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2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Yamaha YZF450F Motorcycle Gets Performance K&N Air Filter

Replacement Air Filter for 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Yamaha YZF450F
Replacement Air Filter for 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Yamaha YZF450F
In 2010 Yamaha Motor Corporation unveiled a project that changed the motocross world for years to come. Since the sport was invented, motocross bikes have been improving rapidly year by year. Every so often manufacturers step up improvements to an un-paralleled level, this was one of those years.
Restriction Chart for YA-4510 Air Filter
Restriction Chart for YA-4510 Air Filter


The 2010 Yamaha YZF450F is a competition motocross bike which is posed to be raced in the 450 main class of disciplines such as motocross, supercross and arena cross. It is the first year ever that Yamaha has gone to fuel injection with any of its motocross bikes, but they didn't stop there. Along with a new frame design, improved suspension and body fairings, Yamaha reversed the cylinder head in hopes of changing the frame geometry to allow for an engine that sits as far forward as possible. With a forward sitting engine the main improvement is ergonomics and ease of handling in corners. When riding this bike, it feels much lighter than previous models, and slices through corners with the utmost ease.

The entire body of the bike was redesigned, making the YZF450F look more like its cousins, the R6 and R1 street bikes. Instead of having the intake system in the rear which has been the way of motocross bikes from the beginning, the reversed cylinder allows for a forward sitting ram air intake setup. The gas tanks and seat now fold up much like street bikes to expose the filter. The filter set up is a panel filter and K&N's YA-4510 is the perfect choice for a replacement air filter.

The YA-4510 was designed for the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Yamaha YZF450F. It's a one piece panel filter, just like the stock, but comes with an oiled cotton gauze media that gives you the performance and protection you need on every race vehicle. The cotton gauze for this filter uses the XD (extreme duty) media which provides a tighter weave for off-road applications. The motorcycle filter is washable, reusable and comes with a one year off-road limited warranty.  It is designed to improve the motorcycle's power and torque.  When changing to this filter, most will notice you can ride longer before needing to service the filter due to its depth loading ability that allows for more dirt to build up on the filter before significantly impacting air flow. If you want to treat your YZF450F like the cutting edge machine that it is, then the YA-4510 air filter is worth checking out.

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

Endurocross Racing Finals at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada

Taddy Blazusiak
Taddy Blazusiak
Traditionally outdoors, Enduro racing has always been a huge part of motorcycle racing. A grueling test of man and machine the challenging off-road courses go over, through and around some of the most challenging natural obstacles this planet has to offer.
Orleans Arena Endurocross Track in Las Vegas
Orleans Arena Endurocross Track in Las Vegas
This is done over hundreds of miles in some of the most remote places. Most of the challenges riders face in enduro riding would be hard to traverse by foot and they have to do it with a 200 pound machine.

This style of racing never hit the USA as hard as it did in 2004 when Eric Peronnard, a long time motorcycle promoter invented a new style of racing called Endurocross. He took the hardest most spectacular aspects of enduro and fit them all into a basketball arena. The race is formatted motocross style with riders running laps. Most of the battles in traditional enduro racing happen in woods cliffs or rivers hundreds of miles out of site from spectators. Racers put their lives on the line to compete when only other racers and forest creatures are there to bear witness. With Endurocross these same diehard racers battle it out only this time with manmade obstacles that resemble booby traps and over 10,000 screaming spectators.
Yamaha YZ250 at Endurocross Las Vegas Finals
Yamaha YZ250 at Endurocross Las Vegas Finals


As an advanced trail rider, I, K&N employee and intermediate motocross racer Justin Rastegar, thought it would be a great idea to run the amateur open. The amateur support class is part of the series and takes place at every event before the pros run the race. It is on exactly the same torturous course that the pros run, the only difference is it's against amateur level riders making for a very entertaining venue.
Endurocross Track Pond
Endurocross Track Pond
Working at a desk all day and going home to hide behind a TV gave me the false sense of self confidence to say those famous last words "that looks easy." Next thing I knew I was loading up the moto van with my good friend and fellow racer to drive out to the last event in the series the Las Vegas finals. I packed up my Yamaha YZ250 a two stroke bike and my K&N performance filter and shoved off.

