Dirt Action

BLUE IS BACK

THIS BIKE IS ALL NEW. THERE ISN’T MUCH THAT HASN’T BEEN LOOKED OVER AND TWEAKED.

he YZ 450 has some serious heritage — after all, it’s the original high-performance four-stroke motocross bike. Yet the past couple of models have, in some ways, held onto a stigma of being difficult to set up and have had varied success around the globe at pro-level racing. The bike has won races at all levels and some championships, yet it still doesn’t convince everyone. It is the only bike in the class with the reverse-format cylinder and it just seems that can be enough for some people to be sceptical of the negative effects that design brings to the rest of the bike. The all-new 2018 model is out to combat those issues — it’s slimmer, a little lighter on the scales and it’s had some big weight distribution and geometry changes aimed at improving the bike's handling. Here’s a rundown of what's new and what

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Dirt Action

Dirt Action4 min read
A Quick Word With Kye Anderson About Endeavour Motorcycle Tours
DA: Kye, give us a quick rundown on what Endeavour Motorcycle Tours is all about. Kye: Endeavour Motorcycle Tours, I'd say, is a combination of the Bush Tucker Man with the best adventure bike riding that the east coast of Australia has to offer. Our
Dirt Action2 min read
How To Ride Through Rocks With Beta's Ruben Chadwick
When I ride into a rock-littered section, I look as far ahead as possible, trying to scout the best line I want to take. It's not always the straightest, but looking for the smoothest helps. There might be a flat edge on a rock or something I can use
Dirt Action8 min read
Londreach to Dakar
Rodney Faggotter's first taste of the gruelling Dakar race came in 2012, when he paired up with another Aussie off-road legend, David Schwarz, both riding Husaberg FE450 machines. He paid his own airfare, entry and logistics, but had guidance from th

Related Books & Audiobooks