More Yamaha 2012 Releases: New WR450F, Updated YZ250F and YZ450F

Yamaha today released part two of their 2012 off-road model line-up. This year sees an all-new WR450F, plus tweaks to the YZ450F and major changes to the YZ250F.



2012 Yamaha WR450F

2012 Yamaha WR450F


Yamaha says:

Yamaha Motor Corporation is pleased to unveil our complete line-up of 2012 WR off-road motorcycles.

First out of the gate is the all-new 2012 WR450F. From just a glance you can tell this bike has had a serious makeover. The WR450F features the race winning YZ250F inspired bilateral beam frame for lightweight feel and nimble handling, the same award winning KYB SSS forks and KYB shock as our 2012 YZ250F, a new front headlight and all new body work that make it unbelievably slim and aggressive looking. The 2012 WR450F is equipped with fuel injection so you no longer have to worry about elevation throwing off its power output. The power is put to ground through a wide ratio 5-speed transmission mated to 18-inch rear wheel featuring an Excel rim to insure plenty of comfort, durability and flat resistance. The finishing touches are tool-less airbox access, ProTaper handlebars, electric start, wave-type brake rotors, on-the-fly clutch adjuster and ultra-wide footpegs. The 2012 WR450F is ready to go whether your destination is tight trails, woods or the desert.


Features

Key Features:
- A YZ-bred advanced aluminum frame—carefully engineered from castings, forgings and extrusions—enhances handling while retaining legendary Yamaha feel and characteristics.
- Highly evolved five-titanium-valved engine starts with the push of a button.
- Highly functional digital enduro computer offers speedometer, clock, tripmeter, etc., in basic mode— or pace management functions such as timer, distance-compensating tripmeter, average speed, etc., when switched to race mode.
- The WR450F is green sticker approved for California.

New for 2012:
- New fuel injection system delivers quick throttle response and smooth power delivery at nearly all altitudes and temperatures.
- Compact YZ250F-based chassis provides a lightweight feeling with plush suspension performance for the most demanding rider.
- The new WR450F comes equipped with the latest generation KYB® SSS YZ-type fork and shock, dialed in for off-road use.
- New slim bodywork with updated headlight design gives the WR450F an aggressive, tough appearance.
- All this, including: tool-less access air box, Excel rims, 18" rear wheel, ProTaper® handlebars, wave-type brake rotors, electric start, on-the-fly clutch adjuster, and side stand. This machine is ready for tight trails, woods, or desert fun.

Engine:
- 449cc liquid-cooled DOHC four-stroke with five titanium valves delivers more broad power than ever, with high over-rev capacity and crisp, linear throttle response.
- Special crank balance factor and AC generator provide super-smooth running. A piston oil-jet provides increased cooling for long life.
- Digital CDI ignition system delivers precise spark and monitors engine speed to provide optimal timing for fast, strong response during hard acceleration.
- Electric start provides easy restarts.
- Wide-ratio five-speed transmission uses strengthened gears and YZ450F-spec multiplate clutch—good for quick-hitting power in the woods, as well as eye-opening top-end power.
- Dry-sump lubrication system carries the oil reservoir inside the engine cases, for excellent mass centralization and simplified plumbing.
- Large-capacity radiators with reinforcements provide maximum cooling efficiency with great strength.
- Aluminum muffler with USFS-approved spark arrestor looks trick and keeps things light.
- Lightweight exhaust system maximizes engine power and allows hassle-free oil filter replacement.
- No-tools airbox uses hinge-type quick-open lid. Battery rides low for excellent handling.
- Works-style clutch lever features oversize barrel adjuster for easy, on-the-fly adjustability of lever/cable play.

Chassis/Suspension:
- YZ250F-inspired frame makes for a compact size while optimizing mass centralization. With its extensively tested assembly of aluminum forgings, castings and extrusions, the WR frame retains legendary Yamaha handling and response.
- Removable aluminum rear subframe is constructed of square-section tube.
- Fully adjustable YZ-based KYB® SSS air/oil-separate 48mm cartridge-type fork delivers precise, fade-free handling; fork protectors provide excellent tube protection.
- Tapered swingarm adopts YZ-style linkage for controlled, compliant rear suspension action. Lightweight axle and holders reduce weight in a critical area.
- The KYB® shock provides 12.0 inches of travel with adjusters for high- and low-speed compression damping, rebound and spring preload—and features a larger piggyback reservoir for excellent damping and fade resistance.
- Wave-style brake discs reduce unsprung weight and provide excellent performance. Front and rear calipers with aluminum pistons deliver strong stopping power with progressive feel.
- Lightweight 21-inch front and 18-inch rear Excel rims provide exceptional durability and help reduce unsprung weight for optimal suspension performance.
- Premium Dunlop® knobbies offer unbeatable, competition-spec traction and excellent wear.

