Yamaha WR450F 2017 — Specifications

One doesn't remake the world, but Yamaha attempted to reinvent it in 2016 with its WR450F. Imagine a machine that draws on the MXGP victories of its cousin, the YZ450F, but is tamed to take you to the far reaches of back roads. That's the gamble of this enduro, a successful hybridization between the brutality of a motocross bike and the demands of a desert rally machine. At nearly €9600, it's not a toy for beginners, but a weapon for the serious rider who wants seriousness.

At the heart of the machine is this 449 cc single-cylinder engine, derived from the champion. With its inverted cylinder head and tilted cylinder, it promises linear torque and a reserve of power that won’t surprise you with sudden bursts. The 50 horsepower are there, but they are delivered with a progressiveness that differs from explosive engines. This is the major asset for rallies or marathon enduros, where regularity is paramount to bursts of speed. The Yamaha Power Tuner, optional, even allows you to adapt the mapping to your terrain, a luxury that recalls that this WR450F is a competition machine dressed for adventure.

On the chassis, Yamaha has done a good job. The aluminum frame, inspired by the YZ, offers optimized rigidity for a wet weight of 123.8 kg. The mass centralization, with the tank under the seat and the wrapped exhaust, gives a feeling of lightness that belies the weight on the scale. The KYB suspension, AOS forks and a rear shock, are specifically tuned for enduro use. They absorb large bumps without softening at high speed, a compromise that works. The 325 mm ground clearance and the high seat at 965 mm clearly indicate that this motorcycle is made for clearing obstacles, not for city slickers.

Some details prove that Yamaha thought about the rider in real-world situations. The electric starter, with a kick backup, is a blessing when you're stuck in a bog. The radiator with fan ensures cooling even at low speed. The 5-speed gearbox, with reworked ratios for enduro use, and the durable clutch, are made for long days. The small 7.5-liter tank is the weak point for long-distance rallies, but it's the price of lightness. For a true raid, conversion to the WR450F Rally with a larger tank is often considered.

Compared to a KTM 450 EXC-F or a Honda CRF450X, the WR450F positions itself as a more versatile and perhaps less radical machine. It doesn't have the immediate ferocity of a KTM, but it offers ease of handling that can be more profitable in the long run. It is the ideal tool for the serious enduro rider who also wants to be able to escape on trails, or for the rally enthusiast looking for a solid and reliable base. Its price, close to €10,000, places it in the high-end segment, but it justifies this position by its level of finish and its customization potential, notably with the WR450F Rally Replica kits.

In short, this Yamaha WR450F is not a motorcycle for running errands. It's a work machine, imbued with the spirit of Dakar and MXGP victories, but made accessible by intelligent technical choices. It requires an investment, but it returns it in reliability and riding pleasure on all terrains. For those looking for a used option, the 2019, 2020 or even the latest 2024 models offer improvements, but this 2017 laid the foundation for a generation that has marked modern enduro.