When I arrived the dark cold Vegas weather foreshadowed what I was about to see at the 8 am riders meeting and track walk. As I walked the track for the first time I highly doubted my ability to even complete one lap around the arena that was more reminiscent of an Indiana Jones movie than a motocross track.
Justin Soule
Justin Soule
It didn't help that I had not slept a wink the night before, as I suited up my motocross protective gear the wrong way. All I could think about is how I was going make it through the course without damaging my bike or more importantly myself. Typical features on the Endurocross tracks are logs, tractor tires, sand, ponds and rocks (which look much smaller on TV).
Devin Davis taking moving past the tractor tires
Devin Davis taking moving past the tractor tires
I was most concerned with getting over the logs and the tractor tires since I had never done either and the tractor tires stood around 10 feet in the air and had portions of vertical angle. 5 minutes and two laps later, after practice I had a totally different take on the difficulty of the course. The tires were the easiest feature on the course, while they were mentally challenging the bike got 100% traction and climbed them with ease. The rocks were not as bad as I thought although on my first lap around I heard my name boom through the stadium over the loud speaker and in my moment of self gloating I dropped the bike in the rocks just as the spot light crested my helmet. It took all of my strength to get the bike out of the rocks because once you lose your momentum they turn into a real problem.
Colton Haaker
Colton Haaker


The real challenge of the race came in a feature that the race promoters dubbed the matrix. Getting stuck in the matrix was worse than anything Keanu Reeves had to put up with, it was pure torture. The Matrix is a series of sequoia logs placed a bike length apart from one another so once you are completely over the first one your font tire is hitting the second one and making you stuck. Unless you can skim the top of these you are inevitably going to get stuck or be uncontrollably launched from your bike onto a bed of logs something I had the pleasure of experiencing.
Ty Davis battling tractor tires
Ty Davis battling tractor tires


I finished 5 out of nine in my timed practice giving me the fifth best pick in qualifying heat. Luckily they only used my fastest lap because I spent most of my five minutes underneath my bike in the big rock section. I had beaten my friend Keaton my .55 of a second letting me get one better gate pick than him. In my qualifier I was second into the first turn and held this position all the way until I hit the matrix where I fell back to fifth. Once I got out of that wonderful section I quickly caught up to fourth place where I watched him get cock-eyed over a log and crack two ribs on an adjacent log. His misery put me in fourth which I held onto for 3 of the toughest laps I have ever done in my life. It was the first time ever in my life that looking at a dirt bike made me physically sick. Only 1 and 2 place progressed onto the main event so I was out until the last chance qualifier.

Even though I didn't end up qualifying I was not disappointed in myself finishing the race was enough for me. The whole experience was very humbling it took me back to when I first started riding when everything was a extreme challenge. When I staid to watch the pros I felt exponentially better as the best in the world faced similar challenges to me getting stuck on the rocks and in the matrix. Taddy Blazusiak the point's leader had already won the series as he rolled up the start gate. Even though he already had the series in points he ran the race as hard as he could, beating Geoff Aaron the number 2 in points. Both Geoff and Taddy made the track look easier but not effort less. Unlike a motocross race a strong lead doesn't always equate a win. The fact that the entire positioning of the race can change in the last lap of the race is what makes the series so exciting.

