Bike Review | Yamaha WR450F | 2024 Model Launch Test

BikeReview recently attended the Australian launch of the heavily revised Yamaha WR450F. The 2024 WR450F has come out with a complete overhaul. With a new engine, chassis and ergonomics, the WR450F comes ADR approved and with a free competition off-road kit.

Dan rode the new Yamaha WR450F at enduro legend Josh Green’s property in Stroud, NSW, in wild conditions!

Starting off with a quick flight from a warm Melbourne to a wet and cool Newcastle, unfortunately missing the team presentation due to a flight delay, I was lucky enough everyone was still around. This gave me the opportunity to have a talk with some of the Yamaha technical and marketing team to discuss some of the new features of the 2024 WR450F.

Yamaha’s Sean Goldhawk giving a tech presentation to the bike journo’s.

Dan (L) and some of the other media having a laugh about the pissing rain!

The biggest of being the massive reduction in weight and the slimline look and feel of the bike, due to its new chassis and bodywork. After a quick bite to eat, it was time to head up to my room to have a good night’s sleep for the ride ahead. In the morning we headed to Josh Green’s property in Stroud, NSW, to test out the weapon.

Read Dan’s 2024 Yamaha YZ250 motocross review here…

Arriving at the property, we were met by the Yamaha race truck with 13 brand new WR450F’s lined up and ready for us to ride. What a site!  With numerous heavy showers hammering down while we made our way to the property, it was looking like it was going to be a wet and muddy day, and it was… But that is all part of the fun!

“We were met by the Yamaha race truck with 13 brand new WR450F’s lined up and ready for us to ride.”

2024 YAMAHA WR450F TECH HIGHLIGHTS
Starting off with the chassis, it is based on that of the YZ450F mx model, giving the WR450F a slimmer and more compact look and feel, which has greatly changed the ergonomics and rider a triangle. The rider triangle is now roomier, featuring a 10mm increase in distance between the rider’s hips and feet. While the handlebars are closer to the rider, allowing for a comfier natural position. The new seat is flatter with rounded edges, which increases the degree of freedom for the rider, allowing better movement for the rider in all aspects. The WR450F also comes with slimmer bodywork making the overall shroud width 50mm narrower than the previous 2023 WR450F.

Based on the YZ250F frame, the WR450F now has a 15mm reduction in head tube height, as well as re-tuned flex, with recalibrated engine mounts adding to the flexibility tune and feel for enduro purposes.

Fitted with new KYB front and rear suspension, featuring a tool free compression damping adjustment on top of the forks, the WR450F runs 300mm suspension travel for precise control over the varied terrains that you will encounter. The head pipe is also 15mm lower for 2024. This combo assists increasing the traction on the front and rear for a more planted feel and to optimise handling.

Slimmer bodywork, a revised rider triangle and a 2kg diet has made the WR450F a whole new riding experience according to Dan, more MX like than ever before.

Other components changed for lightweight include the rear wheel and rear braking system. A new three-spoke pattern joins the blue anodised Excel rim to a lighter hub, and a new YZ450F-spec rear brake system sheds further weight. The rear wheel axle is wider in diameter for enhanced feedback.

Excel wheel rim, Nissin brakes.

The rear wheel is lighter for 2024, while the axle is wider.

270mm rotor with two-piston caliper.

240mm rotor with single-piston caliper.

13/50 final gearing.

Lighter footpeg brackets.

Paired with the updated chassis you have the all-new lightweight engine, which is shared with the YZ450F. With larger 39mm diameter intake valves, a new piston, new conrod big end, revised bearings, optimised crank mass inertia and dry sump oil tank with integrated generator cover. With many engine components being lighter Yamaha has managed to scrub off a whopping 1.1kg.

Yamaha has managed to scrub off a whopping 1.1kg compared to their 2023 engine.

The new transmission includes the new YZ450F lightweight disc spring clutch, also giving it a lighter feel as well as being more compact. The wide-ratio (WR) five-speed gearbox also features wider main shaft gears for reduced weight and increased strength, with ratios specifically developed for enduro racing. With all the updates to the chassis and engine the WR450F comes with a lower centre of gravity, while the chassis also has revised rigidity balance and flex specifically for the WR450F.

With many engine components being lighter Yamaha has managed to scrub off a whopping 1.1kg compared to their 2023 engine.

Yamaha’s new unique Power Tuner app has been upgraded to make tuning is easier with a simple tuning slide bar function added. Riders can now also record and monitor suspension settings. You can also change the different amounts of traction control, plus there’s the addition of a lap time function.

The 2024 Yamaha WR450F comes ADR approved and costs $17,999 Ride Away. It also comes with a free Australian Off-Road kit, which can be fitted for competition use. The kit is very comprehensive…

Shorter muffler to move weight forward.

Narrower by 50mm at radiator shrouds.

