The 2012 Yamaha cross bike range marks 40 years of offroad Yamaha bikes, and this year it’s the Yamaha YZ250F four-stroke model that gets the most important updates. The motor has been tweaked for better performance, there is a new lighter piston and a 39-mm carburettor as well which contributes to better power delivery in the mid to high rev range.

The steering has been upgraded and there is a more robust fork which gives the YZ250F better stability than previously. A stiffer chassis gives a better ride feel and more control when cornering. It was here that Yamaha particularly wanted to improve things and now more stable cornering and faster reaction out of a corner can be achieved.

Stylistically, the YZ250F gets a new gold-coloured chain which we think adds a little touch of class. The bike’s bigger brother, the Yamaha YZ450F, pretty much remains the same having already introduced an evolution to the MX1 class with its upside-down cylinder engine. Yamaha considers it a little gem in technology and is happy to leave it as is for the next season.

Meanwhile, the two-stroke models continue their funny sort of nostalgic heyday with light, fast bikes, and Yamaha claims it is the only Japanese manufacturer to offer a full range of two-stroke off-road models. It has the YZ85LW is aimed at younger riders, the YZ125 with a stiffer chassis and the YPVS valve system for better performance, and the range topping YZ250. All the bikes come in Yamaha’s classic racing blue, while the YZ250F and YZ450F are also available in Sports White.

2012 Yamaha offroad range

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The GOOD DESIGN awards were founded in Chicago in 1950 and every year an independent jury of design experts and architects pick out more than 500 product and graphic designs to receive these coveted awards.

In the 2010 Transportation category, the only motorcycles to win were the BMW S1000RR (which also won the the International Bike of the Year award in 2010), the BMW Concept 6 and the Yamaha YZ450F which all received awards, while Italian bikes like Ducati, Aprilia and MV Agusta will just have to eat their hearts out and continue to rely on their iconic status.

The prizewinners’ products will be exhibited as part of the annual Good Design Show which will be held in June 2011 at the Chicago Athenaeum.

Source | chi-athenaeum.org

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The Yamaha YZ450F and Yamaha YZ250F from the Monster Energy Motocross 2010 team have been revealed, showing the bikes and the livery that riders David Philippaerts, Gautier Paulin, Ken De Dycker, Loic Larrieu and Alessandro Lupino will use. The team has a couple of successful riders with 2008 world champion Philippaerts and 19-year-old Paulin last year gaining third in MX-2.

There is also the fortunate acquisition of Ken De Dycker in his first appearance for Yamaha in MX-1 after last year’s hard fought season, and Larrieu will hope to complete a good year after injuries last season. The Motocross season official kicks off at Sevlievo in Bulgaria in two months’ time, and the new Yamahas are looking awfully good in that livery.

Continue reading: Yamaha Motocross 2010 Monster energy team and bikes presented

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This video is of the new Yamaha YZ450F for 2010, with its new cornering technology which is set to improve what has already been a huge success for Yamaha. In the videos after the jump, official Yamaha rider James Stewart gives his view of the lightweight handling, cornering and power delivery.

The videos are certainly worth the watching with the full low-down on the chassis and engine technology, including the new motor positioning, bilateral beam frame and exhaust system. If you’re into all the technical specs of the YZ450F, these videos are for you.

Continue reading: Yamaha YZ450F videos and James Stewart ride

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Here are more pics of the 2010 Yamaha YZ450F, which continues its successful career as one of the premier offroad models around. With new cornering technology, the YZ450F features a fuel injected, liquid cooled, four-stroke, four valve, single cylinder engine on a bilateral beam aluminium frame.

It is renowned for the following features:
* Rearward-slanting, 450cc, 4-valve engine
* Aluminium Bilateral Beam frame
* Ergonomic design for easier riding
* Fuel injection for optimum air-fuel ratios
* Rigid rear wheel spokes
* YZ Power Tuner (optional accessory)

More pics and the YZ450F technical specs after the jump.

Continue reading: 2010 Yamaha YZ450F new pics

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You’ve got to admit that Yamaha Motors USA have an excellent PR department, because this video is along the line of Yamaha’s MotoGP A Day in the Office video, but this one is on all the strange rumors surrounding the new 2010 Yamaha YZ450F that will be officially unveiled on September 8th.

Watch this year’s FIM World Supercross Champion James Stewart squash all the rumors, with cameo appearances by Yamaha’s MotoGP riders Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi, Colin Edwards and James Toseland.

Source | yamahamotor

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