Yamaha Goes Cannondale......Almost

[Rick]

2010 Yamaha YZF 450....

Pretty Cool......Almost Cannondale like

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/pr...09/0/home.aspx

What do Think???

[gasgasman]

Here's some more photos w/ cut away views.
http://www.motocrossactionmag.com/ME...CFE2FBBC7CB0A6

[GMP]

From the looks of the tank position, fuel heating won't be a problem, as the header loops in a circle behind the tank. Bad news is the tank is only 1.6 gal., and I'm sure a bigger tank will take some creativity. Maybe not as bad as it sounds with EFI though.

[gasgasman]

The design really makes good sense.
You have a super long intake tract, which speeds up the intake air flow and the shock is centrally located. It's not fighting for space with the air box.

[HydroDog]

If only Cannondale had the money to keep going forward to out do what yamaha has done 9 years later.
I wonder if KTM will use Husaberg's design for a new 450SX?

[GMP]

I'd like to see a 2-stroke like that, with the pipe all wadded up high and protected form damage. Pipes are light and can be made even lighter if damage is not a concern, so the high position should not an issue as far as CG is concerned. Packaging is though, but I'm sure it could be done.

Yeah, its pretty amazing what Cannondale did do, they certainly were not 9 years behind a perfected design. Big mistake was trying to compete in the MX market, and the E440, the enduro bike I had, was clearly not ever developed as a woods bike. They were very stable bikes that worked well in the desert and more open terrain though. They should have just built a frame and bought a motor to start with, like GasGas started. The fit and finish on the 'Dale was excellent.