Yamaha launches new YZF range

Yamaha’s YZ250F motocrosser tractable enough to suit more than just today’s international riders. Photo / Supplied

The contingent of journalists attending the launch of Yamaha's motocross range at Queensland Moto Park was joined by Josh Coppins, the recently-retired Kiwi rider once ranked number two in the MX1 World Championship after graduating from the 250cc MX class, where he was second in his final year. This man was a giant of the world stage, with a 100-point lead in the 2007 MX1 champs until he broke a shoulder and missed the last three rounds - and he still made the podium.

Image 1 of 9: Yamaha YZF launch. Photo / Supplied

He may no longer compete in world champs, but he's credited with assisting development of the YZ motocrossers, so it's no surprise that the Aussies really laid it on, with a nicely-groomed, deeply ripped and watered track that was loamy and damp, almost perfect riding conditions, with heavy soil that packed down on the racing line.

Both the YZ250F and YZ450F four-strokes saw quite a few changes last year, and 2015 models are evolutions, rather than revolutions of the breed. Engine mounts for the rear-inclined motors are now steel, not aluminium; computer settings are different; both get new fork settings with the 450 also fitted with a heavier fork spring, new valving and a new outer-tube aimed in part at better resisting fork bottoming. The muffler is closer to the centre of gravity to improve mass centralization and there are a few cosmetic tweaks.
As for the two-strokes, they're clad in all-new bodywork but are basically unchanged beneath the skin, bar a new KYB fork for the 250 that's similar to the one the 250F four-stroke employs, and fatter footpegs for the 250 and 125s.

Other than the jumps the track was too smooth to deliver a perfect test of the suspension, but the experts confirmed all the bikes "felt fantastic, plush on jumps, and didn't bottom out." The on-track experts said the 450's steering feels better than before, more positive despite the relatively small changes, and its engine was notable for its grunt, feeling impressively powerful. As for the 250F, altered EFI settings have boosted mid-range while minor changes to steering head - with the front a little higher - impart a more stable feel.

As for the two-strokes, the 125 drew particular comment, being fast and easy to ride, and apparently unphased by the power-sucking heavy soil - the underpinnings may not be new technology but a two-stroke's characteristic soundtrack and power delivery make for a lively and responsive ride. This is the bike young riders would once have used as a step up, though it's now rivaled by its 250F four-stroke stablemate's usability.

As for the YZ85 small-wheel and big-wheel variants, those also get the bodywork mods, plus intake and exhaust port grades and a modded cylinder.

The only real reservation expressed by New Zealanders at the launch of Yamaha's motocross line-up was that the race pack, that includes stuff like a GYTR gold sprocket, an FMF expansion chamber and holeshot button and will sell with every YZ across the Tasman, may not make it here. The feeling was the kit would give the Yamahas an extra edge in a tough market in which Suzuki's honed RM prices, Kawasaki has a KLX selling at nine grand, and other machines that only recently seemed a bargain are not looking as clever.

That said, at time of writing Yamaha NZ had yet to release the prices that will apply this side of the Tasman, though they'll likely be north of the sharpened tags applying to the last of the outgoing 2014 range, which now tops out at $12,899 for the top-spec YZ450F.