better visibility and moved forward
for more rider legroom. The side panels and rear fenders have been flattened out to better accept sponsor
logos, and the warning labels have
been relocated for better number,
graphic or logo placement.
Now every YFZ450R model comes
with quick-release fasteners for easy
bodywork removal. No other quad on
the market offers that feature. A new
orange color is available, along with
blue and the special-edition red
option. The standard YFZ450R will list
for $8599, and the SE model will fetch
for $8949.
Internally Yamaha gave more
power and reliability to this engine
by increasing the compression from
11:1 to 11.8:1 They did this by
installing a slightly longer (.25mm)
connecting rod. A bigger rod bearing
and new camshafts were also added.
Outside, the EFI system was upgraded with a new throttle valve to give
the engine a more powerful and
exciting hit.
More notably, the new YFZ450R
now comes equipped with what is
known as a slipper-style clutch. Its
function is to reduce hard engine
braking, which ultimately improves
traction under braking. During accel-
eration the function holds the clutch
tighter than a conventional system for
less slipping. This should be a huge
advance in sport-quad performance.
Aftermarket companies like Hinson
have been marketing a similar sys-
tem to top-level dirt bike and quad
racers for over five years with great
success.
Suspension upgrades on the 2014
YFZ450R include a slightly longer
(3mm) front shock and a slightly stiffer
rear coil spring, which were both no
doubt the result of extensive testing
with their top racers Chad Wienen,
Dustin Nelson and Josh Row.
Additionally, all-new Maxxis tires
were developed exclusively for the
YFZ450R. The machine still comes
with 20-inch rear tires and 21-inch-
tall fronts mounted on 9- and 10-inch-
tall aluminum wheels, respectively.
UTILITY LINEUP
A full range of Grizzly 4x4 sizes will
be offered, from the compact 350 and
450 machines up to the full-size 550
and 700s (starting at $7999 and
Yamaha increased the overall width of
the Grizzly 700 by installing 30mm-
longer A-arms on all four corners. They
also increased the amount of assistance the EPS unit provides.
changes, just as they did a couple of
years ago.
The largest change to the Grizzly
comes in the suspension department.
Yamaha made the A-arms 30mm
wider on both sides. The shock stroke
was also increased by about 1 inch in
the front and 3⁄ 8 of an inch out back.
These changes will only be made on
the Grizzly 700 and will not yet trickle
down to the 550 model, even though
in previous years it shared the exact
same chassis.
YFZ450R
In 2014, only Yamaha and Can-Am
are offering a wide, track-ready,
450cc sport quad. Suzuki is still
rebuilding their Quadracer LT-R450,
and KTM only sells their wide SX
quads in Europe. Can-Am’s DS450X
mx will be unchanged for 2014, while
the Yamaha YFZ450R will get some
improvements. Leading off that list is
the redesigned bodywork. The front
nosepiece is angled down more for
Grizzly 550 Grizzly 450
Grizzly 350