Additional Features:
- Cool YZ-derived bodywork and a thick seat look great and feel excellent on long rides. ProTaper® aluminum handlebar in forged triple clamp for light weight and great comfort.
- Slim-design lightweight fuel tank holds 2.1 gallons.
- One-piece, high-strength, plastic skidplate shaves weight and offers great protection.
- Lightweight, 35-watt headlight and sweet LED taillight maximize visibility and draw less current.
- Adjustable front brake lever.
- Ultra-wide footpegs for more comfort.
- Repackable aluminum muffler shaves weight.
- Front wheel collar makes front wheel removal quick and easy.


Specs

MSRP*: US$8,090 (Team Yamaha Blue/White) Available from March 2012

ENGINE
Type: 449cc liquid-cooled DOHC 4-stroke; 5 titanium valves
Bore x Stroke: 95.0mm x 63.4mm
Compression Ratio: TBA
Fuel Delivery: Fuel Injection
Ignition: CDI
Transmission: Constant-mesh 5-speed; multiplate wet clutch
Final Drive: Chain Drive

CHASSIS
Suspension / Front: Inverted fork; fully adjustable
Suspension / Rear: Single shock; fully adjustable, 12-in travel
Brakes / Front: Hydraulic single disc brake
Brakes / Rear: Hydraulic single disc brake
Tires / Front: TBA
Tires / Rear: TBA

DIMENSIONS
Length: TBA
Width: TBA
Height: TBA
Seat Height: TBA
Wheelbase: TBA
Ground Clearance: TBA
Fuel Capacity: 2.1 gal
Wet Weight***: TBA

OTHER
Warranty: 30 Day (Limited Factory Warranty)



2012 Yamaha YZ450F

2012 Yamaha YZ450F


Features

Key Features:
- YZ450F’s still revolutionary design advancements include its rearward-slanted cylinder that achieves unmatched mass centralization, concentrating inertial mass toward the center of the machine. This bold design swaps traditional intake and exhaust positions, putting the lightweight airbox and throttle body out front. This contributes to mass centralization for nimble handling while also achieving a straight intake tract for superb combustion efficiency that delivers more power.
- The cylinder is offset so the connecting rod is vertical at the moment of greatest combustion force, minimizing piston friction against the cylinder wall that could rob power. That means quicker response.
- The 4-titanium valve cylinder head is matched to a newly recalibrated fuel injection system that provides superb low-to-mid-rpm power feeling. Instantly adapts to changing air/fuel mixtures depending on altitude and temperature, for an engine that delivers no matter what conditions.
- The aluminum double “S” bend Bilateral Beam frame provides a superb rigidity balance and, with new front and rear suspension settings, provides unmatched lightweight handling and cornering. Combined with the mass centralization provided by the engine, YZ450F for 2012 is a formidable, well-tuned package.
- Accessory GYTR® Power Tuner lets bike tuners adjust air/fuel mixture and ignition timing maps to match engine performance characteristics to the rider and track conditions.

New for 2012:
- Revised fuel injection settings (mapping for injection and advance) offer smooth, controllable engine response in the low-to-mid-rpm range.
- New, longer 94 dB muffler.
- ECU programming is updated to optimize performance characteristics with the new-spec muffler.
- New front and rear suspension settings and valving deliver exceptionally smooth suspension performance.
- Dunlop® Geomax® MX51 tires provide great all-round traction.
- New seat foam material has an excellent cushion feel.
- Both color options feature rich-looking black rims and a gold-color drive chain.

Engine:
- The rearward-slanted engine allows for straight intake and exhaust ports, creating the most direct path for airflow into the fuel-injected engine for incredible performance.
- The YZ450F uses a battery-less fuel injection system with a 12-hole injector for superb fuel atomization. The 44mm Keihin® throttle body is designed for easy starting, with an integrated cold start and idle speed adjustment knob. Yamaha FI provides optimal air/fuel mixtures in all altitudes and wide range of temperatures for outstanding throttle response.
- 14 volt/110W high output generator powers the battery-less fuel injection system.
- 4-titanium valve cylinder head with a “pent-roof” design combustion chamber provides excellent combustion efficiency and unequalled power output.
- The big 97.0mm bore and short 60.8mm stroke, along with a high 12.5:1 compression ratio, create a combustion chamber that delivers really impressive power.
- The air filter case is up front, helping to keep dirt and dust kicked up from the rear tire away from the intake system.
- “Tornado-style” exhaust header with resonator efficiently scavenges exhaust gasses and helps the engine achieve its exceptional low-to-mid-rpm torque characteristics, while the longer muffler meets the latest noise standards.
- Clutch and transmission components are designed to give the rider positive and precise shifting feel.

