2014 YZF450

mmcmx
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Perafita, Catalunya, PE
4/6/2013 2:27am
Fearo wrote:
In my eyes Yamaha has done the unthinkable. They have made the worst looking bike look even worse. Also I wonder what the reason is for...
In my eyes Yamaha has done the unthinkable. They have made the worst looking bike look even worse.

Also I wonder what the reason is for them to keep the engine backwards. Reluctancy to admit they were wrong? Or actually believing this is the way to go?
It sure looks like some engineers have too much pride. I was expecting different. Not excited.
mx1234
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68
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AD
4/6/2013 3:05am
Derpin' DJ wrote:
I was hoping to see the new YZ250f as well
YAMAHA has no official team in category 250. Touching expect novelty in summer.
mx1234
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4/6/2013 3:32am
AS64 wrote:
[img]https://www.crossmagazin.de/images/content/20130405191257.jpg[/img] [img]https://www.crossmagazin.de/images/content/20130405191318.jpg[/img]

aluminium gas tank? and look at the fuel pump.
ninety3
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Saddleback Park, CA, USA
4/6/2013 8:31am
Looks sharp, innovative & clean

Reminiscent of Yamaha Factory bikes here in the USA, back in the day...

The Shop

MR. X
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North Tonawanda, NY, USA
4/6/2013 8:41am
Fearo wrote:
In my eyes Yamaha has done the unthinkable. They have made the worst looking bike look even worse. Also I wonder what the reason is for...
In my eyes Yamaha has done the unthinkable. They have made the worst looking bike look even worse.

Also I wonder what the reason is for them to keep the engine backwards. Reluctancy to admit they were wrong? Or actually believing this is the way to go?
mmcmx wrote:
It sure looks like some engineers have too much pride. I was expecting different. Not excited.
Some ? I think the word you were looking for is most.
HenryA
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12/29/2011
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Stockholm, SE
4/6/2013 8:55am Edited Date/Time 4/6/2013 8:55am
ninety3 wrote:
Looks sharp, innovative & clean

Reminiscent of Yamaha Factory bikes here in the USA, back in the day...
Yeah I didn't notice it at first but they arn't running the black rims anymore.
hellion
Posts
1089
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12/19/2009
Location
Westfield, MA, USA
4/6/2013 9:04am
That bike looks like a car with two wheels missing. Really, what the hell is everybody thinking? Do we really need a bike to be so complicated to go fast around a moto track? I sure am happy I didn't come of age in this era...........
AS64
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CA
4/6/2013 9:10am
You can view the Transworld article here.





Ozzy
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Santa Clarita, CA, USA
4/6/2013 9:53am
1 thing I find interesting and would like to ask Swap about,
is the fact that there doesn't seem to be any factory titanium or aluminum
hardware on this bike at all, except maybe the triple clamp bolts.
jtiger12
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1723
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Forest H Ill, MD, USA
4/6/2013 10:13am
That honda looks like a ball buster. Why are they moving the front of the seat so far back.? Awful
mx1234
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AD
4/6/2013 10:26am Edited Date/Time 4/6/2013 10:27am
Ozzy wrote:
1 thing I find interesting and would like to ask Swap about, is the fact that there doesn't seem to be any factory titanium or aluminum...
1 thing I find interesting and would like to ask Swap about,
is the fact that there doesn't seem to be any factory titanium or aluminum
hardware on this bike at all, except maybe the triple clamp bolts.
and bolts OFA
4/6/2013 10:50am
Ozzy wrote:
1 thing I find interesting and would like to ask Swap about, is the fact that there doesn't seem to be any factory titanium or aluminum...
1 thing I find interesting and would like to ask Swap about,
is the fact that there doesn't seem to be any factory titanium or aluminum
hardware on this bike at all, except maybe the triple clamp bolts.
Maybe as its pre production they want to test the stock stuff make sure its strong enough??
Adam43
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3310
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WF
4/6/2013 1:08pm
stillwelding
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3237
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Santa Clarita, CA, USA
4/6/2013 1:26pm Edited Date/Time 4/6/2013 1:31pm
Derpin' DJ wrote:
I was hoping to see the new YZ250f as well
mx1234 wrote:
YAMAHA has no official team in category 250. Touching expect novelty in summer.
It's not pride, it's return on investment. This isn't the 1970's with almost unlimited expanding market, and it isn't like a streetbike either wher you can move some crappy engine design into a bargain basement "everyman" bike.

