Project Bike - 2011 YZ450FCopy and photos by Scott Henderson. No matter what discipline of motorcycling you are in, whether it's road racing, enduro, trail riding or motocross, having a motorcycle that not only performs well, but is durable, good looking and fits within your budget constraints can sometimes be a problem.
Moto-media.net wants to connect riders with the latest products in development, putting the product through a true test of performance, quality, durability and style.
Welcome to the moto-media.net 2011 Project Bike.
I started Motocross on a Yamaha and have been riding one ever since. The brand decision was easy and in order to keep up with evolution the bike it would have to be EFI. So it was settled, we purchased a 2011 YZ450F with support from Yamaha New Zealand and North Harbour Yamaha.  Yamaha’s revolutionary new rearward facing cylinder YZ450F is an incredible piece of engineering and offered us the perfect opportunity. Although now day’s bikes are excellent out of the crate, riders still have a desire to push the limits and make their bike better. So our mission was to develop a bike, well rounded enough to make any rider proud to call it their own both on and off the track. This bike would allow us to form the basis of our tests, to trial and review products online, over a 6-month plus period.
So we’ve set-out in search of quality products, both domestically and internationally on a limited budget, with the aim of informing consumers just what is out there in the market, what they should expect to pay for it and how it performs and holds up.
After a quick chat with the guys over at GYTR we quickly got the ball rolling with a wad of products including a GYTR Power Tuner, Clutch Cover, Sprockets, Engine Plugs, Oil Fill Cap, Air Filters, Grip Doughnuts as well as Pivot Clutch and Brake Levers.
Next on our list was a Pro Circuit T-4R and Shayne King at Crown Kiwi Enterprises was happy to help out and we had a Renaissance Chamber model strapped on in no time.
Nationwide Accessories also came to the party with a set of Pirelli MS32 Tyres as well as a set of Heavy Duty Tubes.
Next we approached Precision Lazer Cutting about bead blasting our ignition cover, a common issue with the Yamaha Covers is they are coated with a fine magnesium paint which flakes off easily so bead blasting is a great option giving a great satin silver finish which won't show wear and tear.
Northern Accessories, through North Harbour Yamaha, also hooked us up with a set of Renthal Twinwall 996 handlebars and Renthal Half Waffle grips.
Elf Lubricants, who have been our sponsor for years, also came to the party and offered us a full range of product - motor oil, chain lube, grease, foam filter oil and brake cleaner.
A 450 has a lot of power and holding onto
it is not easy for the smaller riders so Dr. Trim put on a pleated seat
cover adding the much needed
extra grip. They are located in Morrinsville and offer a very quick
service and can basically do anything. Re-cover, gripper cover, raising
or lowering, pleating, humps, steps, you name it.
Rhys Henderson is owner and operator of Graphic Creation a sign writing business and relatively recently an emerging motocross graphic company located in North Harbour. When they heard about our project they were more than happy to get involved and came up with a wicked design and did all the installation as well making sure it was on well and wouldn't come off anytime soon.
And the result? I thought you’d never ask…
 
  I hope you like it, we sure do. And only a month into the project we’re just getting started, as we will break down the bike into individual products and review each, promoting awareness of where you can get the products and how they hold up. We will also continue to develop the bike, acquiring new products and promotion their awareness and reviewing them as we go.
Products or services we’ve got our eye on:
 North Harbour Yamaha: www.northharbouryamaha.co.nz/index.php Elf Oils: www.elf.co.nz Crown Kiwi Enterprises: www.crownkiwi.co.nz Graphic Creation: graphiccreation.co.nz GYTR: www.yamaha-motor.co.nz Procut: 0800 4776288 or 021 942039 Renthal: www.northern.co.nz Pirelli, Tsubaki & EBC: www.nwa.co.nz/ Precision Lazer Cutting: www.precisionlasercutting.co.nz Drury Performance Centre: tires.co.nz/accessories.htm Shift, Fox & CV4: www.sportspro.co.nz Lightspeed: www.lightspeedperf.com Dr Trim: http://www.drtrim.co.nz |
