Words: Guy Streeter

In 2016 Yamaha is celebrating its 60th Anniversary and with that has released an all-new WR450F. Based on the latest YZ450F, which dominated the MXGP and Australian Supercross Championships this year, the WR450F has been heavily developed by Kiwi legend Josh Coppins, starting from the motocross platform and massaged to suit the off-road market.

The new WR450F is Australia’s best-selling off-road motorcycle and is really suited to recreational riders, long distance rallying and particularly enduro racers. It’s a versatile bit of kit that will excel in all kinds of terrain and environments.

Yamaha invited MotoOnline.com.au to Active8 Yamaha national E1 champion Josh Green’s property in Stroud, NSW, to ride the new WR450F over two days on a grass track and bush loop on Josh’s property, following by an 80km trail ride led by Josh.

To add to the experience and education, Yamaha had Coppins and Peter Payne on hand to give us the detailed information on the development of the bike, along with factory racers Daniel Milner, Chris Hollis and Beau Ralston alongside Green.

As with the YZ450F, the WR450F benefits from the rearward facing engine design, allowing the other main features of the bike to be designed around a compact chassis centralising the bike’s mass, while also improving its agility and manoeuvrability in all conditions, which is needed in tight and technical areas.

The reverse cylinder head with a forward air intake located at the front of the bike makes it ideal for deep creek and river crossings. Ease of access to change and inspect the air filter, as well as air being forced into the intake and enhancing the engine’s strong power delivery, is an added strength.

Its fuel injection system has been completely reprogrammed from the 2015 model and with the 44mm throttle body (2mm longer than the 2015 model) and revised throttle valve characteristics, the new WR450F has better high power use, as well as great low-speed performance.

The Yamaha YZ450F is well known for having one of the strongest and reliable motors in the motocross field. Yamaha have adapted this motor with the use of different engine mappings to enhance the bike’s capabilities in the bush, providing plenty of power down low and plenty of mumbo up top as well.

A wide-ratio five-speed gearbox covers all types of riding well, from slow and technical, tricky conditions, right to wide-open trails. The 2016 model runs higher second, third and fourth gears, which is complemented by its new light-feeling clutch. First and fifth gears remain unchanged.

The WR450F has different radiators compared to the YZ450F, with slightly different internals. These radiators are surrounded by new shrouds that have been made to suit the demands of enduro riding. It comes with the addition of a lightweight cooling fan as standard to keep air flowing over the radiators in hot, stop/start, boggy conditions.

The configuration of the motor, together with the compact bilateral beam aluminium frame construction, allows for the weight of the bike to be centralised more than in previous years. The air intake is at the top, front of the bike, the fuel tank is under the seat, the exhaust now comes out at the rear of the engine and wraps around the front of the head, all which helps to keep the weight of the motorcycle as central as possible.

Yamaha’s suspension is key to the performance and handling of the bike. Utilising KYB AOS (Air-Oil-Seperate) forks with dedicated enduro settings, they have been developed to suit the off-road market specifically. The KYB shock has similar revisions, making the suspension package for the WR450F stable with predictable handling.

The overall feel and confidence you get from the 2016 Yamaha WR450F’s suspension is great, whether you’re on rough and rocky single track that we encountered, or – it goes without saying – on the open trail as well. Ride it smoothly or with aggression and chances are it’ll respond to your requirements with practical ease.

Yamaha’s latest WR450F is ready for the road right off the showroom floor, coming fully ADR compliant. An off-road kit is included with a rear number plate/LED light, braided steel front brake hose, Barkbuster hand guards, brake snake, rear stoplight switch, full power muffler insert, YZ air-filter cage and racing wiring harness.

Other features of the 2016 WR450F are a large 270mm front disc brake, 18-inch rear wheel, black rims, Metzeler 6 Days Extreme tyres, a lightweight engine gaurd, frame-mounted side-stand, sealed chain and a 22mm rear axle.

As mentioned, the 2016 model from Yamaha was heavily influenced with the Australian and New Zealand markets in mind and with Coppins at the fore of its development. The WR450F is available in a 60th Anniversary yellow, black and white colour scheme, which is exclusive to these local markets.

The 2016 Yamaha WR450F is what enduro racers have been waiting for from Yamaha. It’s power is exactly where you need it, with a broad spread that will work with you in next to any situation. And with the Yamaha Power Tuner you can tune the delivery to exactly how you want for all conditions.

We used a map that Coppins configured, which really worked and is suitable to most conditions we have in Australia. I found dulling down the power slightly was a real advantage down low in the tighter parts of the trail, but when we got to the grass track, the 450 still had all the power I need.

It really felt agile in comparison to previous models and that seems to be something the new engine and chassis design has excelled in. The handlebars are adjustable to four different positions, which is always handy.

The all-new 2016 WR450F will be available in the traditional Team Yamaha blue for $12,999 and in the 60th Anniversary yellow scheme for $13,199, in stores from January 2016. Further information on Yamaha Motor Australia’s WR range can be found on its official website at www.yamaha-motor.com.au.

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