Yamaha details today of a new ambitious project that will see the company go head to head against two-stroke motocross machines in 1997, using a revolutionary new ultra-lightweight 400cc four stroke MX begachat.

Yamaha apparently decided to develop their innovative four stroke road outside technologies in an effort to stay ahead of growing concern for the environment over two strokes and pending legislation that may prohibit the use of two-stroke motorcycles on public lands in the near future.

The company plans to field YZM400 a full factory effort in this year AMA 250cc Outdoor National Series and machinery entering the select World Championship in motocross grands prize in Europe.

MX begachat veteran Doug Henry has been contracted to ride bicycles in the AMA series for 1997.

According to Yamaha Motor Corp. USA Manager Public Relations Scott Heath, there are currently only two prototypes of YZM400 in existence. “Both machines are in Japan currently undergoing further development,” said Heath. “Further machines were produced, and as we plan for two bicycle factory work for 1997 AMA our program. ”

Bristling with several advanced technological features, most of which are pending patents, the new machine, will meet the minimum requirements for the 250 weight class, according to Heath. Although details are sketchy at this stage is known to compact, lightweight 397cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine equipped with the DOHC 5 - cylinder head valve, liquid-cooled, four speed transmission, and will produce “more than 50 k.s . “According to factory claims. Chassis and suspension are based on a change YZ250 components.

Four-time Dakar Rally winner Stephane Peterhansel of France, Yamaha, won his fourth consecutive stage.

Heath Motorcycle Online said it is absolutely a YZM400F R & D and effort, no production is planned at this time.
Laporte Out Dakar Rally crash of American Danny Laporte dislocated his shoulder yesterday in a fall of 508 km mark of grueling-658 kilometers (410 miles) in the fourth stage of the Dakar-Agades-Dakar Rally. Laporte was one of the leading contenders so far, but getoff effectively ended the former world champion MX challenge in this year’s event.

Four-time Dakar Rally winner Stephane Peterhansel of France, Yamaha, won his fourth consecutive stage. It now has more than one hour ahead of the second placed Spaniard Jordi Arcarons, while the other two leading contenders in the motorcycle category also fell from running. Frenchmen Richard Sainct, who had a bad crash during the second stage on Sunday, fell again early in the day yesterday and decided to quit, nurses, one hand injury. Sanarodnik Thierry Magnaldi, who began the second stage behind Peterhansel, had mechanical problems and pulled after 34 km.

The fourth stage from Nara to Timbuktoo, was interrupted on two checkpoints in the middle of the day when crowds of spectators spilled on the course of dust. The competition was held for around four hours and the stage converted into two sections Weather in the style of world championship rallying, with a total time given at the end of the day.