The 2019 model weighs
119kg, dropping 4kg
from the outgoing
machine
UPDATES
During the press briefing, a lot of emphasis
was put on weight reduction and mass
centralisation for any change they had
made – in fact, mass centralisation and
weight reduction were probably the most
uttered words during the presentation
of the new bike. The main takeaway on
major updates are a new frame and
engine brackets, engine changes, revised
suspension settings, mode switch, smart
phone tuning capability and a larger fuel
tank, plus a load of smaller changes which
contribute to improving this model.
According to Yamaha the new WR has
40 KIWI RIDER
been developed mainly for the Australian
and New Zealand markets (which we were
surprised to hear), and have more sales
per year than both the US and European
markets combined! This is mostly due to
American emission laws, which when the
450 is modified to pass them, has a very
low power and only puts out a meagre
21.6hp (no wonder it doesn’t sell well - Ed).
The 2019 model weighs 119kg, dropping
4kg from the previous machine, which
Yamaha believes will appeal to both offroad
racers as well as trail riders.