Racer X Tested: 2013 Yamaha YZ450F
Monday, September 17, 2012 | 12:00 PM
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PrintThere has been enough drama over the current Yamaha 450 motocross machine to last an eternity. When Yamaha turned things around by introducing their “backwards” motorcycle a few years back they ignited an argument that is still unsettled: Is this design any good? The answer, of course, is yes. Yamaha’s woes would probably be a mild undertone if it weren’t for their multi-year marriage to James Stewart. I’m not saying they hitched their wagon to a horse with no legs, but it certainly wasn’t the union they hoped for. After some very long seasons of racing with mixed results, they cut bait, with Stewart and Yamaha parting ways. Now, they've gotten some solid rides from some other riders, and Stewart did win some supercross races on the bike. But while James was struggling on his ride, the other manufacturers had other riders winning races consistently for them. And James insisted it was the bike. He switched teams and immediately dominated the opening four motos of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship this summer. It was not looking good for Yamaha. Then James crashed in Colorado when a photographer crossed the track. He also crashed even more later in the summer and ended his season early. So, was it really the bike or did Stewart just think it was? Who knows? And, honestly, at this point who cares?
For 2013 Yamaha didn’t make any changes to their bike. Well, the back fender is white and the handlbars are black. I don’t think that will change lap times though. Many skeptics were shocked that they didn’t introduce an all-new motorcycle to replace the current model. But the truth is, some people really like the current Yamaha 450. In terms of reliability it has one of the best records of any motorcycle out there; Yamaha has had no recalls, defects or major issues with the bike. And while Stewart struggled with it there were other riders who excelled on it. Davi Milsaps and Kyle Chisholm come to mind. The 2013 YZF450, just like the 2012 version, is a great motorcycle. The engine is very strong, reliability is excellent and components from the brakes to the clutch to the EFI work flawlessly. There is also a GYTR power tuner available [$279.95], which allows you to adjust and create a power that works for you. It’s a really cool feature for those wanting to personalize the power for their riding style.
So, what’s all the fuss about? Well, the bike is nothing like the previous Yamaha models. It is quick handling, if not a little nervous. The front end feels heavily weighted making high-speed sections somewhat death defying. And the most annoying habit is the unpredictability of the rear end. You can hit the same bump at the same speed and get a different reaction on different laps. That is not confidence inspiring. The bike is also really wide at the tank and shroud. If you ride with knee braces it almost feels like you are sitting on a bulldozer.
Yamaha has taken its share of heat for not bringing new bikes to market, both 250 and 450, last year and especially this year. While there has been talk of a 2013 and ½ model that will release early like the Dungey addition KTM last summer, the Yamaha brass assure me that is not happening. They are also tight-lipped about what is in store for 2014 in terms of new models. The great news is that if you like the 2012 version… you will love the 2013 YZ450F.
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I thought there was going to be a test or a review on this bike as stated in the title...
its the same as the '12. whats left to review? BNGs?
My favorite quote.
So, was it really the bike or did Stewart just think it was? Who knows? And, honestly, at this point who cares?
"(JS) immediately dominated the opening four motos of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship" So it's dominating even if second is right behind you the whole race?
Doesn't this weigh 10 pounds or more than the other 450s? That can't help.
This article is a giant WTF.
Is it: "For 2013 Yamaha didn’t make any changes to their bike." or, "Well, the bike is nothing like the previous Yamaha models."
On one hand it implies the bike has no problems and it was all in JS7's head. On the other: "The front end feels heavily weighted making high-speed sections somewhat death defying. And the most annoying habit is the unpredictability of the rear end. You can hit the same bump at the same speed and get a different reaction on different laps."
I am confused.
Everytime i saw one it was on the ground regardless of the rider, no factory support, some satelite teams, until Yamaha looks like they want to be a contender and get a lot more involved theres not going to be many more titles, ill be supprised if they get there bike to the podium. They started the 4 stroke crap when they had doug henry ride one and there the first to bail on team, factory, RandD support, and the one of the few that still produce 2 strokes and those havent seen an update in years.
