| A year ago, Yamaha took the wraps off a brand | | | | contact when confronted about the possibilities about |
| new 450 sport quad that was so exciting that ATV | | | | a slightly more narrow, trail-oriented version of this |
| Sport magazine named the YFZ450R its "Sport Quad | | | | upgraded YFZ. Clearly, they were hiding something - |
| of the Year." | | | | until now. |
| The ATV featured a lighter chassis, | | | | Big blue has taken the wraps off its 2010 ATV lineup, |
| higher-performance engine, upgraded suspension, | | | | and the star attraction is a new model called the |
| improved ergonomics and several other upgrades | | | | YFZ450X. By doing so, Yamaha did more than just |
| over the standard YFZ450. Motocross racers and | | | | claim its own stake to the 24th letter in the alphabet |
| dune riders gushed about the machine and raved | | | | (think about it - DVX, DS 450 X, TRX 700XX, KFX, |
| about its prowess, to the point where trail riders and | | | | 525 XC, MXR, 450 MX, etc), it infused fresh life into |
| others who purchased a standard YFZ couldn't help | | | | a sport quad market that is threatening to grow |
| but to feel a little bit jealous. | | | | stagnant, given the state of that end of the scene |
| "Where's our faster acceleration?" they asked. And | | | | right now. |
| suddenly the ergonomics and suspension that felt so | | | | For 2010, Yamaha also added some new colors to a |
| right on the standard YFZ450 ATV now felt dated | | | | few of its ATVs, including the top Grizzly and the |
| after knowing what else was possible. | | | | popular Raptor 250, while dropping two models that |
| Yamaha folks dodged the direct questions, and | | | | hadn't been pulling their weight the last couple of |
| talked about the new R version as being a special | | | | years (the Big Bear 250 and Wolverine 350). |
| edition of sorts. But they also seemed to avoid eye | | | | |