Yamaha YZ 450 F Monster Energy Edition 2021 — Specifications

Can a production motocross bike really have the soul of a factory machine? With this YZ 450 F Monster Energy Edition, Yamaha attempts the gamble of selling you a piece of MXGP dream. We are talking about a track beast that, beneath its black and blue livery bearing the colors of the famous energy drink, hides the same mechanics as the standard version. But it is precisely here that the shoe pinches, or conversely, that the matter becomes interesting.

Because beneath these paddock-scented stickers and big sponsors, beats the heart of the completely redesigned 450 four-stroke from 2020. A 449.7 cm3 single-cylinder with electric start, more compact, housed in a lightweight aluminum frame. The figures? 55 horsepower for just 112 kg fully fueled. Power that is felt immediately, with a throttle response as sharp as an uppercut. The Yamaha has never been a timid bike, and this special edition is no exception. It shares with its standard sister the Launch Control System for explosive starts, and above all, connectivity via the Power Tuner application. A real plus for those who want to adjust the engine to the millimeter from their smartphone, at the trackside.

Compared to a KTM 450 SX-F or a Husqvarna FC 450, the Yamaha plays its card on stability and intuitive handling. Its chassis, combined with impeccable KYB suspension (310 mm of travel at the front, 317 at the rear), offers track-like stability when entering corners. It may be a bit less nervous and aggressive than its Austrian rivals, but it gains in progressiveness and ease of confidence. An asset for the amateur rider looking for consistency rather than absolute fever pitch.

Who is it for? Clearly for the assiduous motocross practitioner, the one who spends his weekends on dirt circuits and dreams, without breaking the bank on preparation, of riding a machine that looks the part. At 9499 euros, the price is high, but it is justified by the level of finish and the technology on board. We will just regret the only 6-liter fuel tank, an autonomy that requires frequent refueling in long races, and the fact that, ultimately, this Monster Energy edition brings nothing mechanically compared to the base model.

Ultimately, this YZ 450 F Monster Energy Edition is an excellent motocross bike, one of the most accomplished on the market. It is reliable, powerful, and terribly effective. But above all, it is a clever exercise in marketing style. You buy a look, an atmosphere, a piece of image linked to the official Yamaha MXGP team. For the Sunday rider who wants to show off at the clubhouse, it's perfect. For the pure and hard racer looking for the latest technical evolution, you may need to look elsewhere, or wait for the next real overhaul. The machine is serious, the folklore is optional.