Yes, they had works models before. Even more germaine to the thread, earlier bikes were developed by Suzuki before the technology was sold to Yamaha. But the 74.5 yz was the first production monoshock mxer. Suzuki monoshock (1971):

Nope. I mean, this is pedantry, but there was a '74-1/2 production YZ250 and YZ360 released with monoshock in limited quantities prior to the mass-released 1975 monoshock models. https://www.mecum.com/lots/LV0117-280838/1974-yamaha-yz360/

https://motocrossactionmag.com/amp/classic-motocross-iron-1975-yamaha-mx400b-monocross/ ... more »

Yamaha had first monoshock in 1974. Kawasaki first linkage single shock in 1980. Suzuki full-floater, though beloved, first appeared in 1981.

Water cooling first arrived on Suzuki and Yamaha, both in 1981... But the Yamaha system was absolutely brain-dead with the radiator mounted on the bars, and routed directly into the steering head. The Zook style, pretty much the same as we use today, ... more »

Pffft.

... more »

KX450 didn't get estart until 2019

.03 in?

Kawi: First linkage suspension. First major with disc brakes. First perimeter frame. First platform footpegs. First selectable fuel maps. First launch control. First dual injector.

My wife is also barely 5'3 and has ridden a 125 with lowered suspension for years, really likes it, and is nowhere near as fast/skilled as your daughter.

I won't mention the 3" thick glob of half-ground slag under the footpeg... Or the overspray on all the parts from the everything-assembled rattle can job... So how 'bout that wiring harness?

It's crazy how much this looks exactly like what I pictured in my mind when I read the thread title.

Covington's US ride was Rockstar Husky.

Yamaha already has a pipeline in place for this. The 250f gets the chassis updates and shares parts one year after the 450, then the 250FX one year after the 250F. The 450fx gets the previous years' 450 major engine changes. That makes them pretty flexible ... more »

There was never a 4-stroke bike of any make or displacement that killed the 2-stroke. OEMs and racing sanctioning bodies killed the 2-stroke.

Did Fantic ever stop manufacturing motorcycles? I mean, I know they stopped exporting competition dirtbikes and trials bikes, but I think they have continued to pump out small-bores with Minarelli (Yamaha) motors all along...

And then put them into production with a global dealer network, parts support, a 20 year partnership building motorcycles for the Japanese motor OEM, and a 50 year track record as a motorcycle manufacturer? I would guess that is not "plenty", but instead, ... more »

It's also got pipe, ingnition, bars, etc... and a full Enduro trim version:

Updated ergos, styling, and motor on a YZ125, while keeping the chassis/suspension? Not much to dislike about that.