2021 Yamaha WR450F
Yamaha has based the 2021 WR450F on the 2020 YZ450F platform – read the review here – but has modified a number of components to suit trailriding and enduro racing. And of course, it’s street legal with full ADR compliance.
The new 449cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, electric start engine features a new compact cylinder head, 310 grams lighter, with redesigned combustion chamber shape, and steeper valve angles.
The forward-positioned downdraft intake with rear exhaust powerplant houses a higher compression piston, up from 12.8:1 to 13:1, with low friction rings attached to a longer connecting rod.
See the limited-edition 2021 Yamaha WR450F Aussie Edition!
The wide-ratio, five-speed transmission has been refined with the goal to provide smoother shifting, and a more efficient crankcase breather system has been adopted to decrease pumping losses. Yamaha claims that new engine produces increased power across the entire rpm range for stronger and more linear pulling power, if that’s possible! The current WR450F is damn fast!
The latest evolution of Yamaha’s aluminium bilateral beam frame has been redesigned with new wall thicknesses and flex characteristics to suit off-road racing. Other chassis components such as engine mounts, top triple clamp and front axle, as well as the KYB suspension, have been refined to reduce weight while improving handling and performance, we’ll have to wait to test this claim! Yamaha has shifted the handlebar 15mm forward and 5mm down, allowing the rider to more-easily get their weight over the front wheel.
New Chromoly footpegs are 70 grams lighter.
To bring the new package to a stop, the 2021 Yamaha WR450F features a newly designed front brake caliper, brake pads and front disc.
The 2021 Yamaha WR450F features a more compact electric start system, updated fuel injection settings, a redesigned, more compact full-featured enduro meter with higher contrast LCD screen, a new real-time fuel consumption meter with low fuel warning light, aluminium side stand, sealed O-ring chain, handlebar-mounted map switch, and 18-inch rear wheel are all standard equipment.
2021 Yamaha WR450F price is set at $15,499 inc GST ride away (up from $15,299) including 12 months registration, with availability due for December 2020.
2021 WR450F features and benefits
• New YZ450F based, forward-positioned, straight intake, rearward-inclined cylinder and rear exhaust port engine format
• Smartphone tuning
• Bar-mounted engine map switch
• Lightweight electric starter motor
• Tool-free airbox access
• Tougher five-speed gearbox with model-specific clutch featuring heat-resistant friction plates
• New controlled fill aluminium bilateral beam frame tuned for enduro
• KYB speed sensitive forks and shock absorber tuned for enduro
• Lighter, more powerful brakes
• New compact instrument display with fuel consumption indicator
• New lighter footpegs
• Lighter and stronger front axle shaft, top triple clamp, handlebar clamps – from YZ450F
• Large plastic engine guard
• Large-capacity radiator and cooling fan
• 18 in rear-wheel
• Four-position adjustable handlebars
• Sealed chain
• 7.9-litre plastic fuel tank and compact fuel pump
• Weight wet remains the same at 119kg
Yamaha WR450F Specs
Engine Type Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valve
Displacement (cc) 450.0
Bore x Stroke (mm) 97.0 x 60.8
Compression Ratio 13.0 : 1
Lubrication System Wet sump
Fuel Management Fuel Injection
Ignition TCI
Starter System Electric
Fuel Tank Capacity (L) 7.9
Final Transmission Chain
Transmission Constant-mesh 5-speed
Frame Type Bilateral beam
Suspension Front Telescopic forks, 310mm travel
Suspension Rear Swingarm (link suspension), 318mm travel
Brakes Front Hydraulic single disc, 270mm
Brakes Rear Hydraulic single disc, 245mm
Tyres Front 90/90-21 Metzeler Six Days Extreme
Tyres Rear 130/90-18 Metzeler Six Days Extreme
Length (mm) 2175
Width (mm) 825
Height (mm) 1270
Seat Height (mm) 955
Wheelbase (mm) 1480
Ground Clearance (mm) 320
Wet Weight (kg) 119
2021 WR250F
The Yamaha WR250F returns unchanged for 2021. Featuring the brilliant front-intake, rear-exhaust, liquid-cooled, DOHC four-stroke power plant paired to a sixth-speed, and wide ratio transmission. The aluminium bilateral beam frame, and KYB suspension of the 2021 WR250F have been taken from the YZ250F but tuned for enduro.
The price of the WR250F is $14,099 ride away.
Read our review of the 2020 Yamaha WR250F