Chassis/Suspension:
- The aluminum double “S” bend Bilateral Beam frame is crafted from a carefully chosen combination of forged and extruded aluminum, 16 components in all, for the right rigidity balance and light weight. A very symmetrical chassis design promotes nimble handling, letting riders enter and exit corners as quickly as possible to put the competition behind them.
- Skid plate is constructed from tough polypropylene for great protection and low weight.
- The swingarm and rear shock are designed, with the shock mounted along the central axis of the frame, taking advantage of the space not needed for a traditionally configured engine’s airbox. This optimized combination delivers exceptionally linear performance for excellent bump absorption and awesome cornering ability.
- The KYB® Speed Sensitive front fork has excellent feel and shock absorption.
- KYB® rear shock includes a large capacity piggyback reservoir and 50mm piston for consistent damping control.
- Fuel tank is positioned underneath the seat, contributing to the centralized mass. The seat is long and flat to allow free rider movement, and has new seat foam material for an excellent cushion feel.
- The triple clamps have 22 mm offset for unequalled cornering performance. The ProTaper® bars are 4-way adjustable to accommodate a wide range of riders.
- The front and rear fenders, along with the number plate, side cover and front fork protector have been designed for an aggressive look. The bike’s minimalistic design accentuates its handling character. A minimum of plastic means the lightweight aluminum frame can be exposed for an enhanced performance look.
- Fuel pump is small and lightweight, as is the compact transistor ignition unit.


Specifications

MSRP*: US$8,350 (Team Yamaha Blue/White) Available from September 2011, $8,350 (White/Red) Available from September 2011

ENGINE
Type: 449cc liquid-cooled DOHC 4-stroke; 4 titanium valves
Bore x Stroke: 97.0 x 60.8mm
Compression Ratio: 12.5:1
Fuel Delivery: Yamaha Fuel Injection (YFI), Keihin® 44mm
Ignition: TCI
Transmission: Constant-mesh 5-speed; multiplate wet clutch
Final Drive: Chain Drive

CHASSIS
Suspension / Front: KYB® Speed-Sensitive System, inverted fork: fully adjustable, 12.2-in travel
Suspension / Rear: KYB® Fully adjustable single shock; 12.4-in travel
Brakes / Front: Hydraulic single disc brake, 250mm
Brakes / Rear: Hydraulic single disc brake, 245mm
Tires / Front: 80/100-21 Dunlop® Geomax® MX51
Tires / Rear: 120/80-19 Dunlop® Geomax® MX51

DIMENSIONS
Length: 86.4 in
Width: 32.5 in
Height: 51.6 in
Seat Height: 39.4 in
Wheelbase: 58.7 in
Ground Clearance: 15.2 in
Fuel Capacity: 1.6 gal
Wet Weight***: 245 lb

OTHER
Warranty: 30 Day (Limited Factory Warranty)



2012 Yamaha YZ250F

2012 Yamaha YZ250F


Features

Key Features:
- New optimized engine pumps out more power in the 8,000 to 12,000 rpm range with outstanding throttle response, thanks to new crankshaft webs, new vibration-reducing counterbalancer, new connecting rod, and low-friction piston rings, as well as a new piston, piston pin, and clip assembly that’s over 8% lighter overall than before. To take full advantage of these advancements, there’s also new CDI mapping and a bigger 39mm carb with freer breathing air cleaner cage. Added to the new frame and suspension refinements, this latest engine gives YZ250F amazing balance – a powerful, light-handling machine with performance that’s accessible to all levels of riders.
- The new-for-2012 Bilateral Beam frame has revised rigidity balance for superior cornering performance as well as great stability on rough, high-speed straights. Beefy new front suspension components plus revised rear shock internals and more rigidity in the swingarm axle block area give this new machine a serious handling advantage with light, quick steering.
- The styling emphasizes the bike’s lightweight and nimble handling character. The sharp, horizontal lines set the bike apart with a clean, aggressive look.
- New KYB® suspension is tuned to work with the also new Bilateral Beam frame for unmatched handling.
- There’s no disputing the YZ250F’s unmatched four-stroke prowess – it was the 1st four-stroke 250 motocross bike on the market, the 1st to win an international race, the 1st to win an AMA® Supercross,® and the 1st to take an AMA® U.S. Supercross Championship® title, as well as the first to win an AMA® National race.