Sorry, quoted wrong post, I was comment ing on the following from MMCMX

"It sure looks like some engineers have too much pride. I was expecting different. Not excited. "

Comments like these always remind me that most people just go in and collct a check at work, until the place closes down. Try running your own place.
kingkabong
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28
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12/21/2012
Location
Parker, CO, USA
4/6/2013 3:38pm
So dumb to spin the motor around, only to the route the exhaust all the way around the thing? come on... that is ridiculous.
mmcmx
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Perafita, Catalunya, PE
4/6/2013 3:47pm
It's not pride, it's return on investment. This isn't the 1970's with almost unlimited expanding market, and it isn't like a streetbike either wher you can...
It's not pride, it's return on investment. This isn't the 1970's with almost unlimited expanding market, and it isn't like a streetbike either wher you can move some crappy engine design into a bargain basement "everyman" bike.

Sorry, quoted wrong post, I was comment ing on the following from MMCMX

"It sure looks like some engineers have too much pride. I was expecting different. Not excited. "

Comments like these always remind me that most people just go in and collct a check at work, until the place closes down. Try running your own place.
For the record I'll say I run my own business.

I don't really know a thing about engineering, product developing, etc so I'm not gonna say I know what they should do.

But one thing I know is that when you make a bad decision often is better to go back and get on a right path instead going forward with it at all costs. I guess the thing is that they dont think the reverse engine was a bad idea. But I do.
stillwelding
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Location
Santa Clarita, CA, USA
4/6/2013 4:15pm
It's not pride, it's return on investment. This isn't the 1970's with almost unlimited expanding market, and it isn't like a streetbike either wher you can...
It's not pride, it's return on investment. This isn't the 1970's with almost unlimited expanding market, and it isn't like a streetbike either wher you can move some crappy engine design into a bargain basement "everyman" bike.

Sorry, quoted wrong post, I was comment ing on the following from MMCMX

"It sure looks like some engineers have too much pride. I was expecting different. Not excited. "

Comments like these always remind me that most people just go in and collct a check at work, until the place closes down. Try running your own place.
mmcmx wrote:
For the record I'll say I run my own business. I don't really know a thing about engineering, product developing, etc so I'm not gonna say...
For the record I'll say I run my own business.

I don't really know a thing about engineering, product developing, etc so I'm not gonna say I know what they should do.

But one thing I know is that when you make a bad decision often is better to go back and get on a right path instead going forward with it at all costs. I guess the thing is that they dont think the reverse engine was a bad idea. But I do.
In the old days, you might see a Japanese Multi-National make a mid-year change to correct a problem (Which KTM will do now), but unless it's a life threatening re-call, I just don't see it. Frankly I'm amazed that the Big 4 even make a motocross bike. I just don't see where the money (profit) is. At the Dollar to Yen ratio from the last 15 years, a motocross bike should be $25,000.00 USD. I'm glad you run your own business. if it's anything like me, it was run your own business or work for 1/3 the wages of when the US actually had an ongoing space program. What do you do? and who do you sell to in a country with 26% unemployment?

As for the reverse cylinder head on an MX bike, look how long Yamaha has run with the 5 valve head, even though they changed the M-1 into a 4 valve years ago. Otherwise, I don't see the reversed cylinder as bad, per se.
Motodude
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Sydney, AU
4/6/2013 4:33pm
Doesn't Yamaha know yet they need twin mufflers for mass centralisation??? Clearly this is why the Yamajunk handles like a pork chop at a Muslim Brotherhood bbq.
4/6/2013 4:44pm
Fearo wrote:
In my eyes Yamaha has done the unthinkable. They have made the worst looking bike look even worse. Also I wonder what the reason is for...
In my eyes Yamaha has done the unthinkable. They have made the worst looking bike look even worse.

Also I wonder what the reason is for them to keep the engine backwards. Reluctancy to admit they were wrong? Or actually believing this is the way to go?
mmcmx wrote:
It sure looks like some engineers have too much pride. I was expecting different. Not excited.
The rearward facing cylinder has some really good concepts to it. With a straighter intake shot downwards to the back of the intake valves, sucking cleaner and colder air instead of that which has come through the radiators, the mass centralisation they already have, room for the tank to come down lower and more centralised, and now with the wrap around exhaust, room for a y-junction under the seat and twin mufflers for even more mass centralisation which I think will appear soon enough. The pages of hate that will create!!! Just like all new ideas, it's just got to be perfected a little better and may be the way of the future like a lot of previous Yamaha ideas. Anyone remember the YZ125H and J models liquid cooling problems for instance? You guys can go back to air cooling if you want.
Motodude
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Sydney, AU
4/6/2013 4:49pm
EFI two smoker would be lighter, faster and user friendly with running costs. This thing still looks like a stripped down adventure bike.
CR250Rider
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6706
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Moses Lake, WA, USA
4/6/2013 4:50pm
I don't like those new tires....
mmcmx
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Perafita, Catalunya, PE
4/6/2013 4:52pm
In the old days, you might see a Japanese Multi-National make a mid-year change to correct a problem (Which KTM will do now), but unless it's...
In the old days, you might see a Japanese Multi-National make a mid-year change to correct a problem (Which KTM will do now), but unless it's a life threatening re-call, I just don't see it. Frankly I'm amazed that the Big 4 even make a motocross bike. I just don't see where the money (profit) is. At the Dollar to Yen ratio from the last 15 years, a motocross bike should be $25,000.00 USD. I'm glad you run your own business. if it's anything like me, it was run your own business or work for 1/3 the wages of when the US actually had an ongoing space program. What do you do? and who do you sell to in a country with 26% unemployment?

