First Look: 2011 Yamaha YZ450F 3


Want the video on the new 2011 Yamaha YZ450F first? Dig in! No one said you couldn't have dessert first. If not, go ahead and read the rest, then stop back here later.


Ride Impression: 2011 Yamaha YZ450F







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Doug Dubach, 2011 Yamaha YZ450F
Doug Dubach putting the new YZ450F through its paces. Click any image for a larger version.

2010 was a huge year for Yamaha's YZ450F. It got an all-new double S-bend chassis, and the heavily reconfigured powerplant with a rearward slant, and a reversed air intake and exhaust that gave it a very straight and efficient flow. Then there was the addition of fuel injection, with a 44mm Keihin throttle body. Considering the number of changes in 2010, you have to give them credit for pretty much nailing it the first year. The list of changes for 2011 is...well, miniscule in comparison.









The fuel tank bumped up 200cc in capacity. You also get sweet goodies stock, like the Pro Taper bars.

So what is new? Well, they bumped the fuel tank capacity up 200cc, from 6.0 (1.585 gallons) to 6.2 liters (1.637 gallons). They also lengthened the clutch arm 6mm, from 36mm to 41mm, and boosted its cam shape to decrease the amount that the lever free place changes during a moto. Add in some white lower shrouds, and a 150mm longer silencer, and that's pretty much it. Oh...and if you really dig into the available info, you'll also find that they changed the fork offset from 25mm to 22mm to help cornering performance.









Watching Doug at work, he didn't have any problem holding inside lines, or railing the berms.

For those of you playing catch-up, here are the basics on what you've got here. The four-stroke engine has a four-valve configuration, with titanium valves, and a 97.0mm bore and 60.8mm stroke. It's all easily tunable via Yamaha's trick GYTR Power Tuner ($279), which allows you to create and save up to nine fuel and ignition maps, all without requiring a laptop. It also handles a variety of diagnostic and tuning functions, as well as doubling as an hour meter. You want a more hard-hitting package? It can do it. And you can also tame it down, which meets Yamaha's goal of enabling every rider to go faster and have more confidence, regardless of skill level.









The mass centralization theme plays on this year, with the rearward slanting cylinder, airbox up front, tornado exhaust in the rear, where the airbox used to reside, and the fuel tank, which is over the top of the center of gravity.

There are KYB components front and rear, with an Speed Sensitive fork, and 50mm piston piggyback reservoir shock. Yamaha spends tons of time dialing in their settings, and after watching Yamaha test rider Doug Dubach put in tons of laps on the stocker, it's easy to tell he's very familiar with the settings. Doug also noted that after riding the stocker, it made him realize how similar his own race bike was. Sure, there's personal preference tweaking, and some hop-ups, but overall he says it's pretty close.









Apparently Yamaha's mass centralization carries over to Doug Dubach's riding style. When it comes to Doug, we've seen guys say, "I hope I'm that fast when I'm your age." Sorry, bucko, you might never be that fast...no matter your age.

Tires? Dunlop front and rear, Sunstar sprockets, and Pro Taper bars with adjustment options for four different positions, via two positions in the top triple clamp, and switching the bar clamps forward or backward. Taller riders will appreciate the extra room to spread out the ergos.


With the economy being less than stellar, Yamaha realizes that everyone's not running out to buy new bikes every year, and are keeping them longer. But like always, they're keeping their focus on performance, but always with an eye towards durability. According to the blue crew, the YZ450 never had any tech bulletins issued for problems, and we'd expect more of the same in 2011.









Like 2010, the Yamaha YZ450 is available in two color combos. The blue/white with Doug aboard, and the red/white/black seen above.

Specs: YZ450FAL; YZ450FAB
Engine Type: 449cc liquid-cooled DOHC 4-stroke; 4 titanium valves

Bore & Stroke: 97.0 x 60.8mm

Compression Ratio: 12.5:1

Fuel Delivery: Yamaha Fuel Injection (YFI), Keihin® 44mm

Ignition: CDI

Transmission: Constant-mesh 5-speed; multiplate wet clutch

Front Suspension: KYB® Speed-Sensitive System, inverted fork: fully adjustable, 12.2-in travel

Rear Suspension: KYB® Fully adjustable single shock; 12.4-in travel

Front Brake: Hydraulic single disc brake, 250mm

Rear Brake: Hydraulic single disc brake, 245mm

Front Tire: 80/100-21-Dunlop® D-742FA

Rear Tire: 120/80-19-Dunlop® D-756

L x W x H: 86.3 x 32.4 x 51.6 in

Seat Height: 39.3 in

Wheelbase: 58.7 in

Ground Clearance: 15.0 in

Fuel Capacity: 1.63 gal

*Wet Weight: 245 lb

Colors: Team Yamaha Blue/White; White/Red


* Wet weight includes the vehicle with all standard equipment and all
fluids, including oil, coolant (as applicable) and a full tank of fuel.

It does not include the weight of options or accessories. Wet weight
is useful in making real-world comparisons with other models.


For more info: www.yamaha-motor.com


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