2012 Yamaha YZ450F First Ride Photo Gallery

The silencer of the 2012 Yamaha YZ450F has been lengthened to rbi g the sound down to 94db.

The valving in the rear shock was revised on the 2012 Yamaha YZ450 to improve fore and aft balance.

To improve fore and aft balance the valving in the 48mm front forks was revised while the spring rates remained the same.

Black Excel wheels and Dunlop Geomax MX51 tires are standard equipment on the 2012 Yamaha YZ450F.

The transmission of the 2012 Yamaha YZ450F received a stiffer shift fork to make the shifts between second and third gear more precise.

The power and handling of the 2012 Yamaha YZ450F has been improved with just a handful of changes.

Dunlop Geomax MX51 tires provide excellent traction on the 2012 Yamaha YZ450F.

The suspension valving has been revised on the 2012 Yamaha YZ450F to provide better front to rear balance.

The low-end punch of the 2012 Yamaha YZ450F has become more manageable.

While the front end of the 2012 Yamaha YZ450 has loads of grip, the rear is tail-happy.

The 2012 YZ450F rips on the low and mid-range while being more controllable than before.

Some of our test riders were immediately comfortable on the 2012 YZ450F while it took some time for others to adapt.

The Yamaha YZ450F has received just a few changes for 2012, but each one had a marked effect on its performance.

The high speed handling of the 2012 Yamaha YZ450F is excellent.

The power of the Yamaha YZ450F has been improved for 2012 with new fuel mapping and ignition timing.

The 2012 Yamaha YZ450F worked well on the notoriously fast and rough Glen Helen Raceway.

The 2012 Yamaha YZ450F could use some more top-end power and over-rev.