Dakar: Yamaha show off 2017 machine

Yamaha have shown off the factory WRF450 machine that Hélder Rodrigues, Adrien Van Beveren, Alessandro Botturi and Rodney Faggotter will pilot in this year’s race, with the Japanese factory claiming that the radically-revised machine gives them a better than ever chance of taking top honours away from the dominant KTMs in this year’s South American classic.

The new bike features a whole range of updated features, from a new 33 litre fuel tank to an extended swinging arm to give greater controllability. Still existing only as a dedicated rally race machine, the firm are also hoping to move the technology into customer machinery, with a complete kit aimed to transform any WR450F enduro into a rally racer expected to be available to purchase from July 2017.