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

K&N T-Shirts and Apparel Available with Free Shipping for a Limited Time

K&N Classic Flames T-Shirt
K&N Classic Flames T-Shirt
K&N has expanded its premium line of apparel.  There are many styles and colors to choose from and shipping is currently free!  K&N's apparel line includes quality t-shirts, tank tops, hats and hoodies.  Sizes range from S-3XL for men and S-XL for the ladies. K&N t-shirts come in a variety of colors and designs. Whether you like a simple K&N logo t-shirtor the detailed design of the K&N 3 Skulls t-shirt, K&N's apparel store will allow you to keep your closet filled with some cool threads and best of all you can get them with free shipping.
K&N 
Rhinestone Tanktops
K&N Rhinestone Tanktops


All automotive, motorcycle, and racing apparel design and manufacturing is done at K&N in Riverside, California. To order go to K&N's Premium Apparel Store or call K&N customer support and place an order over the phone at (800) 858-3333.  Make sure you check back occasionally for new releases.

Need an air filter to go with your t-shirt?  We can help you with that also.  To find K&N products for your vehicle use the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your area.



K&N Three Skulls T-shirt
K&N Three Skulls T-shirt
K&N Womens Argyle Top
K&N Womens Argyle Top

Shell-Camino Monster Trucks - Winners - With a Monster Sized Heart

These were the lucky fans from the Brigden, Ontario event, receiving their prize.
These were the lucky fans from the Brigden, Ontario event, receiving their prize.
Snuggled in Northwest Wayne County is the bucolic city of Plymouth, Michigan, hardly the kind of place you'd expect find ogres, yet that's where you'll find Shelley Kujat's Shell-Camino Monster trucks. K&N sponsored Kujat is a professional Top Alcohol Monster Truck driver and she is every bit as passionate about devouring the competition as she is about sharing the love with her many fans.
For Shelley Kujat the only thing better than crushing the competition is handing out the K&N flag after the event.
For Shelley Kujat the only thing better than crushing the competition is handing out the K&N flag after the event.


"I have presented 34 K&N flags to some extremely excited fans after freestyle events," says Kujat. "It was so cool to see these flags come through the autograph lines at the end of the night. Several different circumstances surrounding the flag presentation have occurred. Many of the children I have given them to bring the whole family over for photos with me. Some are too excited to speak. I have presented several flags to 'Make a Wish' children that we sponsored at the events."
The Shell-Camino Monster Truck devours hapless obstacles much to the delight of the many fans.
The Shell-Camino Monster Truck devours hapless obstacles much to the delight of the many fans.


At a recent 2010 Edge Motorsports Monster Madness event, Kujat selected to give the K&N flag to a young boy in the crowd. His serene, sweet smile lit up, and stood out to Kujat amid a sea of frantically waving arms. After the show, during her autograph session, the boy's grandmother came up to Kujat and said, "You have no idea what you did by giving my boy that flag. He has Tourette's Syndrome and he was having a hard time processing what was going on, when he realized he was being given the prize he was ecstatic."

"I have received a lot of positive feedback from parents, fans, promoters, fellow drivers and building owners, regarding what a great gesture it is to give the K&N flags out," says Kujat. "It is really satisfying after a hard freestyle event to present one lucky fan with a memento of the show. Motorsport shows are all about fans. This is a nice way to let them know that we appreciate all of them. Maintenance, hard work, long nights, great sponsors and quality K&N products keeps our team in the top ranks."

"The year has been going great," adds Kujat. "The truck has held together fantastically. Racing has been consistent this year, giving the team more wins than ever. The freestyle runs are more solid since we've got the shocks dialed in. The new tires and gusseted rims allow us to go bigger and stay together with less breakage. So far this year we have done 32 awesome weekend events, where K&N products have protected the Chevy powerplant."

Last weekend the Shell-Camino participated in the Pontiac Silverdome Monster Truck Shootout. The Pontiac Silverdome is legendary in monster truck history - it's where the sport was born back in 1982 - and it's always been recognized as the Mecca of Monster Trucks and the Holy Grail of Horsepower. The show consisted of 12 top-notch trucks including Shell-Camino and the new Shell-Camino ride truck.

"It was awesome dominating the huge obstacles in front of a packed stadium. Shell-Camino held together flawlessly and finished in the top brackets," remarked Kujat.

