Motorcycle specifications YamahaYZ 450 F 2023 Everything for the pilot

With its new 450 cross-country bike, Yamaha wanted to put the rider back at the heart of all developments. Equipped with a new, lighter and more powerful engine, a new lightweight chassis and all-new ergonomic bodywork, the 2023 YZ 450 F represents a major step forward for the flagship model in Yamaha's X range.

on any motorcycle, rider and machine must work in harmony to achieve optimum performance. This is particularly true of a cross-country model, where a constant shift of body weight is required during acceleration, braking and cornering. For an off-road racing machine to be perfect, it must represent an extension of the rider's body and mind. That's why the YZ 450 F development team focused primarily on the rider's needs and expectations.

Rider-centric design

rather than introducing ever more complex new technologies, the designers followed a rider-centric approach, assessing the potential benefits that any new feature could offer to everyone, whatever their skill level. The result? A highly competitive motocross machine that's fast and enjoyable on all types of track, whether the rider is an experienced professional or an occasional amateur. With a 5% increase in power and weighing just 109 kg with a full fuel tank, this new model confirms Yamaha's position at the top of the discipline.

new engine: lighter, faster, easier

for 2023, the YZ 450 F engine has undergone a complete overhaul, with every component reviewed and analyzed. This is the most significant engine evolution since the creation of the inverted cylinder head configuration in 2010. Based on a forward-facing intake and a rear exhaust outlet, this unique architecture offers an optimal level of performance. The positions of the airbox, fuel tank and exhaust, as well as the rear-tilted cylinder, contribute to the centralization of mass.

lighter and stronger, the all-new engine provides more linear power delivery, higher pulling power and better handling, making it easier to steer at all engine speeds.

new piston, lightweight cylinder and completely redesigned crankcase

the inverted-head engine benefits from an improved combustion chamber and a new piston, as well as a lighter cylinder body for improved power and handling. The new engine is equipped with a low-friction, high-precision cam chain, enabling maximum revs to be increased by 500 rpm. To increase efficiency, the crankshaft and connecting rod have been redesigned, and a lighter, flat bearing replaces the previous needle-type design. Weight savings are optimized by a new hollow balance shaft, and this lighter design reduces vibrations.

increased air intake volume

for 2023, the efficiency of the forward-facing intake design is further enhanced by a redesigned intake port with a more direct passage to the cylinder head. Titanium intake valves with a larger diameter - 39 mm - increase air intake volume by 9% at maximum valve lift. To complete the intake upgrade, the exhaust has also been redesigned for a more direct connection.

new intake routing with Vortex airbox

the air intake system is completely new. Fresh air now flows through the space between the fuel tank, frame, seat and side covers. This redirected airflow helps prevent water, dust and mud from entering the airbox, and results in a lighter, slimmer machine with a more compact body. The 2023 model also features a particularly efficient airbox that separates dust from the air entering the front through a new three-dimensional round filter.

new transmission design and lightweight clutch

to meet the requirements of the 5% increase in overall engine power, a new transmission has been designed. The distance between the drive shafts has been widened, and the diameter of each gear has been increased to reduce weight and improve the strength of the 5-speed gearbox.

the previous model's 2-piece steel/aluminium clutch has been replaced by a durable, lightweight one-piece steel counterpart, with disc springs instead of conventional coil springs. The new clutch is much thinner, and 750g lighter. Feeling is more direct and lever action easier.

longer service life

the new YZ 450 F engine features an updated cooling system, as well as a new dry-sump lubrication system, for enhanced durability despite the increase in power. Timing chain, tensioner and connecting rod are all new.

revamped aluminum double-beam frame

to meet the demands of riders, engineers have redesigned the frame to offer a lighter, more agile and stable feel, thanks to a bilateral aluminum beam design.

the character and behavior of the new chassis are determined by many factors, such as geometry, the specific optimum stiffness of each individual component, and the way the components interact with each other. An important change for 2023 is that the joint between the tank rails and the exhaust pipe is 15 mm lower than before. The joint between the frame tube connecting the tank rails to the down tube has also been lowered by the same distance.

other important modifications include increased rigidity of the lower structure, as well as of the swingarm axle area and cross-section. The new frame now features a 4mm-thick steel front motor mount with three bolts, replacing the 8mm-thick aluminum motor mount with a single bolt.

