A few missing ingredients
Comfort is part of the mix, too. My only complaint is about the riding position: you spend much more time sitting than standing up, which doesn't exactly favour sporty riding. On the plus side, the seat's design, padding and grippy upholstery make it easier to lean your body and stabilize your stance in attack mode. Sadly, there are no standard nerf bars or cutout (my tester came with aftermarket accessories).

My only complaint is about the riding position: you spend much more time sitting than standing up, which doesn't exactly favour sporty riding. (Photo: France Ouellet)

In the end, though, I found this race-oriented ATV quite attractive and exciting. While Yamaha doesn't talk about a full-on racer like some competitors do, it won't take much to propel the YFZ450R to the top. A couple of safety parts, a riser for the handlebar, and more aggressive tires will do the trick.

Pros
Superb power curve
Electronic fuel injection
Chassis geometry of a winner
Freedom of movement courtesy of a well-designed seat

Cons
Suspension heats up quickly
Hard to ride standing up
Gear changes demand a certain effort
Stock tires lack grip