Yamaha Motor Australia has released an all new version of its race winning four-wheeler, the 2006 model YFZ450 hypersports ATV.

And despite major updates that include an increase in capacity and performance, new tyres, revised brakes and longer travel suspension, the new model retains the price of last year’s YFZ450 at a bargain $12,999 RRP inc GST.

Despite being one of the lightest and most powerful ATVs ever and winner of major titles in the critical US market, Yamaha engineers have made numerous important changes to the YFZ450.

To begin with, they increased the YFZ’s engine capacity to 449cc and delivered more punch thanks to a revised cylinder head design, ignition timing and carburation settings. Then they added a larger radiator to keep the hot five-valve four-stroke running cool.

Ergos are tweaked to give more room thanks to a longer steering stem, new bars and high comfort seat. Plus owners will love the trick new eccentric wheel mechanism in the aluminium alloy swingarm that makes chain adjustment a breeze.

Electric start is standard, as is a lightweight, aluminium, controlled filled die-cast, aluminium sub-frame and fully adjustable competition style suspension front and back.

The whole package has been a straight from the crate race winning proposition since its release in 2004. Now with the 2006 model updates and tipping the scales at a paltry 159kg, you’d be mad to compete on anything else.