It looks as though Yamaha may be holding some pretty impressive cards in its all-new YFZ450R. If the 450 ATV race-ready segment were a Texas Holdem’ poker game, Yamaha just may be All-In for 2009. Since Suzuki, Kawasaki, Can-Am and KTM have already determined that they’re prepared to play for their stake in the extreme high performance market share pot, this may be one of the best “poker games” in ATV history.
Yamaha today proved that it's serious about its hand in the ultra competitive 450 sport quad segment with its all-new YFZ450R at its national dealer meeting in Las Vegas today. Yamaha is claiming that their 2009 model year machine is "built to be the world’s best all-around high performance racing and recreational sport ATV", after checking out the machine for ourselves we're not able to claim such a huge statement but since the new YFZ comes with state-of-the-art suspension, fuel injection, a no-weld aluminum frame, an all-new power packed engine and sits with a new wide motocross stance, we're certainly impressed.
The first thing you'll notice is the new black body panels. This material is made from a special soft plastic that should provide better comfort when moving throughout the machine. 
The race version of the YFZ, otherwise known as "R" also comes in this sharp-looking red and white combo. Also seen here are the new Dunlop radial tires. At 21x7-10 up front and 20x10-9 in the rear they're one one and two inches taller than what's typically being used on the race track. Yamaha chose the slighty taller tires to appeal to the majorty of YFZ450R buyers who will more than likley ride on terrain other than motocross race tracks.
450 Class Pioneers
Yamaha has a well deserved reputation of building some of the industry’s best sport ATVs. The original YFZ450 was announced in 2003 as the first race-ready 450-class ATV with leading technology and more pure sport performance than any machine ever built at that time. Since then Yamaha has dominated the field across the board with the best selling big bore sport ATV in the Raptor 700R down to the best selling 250-class machine with the Raptor 250. But the YFZ is still the pinnacle of ATV performance, and even with a constantly growing number of competitors entering the 450 market, the YFZ has always been the top seller in its class.
This isn't the same old power plant. The new YFZ450R 449cc engine gets all-new bigger cases along with a new beefed-up crankshaft that's ready to handle the increased torque that this new engine can produce. The external oil tank has been incorporated into the engine. A bigger counterbalance aids in superior vibration control. In addition, new camshafts are used which are said to maximize the low and mid range power. Its new fuel injection uses a 12-hole injector and a 42mm Mikuni throttle body and includes an idle speed control. Also new are the gear ratios. A 5-valve titanium cylinder head is used but a made-for-racing CNC ported GYTR head assmbly, complete with titanium valves and GYTR Performance Camshafts, which are already pre assembled into the head, will be available at your dealer for $2,245.95. In addition a GYTR High Compression Piston Kit, which increases engine compression from 11:4:1 to 13:2:1 is available for $193.95. Yamaha claims a 33% increase will be obtained with its GYTR hop up components. Yamaha's Dustin Nelson said the motor is amazing in stock form and with its beefed up crank and engine cases is far more acceptable to pro class modification.
MX Wide with Cast Aluminum Frame
The new YFZ450R meshes this history of dominance with the latest in Yamaha technology and innovation. In its stock form, Yamaha claims its new YFZ450R is the best all around performance ATV combining racing technology and features with all-terrain sport performance. Starting with its motocross track-width, the YFZ450R is immediately ready for the MX track. The no-weld cast aluminum frame is lightweight and has a tension-steel bottom portion that helps keep the engine as low as possible centralizing mass for excellent handling. The cast aluminum frame is bolted together, rather than welded, for maximum durability. It was said that Yamaha has been testing this new YFZ with professional quad racers for three years.
