TESTED: YAMAHA’S All-NEW 2024 WR450F

In spite of Yamaha’s WR450F consistently being the biggest-selling off-road model in Australia for 25 years, it comes in for a complete overhaul for 2024. The new model’s ergos are slimmer, lower and more compact. There are sweeping changes to its bodywork, engine, clutch and transmission. It cops a heap of mass centralisation measures. It’s the beneficiary of a more owner-friendly Power Tuner app. And it’s been specifically evolved for Australian riders and Australian terrain.

But how does that laundry list of changes translate when it comes to the riding experience aboard this landmark new model for Yamaha? And have all those sweeping design changes been introduced in a coordinated, harmonious way? After riding the 2024 WR450F at the bike’s Australian media launch, here are our first impressions…