The bLU cRU’s 450cc enduro motorcycle is more performance oriented than ever.

By Allan Brown, dirtrider.com

Don’t judge a book by its cover. When seeing a dirt bike with a headlight and taillight, it’s easy to immediately categorize it as a full-on trailbike, sharing little in terms of performance with the manufacturer’s motocross or cross-country model of equal displacement. However, that’s not the case with the Yamaha WR450F; the bLU cRU designed the bike to be an enduro racing and aggressive trail riding motorcycle.

Although the WR450F has been plenty capable in the past, Yamaha is not one to rest on its laurels. Just two years after the WR450F was new from the ground up, the bLU cRU gave it nearly all of the same updates the YZ450F was granted in 2020. This means the 2021 WR450F and 2020-2021 YZ450F share many of the same major components. However, the enduro model boasts features that are uniquely its own, including the ECU tuning, muffler, suspension settings, and engine mount combination.

2021 Yamaha WR450F Engine

The WR450F’s new cylinder head, camshafts, piston, and connecting rod are the same as those on the latest-generation YZ450F. The transmission is a five-speed, but its wide ratios are different from the motocrosser’s. Also notable is the WR450F’s higher-output stator; Yamaha bumped up the wattage from 120W to 140W to keep the headlight shining brightly and the battery charged for quick restarts.

The ECU tuning and exhaust system are specific to the WR450F to comply with United States EPA requirements, meaning you’ll find a multichamber mechanical spark arrestor-equipped muffler and a locked ECU. For those interested in racing the bike, an accessory ECU is available from the Genuine Yamaha Technology Racing (GYTR) line of performance parts. You can also add the Communication Control Unit (CCU) to enable the use of the Yamaha Power Tuner app, which allows you to modify and create your own specific maps via a smartphone to match with a performance exhaust, whether a slip-on muffler or a full system. The GYTR ECU also has two base maps, allowing the option to add the handlebar map switch so you can toggle between them on the fly.ADVERTISEMENT

Taking the ECU and exhaust into consideration, the WR450F engine runs very well. It’s aided by the fact that at its heart, it’s a YZ450F race engine. The powerplant fires to life quicker than previous models, starting fine in neutral and even in gear. There is some reduction in engine power in comparison to the motocrosser; however, it runs clean and smooth. Throttle response is good with only a little more engine-braking than usual. The decrease in power compared to the YZ450F can actually have significant advantages in some conditions. Riding in the low to mid rev range allows you to be much heavier on the throttle without losing traction. Naturally, if you get it up in the rev band, it’s still a 450 and spins the rear wheel with ease.

The gearbox spacing is somewhat noticeable, especially from first to second. First gear is surprisingly low, which is a good starting point for tighter East Coast woods and trails. Second gear can be used for starting and stopping, and third is best for most single-track riding. Move up to fourth and fifth and you’ll notice the bike begin to stretch its legs. The stock gearing is 13:50, so you have plenty of room to work with. Going down to a 48-tooth rear sprocket, or even up to a 14-tooth on the countershaft sprocket, might be a little better for West Coast riders who encounter more open trails.

2021 Yamaha WR450F Suspension

Sharing the same suspension as the motocrosser, the WR450F comes with a KYB Speed Sensitive System (SSS) 48mm coil-spring fork and KYB shock. The valving and spring rates of both components are specific to the enduro model. The WR450F uses 4.6 Nm fork springs (compared to the YZ450F’s 5.0 Nm) and a 56 Nm shock spring (where the YZ450F uses a 58 Nm).

The suspension is noticeably softer compared to the YZ450F and YZ450FX; however, it’s not too soft, delivering a good controlled feel with the ability to go deeper in the stroke without an unusual amount of rebound, and overall has more of a dead feeling as opposed to a spring-type sensation. Adjustments are easy and fairly predictable.

Going out two clicks on the rebound front and rear helped liven up the chassis a little. This aided comfort in the rocks and also made the bike feel a bit lighter. The balance from front to rear is decent; the fork will only occasionally dive a little deeper in the stroke.