Bingo, JaredPartridge. Why in the world would Yamaha invest another yen on a design that is already earmarked for the dumpster?
In a down economy, they are saving their funds to introduce a "new" 450 design but, and I will wager dollars on this, all they will do is MX-ify the WR450 which, is a 250 frame with the four valve motor in the correct direction. I'm fairly certain others (hello, tonewall) opinions will differ but, corporate parts-bin raiding is an effective way for the design team to get something new(ish) on the tracks without investing major funds which, they probably ain't getting anyway.
All the handling issues aside, one of the most annoying things ever is having this bike yell at you while you are riding (intake noise). Maybe someday, people will accept this as the norm but, as of today, it's really annoying.
Sorry, I still don't buy into "It was a photographer that caused the crash in Colorado" or the Bike.
@ MX Bob, the (2012) Honda 450 is 10lbs. lighter than the rest of the (2012) 450's which, are within a couple lbs. of each other.
@ LastBikeRM250, Ping was probably confused they called him to ride the dang thing.
@ yamaha645, I wonder if Doug Henry's snapped twigs should have been a warning for all of us in regards to the four strokes (re)arrival on the MX scene............time for somebody (Chase Stallo?) to crunch some #'s and come up with an "injuries per" type article to shed some light on why all the best riders are always getting injured nowadays.
@ ride111mph, with all the other crashes #7 had this season, you look like the smartest guy in the room.
BUT,maybe you have this all wrong? I'm going to start a "Where's Waldo" campaign and scour all the pictures of JS crashing and find "the photographer" in or around every one of JS's crash sites, just like JFK & Aliens.
@carlsbad....lol...shoot I wish they would just bring back the 09 that worked really good....Yamaha HAS $$$$ .they rule the musical instrument world and sell PLENTY of bikes ...they aren't going broke buy a long shot...plus they obviously know how to build bikes ..the RR stuff is monstrous (no pun)....the "bike of the future" lol is a strange beast if you've ridden one ...but also works REALLY good for 90% of normal humans ...that Whibley guy seems to get down the trail on one just fine......but I am baffled as to which direction they may go ...the 250/450 thing may and may not be the answer....I vote for a 250 chassis with a cheap reliable modern (powervalved , watercooled etc) 400cc 2 stroke injected that weights 215 (just like in the 80's) makes beautiful power and a CORRECTLY spread (a close ratio box is not needed for big bores ..period...companys PLEase take note) 5sp gearbox that also allows for some versatility (like KTM's) and they will sell ALL they can make . It also is NOT gonna happen.........At this point Havoc7 is sorta meaningless ,its been so long since hes put together a decent SEASON ....He will either make it or he'll bag it ...we all know that....the past is past...and his road will be a tuff one and regardless of riding my very favorite bike "old paint " we don't need no stinking redesigns!!!!if it ain't broke don't fix it...blah blah..lol.........he doesn't instill the fear he once did (unless its about crashing into you) in his competition....RV , RD1 , DW , 22 ,JB...they ain't scared at all....,,,I look forward to Yamahas return ..even though they make incredibly reliable valve trains which makes me less money...thank god for crf's...GO U S A.....i just wish our guys were fast.....lol
I hardly think Milsaps excelled on it, it spit him off constantly and hurt him several times
Ping - It feels front heavy, or is front heavy, or both? I ask because it seems odd that moving the motor forward a couple/few millimeters would help a front heavy bike.
Yamaha promised Dean Wilson they'd have a new bike ready for 2014 if he'd sign with them. I think he was more concerned about 2013!
personally, i liked the bike when i rode it. and that was Kyles DNA practice bike, tall bar setup with suspension set up for someone whos 6'5" and well over 200lbs.
im 5'9" and barely pushing 155 on a good day. few clicker adjustments and i loved it. it is very wide at the shrouds/tank, but what'd you expect when they put the airbox and gas tank in the same area? and for handling, its defnintely not the greatest. just grip that beast with your knees and take whatever it throws at you with speed. braking bumps are much more manageable when youre actually off the brakes..
First off where's the test? Secondly who at Racer X owns Yamaha stock?
