The trail-friendly 2024 Yamaha WR450F gets all the updates we’ve seen on the race-ready YZ450F and YZ450FX, making it a virtually all-new motorcycle. Let’s push the start button and get the Fast Facts flowing.
- The 2024 Yamaha WR450F gets the same engine as the current-spec YZ450F motocrosser. It’s all-new for the WR, sporting larger intake valves, a new piston and connecting rod, updated crank mass inertia, new bearings, and a dry sump lubrication system. The engine weighs 2.4 pounds less than last year, thanks to the new piston, cylinder, cam chain, crankshaft assembly, connecting rod bearings, and dry sump design. To give the motor its off-road character, the ECU is tuned specifically for the low-rpm needs of the WR450F rider. Air now flows into the engine from the rear of the bike.
- There’s a new transmission in the bottom end. It’s still a purpose-built wide-ratio five-speed, though it features lighter, wider, and stronger main shaft gears. The clutch is a disc-spring design claimed to be smaller, require less pressure at the lever, and have an improved feel.
- The superb, fully adjustable KYB suspension returns with revisions to complement the new frame and motor. Wheel travel is now 11.8 inches in the front and an even 12 inches in the rear, lowering the chassis and the seat height by 0.4 inches. According to Yamaha, the new WR450F turns better than previous editions. Also, the Speed-Sensitive System fork gets tool-free compression damping adjustment on the caps of the fork tubes. For improved reliability, there are new fork seals.
- The 2024 Yamaha WR450F-specifc twin-spar aluminum frame has been reworked for a lower center of gravity. The headpipe joint has been dropped 15mm, lowering the tension pipe and frame rail.
- The frame has enduro-friendly flex characteristics. Adding to the off-road-ready feel are engine mounts exclusive to the WR450F. Yamaha claims these changes result in “excellent cornering, bump absorption, and overall handling.”
- A new skid plate protects the lower frame rails. The skid plate also defends the engine side covers and coolant hoses.
- The 2024 Yamaha WR450F is four pounds lighter than last year. Weight was trimmed from several components, including the rear hub, rear baking system, footpeg bracket, lithium-ion battery, and the throttle cable.
- The American-spec WR450F runs Dunlop Geomax MX33 tires. Sharp-eyed readers will notice that some of the photos show other tires—those are Euro and Australian editions.
- A new fuel tank enhances mass centralization. The two-gallon tank is wider at the bottom, with the fuel pump lowered. A new, shorter muffler reduces weight far from the center of gravity.
- New bodywork makes the WR450F slimmer this year, and the ergonomics are reworked. The radiator shrouds are smoother and two inches narrower, while the seat is flatter, narrower, and has rounded edges. There is 0.4 inches more legroom, and the grips are closer to the rider. There’s a grab area at the rear fender to make it easier to manually move the bike around on the trail or in the garage.
- A new LCD dash greets riders. While you’re riding, you can check out your speed and ride distance. There’s a low fuel light and the ubiquitous ambiguous check engine light.
- You’ll have to wait until November to get your hands on the 2024 Yamaha WR450F. The list price is $10,199, and there’s one color choice—Team Yamaha Blue.
2024 Yamaha WR450F Specs
ENGINE
- Type: 4-stroke single
- Displacement: 449cc
- Bore x stroke: 97.0 × 60.8mm
- Compression ratio: 13.0:1
- Valvetrain: DOHC; 4 titanium valves
- Fueling: EFI w/ 44mm Mikuni throttle body
- Starting: Electric
- Transmission: 5-speed
- Clutch: Disc-spring wet multiplate
- Final drive: Chain
CHASSIS
- Frame: Twin-spar aluminum
- Front suspension; travel: Fully adjustable KYB Speed-Sensitive System inverted fork; 11.8 inches
- Rear suspension; travel: Linkage-assisted fully adjustable KYB piggyback-reservoir shock; 12.0 inches
- Tires: Dunlop Geomax MX33
- Front tire: 80/100 x 21
- Rear tire: 120/90 x 18
- Front brake: 270mm disc w/ Nissin caliper
- Rear brake: 240mm disc
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 57.9 inches
- Rake: 26 degrees
- Trail: 4.3 inches
- Seat height: 37.6 inches
- Ground clearance: 13.0 inches
- Fuel capacity: 2.0 gallons
- Wet weight 258 pounds
- Colors: Team Yamaha Blue
2024 Yamaha WR450F Price: $10,199 MSRP
2024 Yamaha WR450F Photo Gallery
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