Yamaha WR450F

2010 Yamaha WR450F
Manufacturer	Yamaha Motor Company
Parent company	Yamaha Corporation
Class	Enduro
Engine	Single-cylinder, DOHC, Multivalve, water-cooled, four-stroke
Transmission	5-speed, wet clutch, chain drive
Suspension	Front: Kayaba inverted fork; fully adjustable Rear: single shock; fully adjustable
Brakes	Hydraulic single disc brakes

The Yamaha WR450F is an off-road motorcycle made by Yamaha Motor Company. It currently has a 450 cc (27 cu in) liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine. First offered in 1998 at 400cc, it shared many components and design concepts with the YZ400F motocross model. It is basically the racing YZ450F detuned slightly for more controllable power, with a headlight and lighting coil, softer suspension, a kickstand, lower noise specifications, larger radiators and lower emissions. The WR in the name indicates a wide-ratio gear box common to most enduro or trail bikes and stands in contrast to the close-ratio gearbox essential to a motocross racer. Over the years the WR has benefited from the advances made in the YZ motocross version gaining displacement and advancements such as an aluminum frame and improved suspension. Over much of its life the weight of the WR450F has remained fairly constant ranging from 244 to 249 pounds dry weight.^[1]

First Generation WR400F

Manufacturer	Yamaha
Production	1998-1999
Successor	WR426F
Engine	Five-valve, 400 cc
Wheelbase	1998-1999: 1,495 mm (59 in) 2000: 1,490 mm (59 in)
Dimensions	L: 1998-1999: 2,191 mm (86 in) 2000: 2,171 mm (85 in) W: 827 mm (33 in) H: 1,303 mm (51 in)
Seat height	991 mm (39 in)
Weight	271 lb (123 kg) (wet)
Fuel capacity	3.2 US gal (12 L; 2.7 imp gal)

First generation (WR400F, 1998)

Yamaha introduced the WR 400F in 1998. The 400F is a 400 cc (24 cu in) four-stroke off-road motorcycle produced for three years, beginning in 1998 and ending in 2000 (only the YZ was upgraded to 426 cc in 2000). The WR400F is related to the YZ400F, a motocross model. Like the YZ400, it was considered to be a groundbreaking model in motorcycle history, ushering in the four-stroke era which ended the dominance of two-stroke engines in motocross and offroad racing. While many modern performance four-stroke dirt bikes have been criticized for excessive rebuild costs and short motor lifespans, the Yamaha WR400F has an impressive record of reliability, often attributed to its steel valves and generous oil capacity.

Second generation (WR426F, 2001)

In 2001 the WR400F's became the WR426F, increasing the displacement to 426 cc (26.0 cu in) for greater power and throttle response. A beefier YZ style clutch basket and plates than those on the WR400 improved clutch performance. Frame geometry was identical to the 2002 YZ250 and YZ426F with a 58.7 inch wheelbase and 14.7 inches of ground clearance. This was the last WR to make use of a manual compression release for starting.

Third generation (WR450F, 2003)

For 2003, the engine displacement was increased to 449 cc (27.4 cu in), the fuel tank was reduced to 2.6 gallons ^[1] and an electric starter was added as standard equipment. The 2005 WR weighed in at 244 pounds dry, the seat height was reduced to 38 inches and the fuel tank was decreased to 2.1 gallons.^[1][4] The 2006 WR weighed in at 249 pounds dry^[1] and produced 42 horsepower.^[5]

A limited production version of the WR450F was the WR450F 2-Trac, which featured 2-wheel drive. The gearbox output sprocket drove a short, fully enclosed chain to a pump, which in turn pushed the oil to the front hub via the pipe and back via the parallel pipe.^[6] A maximum of 15% of the power was transmitted to the front wheel at any time.^[6] Yamaha planned on building 250 2-Tracs in 2004, but only a few were built, which were used for enduro racing.^[6] 2006 was the last year of the steel frames.

The 2003 and 2004 models were red sticker bikes in California.

