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2011 Yamaha YFZ450R SE First Ride Photo Gallery

Fuel injection is crisp from the 42mm Mikuni throttle body and the thumb throttle has a nice, smooth feel that the pilot can modulate all day without fatigue.

We take the 2011 YFZ450R Special Edition for a ride in the Glamis sand dunes. Read the full details in our 2011 Yamaha YFZ450R SE and Raptor 700R SE .

The YFZ loves to smash things hard and fast. Glamis was windswept for the most part, but heading across the few choppy spots we encountered, the racing suspension is much more rigid and transfers a lot of feedback to the rider through its ProTaper handlebars.

The rear shock is a 46mm KYB attached to an aluminum swingarm and straight axle with 11 inches of wheel travel.

There are only visual changes for 2011, but the 2011 YFZ450R SE is still the race-bred shredder it's always been.

The heart of this wicked racer is the proven 449cc five-valve engine. The dual overhead cams rev quickly with a very linear power curve.

Handling is superb with easy adjustments in the air, mindless slides, smooth bodywork and a comfortable seat.

For the dunes we'd like to combine the easy-to-use engine and riding comfort of the Raptor with the aggressive handling of the YFZ.

The 450 rolls on Dunlop KT356 rear tires and Dunlop KT351 front tires which worked very well on the sand, and were preferable even compared to the Raptor’s treads.

The wide-stance, 50-inch wheelbase, 31.9-inch seat height and fully adjustable suspension are capable of handling all of the jumps, transitions, power-slides and drop-offs.

The YFZ is a natural jumper.

A black GYTR grab bar is installed on the front and the swingarm is blackened as well with a gold drive chain providing sharp contrast.

The throatier exhaust note is very nice and we appreciated the power boost from the open airbox most on big climbs like this. All told the GYTR bike was definitely preferred.

Yamaha offers a line of GYTR goodies to make the YFZ ride faster and look better.

With precise, intuitive direction changes and taught suspension, the 450 jumps better and adapts to all those nasty dune surprises with confidence.