The Yamaha YFZ450R was a proven winner right out of the gate. Winning almost every major magazine shootout since its inception in 2009, we wondered when Yamaha would seriously update it. Its off the showroom floor MX-width stance, long-travel suspension, and stellar fuel injected motor made the Yamaha dealer-to-track ready for racing ATV MX.
In the past five years, the aftermarket has developed all kinds of improvements for the YFZ450R, while Yamaha pretty much left it alone?until now! The new 2014 Yamaha YFZ450R is chock-full of important upgrades and refinements. The new and improved Yamaha even comes with a slipper clutch set to rival the expensive Hinson setup that has become so popular with pro racers.
We gathered the most important aftermarket parts needed to keep your YFZ performing better than new and ahead of the new model!
1. EXHAUST
The new 2014 YFZ-R has more compression for an overall power improvement. A high-performance slipon muffler or full-exhaust system from companies like FMF, HMF, Lonestar Racing, Duncan Racing, DMC, CT Racing, Trinity, Two Brothers, Barkers, Yoshimura, Yamaha’s GYTR Accessories, Slasher and others will not only improve power, it’s also a great place to shave a few unnecessary pounds. Slip-ons start around $250, and full systems in exotic lightweight materials can cost $800. In most cases, you’ll need to remap the fuel injection to get the full performance available from an aftermarket exhaust.
2. EFI PROGRAMMER
Yamaha claims the YFZ-R’s trick EFI system has some ability to compensate for the addition of a free-flowing exhaust. It can in ideal conditions with some exhausts. In most cases, you’ll have to reprogram the fuel injection with an aftermarket EFI programmer to add fuel for full power and to prevent a lean condition that could harm the engine. Additional air from a performance intake, or even removing the airbox lid, will set the YFZ-R into a lean condition off the bottom.
Most of the big names in performance exhaust systems offer fuel controllers specially matched to their systems, with plenty of adjustability for further performance mods. Most start at $400. More sophisticated fuel controllers from companies that specialize in EFI management, like Duncan Racing, Dynojet and MDS, allow greater adjustability to allow you to compensate for any level of engine performance mods you choose.
3. INTAKE
Just about anyone that is racing a YFZ-R is modifying the intake in one way or another. A high-flow filter from Uni or K&N is a great start. In dry conditions, you can also open or modify the airbox lid or run a lid that incorporates a filter, like K&N’s Powerlid. Fuel Customs makes a complete intake?from the oversized pleated filter to the high-flow intake tube and airbox. It’s $325 from Fuel Customs (www.fuelcustoms.com).
4. WIDER A-ARMS
The new YFZ-R has new shocks with longer stroke for slightly increased travel. They’re not cheap, but a set of Roll Design front A-arms will blow those numbers out of the water. Taking full advantage of the 50-inch track-width rule, a Roll Design-equipped YFZ-R is more stable, predictable, durable and maximizes suspension travel. Duncan Racing has several Roll Design suspension kits with shocks valved for the long-travel arms starting at $3000. Dustin Nelson used his factory-backed Roll/Elka-equipped YFZ-R to earn multiple MX titles over the past few seasons.
5. SHOCKS
The YFZ450R’s shocks offer more oil capacity and adjustability than most stock components, but high-end aftermarket shocks from companies like Elka, Race Tech, Fox and others offer even better ride quality and more adjustability. When you buy racing shocks from Elka, Race Tech or Fox, they are set up for your conditions, weight and riding style, which is key to superior suspension performance. Fully adjustably piggyback reservoir racing shocks start at $1200 per pair for front shocks and range to $1800. Highend rear racing shocks sell for $700 to $900.
6. NERF BARS/PEGS
The Yamaha comes with pretty darn good footpegs; their only problem is placement. The ergonomics of the YFZ-R is fine for smaller riders, but anyone over 5-foot-9 will find lower footpegs to open up the rider’s position. In all the fitment tweaks on the 2014 Yamaha, it doesn’t appear that they addressed this entirely. Luckily, Pro Armor and Blingstar have tall riders covered. If you’re going to race MX, you are going to need nerf bars, and the Pro Armor Revolution nerf bars come complete with relocated, monster-sized pegs that are really comfortable for $420. Netted heel guards are even incorporated for additional safety.
7. STEERING DAMPER
The one thing that seems to elude sport ATV manufacturers is the value of a steering damper. Starting around $450, dampers provide improved control and less fatigue. Anyone that races or rides seriously can benefit from one. The Precision stabilizer is one of the easiest to bolt on and dial in to your liking, with ATV-specific, simple to use, inside/outside separate adjusters. GPR dampers from Duncan Racing and steering dampers from Scotts Performance also install cleanly and are very adjustable. Taller riders will also want a taller steering stem attached to the damper.
8. APPLICATION-SPECIFIC TIRES/WHEELS
Yamaha updated the 2014 YFZ-R with some new and improved Maxxis radial tires. While the typical 20-inch rear, 21-inch front radial tire design is great for all-around performance, the YFZ450R is a race-worthy ATV, and it deserves race-ready shoes for the type of competition you use it for. Get familiar with the track conditions where you plan to race, and come prepared with tires that suit the terrain in the best sizes for your form of racing. AMS, CST, GMZ, DWT, ITP, Kenda, Maxxis, Raceline, Sedona, STI and other leading brands have tires for hard, intermediate or soft terrain in sizes ideal for motocross, cross-country or desert racing. Leading tire brands like DWT, STI, ITP and others offer racing wheels as well as tires and you can get tires mounted to beadlock or reinforced wheels as a kit. Expect to pay $70 to $150 per tire and $100 to $300 per wheel.
9. RAISE COMPRESSION
Yamaha bumped compression up and went to hotter cams on the 2014 YFZ450R, and you can do the same on earlier models with performance parts from Cylinder Works, CT Racing, Duncan Racing, GYT-R and others. When you want more power, you can increase the bore size too. Cylinder Works (www.cylinder-works.com) has a $650 kit with a 3mm bigger-bore cylinder, a 12.5:1 3mm-over Vertex piston, and all the gaskets. If you really want this thing to rip, they carry Hot Cams for your YFZ-R as well, but with some cams you will need to update the valve springs too.
10. SLIPPER CLUTCH
Getting a slipper clutch right from the factory is big news on the 2014 Yamaha, but it’s nothing new to highly modified pro level racing ATVs. Yamaha’s A&S (Assist & Slip) basket releases tension under deceleration, dramatically reducing the strong engine braking on the high-compression, fuel-injected fourstroke. The slipper clutch allows the suspension to work better and makes for more precise cornering. Top racers and factory teams have been using Hinson slipper clutches for years. The Hinson BTL (Back Torque Limiter) is a bulletproof, proven design that can be simply adjusted by spring tension. The Hinson BTL is an easy-to-use, sealed unit. It’s $1149 from Hinson Racing (www.hinsonracing.com).
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