New for 2012:
- Engine refinements, including a larger 39mm carburetor, optimized CDI, and lighter piston with a lighter piston pin, mean YZ250F has more power as well as exceptional throttle response in the mid-to-high speed range.
- The crankshaft web design is revised to match the lighter piston and reduce high-rpm vibration.
- The air cleaner cage is a new design that provides increased airflow, contributing to the excellent throttle response in the mid-to-high speed range.
- The new muffler is designed to meet 94 dB standards.
- The new Bilateral Beam frame with a revised balance of longitudinal, lateral, and torsional rigidity is used for superior cornering performance, especially while exiting turns, as well as great stability on rough, high-speed straights.
- YZ250F has beefy new outer fork tubes and triple clamps. The result? An increase in the front fork assembly’s torsional rigidity for unmatched chassis stability.
- Fork offset has been changed from 25mm to 22mm to accommodate the new frame design. This shortened offset increases trail length which, in turn, contributes to excellent stability and reduces the inertial moment of the front fork assembly for quick, race-winning handling. The rider can take advantage of the higher level of performance throughout the turn.
- The redesigned axle block portions of the swingarm provide greater rigidity to further optimize the rigidity balance between the new frame and the revised front fork assembly.
- Front and rear suspension settings have been optimized for the new frame design, including a shock that uses a 16mm shaft for optimal hydraulic flow, resulting in exceptionally smooth suspension and great traction capability.
- New seat foam material has an excellent cushion feel.
- Both color options feature rich-looking black rims and a gold-color drive chain.

Engine:
- The valve spring retainers are lightweight aluminum instead of steel, and light valve spring pressure reduces valve-opening force. Valve stem ends are chromium-nitride coated for exceptional reliability and reduced maintenance.
- The exhaust port is “D” shaped instead of round. This increases velocity through the port for excellent throttle response, while enhancing the power feeling of the engine.
- The low-mounted radiator is as far back as possible and the compact oil tank is positioned to achieve greater mass centralization.
- The new 39mm carburetor has a venturi-shaped bore, plus recalibrated jetting and an accelerator pump. This translates to impressive response when the rider snaps open the throttle, and contributes to superb mid-to-high-rpm power characteristics.
- The intake boot offers a straight, smooth tract for excellent engine breathing and more power. The airbox is shaped to tuck neatly into the Bilateral Beam frame.
- The exhaust pipe has been carefully tuned to optimize engine power, with a new muffler that meets 94 dB standards.

Chassis/Suspension:
- The new Bilateral Beam frame is crafted from a carefully chosen combination of forged and extruded aluminum pieces, all welded together to provide unmatched rigidity balance and superb cornering characteristics, as well as excellent handling on rough, high-speed straights.
- The KYB® speed-sensitive front forks deliver exceptional damping feel, responsiveness, and bump absorption characteristics.
- The 4-way-adjustable KYB® rear shock makes the most of the latest Bilateral Beam frame design. It’s low in the frame for excellent mass centralization, with a 16mm shaft and new settings for optimal hydraulic flow.
- The tank, seat, and rear fender are flat and the relationship between handlebars, pegs, and seat result in a natural, more forward riding position that facilitates rider movement. The fuel tank is placed toward the center of the bike for mass centralization. The ProTaper® bars are 4-way adjustable, and handlebar mounts and foot pegs optimize rider position on the chassis. Seat cushion material is updated for great rider comfort.

Additional Features:
- Riders have a choice of two color options: Team Yamaha Blue/White or White/Red.


Specs

MSRP*: US$7,290 (Team Yamaha Blue/White) Available from September 2011, $7,290 (White/Red) Available from September 2011

ENGINE
Type: 250cc liquid-cooled DOHC 4-stroke; 5 titanium valves
Bore x Stroke: 77.0mm x 53.6mm
Compression Ratio: 13.5:1
Fuel Delivery: Keihin® FCR MX39
Ignition: CDI
Transmission: Constant-mesh 5-speed; multiplate wet clutch
Final Drive: Chain Drive

CHASSIS
Suspension / Front: KYB® Speed-Sensitive System, inverted fork: fully adjustable, 11.8-in travel
Suspension / Rear: KYB® Fully adjustable single shock; 12.5-in travel
Brakes / Front: Hydraulic single disc brake, 250mm
Brakes / Rear: Hydraulic single disc brake, 245mm
Tires / Front: 80/100-21
Tires / Rear: 100/90-19

DIMENSIONS
Length: 85.4 in
Width: 32.5 in
Height: 51.4 in
Seat Height: 39.0 in
Wheelbase: 58.1 in
Ground Clearance: 14.9 in
Fuel Capacity: 1.6 gal
Wet Weight***: 227 lb

OTHER
Warranty: 30 Day (Limited Factory Warranty)

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Tags: 2012, Yamaha, new models, off-road, yz450f, yz250f, wr450f

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