The 2024 Yamaha YZ450FX is an all-new model, from the engine to the frame. Piggybacking on the updates to the YZ450F motocrosser, the off-road YZ450FX is more compact, powerful, and versatile than the previous iteration. In addition to being a competition motorcycle, we view the YZ450FX as a high-performance trail bike, as Californians are denied the WR450F by senseless regulations. While the YZ450FX might not meet bureaucrats’ standards, we’re not interested in their diktats. So, we saddled up and went riding.
- Everything about the 2024 Yamaha YZ450FX aims to make the bike more rideable, even if you’re not racing. Yamaha shorted the suspension by about a half-inch at both ends, though the seat height is unchanged. While the new motor has more power, and one more cubic centimeter, the Yamaha Power Tuner and traction control let you call the shots. The clutch gets a disc spring, while the five-speed transmission’s ratios have been revised. These are all welcome improvements that noticeably enhance the usability of the YZ450FX.
- The new 450cc motor is magic. The Mikuni fueling is flawless, letting the revs drop to idle in highly technical conditions yet responding cleanly to any throttle input, no matter how hard. This is not a motor that is the least bit interested in hesitating or flaming out. At the other end, you can rev the short-stroke motor to the moon and enjoy the stellar ride. The two standard power modes are easily swapped on the fly. Trail riders will generally enjoy the softer blue-light-on mode, with aggressive pilots rewarded generously with the more aggressive mode.
- Some of the motor changes will particularly interest gearheads, so let’s take it from the top. The intake and exhaust ports have been reshaped. The titanium intake valves have been widened by two millimeters. A new forged aluminum piston slides up and down a new cylinder body. In the bottom end you’ll find a new crankshaft and balancer. The result is another 500 rpm before you ping the rev limiter—overrev is always appreciated. We’ll talk about the clutch and transmission updates in a bit—there are quite a few.
- The free Yamaha Power Tuner smartphone app is slick. After stabbing the start button to bring the electrics to life, the app connects to the YZ450FX via Wi-Fi. The first time, you’ll have to put in a password—that stops a competitor at a race from retuning your bike when you’re not looking. After that, it pairs with your phone. Then, you can transfer previously saved maps or make changes with them paired. There’s a Yamaha video on YouTube to walk you through the process, though we only needed to see the first 90 seconds to get the info we needed.
- You can alter either or both modes, though you won’t get more power than the stock aggressive mode. There are two ways to modify the power delivery. You can use the easy slider that sets the overall power delivery from Smooth to Aggressive in seven steps. If you want more control, you can change the fueling and ignition settings at four rpm levels and four throttle openings—that’s 32 settings. Traction control can be added to the mix—you can choose Medium Road Surface or Hard Pack. We would like the ability to switch TC on and off on the fly, independent of the power mode, but that’s not possible. Maximum rpm for launch control can be set as low as 6000 rpm, or the limiter can be defeated.
- The Yamaha Power Tuner app has a few more tricks up its sleeve. It gives you tips on how to set the ignition and fueling maps should you want to dive in deep. It also makes suggestions for suspension tuning. There’s a maintenance log, race log, fuel consumption, and lap timer. Like any app, you’ll likely find some functions essential and never use others.
- Although we’d always prefer a six-speed, Yamaha made the five-speed transmission work. It’s a wide ratio cluster, featuring a new tri-shaft design that Yamaha engineers tell us is more compact and lighter. The transmission works because 1st gear is low enough for technical conditions, and that’s facilitated by the motor’s excellent low-rpm behavior. The broad range of power allows for wider gaps between the cogs and a top speed that is more than enough, even in wide-open desert terrain other than hard-pack, high-quality dirt roads.
- Mark us down as disc-spring clutch fans. That’s been added to the 2024 Yamaha YZ450FX, and it has excellent action and feel—no false neutrals were discovered. The pull is not fatiguing, and we didn’t feel any slippage, even when abusing on low-speed trails and in sandwashes. A hydraulic clutch is on our wish list, though we realize some riders—including staffers—prefer the connected feel a cable clutch delivers. As a bonus, Yamaha tells us that the clutch assembly’s weight is cut 1.6 pounds. With the new transmission, the overall weight of the ’25 YZ450FX is three pounds less than last year.
- The new 10-piece aluminum twin-spar frame has reconfigured the handling. The rake on the new YZ450FX has been tucked in 0.2 degrees, the trail increased 0.2 inches, and the wheelbase shortened 0.4 inches. Add those up and the 2024 is more maneuverable at the expense of high-speed stability. I love the way I can slice through corners on single-track trails and work my way through desert volcanic rock gardens, so I’ll accept a bit less settled feel when ripping in 5th gear. An owner can always add a steering damper if desert riding is a full-time avocation. It’s much more challenging to make a highly stable bike more nimble. Dunlop Geomax MX33 tires are a known quantity and only help the chassis perform.
- The new ergonomics are fantastic. We immediately felt incredibly comfortable on the 2024 Yamaha YZ450FX. Yamaha gave the rider more room by moving the footpeg back and down a quarter-inch diagonally, and making the seat 0.2 inches taller. The Yamaha handlebar stock mounting position has been changed, though there are four positions to choose from. The bodywork is also slimmed down a couple of inches, and the seat flattened. Put this all together, and everything feels incredibly natural, whether sitting, standing, jumping, or turning. It’s a massive improvement. The new plastic also makes changing the air filter a no-tools proposition.
- The KYB suspension we’ve known and loved on the YZ450FX is back for 2024. The travel is reduced, though you’re unlikely to feel the effects of it when riding anywhere other than the ragged edge. The speed-sensitive fork is outstanding, and the shock matches its brilliance. New settings this year to support the new motor and frame lower the center of gravity. All of this helps what is already superb handling. This latest version of the KYB fork now offers tool-free compression damping adjustment. Someday, maybe, we’ll get the electronically adjustable suspension (not semi-active suspension) some street bikes enjoy—perhaps if we wish upon a Star Yamaha.
- The all-new 2024 Yamaha YZ450FX is a revelation. The enhanced rideability will open the door to riders who think a 450cc powerplant is too much motor for trail riding. To be sure, when it’s singing, a lot of power is being put to the ground, so you must respect the throttle and remember your performance limits. While it’s a big ask to out-ride the new YZ450FX’s capabilities, riding within whatever envelope you operate in is about as much fun as it gets in the dirt.
Photography by Kelly Callan
RIDING STYLE
2024 Yamaha YZ450FX Specs
ENGINE
- Type: 4-stroke single
- Displacement: 450cc
- Bore x stroke: 97.0 × 60.9mm
- Compression ratio: 13.0:1
- Valvetrain: DOHC; 4 titanium valves
- Fueling: Mikuni EFI w/ 44mm throttle body
Starting: Electric - Transmission: 5-speed
- Clutch: Wet multiplate w/ disc spring
- Final drive: Sealed 520 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
- Wheels: Excel
- Front wheel: 21 x 1.60
- Rear wheel: 18 x 2.15
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 w/ Nissin caliper
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 57.9 inches
- Rake: 27 degrees
- Trail: 4.8 inches
- Seat height: 37.6 inches
- Ground clearance: 13.0 inches
- Fuel capacity: 2.1 gallons
- Wet weight 251 pounds
- Colors: Team Yamaha Blue
2024 Yamaha YZ450FX Price: $10,199 MSRP
2024 Yamaha YZ450FX Review Photo Gallery
