2019 Yamaha YZ450F Review: First Ride At Glen Helen
We took the 2019 Yamaha YZ450F out on the brutal Glen Helen Raceway track for some race-pace laps.
Although the updates for the YZ450F are minimal this year, it’s always worth finding out how the changes work on an already proven motocross motorcycle.
1. For 2019 the YZ 450F has small changes. After a total revision in 2018 where the bike was pretty much new from the ground up, it’s not surprising to only see only a few revisions for 2019. Changes include stiff suspension settings, a more efficient electric starting system, increased rigidity at the front axle area, a firmer seat, and one tooth added to the rear sprocket.
3. The firmer settings for the 2019 Yamaha YZ450F are to our liking. We have tested a number of Yamahas over the last few years and one constant is always there—great suspension. That especially holds true for the KYB SSS (Speed-Sensitive Suspension) fork. We have yet to ride a stock bike that is close.
4. As you would expect from any modern 450 MX bike the YZ 450F is very powerful. With the stock map, it pulls hard off the bottom to the point where it is on the abrupt side. That’s great for deep soft turns. However, it can be a handful in other areas. From there, the midrange pulls strong into an average top end with not a lot of over rev.
6. We installed the Travis Preston Map, which is very popular among YZ450F riders, and we liked it. There isn’t a huge difference, but it seemed to take some of that abruptness out of the coroners and let the motor rev more freely all the way through the powerband. The engine felt smoother while also faster.
7. Electric start is appreciated, and updated this year. Over the years four strokes have become easier to kickstart—especially in the EFI era. However, in the heat of battle, if you stall the motor, it still costs more position when you’re kickstarting than e-starting. Even when we’re in the pits, we just plain would rather push a button than kick a 450cc bike. According to Yamaha the updated starting system has less drag on the motor, but we couldn’t feel that.
9. The YZ450F is ready to hit the track right from the showroom floor. With Dunlop MX3S tires, a ProTaper handlebar, Excel rims, comfortable grips, grippy seat cover (over firmer foam this year) and quality footpegs, there is not much needed. Plus, you can custom tune the power from your smartphone or tablet.
11. The 2019 Yamaha YZ450F is available now, and runs $100 more than last year.
Ty Cullins and Brandon Krause contributed to this review.
Photography by Brandon Krause
RIDING STYLE
- Helmet: Bell Moto-9 Flex
- Goggles: Oakley Front Line MX
- Jersey: Troy Lee Designs 2018 GP Air Raceshop
- Gloves: Fox Racing Airline
- Pants: Troy Lee Designs SP Air Mono
- Boots: Alpinestars Tech 10
2019 Yamaha YZ450F Specs
ENGINE
- Type: 4-stroke single
- Displacement: 449cc
- Bore x stroke: 97.0 × 60.8mm
- Compression ratio: 12.8:1
- Cooling: Liquid
- Fuel delivery: 44mm Mikuni throttle body
- Valve train: DOHC, 4 valves
- Ignition: Transistor controlled
- Transmission: Constant-mesh 5-speed
- Clutch: Wet multiplate
- Final drive: Chain
CHASSIS
- Frame: Aluminum twin-spar
- Front suspension: Fully adjustable inverted KYB Speed-Sensitive System fork; 12.2 inches of travel
- Rear suspension: Linkage-assisted fully adjustable KYB piggyback reservoir shock; 12.5inches of travel
- Front tire: 80/100-21; Dunlop MX3S
- Rear tire: 120/80-19; Dunlop MX3S
- Front brake: 270mm disc
- Rear brake: 245mm disc
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 58.5 inches
- Rake: 27.33°
- Trail: 4.7 inches
- Seat height: 38.6 inches
- Ground clearance: 13.0 inches
- Fuel capacity: 1.6 gallons
- Wet weight 245 pounds
2019 Yamaha YZ450F Colors:
- Team Yamaha Blue
- White
2019 Yamaha YZ450F Price:
- $9299 MSRP