Yamaha presents the new YZ250F and YZ85 2019 [PHOTO]

Yamaha – The racing soul is an integral part of Yamaha's DNA and the desire to win has been at the center of all the manufacturer's activities since 1973, the year in which it achieved the first MX world championship.

For the 2019 season Yamaha arrives with two revised and improved products: new YZ250F and the new YZ 85. The YZ250F features a new engine design, with electric start, and new piston, camshaft profile, cylinder geometry, larger diameter clutch and more contribute to excellent power delivery, with more boost at medium and high rpm. The double-spar frame has been completely revised, optimizing the engine mounting point to improve the rigidity balance of the bike, with positive effects on cornering and traction. The new design and revised ergonomics give a feeling of greater lightness and compactness, to make the rider and the motorbike feel like a single body. The reference KYB® suspension has been updated in the internal elements and offers the best balance between comfort and winning performance. On top of all this, the new YZ250F comes standard with the Communication Control Unit (CCU) which allows riders to wirelessly connect to their bike, to fine-tune it to their individual preferences. All you need is a smartphone and the Yamaha Power Tuner App.

On the YZ250F Yamaha perfected the engine's unique inverted cylinder design. The 4-valve, DOHC, fuel-injected powerplant has a straight, front-mounted intake port with symmetrical intake and exhaust manifolds. Fueling features a lighter 44mm throttle body, with a Denso 12-nozzle injector. The new flat-top forged piston, in addition to having a higher compression ratio, has a bridge-box design to add strength while keeping weight down. The DLC-coated piston, rings and wrist pin, along with the offset cylinder configuration, reduce friction losses and contribute to instant response. The new lighter and more upright cylinder, the new intake manifolds, the cam profile, the high-strength connecting rods and the optimization of the shaft and rocker arm contribute to producing superior thrust at mid-high rpm, with manageable power delivery and exceptional reliability.

The transmission and clutch have been modified for a more direct connection and superior durability. The transmission maintains the same proven ratios as the previous model, but the gears are made with a new alloy which increases resistance to kickbacks. Thanks to the increase in strength, it was possible to make thinner gear teeth, reducing weight and allowing for a more compact design. On the YZ250F the clutch plates are 1,6mm thicker. The increase in thickness has allowed Yamaha technicians to reduce the number of discs by one unit, which is now 8. The radiators and exhaust have also been modified to increase performance and improve weight distribution. The radiators have been refined, are wider and have a more favorable angle towards the oncoming airflow, to improve cooling in the most demanding racing conditions. The innovative wrap-around design of the exhaust pipes improves mass concentration and power development, with the geometry revised for 2019. In this arrangement the rear part of the exhaust pipe is moved significantly further forward and allows the muffler to be positioned close to the bike's center of gravity. The YZ250F is the world's first production 250cc motorcycle with an engine mapping system based on wireless connection with a smartphone. Using the exclusive Yamaha Power Tuner app it's easy to choose the exact mapping to achieve excellent results on every ride. By connecting wirelessly with the YZ250F's integrated Communication Control Unit (CCU), riders and technicians can instantly and easily adjust air/fuel mixture and ignition timing mapping to fine-tune engine performance across different fuel circuits. race, record race data and monitor a variety of information such as coolant temperature, intake air temperature, air pressure, battery status and even maintenance-related data such as total running time and more. The Yamaha Power Tuner App – introduced for the first time with the 450 YZ2018F – makes it possible to change engine mapping with greater precision than ever before. Pilots can also share information with their team or friends (along with other information), thus evolving the system into a tool that facilitates communication. Two-mode engine mapping allows the rider to adjust the character of the delivery with the push of a button. This makes it easy to adapt the YZ250F to changing trail and weather conditions. Using a compact starter motor and an ultra-lightweight lithium-ion battery, the YZ250F offers the convenience of push-button starting for quick, effortless restarts when under pressure, as well as relaxed riding if the clock isn't ticking.

The YZ250F chassis is completely new to further refine the instinctive ride that makes this Yamaha one of the best handling in its class. In the new and compact perimeter frame, the upper beams, the subframe elements, the swingarm pivot area and the new engine mounts have been redesigned. The result is the centralization of masses and the increase in rigidity on the lateral, horizontal and vertical axes, to offer an ideal balance between cornering sensitivity and straight-line rigidity.
The new frame has been designed to improve contact with the ground and offer the best balance of rigidity to absorb shocks and turn effortlessly. Around this completely redesigned frame, the YZ250F features a lighter, more compact silhouette, from nose to tail. The radiator shrouds have a new concave air duct design that not only improves aesthetics, but is also narrower to improve knee grip and movement on the bike. The seat height has been reduced by 8m at the front and almost 20mm at the rear, offering superior handling. The fully adjustable KYB coil spring suspension with speed-sensitive damping has been refined in setting, has larger pistons and a new design of fork mounts/hub supports, to offer an exceptional balance between handling and shock absorption. The KYB shock absorber has new absorption characteristics, to adapt to the new frame and the new, lighter spring. The reservoir has a larger capacity of 30cc to increase damping during longer races. The refinement of the cross-section profile of the EXCEL rims, obtained with CAD, significantly "files" the unsprung weights without sacrificing the durability of the component, while the stiffer wheel collars improve the sensation of contact with the ground during braking and offer more direct perception of traction.

The new Yamaha YZ85 young rider bike has undergone a series of interventions that have focused on performance and ergonomics. With new engine, suspension and other components, the YZ85 is designed to assist bLU cRU riders as they enter the victorYZone, with race-winning performance and unmatched reliability. The YZ85 features a new 85cc 2-stroke, liquid-cooled engine with reed valve intake and mechanical Yamaha Power Valve System (YPVS). With the new design of head and cylinder, crankcase and crankshaft, connecting rod, transmission, exhaust and CDI, the new YZ85 engine delivers manageable power in a wide band and across all rpm ranges, without losing peak power when the tachometer is at its limit. The semi-double cradle steel frame, the removable subframe and the new aluminum swingarm design offer a feeling of agility, a ride in complete confidence and easy maintenance. Ergonomics are improved by the flat and comfortable saddle, the four-position adjustable aluminum tapered handlebar and the adjustable levers, which offer comfort and ease of movement for young riders of all sizes. For 2019, the braking system is stiffer, with new tube routing and offers superior feel, while the self-cleaning petal brakes are nicer to look at. The 220mm front disc and 190mm rear disc provide powerful and precise braking. The new YZ85 features KYB®'s race-proven, fully adjustable 36mm coil-sprung fork with one-piece stays and a tapered section for optimal stiffness balance. The suspension offers exceptional handling, absorbs shock and is easy to calibrate for winning performance. The KYB® progressive linkage shock absorber is fully adjustable and has damping characteristics designed for the new chassis.

After the numerous interventions in 2018, the top of the range YZ450F receives numerous technical improvements in 2019. The most significant change has been made at the front, where the fork has wider hub supports and the collars have a new design which ensure high standards of rigidity at the front end. The stiffer front end improves the overall handling of the YZ450F, because it offers more accurate terrain feedback and allows the rider to better judge the level of traction of the front wheel, improving sensitivity and control.