Yamaha WR 450 F in the road test

In 2016 the Yamaha WR 450 F sport adopted the unconventional engine concept, with an inverted cylinder head, from the company’s crossover models. To realise this, the bike had to be redesigned from the ground up. We put the newcomer to the test.

You can turn it and use it however you like: in the end, what you get out of it is what matters. Whether or not something makes sense depends on whether the user can benefit from it. In 2010, when Yamaha brought the first Crosser with an inverted cylinder head, the YZ 450 F, to the market, some people asked: why be complicated when simple works? Since then the design has established itself, with even BMW introducing a similar engine concept in the new 300-Series single-cylinder models.

In any case, the expense is enormous, as with an inverted cylinder head the entire motorbike has to be re-designed. As a result the masses are closer to the centre of gravity, which is intended first and foremost to improve the handling. The success of the concept speaks for itself, with Yamaha’s MX1 factory driver Romain Febvre becoming world champion in 2015, and many a good word currently being spoken about the series YZ-F in the drivers’ paddocks.

Nine injection and ignition parameters

With a slight delay, the Enduros were on board. At the beginning of 2015 came the WR 250 F with an inverted cylinder head, and now follows the Yamaha WR 450 F. Traditionally speaking, Blue-series Crossers and Enduros are always very similar. However, the WR is by no means a Crosser with lights, there are in fact many small differences in the engine and chassis. For example, the electronic starter, already present in the previous WR model, is not present in the Crosser. However, the kickstarter is still there in case of emergency.

Yamaha wanted to show the journalists in the south of Spain, near Almeria, what the new model had to offer on a diverse 160-kilometre course. The test bikes were fitted with foam rubber rings in the tyres rather than hoses, and were also prepared with special mapping for these conditions. The mapping of the Yamaha WR 450 F can be quickly adjusted to the course conditions using a Power Tuner. The driver can choose between nine parameters for the injection and ignition. The device is simple connected to the WR cable tree and can be used directly without a computer or downloads.

Climb on and feel good

The chassis is by and large identical to that of the Crosser, and therefore the ergonomics are the same. Climb on and feel good. Everything just fits, even if the tank is a little wide on account of the air filter in front of it. The engine springs reliably to life at the touch of a button and runs without any noticeable vibrations. Typical of all offroad Yamahas with an inverted cylinder head is the very obvious intake noise, which also drowns out the subtle exhaust noise in the case of the new Yamaha WR 450 F. The gearshift is slightly heavy, and on the test bikes idling could only be felt with difficulty.

As mentioned, the engine of the Yamaha WR 450 F is derived from the most recent generation of crossover drive unit. However, it surprises with a relatively high drag torque, at least with the tested mapping. This means that it brakes relatively hard when coasting, which requires concentration when circling trial-style along root passages. Initially, the drive unit had impressive throttle response, which makes the load change less smooth. Over the lunch break the Yamaha technicians re-programmed the mapping, as a result of which the drive unit then ran more softly and with better dosing.

Yamaha WR 450 F with five-speed transmission

Incidentally, this mapping was not the series standard either. Unfortunately this means that no conclusions can be drawn as to how a WR engine works as-delivered. On the other hand the differences also show how strongly the characteristics are influenced by the programming. The Power Tuner thus appears to be a logical and for dedicated sports drivers even a necessary extra for drivers of the Yamaha WR 450 F.

Unlike the Enduro competition from Austria, the Yamaha WR 450 F has a five-speed transmission like the Crosser, and of course with enlarged spread. One gear less inevitably means that the hears are not so close together. You notice this, as the rev jumps on difficult terrain are relatively large, especially in the bottom three gears. The clutch has also been designed for the greater strain in Enduro sport. This too it hides well, although it does require greater operating force.

 The front wheel appears as if literally stuck to the ground

A Yamaha WR 450 F with an Akrapovic exhaust system was also put to the test. It sounds rather duller, but not a whole lot louder than the standard system. With the new muffler and the Mapping adjusted accordingly, the engine startup is noticeably softer, with the engine revving more freely and livelier. The reduced drag torque makes it smoother and more sociable.

So too when it comes to the chassis, in the past Yamaha has always gone its own way. The YZ and WR models always seemed more top-heavy than the bikes from other manufacturers, which increases traction at the front wheel. The Yamaha WR 450 F is no different in this regard. The front wheel appears as if literally stuck to the ground, which is of advantage in slippy corners. The disadvantage is that the handling seems heavier. To quickly lift the front wheel over a rock ledge requires a great deal of concentration and physical exertion. Once the compression stages of the fork had been turned five clicks, the balance shifted slightly towards the rear.

The Yamaha suspension elements currently set the benchmark in the crossover segment. This should actually also translate to the Yamaha WR 450 F Enduro. However, this is unfortunately not the case, at least with regard to the fork. It conveys very little suspension comfort and the front wheel cannot always hold to the ground over roots and stones. The foam rings in the tyres may also be involved in this, which without doubt prevent flatfeet, but mean that the types lollop roughly over bumpy terrain.

The base works in any case, that much is proven by the YZ-F-Crossers with inverted cylinder hears. But even they needed a few years before they could reach the high level of the current generation. It is a similar case with the Enduros: the Yamaha WR 450 F features exceptional equipment, yet the engine and chassis could do with a little fine tuning.

Technical Data

Technical Data	Yamaha WR 450 F
Model year	2016
Motor
Number of cylinders, design	1, Engine
Bore / stroke	97.0 / 60.8 mm
Engine capacity	449 cc
Valves per cylinder	Four valves
Compression	12.5
Output	N/A. kW (N/A HP) at N/A rpm
Max. torque	n/a
Number of gears	Five-speed transmission
Rear-wheel drive	O-ring chain
Chassis, wheels, brakes
Frame	Double-cradle frame
Front/rear spring deflection	310 mm / 318 mm
Tyres	90/90 21, 130/90 18
Front/rear brake	270 mm four-piston fixed calliper / 245 mm single-piston floating calliper
ABS	No
Dimensions and weights
Wheel base	1,465 mm
Steering head angle	63.6°
Trail	114 mm
Dead weight with a full tank of petrol	123 kg
Seat height	965 mm
Permissible total weight	n/a
Maximum speed	n/a
Price
New price	9,095 euros