2021 Yamaha WR450F Chassis/Handling

The WR450F now uses the newest-generation YZ450F chassis. Updates to the frame include a 0.5mm reduction in the upper rail thickness and 0.5mm thicker tubing in the engine cradle area; geometry remains the same. The top triple clamp has been updated with a thinner shape to reduce rigidity and is claimed to be lighter. The front axle is also said to be lighter, with a 20 percent decrease in rigidity.

Sitting on the WR450F is exactly the same as the YZ450F, even though the WR’s fuel tank is 0.6 gallon larger. This can be attributed to Yamaha’s reverse engine design, which allows engineers to extend the fuel tank lower instead of higher. The bike’s very distinct Yamaha feel comes partly from the WR/YZ-specific handlebar bend and slightly lower-feeling seat. It’s also still a touch wider between your knees in comparison to the Austrian bikes.

For taller riders, there are handlebar mounting options with two positions in the top triple clamp and the ability to rotate the mounts forward or backward. With these four different positions you have the ability to move the bar a total of 36.5mm fore and aft. Another potentially beneficial component for a taller rider is the GYTR tall seat assembly, which helps reduce the lower, pocketed seating position of the Yamaha WR and YZ-F models.

In the braking department, the front received updates with a new larger-piston caliper going from 22.7mm to 25.4mm pistons. The brake pads are also 22.3 percent larger, and the front rotor has 16 percent more pad contact area. Surprisingly, the rear brake did not get the same updates as the YZ450FX; the WR450F continues to use the older-style caliper and 245mm rear rotor.

You can’t get far into a day of riding before realizing the YZ450F’s DNA is strong in the WR450F. The enduro bike feels nearly identical to the motocross version, just with a mellower engine and softer suspension. The 16 pounds of weight over the YZ450F is noticeable, but not a hindrance in any way. In some situations it adds to the bike’s planted feeling, already one of the Yamaha’s best characteristics. The WR450F and YZ450F are the same in this regard.

2021 Yamaha WR450F Overall Impression

When you take the latest iteration of Yamaha’s proven 450 motocrosser and equip it with several off-road-specific components and tune it for aggressive trail riding, you have a very well-rounded enduro bike. The WR450F easily checks all of the boxes that make for a great trailbike, but has the potential to be much more. Right off the showroom floor, this motorcycle is just as much an enduro racebike as it is a trailbike. Add in Yamaha’s renowned quality and durability, and you have a motorcycle that could be in your garage for many years to come.

Gearbox

Helmet: Bell Moto-9 MIPS

Goggle: 100% Accuri 2

Chest Protector: Alpinestars Bionic Tech V2 Protection Jacket

Jacket: Alpinestars Session Race

Jersey: Alpinestars Techstar Venom

Gloves: Alpinestars Radar

Pants: Alpinestars Techstar Venom

Boots: Alpinestars Tech 7

2021 Yamaha WR450F Specifications

MSRP:	$9,799
Engine:	DOHC, liquid-cooled single-cylinder
Bore x Stroke:	97.0 x 60.8mm
Compression Ratio:	13.0:1
Displacement:	450cc
Transmission/Final Drive:	5-speed/chain
Dirt Rider Measured Horsepower:	48.9 hp @ 9,000 rpm
Dirt Rider Measured Torque:	31.8 lb.-ft. @ 7,200 rpm
Fuel System:	EFI w/ 44mm throttle body
Clutch:	Wet, multiplate; cable actuation
Frame:	Bilateral beam aluminum
Front Suspension:	KYB Speed Sensitive System (SSS) coil-spring fork, compression and rebound damping adjustable; 12.2 in. travel
Rear Suspension:	KYB shock, spring preload, high-/low-speed compression damping, and rebound damping adjustable; 12.5 in. travel
Front Brake:	Nissin 2-piston caliper, 270mm disc
Rear Brake:	Nissin 1-piston caliper, 245mm disc
Tires, Front/Rear:	Dunlop Geomax MX33; 80/100-21 / 120/90-18
Rake/Trail:	27.0°/4.6 in.
Wheelbase:	58.3 in.
Ground Clearance:	12.6 in.
Dirt Rider Measured Seat Height:	37.6 in.
Fuel Capacity:	2.2 gal.
Dirt Rider Measured Wet Weight:	264 lb.
Availability:	Now
Contact:	yamahamotorsports.com