Now Reading
2022 Yamaha WR250F and WR450F – Motocross-winning technology for Yamaha’s 250cc enduro bike

2022 Yamaha WR250F and WR450F – Motocross-winning technology for Yamaha’s 250cc enduro bike

Yamaha’s WR250F and WR450F enduro bikes feature some of the smartest technology in the off road world, including a unique reversed cylinder head engine design as well as the pioneering Power Tuner smartphone app that offers fast and easy trackside tuning.

The forward-facing intake and rear-exit exhaust creates a reversed layout that not only gives greater inlet efficiency for stronger engine performance – it also helps to achieve a high level of mass centralization by locating the air intake in front of the bike, with the fuel tank positioned in the centre. The use of a rearward-slanted cylinder and wraparound exhaust also helps to centralize weight, giving extremely agile handling and lightweight manoeuvrability.

As well as their powerful and tractable engines, the WR250F and WR450F enduro bikes also benefit from an industry-leading chassis design that utilizes a lightweight aluminium bilateral beam chassis with best-in-class KYB speed sensitive front forks and a link-type rear end that delivers precise and stable handling on the most hostile and challenging terrain.

For 2022 the WR250F has undergone a major engine and chassis upgrade with advanced technology from the bike that has dominated the 250cc motocross class in 2021.

So far this year the YZ250F has won both the East and West AMA 250 Supercross titles, and has taken an impressive number of victories in the MX2 World Championship and the AMA 250MX National Championship. With a more powerful engine that delivers stronger performance across the rpm range, together with a revised frame with rebalanced rigidity levels and a more powerful braking system, the new WR250F has the ability to succeed at every level.

New WR250F: Faster and sharper

In the enduro world the WR250F is already one of the most competitive and useable bikes in its class. Its wide spread of torque makes it the kind of motorcycle that brings out the best performance in every rider – whatever their riding skill and off road experience. And its winning technology is backed up by Yamaha’s premium quality and legendary reliability.

Stronger engine performance

The 2022 WR250F is equipped with a higher specification liquid-cooled 4-stroke electric-start engine that has been substantially uprated by the adoption of many of the power-boosting features seen on the current championship-winning YZ250F.

A new YZ250F-type cylinder head is one of the key components that gives the 2022 WR2S0F much stronger mid to top-end performance For even Faster special test times. The engine’s Front-Facing inlet also incorporates new ducting, and together with a wider YZ2S0F-type intake port this new design gives a superior intake Flow rate For higher combustion efficiency and increased power across the rpm range.
The new head is also Fitted with a redesigned exhaust camshaft For improved low to mid-range power. New ECU settings are designed to optimize the new engine’s useability at all speeds, and For all-day comfort there’s a redesigned balancer as well as a new shift cam that gives smoother and easier gearshifting. The wraparound header pipe Features a new heat guard that prevents snagging – and there’s also a stronger bracket on the short muffler.

A key asset available to WR2S0F riders is the Power Tuner app that enables wireless engine tuning using a smartphone. This innovative technology makes it easy to adjust the engine power character to suit different terrains and changing surface conditions – and a handlebar-mounted switch makes it possible For the rider to select between 2 uploaded engine mappings For on-the-Fly power adjustments.


Revised frame rigidity

For the 2022 race season the WR250F’s lightweight aluminium bilateral beam Frame also Features the latest technology From the winning YZ250F. Manufactured using Yamaha’s advanced CF die­casting technique that enables the use of walls of varying thicknesses, the Frame Features a revised balance of rigidity to match the higher performance of the new engine.

By adjusting the Flex of the Frame in specific locations – and Fitting new tuned-rigidity engine mounts – Yamaha’s engineers are able to create an incredibly strong chassis that also delivers excellent levels of Feedback, giving the rider a more connected Feeling with the track surface.

Race-winning KYB suspension

Yamaha’s industry-leading KYB Front Forks with their best-in-class speed sensitive damping system are Further refined For 2022 with a range of modifications that give even better Feeling handling and steering. New damping settings match the revised rigidity of the new chassis, and a redesigned top triple clamp, handlebar clamps, Footpegs and Front axle Further refine the ride quality.
The link type rear end has also been uprated with revised damping settings on the KYB shock to make the WR250’s suspension system one of the best original equipment packages in the endure world.

Higher performance YZ250F-type front brake

Braking power is just as important as engine power, and the 2022 WR250F is equipped with a lighter and more powerful Front brake set up From the MX2 GP-winning YZ250F.

This more advanced design uses a 30% more rigid Front caliper that’s equipped with larger diameter 25.4mm pistons and a new 270mm Front disc. New brake pads have a 25% greater surface area than the previous system, giving powerful and highly controllable braking performance that can shave precious seconds off crucial test times.

New multi-function meter

During a long and hard day’s riding the compact and lightweight new multi-meter keeps the rider informed with a range of information. In standard mode the meter displays the speedometer, clock, timer and two tripmeters – and in race mode the display shows the key information needed during an enduro such as average speed, timer and trip Functionality. There’s also an accumulated Fuel consumption meter indicator as well as Fuel and engine warning lights.

New graphics

New 2022 graphics reflect Yamaha’s VictorYZone racing pedigree, and incorporate Icon Blue and dark blue in-mould graphics that provide excellent durability and scratch resistance to keep them looking good.

