The 2024 Yamaha WR450F is the trail-friendly off-road model in Yamaha’s 450cc four-stroke lineup, and it gets all the updates already seen on the race-ready YZ450F and YZ450FX. That makes it a virtually all-new motorcycle, priced at $10,199.
It now uses the current YZ450F engine, with larger intake valves, a new piston and connecting rod, updated crank mass inertia, new bearings, and dry-sump lubrication. The engine is 2.4 pounds lighter, air enters from the rear of the bike, and the ECU is tuned for the low-rpm needs of the off-road rider. Electric starting is standard.
The purpose-built wide-ratio 5-speed transmission has lighter, wider, and stronger main shaft gears. The disc-spring clutch is smaller and needs less pressure at the lever for improved feel.
A WR450F-specific twin-spar aluminum frame is reworked for a lower center of gravity, with enduro-friendly flex characteristics and engine mounts exclusive to the WR. A new skid plate protects the lower frame rails, engine side covers, and coolant hoses.
The fully adjustable KYB suspension is revised to match, with 11.8 inches of travel up front and 12.0 inches in the rear, and the seat height drops 0.4 inches to 37.6 inches. The Speed-Sensitive System fork gains tool-free compression damping adjustment and new seals, and Yamaha intends the new WR to turn better than previous editions. US models wear Dunlop Geomax MX33 tires.
Slimmer bodywork brings radiator shrouds two inches narrower and a flatter, narrower seat with rounded edges. There is 0.4 inches more legroom, the grips are closer to the rider, and a grab area at the rear fender makes the bike easier to move around. A two-gallon fuel tank, a shorter muffler, and a new LCD dash round out the package, and the WR450F weighs 258 pounds wet. It is not a California Green Sticker model.
Benda motorcycles are beginning to make a ripple on US shores with four intriguing and competitive models, courtesy of its partnership with Keeway Group. We were impressed with the Napoleonbob 500 and have now gotten our gloves on the persuasive, entry-level 2026 Benda Chinchilla 300, with its modest MSRP of $4999. It would be difficult to design a more welcoming entry-level cruiser than this easy-handling, visually appealing boulevard bobber. Editor Don Williams and Associate Editor Kelly Callan discuss the Benda Chinchilla 300 and how it actually rode for them.
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Our guest this episode is Jesse Merriman, Chief Technician for Jeremy McWilliams at the Arch Motorcycle racing project. Arch Racing was founded by Gard Hollinger and Keanu Reevs to compete in the Moto America Super Hooligan race series. Teejay Adams chats with Jesse about the Arch motorcycle and the challenges of extracting the absolute most from an air-cooled V-Twin racing engine and custom chassis.
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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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