The forward-facing intake and rear-exit exhaust creates a reversed layout that not only gives greater inlet efficiency for stronger engine performance – it also helps to achieve a high level of mass centralization by locating the air intake in front of the bike, with the fuel tank positioned in the centre. The use of a rearward-slanted cylinder and wraparound exhaust also helps to centralize weight, giving extremely agile handling and lightweight manoeuvrability.
As well as their powerful and tractable engines, the WR250F and WR450F enduro bikes also benefit from an industry-leading chassis design that utilizes a lightweight aluminium bilateral beam chassis with best-in-class KYB speed sensitive front forks and a link-type rear end that delivers precise and stable handling on the most hostile and challenging terrain.
New WR250F – Stronger engine performance
In the enduro world the WR250F is already one of the most competitive and useable bikes in its class.
A new YZ250F-type cylinder head is one of the key components that gives the 2022 WR250F much stronger mid to top-end performance for even faster special test times.
The engine’s front-facing inlet also incorporates new ducting, and together with a wider YZ250F-type intake port this new design gives a superior intake flow rate for higher combustion efficiency and increased power across the rpm range.
The new head is also fitted with a redesigned exhaust camshaft for improved low to mid-range power.
New ECU settings are designed to optimize the new engine’s useability at all speeds, and for all-day comfort there’s a redesigned balancer as well as a new shift cam that gives smoother and easier gearshifting.
Revised frame rigidity
For the 2022 race season the WR250F’s lightweight aluminium bilateral beam frame also features the latest technology from the winning YZ250F.
Manufactured using Yamaha’s advanced CF die-casting technique that enables the use of walls of varying thicknesses, the frame features a revised balance of rigidity to match the higher performance of the new engine.
Race-winning KYB suspension
Yamaha’s industry-leading KYB front forks with their best-in-class speed sensitive damping system are further refined for 2022 with a range of modifications that give even better feeling handling and steering.
Higher performance YZ250F-type front brake
Braking power is just as important as engine power, and the 2022 WR250F is equipped with a lighter and more powerful front brake set up from the MX2 GP-winning YZ250F.
New brake pads have a 25% greater surface area than the previous system, giving powerful and highly controllable braking performance.
New multi-function meter
In standard mode the meter displays the speedometer,
clock, timer and two tripmeters – and in race mode the display shows the
key information needed during an enduro such as average speed, timer and trip
functionality. There’s also an accumulated fuel consumption meter indicator as
well as fuel and engine warning lights.
WR250F New features
- New YZ250F type cylinder head
- New YZ250F specification exhaust camshaft
- New YZ250F shape intake port
- New YZ250F type intake joint
- Redesigned engine balancer
- New gearbox shift cam
- New CF-die cast aluminium Deltabox frame
- New engine brackets with WR-specific rigidity levels
- Industry leading KYB speed sensitive forks with revised damping settings
- New top triple clamp with redesigned handlebar clamps
- New YZ250F type footrests, handlebars and front axle
- Stronger chain guide bracket
- New 270mm front disc with 16% larger surface area
- New more rigid front brake caliper with larger pistons
- New front brake pads giving 25% more contact area with disc
- New exhaust heat guard
- New stronger muffler bracket
2022 WR450F – High-tech reversed cylinder head engine
The WR450F’s compact and lightweight 450cc powerplant features Yamaha’s signature reversed cylinder head design that brings with it a whole range of advantages, such as increased intake efficiency – and idealized mass centralization that contributes towards the bike’s agile handling feeling, while the tough 5-speed transmission and heavy duty clutch are ready to deliver smooth and reliable shifting even during the most severe conditions.
And the user-friendly Power Tuner gives increased versatilty by enabling engine settings to be amended quickly and easily to suit virtually any conditions.
Lightweight aluminium beam frame
The WR450F’s lightweight aluminium bilateral beam frame is manufactured using Yamaha’s unique CF (Controlled Fill) technology that enables the use of walls of varying thicknesses to give a finely tuned balance of rigidity – ideal for enduro, where accurate feel and precise feedback are crucial.
Best-in-class suspension
Suspension is amongst the best in class, and features the highly acclaimed KYB forks with the speed sensitive system that gives superior controllability in low and high speed riding – and the link type rear end features a specially tuned KYB rear shock.
2022 WR450F Features
- 450cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke DOHC engine
- Yamaha Power Tuner for smartphone engine tuning
- Electric start
- Wide-ratio 5-speed enduro-specific transmission
- Compact and lightweight aluminium Deltabox frame
- Industry-leading KYB speed sensitive damping front forks
- KYB shock with high capacity reservoir
- Handlebar-mounted dual mode engine mapping switch
- 7.9 litre fuel tank
WR250F and WR450F colours, availability and price
The WR250F and WR450F will be available in Icon Blue with new graphics.
Deliveries to European Yamaha dealers will commence from November 2021. Prices vary per region, so please contact the national Yamaha distributor for full information.