Dirt Bikes

2023 Yamaha YZ450F Technical Information

What’s new on the 2023 Yamaha YZ450F?

January 30, 2023

As of 2023, there has been 25 years of four-stroke motocross bike development that began with the 1998 Yamaha YZ400F. Thumpers have come quite a ways in that time, and Yamaha’s YZ450F is no exception. This year marks a new generation of the Tuning Fork brand’s flagship motocrosser, with “lightweight, connected, slim, and smooth” being the 2023 talking points. To say there’s an abundance of technical information and updates to the YZ450F would be an understatement, so let’s take an in-depth look at what’s new on blue

Yamaha’s YZ450F was one of the most highly anticipated motocross bikes of 2023, and for good reason. A benefit of its complete overhaul was a 5-pound weight loss over last year’s model, as verified by the Dirt Rider automotive scales.Mason Owens

Rev limit has been increased by 500 rpm and according to Yamaha, the engine alone is 3 pounds lighter.Mason Owens

The bLU cRU is the leader of the 450 class in terms of peak horsepower. On our in-house dyno, it spun 54.4 hp.Mason Owens

New crankshaft on the right. Diameter is increased by 6mm (from 117mm to 123mm). It’s lower in weight, but features the same inertia. The connecting rod now utilizes plain bearings instead of the previous roller bearing design. Counterbalancer is an all-new single-weight centralized design that is a 1/4 pound lighter too. Big-end pin size was increased 4mm (from 34mm to 38mm) as well.Mason Owens

A new piston (right) with one-piece valve pockets improves air-fuel mixture flow into the combustion chamber. Compression ratio remains 13.0:1.Mason Owens

The new cylinder head (right) is designed to be more efficient, and intake valve size was upped from 37mm to 39mm.Mason Owens

As far as the new transmission (right) is concerned, larger gear diameters increase strength while lowering weight. A tri-shaft layout increases distance between clutch shaft and drive shaft by 7mm. The clutch shaft itself is positioned higher to achieve a more compact gearbox and overall gear ratios remain the same, as does the 13/49 running gear.Mason Owens

A disc-spring clutch design (right) replaces coil springs. The all-new steel basket is 8.5mm narrower, as is the clutch cover.Mason Owens

New clutch cover, oil filter cover, and water pump design.Mason Owens

An oil sight glass is integrated into the inner side cover and the drain bolt is located at the rear of the engine. The same oil filter carries over for previous bLU cRU 450 owners.Mason Owens

All-new airbox design sheds weight, increases convenience, and is truly intuitive in design. No tools necessary! Air filter has been changed from a flat design to a 3D dome as well.Mason Owens

Note the unobstructed intake for 2023 and beyond… #Horsepower!Casey Casper

Radiator hose routing is different for 2023.Mason Owens

There’s a new head pipe, but the exhaust can remains the same. We were told a 2022 slip-on muffler fits right on the 2023 bike.Mason Owens

Cable clutch returns for 2023, with a GYTR option in the works at an estimated retail price in the $300 range.Yamaha

Some GYTR accessories on the 2023 demo bike include the Brembo hydraulic clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder, and GYTR ignition cover.Casey Casper

New through-bolt design on the frame-Y.Mason Owens

Doubled-up 4mm front engine mounts are a first.Mason Owens

Tabs are welded onto the back of the frame for convenient skid plate usability.Casey Casper

Seat is 15mm flatter and 5mm taller. Combined with footpegs that are 5mm down and back, the rider triangle is opened up 10mm in seat-to-footpeg distance.Mason Owens

The fun-size bar pad is a unique, minimalistic take on protection.Yamaha

New toolless fork compression adjusters are a very nice touch!Yamaha

Labeled cable routing is another nice touch. Handlebar position is now in the back hole with mounts facing forward, which was preferred by most test riders in prior years.Yamaha

The front brake line being routed behind the number plate is a Yamaha first.Mason Owens

New fork guards offer increased coverage.Mason Owens

Graphics go on easier than ever with the 2023’s smooth lines.Mason Owens

A complete overhaul, indeed.Mason Owens

Additional Technical Information About the 2023 Yamaha YZ450F

Cooling system has reduced external piping and a two-piece water pump design.
Dry-sump lubrication system has the oil tank integrated into the ignition cover and crankcase.
New starter layout is designed to be stronger, utilize less cranking, and operate more effectively (previous-generation YZ-F, YZ-FX, and WR owners know why this is important!).
The simplified starter layout uses three gears instead of the old design’s four.
Suspension components and spring rates carry over from 2022, but there’s updated valving to match new frame and engine character.
All-new bilateral beam frame is composed of 10 individual aluminum pieces.
Tank rail to head pipe joint and tension pipe are both lowered 15mm at the downtube; this change allowed space for the new airbox design.
Minor changes like the lower subframe rail thickness going from 1.8mm to 1.5mm and the rear axle inner diameter changing from 20mm to 20.5mm are both engineered for decreased weight and better compliance.
Front engine mounts feature a shape and material change for 2023. They were two 8mm aluminum brackets before, but are now four 4mm steel brackets (two on each side).
Two 8 x 135mm through-bolts make the engine more of a frame stress member than the previous design.
Subframe design has been simplified for lighter weight, less complexity, and engineered to work in conjunction with the shorter and lighter wiring harness.
Easy rider movement was a key design goal: Radiator shrouds are 50mm narrower at the widest point and the fuel tank is 6mm narrower

Additional Weight Saving Parts on the 2023 Yamaha YZ450F

Clutch: 725 grams
Airbox: 400 grams
Footpeg brackets: 200 grams
Fuel pump: 200 grams
Cylinder: 160 grams
Counterbalancer: 115 grams
Handlebar switches: 85 grams
Chain guide: 80 grams
Transmission: 75 grams
Camshafts: 75 grams
Stator and rotor: 75 grams
Coolant passages: 70 grams
Throttle cables: 60 grams
Wiring harness: 50 grams
Battery tray: 35 grams
Crankshaft assembly: 25 grams

2023 Yamaha YZ450F Specifications

MSRP:	$9,899 (Team Yamaha Blue)/$10,099 (Monster Energy Yamaha Racing Edition)
Engine:	DOHC, liquid-cooled single-cylinder; 4 valves
Displacement:	450cc
Bore x Stroke:	97.0 x 60.8mm
Compression Ratio:	13.0:1
Transmission/Final Drive:	5-speed/chain
Dirt Rider Measured Horsepower:	54.4 hp @ 9,500 rpm
Dirt Rider Measured Torque:	32.7 lb.-ft. @ 7,200 rpm
Fuel System:	EFI w/ 44mm throttle body
Clutch:	Wet, multiplate; cable actuation
Frame:	Aluminum bilateral beam
Front Suspension:	KYB 48mm coil-spring fork, compression damping and rebound damping adjustable; 12.2 in. travel
Rear Suspension:	KYB shock, spring preload, high/low-speed compression damping, and rebound damping adjustable; 12.4 in. travel
Front Brake:	Nissin 2-piston caliper, 270mm disc
Rear Brake:	Nissin 1-piston caliper, 240mm disc
Tires, Front/Rear:	Dunlop Geomax MX33; 80/100-21 / 120/80-19
Rake/Trail:	26.9°/4.7 in.
Wheelbase:	58.3 in.
Ground Clearance:	13.8 in.
Dirt Rider Measured Seat Height:	38.4 in.
Fuel Capacity:	1.6 gal.
Dirt Rider Measured Wet Weight:	242 lb.
Availability:	Now
Contact:	yamahamotorsports.com