YAMAHA NEW YZ450F

Yamaha’s new YZ450F is set to turn the motocross world upside down. More accurately, the YZ turns it backward!

In a bold move, Yamaha engineers have built a new motor that has its intake at the front and its exhaust exiting out the rear, similar to the unique-but-ill-fated Cannondale from a few years ago that is now sold in upgraded form as an ATK.

The new YZ-F not only has its exhaust port facing the rear of the bike, the engine itself is rearward-slanted so its weight is placed near the center of the bike. Yamaha says this design makes the big YZ feel more agile than other 450s, even approaching that of a 250cc 2-stroke machine. “It’s the most nimble handling 450 ever,” said Tim Olson, media relations manager for Yamaha’s off-road division, at the YZ’s unveiling.