Yamaha Motor NZ has announced its new line of motocross machines for the upcoming 2022 model year, and there’s a smokey surprise for up and coming 2-stroke fans in the mix.
Headlining the new YZ range is the first all-new YZ125 in over 15 years, while the rest of the range gains improvements in suspension damping and ergonomics. The full-size bikes (YZ125, 250, 250F and 450F) also come with the option to shift into the Monster Energy Yamaha Racing Edition colours for an extra $100 for that factory fresh feel.
Pricing starts at $7,199 for the 2022 YZ65 and tops out with the YZ450F Monster Energy Yamaha Racing Edition at $15,199.
YZ125
It’s fair to say that development in full-size 2-strokes has been somewhat forgotten in Japan in recent years, with the 2022 YZ125 the first ground-up redesign of the model in well over a decade.
Yamaha says its engineers put considerable thought into developing a motorcycle that would be both dominant on the racetrack and user-friendly for developing riders looking to bridge the gap between recreation riding and competitive motocross. The result is a significantly improved YZ125 which is priced at $11,399 for the Kiwi market.
The liquid-cooled 125cc two-stroke engine has been thoroughly reworked to produce more power. Yamaha says every functional part of the 2022 YZ125 engine is new, including the cylinder body, cylinder head, piston, piston pin, connecting rod, crankcase and expansion chamber. The result being an increase in power across the mid- to high-rpm range.
Pumping fuel into the engine is a new high-precision Hitachi Astemo Keihin PWK38S carburettor with throttle position sensor and 3D-map-controlled CDI unit provide clean, crisp throttle response and superior rideability. A new intake design with VForce4 carbon reed valve leads to a more efficient draw of air into the engine for an improved feeling of power in the low rpm range.
To match increased engine performance, the brakes feature larger front pistons, a more rigid caliper, a redesigned 270mm front rotor with a 30% increase in pad contact area and higher friction pad material for better braking power and feel.
Interestingly, out the rear the redesigned rear rotor maintains the same braking power while dropping outer diameter from 245mm to 240mm. A nice effect of this being reducing unsprung weight as well.
Both front and rear suspension damping has been revised to further improve bump absorption and cornering performance, with Yamaha utilising a best-in-class KYB suspension package that includes an inverted front fork with new fork internals for more precise damping.
In a theme for the entire 2022 YZ range, the YZ125 features new ergonomics thanks to a new flatter seat and more narrow fuel tank design, along with smoothly integrated body panels and slimmer radiator shroud width all combine to enable greater freedom of movement forward and back, allowing the rider to easily shift body weight for more control.
YZ85
The new 2022 YZ85 boasts numerous enhancements to expand its overall performance.
Priced from $8099,the YZ85 and its Large Wheel sibling feature new bodywork and seats for better ergonomics just like the YZ125 . The redesigned seat and rear bodywork also enable an updated rear-positioned straight-through intake for an improved feeling of power in the low rpm range.
The YZ85 has been enhanced in several key chassis areas to optimise strength and rigidity, including revisions to the main frame, swingarm and rear wheel axle. The aluminium swingarm was redesigned to enhance balance between longitudinal and torsional rigidity for improved handling stability. The new removable rear subframe is constructed from lightweight, high-strength aluminium to reduce weight, while the rear brake master cylinder now has a built-in sub-reservoir providing a more linear brake response and increased control.
For 2022, the YZ85LW (Large Wheel) model takes the race-winning YZ85 formula and enhances off-road capability even more with the addition of a larger 19-inch front wheel and 16-inch rear wheel wrapped in high performance Dunlop MX3S tyres.
YZ250
Like the 85, the YZ250 also sees improvements beginning with better rider ergonomics and the same new intake design, allowing a more efficient intake path to the engine for a better feeling of power in the low rpm range.
The YZ250's already renowned suspension and handling performance takes another step forward with revised front and rear suspension damping to enhance bump absorption and cornering agility.
An updated brake setup includes a more rigid front caliper, larger front pistons, a redesigned 270mm front rotor with a 30% increase in pad contact area and higher friction pad material, all combining to provide exceptional braking power and feel.
A redesigned rear rotor maintains the same braking power while dropping outer diameter from 245mm to 240mm, further reducing unsprung weight.
The 2022 YZ250 retains its liquid-cooled YPVS-equipped 249cc two-stroke powerplant, with the compact chassis, highly developed lightweight aluminium frame, and the intuitive handling character and usability set to keep the YZ250 a firm favourite of racers and recreational riders alike.
Yamaha Motor NZ has confirmed the pricing of the 2022 YZ250 will be $13,099 for the base bike while the Monster Energy colourway puts pricing at $13,199 respectively.
YZ250F
Fresh off dominating the 2021 Supercross season, the new 2022 Yamaha YZ250F sees a handful of key updates to make the benchmark-setting motocrosser even better.
A new 2.15-inch wide rear rim pairs with a premium 110-width Dunlop Geomax MX33 tyre for a wider footprint, increased traction and better bump absorption under hard acceleration and cornering. In a first on a Yamaha off-road competition model, a new three-cross spoke pattern on the rear wheel further improves impact absorption and overall feel.
The rear wheel hub has also been re-engineered to be thinner and lighter while still retaining strength. Together with a new lightweight rear sprocket design and new lightweight drive chain, unsprung weight and driveline inertia is reduced for more responsive handling.
The YZ250F's suspension takes another step forward with revised suspension settings aimed at striking the perfect balance between the wider rear tyre and lightened rear wheel assembly.
Pricing for the 2022 YZ250F is set from $13,999.
YZ450F
For 2022 Yamaha’s flagship MX1 machine, the YZ450F, builds on the already class-leading performance by reducing unsprung weight through the adoption of a lighter rear wheel assembly and drive train parts, for more responsive handling.
Updates for 2022 begin with a new, redesigned rear wheel hub. The cast aluminium hub has been engineered to be thinner and lighter while maintaining strength. It combines with a redesigned lightweight rear sprocket and new lightweight drive chain to reduce unsprung weight and driveline inertia.
The YZ450F also receives the newly introduced three-cross spoke pattern on the rear wheel for improved impact absorption and overall feel.
The 450 also gets revised suspension settings take full advantage of the lightened rear wheel assembly, increasing stability on corner entry/exit, improving bump reaction and further enhancing best-in-class suspension performance.