2012 Yamaha WR450F/WR250F First Look
Yamaha broke wraps on its 2012 WR off-road motorcycles today, highlighted by a heavily revamped, fuel-injected 2012 WR450F. For the latest rendition, Yamaha has spooned the WR’s 449cc DOHC powerplant into the rolling chassis of the YZ250F. A bilateral beam
The 2012 WR450F saw a slew of revisions, from its bodywork and headlight to its chassis and new fuel injection. The new fueling system should provide solid snap at the throttle.
frame and YZ-F Kayaba suspension house the torque-laden engine, which is not the reversed-cylinder design of the YZ450F. The motocross-influenced cast and forged aluminum frame has a removable rear subframe with square-section tubing. The KYB shock on the rear adjusts for high- and low-speed compression damping, rebound and spring preload and has 12 inches of travel.
The liquid-cooled DOHC engine is fed by five titanium valves and is now fuel injected in an attempt to keep throttle response snappy and power delivery smooth regardless of altitude or temperature. Gone is its 39mm Keihin carb. The 2012 WR450F continues to use a wide-ratio five-speed transmission with a YZ450F-spec multiplate clutch.
Spent fuel will be jettisoned from an aluminum muffler equipped with a USFS-approved spark arrestor.
The YZ’s influence on the 2012 WR450F extends to its slimmer bodywork as well. A new headlight design adds to its updated look. The WR continues to come with the convenience of an electric push starter and has a digital enduro computer wedged between the handlebar and the headlight trim which comes with standard fare like a speedo, clock, and tripmeter to go along with handy pace management functions such as a timer, distance-compensating tripmeter and average speed when switched to race mode.
Features like its hinge-type, tool-less airbox and ProTaper handlebars sitting in a forged triple clamp have been carried over. The 2012 WR450F will continue to roll on Excel rims wrapped in Dunlop knobbies, 21-inches up front and 18 out back, while wave-style brake rotors are imparted with braking duties.
Though a full list of specs hasn’t been released yet, the 2012 WR450F looks a tad taller than last year’s 38.6 inch seat height and its wheelbase appears to be a touch more compact than the 2011’s 58.5 inches. At 2.1 gallons, fuel capacity is the same. No weight was listed but the 2011 WR450F tipped the scales at a claimed 267 lbs.
The 2012 Yamaha WR450F is green sticker approved for California. The WR’s new frame and fuel injection didn’t come without its price though as the 2012 WR450F with its $8090 MSRP is $440 more than last year’s model. It will be available in March 2012.
Here’s a peek at the limited spec sheet available on the 2012 Yamaha WR450F:
Engine 449cc liquid-cooled DOHC 4-stroke; 5 titanium valves
Bore/Stroke 95.0 x 63.4mm
Fueling Fuel injection
Ignition CDI
Transmission Constant-mesh 5-speed
Suspension 48mm KYB SSS Fork
Rear Single Shock; 12-in. travel
Brakes Front Hydraulic single disc
Rear Hydraulic single disc
Fuel Capacity 2.1 gal.
2012 Yamaha WR250F First Look
Its list of components reads much like the WR450F’s – tool-less airbox, ProTaper handlebars, electric start and wave-style rotors. While the WR450F has noticeably new bodywork, the side panels, fenders and headlight on the 2012 WR250F are the same as last year. Lean, green, and approved for sale in the emission-conscious state of California, the 2012 WR250F comes with a 30 Day Limited Factory Warranty and its price has bumped up $40 in comparison to last year to $6890.
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