compact, slim new-generation bodywork

the YZ 450 F sports an all-new "Horizontal Movement" fascia, giving it a sleek, streamlined look. Every exterior panel has been redesigned. The body is slimmer and more compact. This fluid, rounded silhouette allows the body to move more quickly.

a new air intake channel reduces the width of the front ducts, making way for much more compact covers (50 mm wider), as well as a new, narrower fuel tank, to contribute to a more compact central section.

the compact front fender is matched by a new, shorter rear fender and, thanks to a new seat, air filter cover and fuel tank, the YZ 450 F boasts a flatter horizontal profile and a much shorter front-to-rear length. New side guards and fork protectors complete this dynamic new look.

revamped steering triangle

the relative position of the three elements of the riding triangle (saddle, handlebars and footrests) has been modified to provide ideal ergonomics for all body shapes. The seat height has been increased by 5 mm and its surface is much flatter. The profile of the left and right sides of the saddle is more rounded, making lateral body movements easier and more intuitive.

the footrests are now positioned 5 mm lower, providing a total of 10 mm of space to accommodate taller riders. The 4-way adjustable handlebars have been moved to a more natural position, while the rubber handlebar mounts provide optimum comfort.

new KYB front and rear suspensions

new suspension settings improve bump-absorbing performance and increase traction. To optimize handling, the top-of-the-range KYB fork benefits from a manual adjustment feature for modifying compression damping. Riders can now access clear information and recommendations on suspension settings via the Power Tuner app on their smartphone, eliminating the doubts associated with the multitude of possible adjustments.

improved rear braking feel

the rear brake plays a key role in every change of direction and corner entry to be effective, and the degree of feel transmitted to the rider is essential to maintain control. That's why the new model uses a new, lower-stiffness rear hose that improves braking balance and gives the rider more precise control.

new adjustable traction control system

the new traction control system is yet another example of Yamaha's commitment to rider-centric design and the introduction of technologies that work in the rider's interest. This electronic throttle control system offers two levels of assistance and an OFF function. By preventing the machine from losing traction entirely, it allows the rider to concentrate fully on the track. The YZ 450 F's new traction control system is adjustable via the Power Tuner app, to define a customized level of intervention, in relation to track conditions, weather and skill level.

improved start control system

the start control system incorporates a new "rev limit" function that allows maximum rpm to be set between 6,000 and 11,000 rpm in 500 rpm increments. This allows the rider to fill up on power at full rpm and concentrate on the holeshot. When the start control system detects that starting has taken place, the rev-limit function switches off automatically, and when 3rd gear is reached, the start control system deactivates.

weight reduction

yamaha's designers have analyzed all major and minor components to make the new YZ 450 F one of the lightest machines in its class, whose weight is taken into consideration with a full fuel tank.

a new fuel pump, a new air box and a new chain guide considerably reduce weight and help centralize mass to facilitate chassis agility. . Even the smallest parts (throttle cable, handlebar switches and water pump motor) have been redesigned to reduce weight by 2.3 kg to 109 kg.

new, more intuitive Power Tuner application

for 2023, the Power Tuner application has been upgraded to include an intuitive "quick-set" function that makes it quick and easy to select engine characteristics, with a scroll bar that changes from "Smooth" to "Aggressive". The new application includes additional functions, such as a tachometer, engine speed, fuel consumption, speed and other data. There's also a dedicated suspension information page to help YZ 450 F owners obtain the optimum setting.

highlights

- All-new 450 cm3 engine, lighter, slimmer and more compact
- Increased linear power at all engine speeds and higher rev limit of 500 rpm
- Increased air intake capacity with 39 mm intake valves
- Revised 5-speed transmission and new lightweight clutch
- New dry-sump lubrication system
- Total weight reduced by 2.3 kg to 109 kg fully loaded
- Redesigned aluminum double-beam frame for optimum rigidity
- New fork and rear shock absorber valves
- New fork compression damping, manually adjustable
- Slimmer, more compact bodywork for greater agility
- Flatter, narrower seat for greater freedom of movement
- New 3-mode adjustable traction control system
- Updated start control system
- New, more intuitive Power Tuner application with quick set-up
- New rev counter function and much more
- FAQ-style suspension installation tips

availability

the new YZ 450 F will be available in 2 colors: Icon Blue and Monster Black. The YZ 450 F Monster Energy Yamaha Racing Edition features black bodywork with blue accents and Monster Energy motifs, inspired by the look of factory racing bikes.

Information and images: Yamaha