Yamaha tests YZ450

Yamaha is working on bigger-capacity versions of its WR426F enduro bike and YZ426F crosser for 2003.

The firm ran a pre-production prototype YZ at the first round of the Japanese motocross championship, with a capacity of around 450cc to go head-to-head with Honda’s CRF450. The revised WR will also feature an electric start.

Yamaha was the pioneer among the Japanese manufacturers in the four-stroke motocross market, and it will be anxious to stay one step ahead of Honda.