Looking for a place you can view ALL of the changes Yamaha made to the 2026 YZ450F model? Look no further! Sometimes when we break down the bike in our review videos there simply isn’t enough time to tell you about ALL of the changes because then we will have a 45 minute video. So if you need to reference anything from the review videos you see online, below are all of the changes the bLU cRU R&D team made for 2026.
Yamaha’s goal for 2026 was to gain more controllability from the engine as improve the chassis comfort. The 2025 YZ450F was no doubt the king of the engine department but also could be a handful for a lot of riders. The 2023-2025 chassis although better than the older 2022 at cornering, was a little less planted feel at speed (straight line). Seeing what Yamaha did in 2026 almost took a page out of what we were trying to do to our 2023-2025 YZ450F machines.
Engine:
- Intact Tract: Resonator and duct added for reduced intake sound
- Throttle Body intake joint shape change to match new intake port
Cylinder Head:
- New intake port shape
- Elliptical port shape opening
- Steeper port wall angle into cylinder for improved combustion.
- Intake camshaft timing changed 3 degrees (from 110-107 degrees)
Other Engine:
- Flywheel inertia increase by 8%
- Rear sprocket went from 49T to 51T
- New material on Conrad bearing
- Water outlet pipe material went from plastic to aluminum
- Breather hose no longer routes to the airbox
- Piston oil sprayer angle change for improved piston cooling
- Nissin hydraulic clutch
- Clutch internal updates (bevel spring rate increased 10%, pressure plate has added holes for weight reduction, retainer spring updated to match bevel spring, inner hub oil supply path has staggered hole layout for improved lubrication, push rod bushing added to main transmission shaft)
- Exhaust system has resonator chamber added to headpipe, new muffler internal structure with muffler being 50mm shorter, muffler mounting angle is also down 1.6 degrees
Chassis:
- Main frame down tube has new forged section
- Rigidity increased at steering tube neck area
- Less rigidity at cradle section
- Rear shock mounting bracket hole removed to increase rigidity
- Front engine bracket shape change and 2mm thinner (8mm to 6mm).
- Upper bracket uses different thickness on left and right side (right side 4mm thick and left side remains at 6mm thick)
Suspension:
- New rear shock with new base valve structure, piston size increased from 24 to 28mm, dedicated compression and rebound passages, main valve piston ports increased from 4 to 6, reduced shim valve deflection and stress, tool-less low speed compression adjuster
- Updated fork settings that match frame changes and new shock as well as a new scraper added between the dust and oil seal
Weight Reduction:
- Throttle cable holder went from steel to plastic (-10 grams)
- Chain roller has a 19mm diameter reduction (-50 grams)
- Rear brake hose clamps (bolt to insert clip attachment (-10 grams)
Function:
- Right side chain block position change of alignment indicator marks went from side to the top of block.
- Side number plates are one tool removal that requires only 8mm tool
- Rear fender has more clearance to muffler for easier grab
- Seat cover texture has one way gripper material
Yamaha Power Tuner:
- Now has ECU lock function for anti-theft
– 2026 Yamaha YZ450F comes in 70th anniversary red/white for $10,499 and Yamaha blue for $10,299.
