed Yamaha designers to build a compact chassis that takes advantage of the greater maneuverability offered by the engine's reinforced mass centering.

inspired by the design used on the recent YZ 450 F, the aluminum frame with frame features suspension systems that guarantee lightness, flexibility and manoeuvrability. The great versatility and ease of use of the new frame combine with the feeling of linear torque and engine control to enable the WR 450 F rider to exploit the bike's full potential.

to give the enduro rider a better perception of the road and a feeling of being at one with the terrain, the engine mounts on top and at the front are made of 6 mm thick steel plate, 2 mm thinner than that used on the YZ 450 F motocross model.

kYB® separate air/oil forks (AOS)

in the motocross world, the AOS (air/oil-separated) forks on Yamaha's YZ 450 F have the reputation of being the best designs available on the market today. With separate air and oil chambers, these highly advanced forks prevent cavitation, ensuring more stable damping performance and predictable handling.

the WR 450 F is based on the same fork as its motocross counterpart, but to ensure greater smoothness at low speeds and absorb large bumps, the WR-F model rides with enduro-specific settings. In addition, the YZ450F-inspired rear shock absorber benefits from revised settings designed to handle the various low- and high-speed riding situations typically found in enduro racing.

the WR 450 F's specific front and rear suspension settings not only ensure a high level of stability on different types of terrain: they also boost rider confidence in difficult off-road conditions. The combination of Yamaha's AOS forks with these enduro and rally-specific settings also reduces rider fatigue, allowing the bike to reach its full potential.

270 mm front disc brake

like the latest YZ-F models, the WR 450 F is equipped with a 270 mm front disc brake for excellent braking performance and precise feel.

18-inch rear wheel and enduro tires

equipped with black rims, the WR 450 F's 18-inch rear wheel and 21-inch front wheel are fitted with Metzeler 6 Days Extreme tires. Enduro equipment also includes a lightweight crankcase guard, lightweight frame-mounted kickstand, waterproof chain and 22mm rear axle.

sleek lines and body-tinted deco kit

the WR 450 F's body features a long, flat seat and a sleek front end for easy weight transfer: the rider benefits from a high level of control under braking, acceleration and cornering. The four-position adjustable handlebars let riders choose the setting best suited to their style and size, while the integrated fuel filler cap allows the saddle to be extended forward for greater freedom of movement.

the WR 450 F's aggressive looks and compact silhouette are inherited from the production YZ 450 F, winner of the MXGP World Championship.the aggressive look and compact silhouette of the WR 450 F are inherited from the MXGP World Championship-winning production YZ 450 F, while the mass-produced deco kit is designed to resist abrasion and remain aesthetically pleasing even after hours of off-road riding.

lighting and instruments

the WR 450 F is equipped not only with an integral lighting kit, but also with a high-efficiency alternator to meet the additional demands of the electrical system. The digital instruments feature a multi-function display with an enduro computer that keeps the rider informed of progress and distance covered, while a fuel level indicator warns the rider when it's time to refuel. The machine is also equipped with a starter system with a contactor integrated into the start button for greater convenience and time savings.

wR 450 F highlights

- Aggressive, modern design inspired by the YZ450F
- Innovative inverted engine
- Mass centering and compact design for a lightweight, flexible feel
- Linear torque for easy-to-control engine performance
- Enduro suspension settings give a feeling of maneuverability, stability and confidence
- The genes of an MXGP world champion

wR 450 F technical specifications

- YZ450F-inspired 450 cm3 liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, 4-valve, DOHC engine
- Revolutionary inverted cylinder head with forward-facing intake
- Fully adjustable engine behavior with optional Yamaha Power Tuner
- 5-speed gearbox with enduro clutch
- Efficient cooling thanks to enduro radiator with cooling fan
- Quick-release top-mount air filter
- Bilateral-beam aluminum frame based on the YZ-F, with optimized balance and rigidity
- KYB® Air/Oil Separated (AOS) final forks
- Monocross suspension
- Electric starter with switch integrated into start button
- Instrument panel with enduro computer, fuel indicator,
- Metzeler 6 Days Extreme tires

Photos and info: Yamaha