Yamaha NZ invited us along to test its 2024 YZ450F and YZ250F , something I was particularly excited about as Yamaha ’ s YZ450F underwent significant changes for the 2023 model year and the 450 ’ s entire design platform has been shifted over to the YZ250F for this year . We tested the YZ450F in Yamaha blue and the YZ250F in the anniversary colours . The new FX and WR variants will be based on the YZ450F , something I hold particular interest in - sadly , we didn ’ t get to test those due to a shortened test schedule because of wet weather and muddy conditions . My co-test rider for the day was Brad Groombridge . Not exactly a stranger to a motocross track , I was expecting you might get two very different opinions on the new Yamahas from the two of us . This could be advantageous depending on your riding level . A cut below riders like Brad , I remain as happy as a pig in mud on the track , which is handy because it was raining and mud was inevitable . I possibly represent a larger proportion of riders than Brad , that of the typical weekend warrior ; babysitting kids half the time , hitting the track when we can , we think we look good , only to find out that title winning talent skipped us a little and we ’ ll need a better or bigger bike to make up for it . With quite differing views on offer , let ’ s get into it .
50TH ANNIVERSARY COLOURS The retro 50th anniversary colour-scheme is a good looking offering from Yamaha . I ’ m a ‘ tweener ’, a ‘ young ’ 44 and the ‘ new ’ retro colours only served to bring back memories of nasty , used , old bikes from when I was growing up - they were the only bikes I could afford , but I like the option . It ’ s fresh and feels like there are two bikes to choose from , not unlike what Husky has done with its retro colour schemes . More senior veterans , and kids too young to know the older bikes , should love them and the white might hide bends and bashes to the guards better ( not that we would ever crash to know this ...). And , if you liked the Yamaha blue look before , I think it ’ s better now - slimmer with a flatter seat ; a similar look , but more refined .
MAPPING AND SERVICING Yamaha supplies a free smartphone tuning app that gives numerous mapping options and is redesigned for usability , if you like playing with these refinement aids , you ’ re in luck , pull out your smartphone and go for your life . As much as I personally dislike riding aids and messing about when I ’ d rather just be riding , putting a little time into settings could pay off , using the onboard button to store two customs setups for on-the-fly use to change the character of the bike for different riding conditions as needed .
50 KIWI RIDER