2023 Yamaha YZ450F Technical Information

What’s new on the 2023 Yamaha YZ450F?

By Casey CasperJanuary 30, 2023

As of 2023, there has been 25 years of four-stroke motocross bike development that began with the 1998 Yamaha YZ400F. Thumpers have come quite a ways in that time, and Yamaha’s YZ450F is no exception. This year marks a new generation of the Tuning Fork brand’s flagship motocrosser, with “lightweight, connected, slim, and smooth” being the 2023 talking points. To say there’s an abundance of technical information and updates to the YZ450F would be an understatement, so let’s take an in-depth look at what’s new on blue

Yamaha’s YZ450F was one of the most highly anticipated motocross bikes of 2023, and for good reason. A benefit of its complete overhaul was a 5-pound weight loss over last year’s model, as verified by the Dirt Rider automotive scales.Mason Owens

2023 Yamaha Y Z F 450 F left side engine details — Rev limit has been increased by 500 rpm and according to Yamaha, the engine alone is 3 pounds lighter.Mason Owens

2023 Yamaha Y Z F 450 F right side engine details — The bLU cRU is the leader of the 450 class in terms of peak horsepower. On our in-house dyno, it spun 54.4 hp.Mason Owens

2023 Yamaha Y Z F 450 F crankshaft close up details — New crankshaft on the right. Diameter is increased by 6mm (from 117mm to 123mm). It’s lower in weight, but features the same inertia. The connecting rod now utilizes plain bearings instead of the previous roller bearing design. Counterbalancer is an all-new single-weight centralized design that is a 1/4 pound lighter too. Big-end pin size was increased 4mm (from 34mm to 38mm) as well.Mason Owens

2023 Yamaha Y Z F 450 F piston close up details — A new piston (right) with one-piece valve pockets improves air-fuel mixture flow into the combustion chamber. Compression ratio remains 13.0:1.Mason Owens

2023 Yamaha Y Z F 450 F cylinder head close up details — The new cylinder head (right) is designed to be more efficient, and intake valve size was upped from 37mm to 39mm.Mason Owens

2023 Yamaha Y Z F 450 F transmission parts close up details — As far as the new transmission (right) is concerned, larger gear diameters increase strength while lowering weight. A tri-shaft layout increases distance between clutch shaft and drive shaft by 7mm. The clutch shaft itself is positioned higher to achieve a more compact gearbox and overall gear ratios remain the same, as does the 13/49 running gear.Mason Owens

2023 Yamaha Y Z F 450 F disc spring clutch design close up details — A disc-spring clutch design (right) replaces coil springs. The all-new steel basket is 8.5mm narrower, as is the clutch cover.Mason Owens

2023 Yamaha Y Z F 450 F clutch cover oil filter cover water pump close up details — New clutch cover, oil filter cover, and water pump design.Mason Owens

2023 Yamaha Y Z F 450 F oil sight glass and drain bolt close up details — An oil sight glass is integrated into the inner side cover and the drain bolt is located at the rear of the engine. The same oil filter carries over for previous bLU cRU 450 owners.Mason Owens

2023 Yamaha Y Z 450 F air filter details — All-new airbox design sheds weight, increases convenience, and is truly intuitive in design. No tools necessary! Air filter has been changed from a flat design to a 3D dome as well.Mason Owens

2023 Yamaha Y Z 450 F air intake boost details — Note the unobstructed intake for 2023 and beyond… #Horsepower!Casey Casper

2023 Yamaha Y Z 450 F radiator hose routing details — Radiator hose routing is different for 2023.Mason Owens

2023 Yamaha Y Z 450 F header pipe and muffler details — There’s a new head pipe, but the exhaust can remains the same. We were told a 2022 slip-on muffler fits right on the 2023 bike.Mason Owens

2023 Yamaha Y Z 450 F cable clutch details — Cable clutch returns for 2023, with a GYTR option in the works at an estimated retail price in the $300 range.Yamaha

2023 Yamaha Y Z 450 F hydraulic clutch master and slave cylinder — Some GYTR accessories on the 2023 demo bike include the Brembo hydraulic clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder, and GYTR ignition cover.Casey Casper

2023 Yamaha Y Z 450 F right and left engine mounts — New through-bolt design on the frame-Y.Mason Owens

2023 Yamaha Y Z 450 F front engine mount left side close up — Doubled-up 4mm front engine mounts are a first.Mason Owens

2023 Yamaha Y Z 450 F rear frame details — Tabs are welded onto the back of the frame for convenient skid plate usability.Casey Casper

2023 Yamaha Y Z 450 F seat and footpeg details — Seat is 15mm flatter and 5mm taller. Combined with footpegs that are 5mm down and back, the rider triangle is opened up 10mm in seat-to-footpeg distance.Mason Owens

2023 Yamaha Y Z 450 F bar pad details — The fun-size bar pad is a unique, minimalistic take on protection.Yamaha

2023 Yamaha YZ450F Technical Information

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