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y e y h y e s c . r s, s y t t - n 22 • December 2, 2013 • Powersports Business ATV Better, faster, cleaner LONG LIST OF UPDATES Yamaha updates 2014 YFZ450R, moves production to Georgia and drops base YFZ BY TOM KAISER SENIOR EDITOR Its face is mean with a stance that's impossibly wide, massive shocks with gold-toned piggyback reservoirs give the illusion of a snorting bull and the space between its A-arms and tie rods suggests a light, minimal chassis. The fenders cut a wing-like profile and, from the side, the gas tank and seat flow together like a wave. New colors and retro-modern graphics also help announce that, for 2014, Yamaha did much more than the usual round of annual upgrades for its YFZ450R sport quad. Joining the Viking side-by-side, Raptor www.PowersportsBusiness.com Yamaha's YFZ450R sport quad comes with an array of significant enhancements for 2014, including fenders that have been moved lower and further away from the rider for improved body maneuverability. 700R sport quad and select Grizzly utility models, Yamaha has moved worldwide production of its acclaimed YFZ450R quad to its sprawling factory in Newnan, Ga. Like it did with other models the company moved from Japan to Georgia, Yamaha took the opportunity to make a host of significant changes to the YFZ450R that coincide with the production transfer. Major upgrades included increasing engine performance while also making changes to meet the EPA's more stringent 2014 emission standards, adding the industry's first from-the-factory assist and slipper clutch, a new exhaust system, new heel guards and updates to the styling, among many others. Yamaha also axed the base YFZ450 model that was priced $1,700 less than the 2013 YFZ450R. For the 2014 model year, the improved YFZ450R carries an MSRP of $8,799 — $200 more than last year's R model. As it's done in the past as its high-performance off-road products have steadily migrated to its American plant, Yamaha likes to talk about the job growth and spinoff economic impacts near its factory located 40 minutes southwest of Atlanta. The bigger story for riders, racers and dealers will be upgrades that are significant in a sport quad market that is still waiting for its own economic recovery. Yamaha says the new race-ready YFZ450R is "the highest performance, most technologically advanced sport ATV on the market." The biggest change for 2014 may come in the drivetrain. While the 449cc engine appears carryover, new cam profiles, a redesigned exhaust system, increased compression, tweaked ignition timing and fuel maps, new crank bearings and a new cylinder head helped the company meet tightened emission standards while concurrently improving mid-range and bottomend performance. "The emissions standards became much, much tougher in 2014, so trying to meet those new standards and improve the overall engine performance, that was really tough," said Travis Hollins, product planning manager for Yamaha's ATV and side-by-side categories. The new clutch, called an assist and slipper clutch, reduces clutch lever effort by approximately 25 percent, while also increasing clutch plate pressure that reduces engine braking and allows for faster cornering, especially when downshifting. It also helps the suspension absorb bumps better during braking, which is key in racing situations. Other MY14 changes include fenders moved lower and further away from the rider s t e . s t, o d ut s, d d P22x24-PSB15-ATV.indd 22 11/25/13 11:34 AM ww for sty we ne Du rol ne rid the for so mo ne an abl en mi yo ou ter to clu clu clu pre tor clu situ pla str bra com thi eve rac an is a