2016 Yamaha Yz450fx

2016 YAMAHA YZ450FX

IGNITION

CW FIRST RIDE

Special FX for off road

Ryan Orr

Yamaha has been stepping up its game with all-new models designed to address more specific types of riding. With its latest bike, the 2016 YZ450FX, the Blue Crew started with its 450F MX platform and set out to build a bike that satisfies the GNCC/woods racer’s needs and capabilities.

Based on the 2016 YZ450F, the FX gets the same updated frame, engine improvements, and larger front brake disc as the motocrosser but also longer radiator shrouds, an electric starter, kickstand, plastic skid plate, and 18-inch rear wheel, changes that are intended to— and in fact do—help it become a more versatile machine.

So, hammering wide-open desert or grinding it out in the technical stuff, the FX is meant to be there for you. Increased radiator-fin pitch and 30mmlonger radiator shrouds, which are designed to capture more air at off-road speeds, helps in both instances. Then there’s that awesome electric starter, which worked well and is especially beneficial at those times when you’re in a tight, technical section gasping for air, grabbing a fading clutch and stall. In this case, the 450FX will fire right up, even while in gear, eliminating the need to put the bike in neutral and then start kicking.

Speaking of clutching it in tight, technical sections, the FX also has a 10-percent-lighter clutch pull and five-speed wideratio transmission, with a more off-road-racing-specific clutch to ensure cross-country durability and smooth engagement. Clutch action is fluid and consistent too, plus despite my earlier supposed scenario, there’s little to no fade even when purposely hammering on it.

The YZ450FX’S gearbox is set up so that first gear is approximately 14 teeth greater (lower gearing) on the rear sprocket than the 450F, second gear is plus eight, third is plus two, fourth is approximately the same, and fifth is about the equivalent of four teeth fewer. First gear worked great in the extremely tight stuff with this setup, but we found that the new crankshaft and balancer’s weight (which increases inertia by 2 percent) gives the bike a more controllable and torquey power delivery. This allowed us to run second gear in most tight sections without the worry of stalling and with plenty of snap at your command.

Suspension and handling on the 450FX are excellent, Yamaha having updated the 48mm KYB spring-type fork and KYB shock from the 45 oF with new valving, plus a 4.5 N/mm spring rate up front versus 5.0 N/mm on the 450F. This was done to improve ride comfort and control over high-speed bumps, as well as making the bike more compliant on tight technical trails.

And it works, the 450FX feeling plush initially but with plenty of control for the bigger hits and G-outs. Helping the chassis feel more compliant and forgiving are engine mounts with a "tuned" shape and thickness.

Power on the YZ450FX is very usable as well, with the standard ECU setting providing great low-end delivery and a smooth transition from the big, usable midrange power over to the strong top-end with excellent over-rev; this setting works great almost everywhere, including on the motocross track.

If you’re a weekend trail rider who likes to hit the motocross track now and again, this electric-start, 18-inch-rear-wheeled machine could just be the perfect addition to your off-road arsenal.

2016 YAMAHA YZ450FX

PRICE: $8890 ENGINE: DOHC single DISPLACEMENT: 449cc SEAT HEIGHT: 38.0 in. FUEL CAPACITY: 2.0 gal. CLAIMED WET WEIGHT: 262 lb.