Fourth generation (WR450F, 2007)

Fourth Generation WR450F

2010 Yamaha WR450F
Manufacturer	Yamaha Motor Corporation
Production	2007-2011
Predecessor	WR450F
Engine	Titanium five-valve, 449 cc, 95mm x 63.4mm stroke, compression ratio 12.3:1
Transmission	5-speed, constant mesh[7]
Frame type	Aluminum, semi-double cradle[7]
Suspension	Front: KYB cartridge forks with 11.8 in (300 mm) travel Rear: KYB shock with 12 in (305 mm) travel[7]
Brakes	Front: 250 mm disc Rear: 245 mm disc
Tires	Front: 80/100-21 51M Rear: 110/100-18 64M
Rake, trail	27.3°, 117 mm (4.6 in) [7]
Wheelbase	1,485 mm (58 in)[7]
Dimensions	L: 2,175 mm (86 in)[7] W: 825 mm (32 in)[7] H: 1,295 mm (51 in)[7]
Seat height	980 mm (39 in)[7]
Weight	248 lb (112 kg)[7] (dry) 273 lb (124 kg) (wet)
Fuel capacity	2.11 US gal (8.0 L)[7]
Related	YZ450F, WR250F

For 2007, the WR gained an aluminum frame dropping the weight from 249 to 246 pounds.^[8] In addition to the aluminum frame, the 2007 WR450F saw a revised dry-sump engine, with a new balancer, cylinder head, and camshafts with less lift and duration than previous generations and restyled plastics. 2009 saw new graphics, and 2010 was not sold in the US.

Fifth generation (WR450F, 2012)

Fifth Generation WR450F

2012 Yamaha WR450F
Manufacturer	Yamaha Motor Corporation
Production	2012-2015
Predecessor	WR450F
Engine	Titanium five-valve, 449 cc, 95mm x 63.4mm stroke, compression ratio 12.3:1
Transmission	5-speed, constant-mesh[9]
Frame type	Aluminum, semi-double cradle[9]
Suspension	Front: KYB SSS cartridge forks with 11.8 in (300 mm) travel Rear: KYB shock with 12 in (305 mm) travel
Brakes	Front: 250 mm disc Rear: 245 mm disc[9]
Tires	Front: 80/100-21 51M Rear: 120/90-18 65M[9]
Rake, trail	27.0°, 117 mm (4.6 in) [9]
Wheelbase	1,465 mm (58 in)[9]
Dimensions	L: 2,160 mm (85 in)[9] W: 825 mm (32 in)[9] H: 1,275 mm (50 in)[9]
Seat height	960 mm (38 in)[9]
Weight	273 lb (124 kg)[9] (wet)
Fuel capacity	1.98 US gal (7.5 L)[9]
Oil capacity	1.27 US qt (1.20 L)[9]
Related	YZ450F, WR250F

After 3 years of design, the all-new 2012 WR450F was released and featured a 2012 YZ250F frame, KYB SSS forks, fuel injection, and an altered motor position.^[10] Per Yamaha's designers, the only modifications required to the YZ250F chassis were updated motor mounts.^[10] The engine was rotated back to move the center of gravity and improve handling^[10]

Sixth generation (WR450F, 2016)

Sixth Generation WR450F ^[11]

Production	2016-2018
Predecessor	WR450F
Engine	Fuel-injected, Titanium four-valve, 97.0 mm x 60.8 mm stroke, compression ratio 12.5:1
Suspension	Front: 12.2 in (310 mm) travel Rear: 12.5 in (318 mm) travel
Brakes	Front: 270 mm disc Rear: 245 mm disc
Tires	Front: 80/100-21 51M Rear: 120/90-18 64M
Wheelbase	57.7 in (1,466 mm)
Dimensions	L: 85.2 in (2,164 mm) W: 32.5 in (826 mm) H: 50.4 in (1,280 mm)
Seat height	38.0 in (965 mm)
Weight	249 lb (113 kg) (dry) 271 lb (123 kg) (wet)
Fuel capacity	2.0 US gal (7.6 L; 1.7 imp gal)
Related	Yamaha YZ450FX

For 2016, the WR was given the reverse slant, 4-valve, fuel injected motor previously available in the YZ450F since 2010. Yamaha also introduced a new model, the YZ450FX, a more Enduro competition oriented version of the off-road 450 utilizing more design elements of the motocross model such as stiffer suspension while maintaining electric start and the 18" rear wheel.

For 2017, the WR450F largely remained the same, except for modifications to the air box cover as well as a change from silver to black rims.

For 2018, the WR450F remained similar to the 2016-2017 models, with a large distinction being that the bike was no longer available to register as green sticker in the state of California. 2018 also saw the removal of the kick starter.^[12]

https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/off-road/models/2016/wr450f

Seventh generation (WR450F, 2019

The 2019 WR450F saw a more powerful motor & updated frame.^[13] Other changes include a revised, more compact frame, new speed sensor, bigger fuel tank and one fastener airbox access.^[14]

Seventh generation (WR450F, 2021)

The 2021 WR450F saw new cylinder head, camshafts, piston and connecting rods as well as a revised chassis.^[15]

See also

• Yamaha WR250F
• Yamaha YZ450F
• Yamaha YZ450FX

References

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