2010 Yamaha YZ450F First Ride Photo Gallery

Yamaha says its all-new 2010 YZ450F is an revolution in contemporary motocross design. MotoUSA heads east to Budds Creek Motocross Park to put it to the test.

The plastic fuel tank has been relocated under the seat in order to further centralize the bike's weight.

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The ’10 YZ450F features all-new styling that makes it look like no other motocross bike on the market today. We love its styling and the fact that it comes in two color combinations.

The frame is constructed from 16 separate pieces of aluminum. Visually its main frame spars feature a double-S bend designed for ideal overall rigidity.

The entire intake system has been relocated to the front of the motorcycle and is neatly tucked in underneath the fuel tank.

2010 Yamaha YZ450F First Ride

The engines’ bottom-end power is just one area of substantial improvement over last year’s machine.

The YZ’s extremely capable Kayaba suspension components have been tweaked for 2010. Overall performance is on a level no other production off-road bike can match.

2010 Yamaha YZ450F First Ride

Believe the hype. The 2010 Yamaha YZ450F performs as well as it looks. Pictured above is the optional Red/White color scheme that comes with black wheels and costs $8090.

The Kayaba rear shock has a bigger piston, nitrogen reservoir, and a heavier spring. It’s also been relocated to the center of the motorcycle in the area typically used by an off-road bike’s conventional airbox.

Not only has the engine received numerous internal updates, its architecture has been reversed with the intake on the front side and the exhaust at the rear. It’s also been tilted rearward in the chassis to make it feel lighter when moving.

An Excel rear wheel shod in a 120-series Dunlop D756 tire moves through an updated swingarm designed to complement the main frame’s new rigidity balance.

2010 Yamaha YZ450F First Ride

Despite weighing 5 lbs. more than last year, the new YZ450F feels lighter and more maneuverable in the air.

The YZ retains its friendly ergonomics packing including its thick Pro Taper handlebars and humungous foot pegs.

Will the 2010 Yamaha YZ450F become the new standard in motocross? We think so.

The 2010 YZ450F steers like no other bike on the market today. It turns easy, is accurate, and completely predictable. Yamaha engineers got it right with this one.

The airbox has been moved from the back of the motorcycle to the front just like on Yamaha's YZF-R1. Two inlets above each radiator shroud feed the engine cleaner air.

A cutaway view of the 2010 Yamaha YZ450F.