Yamaha YFZ450r YFZ 450r Review
by Nick Harris
The Yamaha YFZ450r – Brand spanking new for 2009 the Yamaha YFZ450r is already making a big splash in racing circles. Dustin Nelson, winner of the 2007 ITP Quadcross Championship, says “The throttle response on this thing is amazing!”. Yamaha has upgraded several performance parts for 2009 and the early feedback from racers and fanatics is two thumbs way up. Take a look at more YFZ450r pictures…
The Yamaha YFZ450r is almost three inches wider than last years YFZ450 ATV and stance is motocross ready from stock. The yfz450r frame is made from lightweight aluminum with a steel bottom frame that lets the engine sit lower to the ground resulting in a lower center of gravity. The suspension parts have been given more travel and upon closer review a Kashima coating covers the front shocks.
The YFZ450r Engine has also been beefed up in 2009 with an enlarged throttle body, a 42mm Mikuni vs last years 39mm, and a 12 hole fuel injector system. An ISC (Idle Speed Control) is also included for easy starting and warming up. The end result is the same torque, rpm and power we’ve come to expect from the YFZ450 but with improved response and better overall performance.
The Yamaha YFZ 450r has also made some improvements to comfort levels while riding. Not only will it take longer for you to get “throttle thumb” from the more responsive intake system you’ll appreciate the softer plastics and new seat design. The YFZ450r seat is slightly narrower in the front while being wider in the rear to help keep you on the ATV while riding all out. You do plan on riding this quad all out right? Good, that’s how it’s built to be handled!
Yamaha’s YFZ450r ATV sits on Dunlop tires with steering handled by ProTaper handlebars under 4-way clamps. Huge 65mm foot pegs scream for you to get on them when you thrash the front KYB shocks over their full 9.8 inches of travel. The rear end travels a total of 11 inches in stock form thanks to equaly sturdy and fully adjustable KYB 46mm piggyback system.
The YFZ450r Swingarm is made of ultra strong gravity fed aluminum to keep it light and as you can see in the image above rear stopping power comes from a trick looking wave type rotor. 2009 Yamaha YFZ450r specs are as follows…
Engine
- 449cc, 4-Stroke Single, Liquid Cooled w/ Fan, Titanium 5-Valve DOHC
- Bore x Stroke 95mm x 63.4mm
- Compression Ratio – 11.6:1
- Yamaha Fuel Injection
- Ignition – TCI (Digital)
- Electric Starter
- 5-Speed Manual Clutch
- 2WD with Sealed O-Ring Chain and Eccentric Adjustment
YFZ450r Dimensions
- L x W x H 70.7 x 48.8 x 41.9 in
- Seat Height: 31.9 in
- Wheelbase: 50.0 in
- Ground Clearance: 4.5 in
- Fuel Capacity: 2.6 gal
- Wet Weight: 405 lb
 $4,600.00 |
 $4,398.00 |
 $6,500.00 |
 $3,750.00 |
Read more on Yamaha Raptor 700r 2008 and KFX450R KFX 450r Review and Yamaha YFZ450 YFZ 450 and A Yamaha Sport ATV and Honda TRX450R and Polaris Predator 500 and Kawasaki KFX 400 and Yamaha 700R Raptor – 2009 and Honda 700xx .