I don't blame the YZ450 for all of JS' problems but saying other riders excelled on it isn't right either. How many YZ450s did we see on the MX podium in 2012? Millsaps barely cracked the top 10 outdoors and was hurt quite a bit.
The YZ isn't inherently bad but it's an answer to a question no one asked.
I don't
First off where's the test? Secondly who at Racer X owns Yamaha stock?
I don't blame the YZ450 for all of JS' problems but saying other riders excelled on it isn't right either. How many YZ450s did we see on the MX podium in 2012? Millsaps barely cracked the top 10 outdoors and was hurt quite a bit.
The YZ isn't inherently bad but it's an answer to a question no one asked.
I don't
This bike is done. They couldn't get a new bike out soon enough. Think about it....no changes? None? That says they were not willing to invest anymore in this bike. Money says that motor is turned back around for 2014.
So if the bike is good,Who does JGR have on it for next year?,,Why did milsaps leave?,after all he finished 2nd indoors on it??,,
So if the bike is bad, how did he finish second in the series on it? Remember when he banzai'd that sand section in Atlanta? You just don't do that kind of stuff on a sketchy bike.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7fpFNb1Bz8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6R7RHdBe-w
And don't forget the Millsaps and Stewart went 1-2 @ Daytona in some pretty gnarly conditions.
@ texag, "the question no one asked"....................hilarious!
@ tonewall, I agree about the '09, I think that's where they went wrong. Yamaha has a solid history of steadily improving a design with smart, well-developed changes and the "revolutionary" design change snakebit them. If they'd have kept improving the '09, they'd be in a better place than now............and it would probably have looked a lot like the '14 will.
Also, since the bike ran everyone off, they (JGR, Factory Yamaha proper, ?) will have to bring back talent to ride it and since no big names are drinking from the YZF450 well next year, there should be dollars left over to spend for that in '14.
Tomac's contract is up for '14 and he will be available. Yamaha, having saved their money from '13 will certainly drive E.T.'s signing price up for other potential bidders...............would Eli go blue?
josh coppins 2012 champ in aus, what was the bike? its been the wining bike in aus 5 years straight!
being a massive Yamaha lover - I can't but help to think this bike is an incredible piss of shit- it lacks looks - credibility - and proven speed - sure coppins won on it but who was he racing, had bt101 raced it would have been lights out. coppins was in a class by himself without bt101. i had my 1986 FZ 750 tuned the other day and had an in length discussion about whats wrong with the yz450f and even the local yamaha mechanic discussed at length the obvious problems YAMAHA please listen to your fans follow the lead by KTM and start doing really good 2 stroke 150's and 300's
I LOVE YAMAHA's
I'm with LastBikeRM250, WTF is this article about...?
@Brett568
That makes sense. In the southern hemisphere things work backwards.
I've had nothing but problems with my 11 YZ450F. One cracked frame, two cracked subframes and one cracked swingarm all on welds.
i dont think that the Yamahas are up to par they really have down graded.
what a shame
As brett568 said it's won 5 years in a row in Aust. This year with Josh Coppins and Lawson Bopping 5th
The YZ450f actually works great when you ride the track backwards,must be something to do with the earths rotation or the tuning forks perfectly aligned with the sun and the moon,and with the backwards engine being so centralized maybe it would work better in their roadracing program.As for the outdoor season the bike was less than stellar.Im with @captainteach in 2014 the motor will be turned around,if not yamaha's gonna have a shitload of 450's left on the showroom floor.just like they do now.
Well , you will see if you scroll up that i have a 11 and defended the bike strongly.
Its proven to be good enough in aus with jay and josh, and milsaps gets on with it.
Im a 40 year old vet and had many bikes over the years, i like it or thou it took me longer to get comfy on it. Mine has now done 59hrs all mx racing and today 30/9/12 one year on from new and 0 problems i pulled the bike down for its first
rebuild and low and behold i have a cracked frame! right though a weld and has traveled around otherside a little. I think i just found it in time . I have emailed yamaha nz and will contact the dealer on monday. that new honda or the kawi
or suk is looking better right now, im sorry yamaha but if you dont come to the party on this im turning my back on the brand maybe for good.