As for the reverse cylinder head on an MX bike, look how long Yamaha has run with the 5 valve head, even though they changed the M-1 into a 4 valve years ago. Otherwise, I don't see the reversed cylinder as bad, per se.
I'm in the agriculture buisness. Commodities prices work globally so the local situation doesn't really affect me(business wise).

I have to say that lots of Catalan companies are doing their homework with exports growing (most growing sector and maybe the only to do so if I remember correctly).

Back to the yami. I undertand a mid-year change would be dificult. I was expecting a change after 4 years.

You are probablly right and it's not bad per see. It's highly possible that the bad reputation the bike has gained is not even it's fault. For what I hear the problem is not enough weight forward, so why not put the motor forward and solve the problem? Instead they are looking for weird and dificult ways to put weight in the front end. Maybe I just dont understand the benefits of reversing the engine and only see the cons?

About the Yen, I wonder if what they plan to do now with it will have a big impact to the mx game? Looks like they want to depreciate it, a lot.
davis224
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7503
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Cornland, IL, USA
Fantasy
4/6/2013 5:13pm
There is nothing wrong with the backwards engine, it actually makes sense to have intake in the front. The problem was it hasn't been on MX bikes, and they didn't have anything to go off of for frame geometry. Once they get the frame geometry right to complement the engine configuration, it should be an excellent bike for anybody. If they wanted, they could make it feel like the old 2006-2007 YZFs that wouldn't turn worth a crap. It's a frame geometry problem that was created by reversing the engine, and they didn't get it right at first, but instead of scrapping the whole idea after one failed attempt, they're trying to perfect it, which they should, instead of giving up on a great idea. I'd love to have one if the new model handles good... IF IT WERENT SO DAMN WIDE! Seriously, I wanted a 2010 until I saw one in person. Felt more like a Grizzly than a YZF. I'll stick with my skinny Honda, thank you very much.
4/7/2013 1:06am
Jordan421 wrote:
no fuel cap?
MR. X wrote:
nope
this bike will suck for GNCC unless they have something plan for the over size tank.
4/7/2013 2:51am
Jordan421 wrote:
no fuel cap?
MR. X wrote:
nope
Jordan421 wrote:
this bike will suck for GNCC unless they have something plan for the over size tank.


under the black plastic at the front of the seat.
adamdf
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St. Michael, BB
4/7/2013 4:16am
hellion wrote:
That bike looks like a car with two wheels missing. Really, what the hell is everybody thinking? Do we really need a bike to be so...
That bike looks like a car with two wheels missing. Really, what the hell is everybody thinking? Do we really need a bike to be so complicated to go fast around a moto track? I sure am happy I didn't come of age in this era...........
I'm a Yamaha guy (even though I currently ride green) but I totally see what your saying. The bike looks overly complicated and bulky for a dirt bike. Having said that, if it feels light and rides like great then I'm not to o concerned with the aesthetics.
41NDT
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855
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AU
4/7/2013 4:25am
Jordan421 wrote:
no fuel cap?
MR. X wrote:
nope
Jordan421 wrote:
this bike will suck for GNCC unless they have something plan for the over size tank.
Something tells me they don't have GNCC in mind when developing a mx bike
davis224
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7503
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Location
Cornland, IL, USA
Fantasy
4/7/2013 4:46am
They've got the WR for off road in the 250f style frame
resetjet
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Tampa, FL, USA
4/7/2013 5:45pm
Rear facing cylinder is stupid. I remember at daytona in 2012 in the pouring rain James header was glowing bright red from the heat. So lucky it made it through the night.

My guess is the original idea was to have it face rear with a very short pipe to save weight. Now it seems there is a longer pipe and not sure how much extra due to airbox arrangement if any.

Now maybe that is a true candidate for a dual exhaust.
Blitz
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77
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Phoenix, AZ, USA
4/7/2013 6:14pm
hellion wrote:
That bike looks like a car with two wheels missing. Really, what the hell is everybody thinking? Do we really need a bike to be so...
That bike looks like a car with two wheels missing. Really, what the hell is everybody thinking? Do we really need a bike to be so complicated to go fast around a moto track? I sure am happy I didn't come of age in this era...........
Apparently, YES. That same argument was said in going from two stroke to four stroke and it didn't stop the evolution of the mx bike that dominates racing today.

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