2024 WR450F update highlights
-New fuel-injected 450cc engine is more compact and lighter
-Model-specific ECU produces tractability at low speeds and full power at medium to high speeds
-New Controlled Fill aluminium bilateral beam frame is lower with WR450F-specific engine mounts
-Flatter seat with more rounded edges makes it easy to move about while riding
-New air flow management system allows a more compact body including 50mm narrower shrouds
-Lower centre of gravity assists in negotiating tight corners
-Many new lighter and mass centralised parts including clutch, real wheel assembly, shorty muffler, Lithium Ion battery and fuel tank
-New Power Tuner app for even simpler smartphone tuning

THE RIDE
Arriving at Josh Green’s farm and seeing all the WR450F lined up beside the Yamaha team truck, it was finally time to put my gear on and throw my leg over the new 2024 WR450F.

Singletrack on the 2024 Yamaha WR450F.

Nimble and agile handling.

Plenty of traction and smooth power delivery.

Confident change of direction and front-end feel.

Straight away sitting on the bike, the first thing you notice is how slim the 2024 WR450F is. I was eager to see if this new slim look was going to handle as good as it looks. I was not disappointed. After a couple of siting laps and getting comfy with the WR450F and the conditions, it was time to open it up and see what the enduro legend, now in its 25th year, was really capable of.

“The new YZ450F derived motor has all the power and torque you will need to tackle any obstacle or terrain you will find on an enduro track”…

First we tackled a track that Josh had set up on his property, with a few obstacles such as tree trunks and rock beds to put the WR450F through the tests. Straight away it was clear to see that the WR450F has all the power and torque you will need to tackle any obstacle or terrain you will find on an enduro track. The wide-ratio gearbox is smooth and enables you to get the power to the ground and overcome any situation, whether it be up a steep slippery incline or over a downed tree. The engine is fantastic.

“Throughout the day I tried out a variety of engine maps, and you can also switch on and adjust traction control”.

Yamaha’s updated Power Tuner app offers a user-friendly interface and was handy. With the help of a mechanic, I was able to link my phone up to the WR450F that I was riding, and input a couple of different maps. Throughout the day I tried out a variety of engine maps, and you can also switch on and adjust traction control if you feel that you require it on the terrain that you’re riding.

“With the changes made to the ergonomics the WR is also a lot more comfortable to ride on those long enduro loops”.

When I first tried the traction control I was very shocked at how well it assists you and makes the ride so much easier in muddy conditions. But not only would this assist you in the muddy conditions, even in some dry dusty conditions, I think it would put the power to the ground as needed.

“Throughout the whole day, I didn’t find myself getting tired or sore at all and I felt like I could keep going all day”…

With the massive changes to the chassis and the bodywork of the bike I felt these changes make the bike feel much slimmer towards the front of the rider triangle, which allows the rider to move further forward on the bike, making the WR450F feel a lot more agile and corner effortlessly anywhere on an enduro course. With the changes made to the ergonomics the WR is also a lot more comfortable to ride on those long enduro loops. Throughout the whole day, I didn’t find myself getting tired or sore at all and I felt like I could keep going all day.

“The suspension gave me a smooth and controlled ride whether going up a steep incline or across a rock bed”.

The KYB forks and shock offer a smooth and comfortable ride. These are easily adjusted to suit the terrain you are on, with tool free comp adjustment at the front. The suspension gave me a smooth and controlled ride whether going up a steep incline or across a rock bed, with the suspension also assisting in increasing grip on the front and traction at the rear for a more planted feel. I felt that this increased the tight turning ability of the WR450F, giving me more confidence through the singletracks we rode through on the day.

Testing the KYB suspension.

New ergonomics are a plus.

330mm clearance to the new bashplate.

With a powerful front two-piston Nissin caliper and 270mm disc up front and a single-piston Nissin caliper and 240mm disc up the back, the WR450F was easy to bring to a stop even on the wet muddy course. At first I found the front brakes a little touchy, but I was then shown by the mechanic that you can adjust the feel/ratio on the lever, which made a world of difference. Once I changed the feel I found the suspension and brakes work hand in hand to make the 2024 WR450F handle like a motocross bike with the comfort needed to tackle the rough terrain of an enduro course.

“The suspension and brakes work hand in hand to make the 2024 WR450F handle like a motocross bike with the comfort needed to tackle the rough terrain of an enduro course”.

After riding the course set out for a few hours we had a bite to eat for lunch. Then we all got ready for a long enduro ride. On the long course we encountered many different terrains such as rock faces, deep 4×4 ruts and channel crossings, none of which posed any threat to the WR450F, which handled it all with ease. I found that whether I was riding a short loop or a long enduro course the WR450F is so comfy that I could keep riding all day without having to worry about my arms falling off.

“I felt I was riding a bike with handling and performance of a motocross bike, dealing easily with an enduro course”.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed riding the 2024 WR450F, and you might too. I felt I was riding a bike with handling and performance of a motocross bike, dealing easily with an enduro course. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced rider the WR450F has everything you will need. With its comfortable riding position, new slim feeling, powerful brakes, KYB front and rear suspension and easy to use map switch, I reckon the hardest bit will be finding terrain you can’t tackle with the WR450F.

“Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed riding the 2024 WR450F, and you might too.” Dan Thomerson.

I didn’t want the day to end, but after all the showers we had throughout the day I was soaking wet and had to get out of my gear. Needless to say, I ended the day with a grin on my face from ear to ear.

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