Yamaha's AWD:

The genesis of a new generation. 2-Trac is wowing them already.

DATE: 8-Jun-2004

After comprehensive testing on a variety of different local terrains, the answer from members of the Aussie bike press is a resounding ‘AWESOME!!’

Yamaha’s WR450F 2-Trac is set to be the most important motorcycle development in living memory. Put simply, this superb motorcycle is an off road revelation that inspires confidence in all riders.

When the rear wheel loses traction and starts to spin, drive is transferred to the front wheel. The effect is both astonishing and effective. Here are some comments from testers at the national press launch of the 2-Trac where it was pitted against a standard rear wheel drive WR450F:

“Confidence inspiring, sure footed, tractable and above all…
stimulating!” - Professional tester

“Stability is increased in all terrain whether it’s rocky, slippery, loose, uphill, downhill, flat corners or off camber.” - Professional tester

“The 2-Trac enables you to carve a much tighter corner than you would dare attempt on a rear wheel drive motorcycle.” - Professional tester

“The whole bike feels very stable, you carry a higher corner speed and you can give it the herbs much earlier to get out of the corner.” - Warren Jack, ADB

“In thick sand, both drive and steering is dramatically improved. The 2-Trac makes sand riding a breeze compared to a standard bike.” - Professional tester

“We tested the 2-Trac from a standstill at the bottom of a big slippery hill. The bike powered to the top effortlessly while the conventional bike required several attempts.” - Professional tester

“I thought the 2-Trac must have had a tweaked engine because it clearly felt like it had more horsepower than the standard bike. But this effect was a direct result of the increased front wheel traction.” - Professional tester

“My riding style was easily adapted to the 2-Trac… the harder you push it the more the front end grips.” - Professional tester

“It’s a big step forward for not only dirt bikes, but potentially road bikes as well.” - Ben Foster, AMCN

“The 2-Trac is the next great technological leap that we have been waiting for since the introduction of long travel suspension.” - Warren Jack, ADB

“I circulated the whooped out motocross track at nearly 50 per cent of the effort the standard WR-F requires, yet still recorded lap times within a few tenths. Amazing.”
- Ben Foster, AMCN

Developed over a number of years by Yamaha in conjunction with Swedish suspension firm Öhlins, the WR450F 2-Trac features variable hydraulic drive to its front wheel.

A chain driven pump situated on top of the gearbox pumps hydraulic fluid to the front wheel hub via high pressure hoses. The hub is equipped with a single gear hydraulic motor that powers the front wheel.

The beauty of the hydraulic system is that it’s self-regulating, meaning that when the rear tyre loses grip, power is transferred to the front, dramatically improving grip and therefore performance.

Yamaha Motor Australia has imported a strictly limited number of these ground breaking models and intends to enter the Australian Safari this September to highlight the benefits of the system in Australian conditions.

ENGINE
Type 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 5 titanium valves
Displacement (cc) 449
Bore x stroke (mm) 95.0 x 63.4
Compression 12.5:1
Lubrication Dry sump
Fuel Management Keihin FCR39H
Ignition CDI
Starter Kick and electric
Fueltank (L) 10
Transmission Constant mesh, 5-speed
Final Transmission Front wheel: hydraulic / Rear wheel: chain
CHASSIS
Length (mm) 2171
Width (mm) 827
Height - (mm) 1303
Seat Height - (mm) 998
Wheelbase - (mm) 1485
Clearance - (mm) 371
Dry Weight - (kg) 119.5
Suspension Front Öhlins upside-down telescopic fork - 300 mm travel
Tyres Front 90/90-21
Brakes Front Single disc, Ø 250 mm
Suspension Rear Öhlins shock, link-type suspension - 315 mm travel
Tyres Rear 130/90-18
Brakes Rear Single disc, Ø 245 mm
OTHER
Handlebars Reikon alloy
Steering damper Öhlins
RRP (Aus) $24,990