WR250F New features

  • New YZ250F type cylinder head
  • New YZ250F specification exhaust camshaft
  • New YZ250F shape intake port
  • New YZ250F type intake joint
  • Improved camchain tensioner design
  • Redesigned engine balancer
  • New gearbox shift cam
  • New CF-die cast aluminium Delta box frame
  • New engine brackets with WR-specific rigidity levels
  • Industry leading KYB speed sensitive forks with revised damping settings
  • New top triple clamp with redesigned handlebar clamps
  • New YZ250F type footrests, handlebars and front axle
  • New multi-function meter
  • Stronger chain guide bracket
  • New 270mm front disc with 16% larger surface area
  • New more rigid front brake caliper with larger pistons
  • New front brake pads giving 25% more contact area with disc
  • New exhaust heat guard
  • New stronger muffler bracket

Other WR250F Technical Features

  • 250cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke DOHC engine
  • Reversed cylinder head with forward facing inlet
  • Yamaha Power Tuner for smartphone engine tuning
  • Electric start
  • Radiator cooling fan
  • Excellent mass centralization for lightweight handling
  • Wide-ratio 6-speed endure-specific transmission
  • Light feeling clutch with quick-adjuster
  • Compact and lightweight aluminium Deltabox frame
  • Industry-leading KYB speed sensitive damping coil spring front forks
  • Link-type rear suspension
  • KYB shock with high capacity reservoir
  • 4-position rubber-mounted adjustable handlebars
  • Handlebar-mounted dual mode engine mapping switch
  • 7.9 litre fuel tank
  • Lightweight resin skid plate
  • Icon Blue bodywork
  • Blue wheel rims
  • In mould graphics
  • Flat and slim seat
  • O-ring chain
  • High-mounted aluminium sidestand

2022WR450F

Completely redesigned for the 2021 season, the WR450F is one of the quickest, toughest and most advanced bikes in its class. Like the uprated WR250F, the WR450F benefits from a wide range of winning technology from its MX sibling.

High-tech reversed cylinder head engine

The WR450F’s compact and lightweight 450cc powerplant features Yamaha’s signature reversed cylinder head design that brings with it a whole range of advantages, such as increased intake efficiency- and idealized mass centralization that contributes towards the bike’s agile handling feeling, while the tough 5-speed transmission and heavy duty clutch are ready to deliver smooth and reliable shifting even during the most severe conditions. And the user-friendly Power Tuner gives increased versatility by enabling engine settings to be amended quickly and easily to suit virtually any conditions.

Lightweight aluminium beam frame

The WR450F’s lightweight aluminium bilateral beam frame is manufactured using Yamaha’s unique CF (Controlled Fill) technology that enables the use of walls of varying thicknesses to give a finely tuned balance of rigidity- ideal for endure, where accurate feel and precise feedback are crucial.

Best-in-class suspension

Suspension is amongst the best in class, and features the highly acclaimed KYB forks with the speed sensitive system that gives superior controllability in low and high speed riding – and the link type rear end features a specially tuned KYB rear shock. Both front and rear run with endure-specific settings for effective bump absorption across a wide range of speeds and over different types of terrain.

The WR450F’s braking features the same system as the 2022 WR250F, with a 270mm front disc and a lightweight large-piston caliper giving outstanding stopping power together with accurate feel.

A compact and lightweight multi-function display features an odometer, two tripmeters, clock, timer/stopwatch – and a useful fuel consumption indicator enables riders and teams to plan fuel stops more accurately.

Icon Blue finish

Finished in Yamaha’s dynamic Icon Blue with in-mould graphics, the WR450F is one of the most impressive and best-equipped bikes in the 450cc class.

2022 WR450F Technical Highlights

  • 450cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke DOHC engine
  • Reversed cylinder head with forward facing inlet
  • Yamaha Power Tuner for smartphone engine tuning
  • Compact instrumentation with fuel consumption indicator
  • Electric start
  • Large capacity radiators with cooling fan
  • Excellent mass centralization for lightweight handling
  • Wide-ratio 5-speed endure-specific transmission
  • Durable heat-resistant clutch with quick-adjuster
  • Compact and lightweight aluminium Deltabox frame
  • Industry-leading KYB speed sensitive damping front forks
  • Link type rear suspension
  • KYB shock with high capacity reservoir
  • 4-position rubber-mounted adjustable handlebars
  • Handlebar-mounted dual mode engine mapping switch
  • 7.9 litre fuel tank
  • Lightweight resin skid plate
  • Icon Blue bodywork
  • Blue wheel rims
  • In mould graphics
  • Flat and slim seat
  • O-ring chain
  • High-mounted aluminium sidestand

WR250F and WR450F colours, availability and price

The WR250F and WR450F will be available in Icon Blue with new graphics. Deliveries to European Yamaha dealers will commence from October 2021.

UK Prices:

WR250F: £7799

WR450F: £8099

Yamaha Genuine Accessories and Off Road apparel

Yamaha offer a wide choice of parts and accessories For the WRF enduro models, and the constantly evolving range includes everything From consumables such as air filters and wheel bearing kits through to items that include anodized covers, Folding Front brake levers and wheel spacers that give the bike more individuality.

There is also a wide selection of riding and causal gear aimed at WRF owners, and includes Yamaha­branded jerseys, pants, socks and gloves, as well as armour, enduro riding jacket, body warmers, caps and T-shirts.