Yamaha has reworked its WR450F enduro bike for 2027 with a new engine, frame, shock, hydraulic clutch, and rear brake, plus revised fork settings. The changes target low- and midrange power and control on the trail. Claimed wet weight drops 2 pounds to 256. The 2027 WR450F arrives at dealers in October in Team Yamaha Blue at $10,499 MSRP, $200 more than the 2026 model. Yamaha has not announced whether it will be sold in California. The WR250F returns unchanged at $9,199.
The WR450F uses the latest YZ450F engine, tuned for low- and midrange power. A revised intake port delivers more linear power, which Yamaha says improves throttle control. New intake and exhaust cam timing makes combustion more stable, and a heavier AC magneto rotor adds inertia to smooth out torque at low rpm. Yamaha says both changes make the engine less likely to stall at low speeds. A new air filter assembly uses the YZ450F’s outer resonator to reduce noise, and the throttle has been revised to require less effort. Also, the rear sprocket grows from 50 to 51 teeth.
The frame is new, shared with the 2027 YZ450F and fitted with WR-specific engine brackets. The aluminum bilateral beam chassis has a revised front downtube, which Yamaha says balances rigidity and flex for stability and more front-end feel in corners. The engine mounts have a new shape and thickness, set for ideal chassis rigidity at the low-to-midrange speeds of enduro riding. Geometry changes with the frame. The rake increases by a degree to 27 degrees, and trail grows from 4.3 to 4.8 inches. The wheelbase is unchanged at 57.9 inches.
A new KYB shock has a hand-operated low-speed compression adjuster. A new piston increases damping force at the slowest shaft speeds and widens the damping-adjustment range. Yamaha says the shock also smooths the change from low- to high-speed damping. You can now adjust low-speed compression damping on the trail without tools. The shock remains fully adjustable, and manages 12.0 inches of rear wheel travel.
The KYB fork gets more progressive settings. The fully adjustable Speed Sensitive System coil-spring fork keeps 11.8 inches of travel. Yamaha revised its settings for better front-tire contact, more front-end feel, and more comfort early in the stroke. The company says both ends are tuned to respond better from initial movement through mid-stroke, with a focus on performance on technical trails littered with rocks and roots. The fork and shock use the same components as the YZ450F, though tuned for comfort at low-to-midrange speeds.
The WR450F inherits the YZ450F’s hydraulic clutch. Yamaha says it engages smoothly and consistently, requires less effort, and needs no adjustment on the trail. Modified clutch springs flatten the lever load, and Yamaha claims a 15% reduction in lever pull. A redesigned clutch inner hub spreads oil over a larger area for more consistent performance and durability.
The rear brake is smaller and lighter. The disc’s diameter is down from 240mm to 220mm. Also, the master cylinder shrinks, and the piston diameter is reduced. Yamaha has fitted the WR450F with a revised caliper and hose, plus new pad material. The changes save about 6 ounces, and Yamaha says they improve rear brake control. A new brake pedal has a revised lever ratio and a replaceable tip.
Dunlop Geomax AT82 tires replace last year’s Geomax MX33 rubber. The sizes are unchanged at 80/100-21 front and 120/90-18 rear. The AT82 is a cross-country-specific tire with a bidirectional tread pattern, designed for a wide range of terrain.
The honeycomb-pattern seat cover is new, along with a sharper rear fender and new graphics. The seat material is designed to let the rider slide forward easily under braking, and helps prevent sliding back under acceleration.
The Power Tuner app and an optional ECU kit let riders adjust the WR450F. The free smartphone app offers three-level traction control, a lap timer, data logging, and suspension tuning guides. It also includes an ECU lock, a theft deterrent that uses an owner-set password to keep the engine from starting. Yamaha’s GYTR Competition ECU Kit ($TBA) adds engine tuning and launch control, and is sold for closed-course competition use.
10. The WR450F’s trail equipment returns. That includes the electric starter, lithium-ion battery, 44mm Mikuni fuel injection, and a five-speed wide-ratio transmission. The front brake retains its 270mm disc and two-piston Nissin caliper, and the 18-inch rear wheel keeps its three-cross-spoke lacing. The tapered aluminum handlebar sits in rubber-mounted, four-position adjustable mounts. A full skidplate, headlight and taillight, multifunction meter, radiator fan, sealed O-ring chain, folding aluminum kickstand, and tool-free air filter access carry over, as do the 2.0-gallon fuel tank and 37.6-inch seat height. The WR450F’s wet weight is 256 pounds, 7 pounds more than the YZ450FX.
11. The 2027 WR450F and YZ450FX now share nearly every YZ450F update, and they are sold at an identical price: $10,499 MSRP. The choice between the two comes down to where a rider plans to use the bike. The FX is built for closed-course cross-country racing, while the WR450F is the choice for riders who want lights for trail riding and enduro events.
2027 Yamaha WR450F Specifications
ENGINE
Type: Single-cylinder 4-stroke; liquid-cooled
Displacement: 450cc
Bore x stroke: 97.0 x 60.8mm
Compression ratio: 13.0:1
Valvetrain: DOHC; 4 titanium valves
Fueling: Mikuni 44mm fuel injection
Starting: Electric
Transmission: 5-speed
Clutch: Hydraulically actuated wet multiplate
Final drive: Sealed O-ring chain; 51-tooth rear sprocket
CHASSIS
Frame: Aluminum bilateral beam
Front suspension; travel: Fully adjustable KYB Speed Sensitive System coil-spring fork; 11.8 inches
In our first segment this episode Don Williams takes us for a ride on arguably the most comfortable British take on the American cruiser: the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster. It’s a superbly relaxed motorcycle in an equally relaxed state of tune, so while you shouldn’t be swayed by the “Speed” in its name, there’s a lot more to the Speedmaster than you might imagine.
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Now here’s a really cool event you absolutely cannot miss—yes, we’re rapidly approaching the 34th Annual Biketoberfest Rally in Daytona Beach, sunny Florida.Biketoberfest this year runs October 15th through the 18th. Biketoberfest is all about the beautiful Florida weather, live music, the industry’s top vendors, bike shows, and motorcycle racing at Daytona International Speedway. And don’t forget, there are miles of spectacular rides along the famous A1A, the historic Main Street and the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop. There really is something for everyone here, and almost every event and attraction is free to attend. So, if you want a fun few days out in the Florida sunshine, Biketoberfest really is the place to be. Make sure you download the Biketoberfest mobile App from Apple or Google Play or visit www.biketoberfest.orgfor more details.
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In our second segment this episode Teejay Adams catches up with World Cup Bagger racer, Archie McDonald who first came on this podcast last December. Whether you’ve watched any of the World Bagger Cup racing or not, you’ve likely heard of it. Despite a lot of initial skepticism, the Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup really seems to have captured the racing public’s imagination. The Championship is now being led by Archie, and despite never having seen most of the tracks before, that he’s beating several very experienced and highly talented competitors, shows what an amazing talent he is. Archie is also extremely mature for his just 19-years of age, and sadly, in the last few months he’s had to grow up even faster after his older brother Toby took his own life in April. Archie brings us up to date with his racing for the Joe Rascal team, and he speaks candidly with Teejay about his brother and how Toby’s passing has affected him.
Fair warning: if you’re sensitive to this topic please be careful listening to this segment, and if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, know that support is available. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In Australia, you can contact Lifeline at 13 11 14.
Here’s quick reminder to check out our monthly digital magazine. It’s filled with everything you want to read on motorcycling, including some things you’ve probably not seen elsewhere. It’s absolutely free and you will find it on the Apple App Store and of course on Google Play as well.
Don’t forget to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!
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