Six years have passed since Yamaha‰Ûªs factory motocross machinery led the FIM Motocross World Championship field in a distinctive blue shade.
Now as the 2014 campaign prepares to launch with the Grand Prix of Qatar under the lights of Losail next week (February 28th/March 1st) ‰ÛÒ the works YZ450FM and YZ250FM motorcycles of Jeremy Van Horebeek and Christophe Charlier respectively are being shown for the first time.
Yamaha Factory Racing last adopted the company‰Ûªs corporate livery for Grand Prix racing in 2007. In the first half of the decade the sight of Stefan Everts terrorising 500cc and MX1 divisions (a title winner every year from 2001 to 2006) also established the ‰Û÷Blue Blur‰Ûª of the works Yamaha squad.
The current YZ450FM and YZ250FM prototype machines developed by Yamaha Motor Europe and YRRD (Yamaha Rinaldi R & D) are based on the brand new 2014 YZ450F and YZ250F models launched in Europe towards the end of last summer. The larger bike has incorporated a new fuel tank and subframe to slim the profile and enhance centralisation and boost rider feeling.
The innovative rear-slanted engine has been revised to deliver more driveable torque in the lower gears while overhauled intake and exhaust ports, cam profiles and crank ratios build up the impression that the YZ450F is the most tractable and invigorating ride yet. A honed chassis gives more stability and agility than ever before.
The factory bike ‰ÛÒ YZ450FM - as steered by Jeremy Van Horebeek has seen YRRD technicians focussed on creating even deeper reserves of usable engine potential and a ‰Û÷character‰Ûª personalised for the Belgian. To further improve the already impressive handling the factory bike adopts KYB factory suspension, special triple clamps and a factory swing arm.