"I am looking forward to the first quarter, with some new venues, where both trucks will be appearing at. Keep an eye on our schedule. I think next year will be a remarkable year. Thanks again to all of our fans and sponsors. Always remember "Girls Rock!"

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

Cognito Motorsports' Justin Lambert Brings Two Custom Yamaha Rhino to SEMA

Cognito Motorsports' Yamaha Rhino R1
Cognito Motorsports' Yamaha Rhino R1
The Yamaha Rhino is a utility side by side vehicle that brings recreation and utility into one vehicle for families across America. Let someone like Justin Lambert from Cognito Motorsports get their hands on one and it truns into a fire breathing dragon.
Yamaha Rhino R1 Utility Side by Side
Yamaha Rhino R1 Utility Side by Side


Lambert comes from a background in high performance early on. His father builds racing engines, drag cars, and drag boats so he grew up going fast and being very competitive. He has been custom building since a teenager working in his father's shop building a dragster chassis, sheet metal panels, and machining parts on a mill and lathe. After college he started his own business building suspension systems mainly for GM trucks and SUV's. He bought the Yamaha Rhino in 2007 and built long travel suspension for it and used the car as a marketing tool for the next couple years. Of course he needed more power so the engine was definitely getting some modifications.
Yamaha Rhino R1 in Cognito Motorsports' SEMA Booth
Yamaha Rhino R1 in Cognito Motorsports' SEMA Booth


The problem is, the Rhino engine just would not live long enough while making that much more horsepower than the stock. Lambert decided to swap the engine in the Rhino. There were several options he looked at, but his Yamaha R1 engine choice was influenced by the SR1 UTV class which had pretty much launched in the 2009 racing season.
Yamaha Rhino with R1 motor
Yamaha Rhino with R1 motor
The other benefit of using the R1 is that they make plenty of power in stock uniform and replacements are much cheaper than rebuilding a Rhino engine. An R1 engine is usually easy to find from motorcycle dismantlers.

This R1 Yamaha Rhino has been custom built from the factory lower frame rails on up. The seats had to be wider in order to fit the R1 engine between them. Thus the floor had to be widened and a custom roll cage and chassis were fabricated. Reverse is important with a weight of 1400 lbs. Since the R1 motorcycle does not have reverse, Justin used a chain driven, forward and reverse, gear box. He also used full size racing seats and safety harnesses.
Yamaha Rhino air filter
Yamaha Rhino air filter
Other details include Cognito's long travel suspension with FOX racing shocks and heavy duty Rhino front spindles which were built by Cognito. This R1 Rhino also includes a custom stainless steel header, hydraulic clutch (instead of the cable activated clutch on the R1 motorcycle), custom gear shift, fuel cell, fuel filler mount, custom radiator and shroud, seat mounts, re-located steering column (to line up with the repositioned seat), custom sheet metal doors and roof, tail light housing, fiberglass hood and fenders, ITP bead-locked wheels and ITP tires.
Cab of Yamaha Rhino R1
Cab of Yamaha Rhino R1


This R1 Rhino is fully functional, it has 14" of travel front and rear, a top speed of 100 MPH via the 6 speed transmission inside the R1 engine package, an 8 gallon fuel cell, and plenty of cooling capacity. It does not however have 4WD anymore, which does not pose a threat coming from the kind of tire speed with 130 rear wheel horsepower. The off-roading this car sees is desert riding and a lot of sand duning. Without 4 wheel drive it definitely isn't a rock crawler or mud bogger.

Lambert is not really into the custom build scene, he just mainly build his own custom projects if time allows. "This build allowed me to show off my design and fabrication skills representing Cognito Motorsports," Lambert states. "The bad thing about my being involved in custom builds, is I can't normally make much money from them. But in my position, I was also building a marketing tool for Cognito Motorsports which can be worth a lot of money if I use it properly."

Lambert built the R1 Rhino machine and Rodger from Ironworks built the intake setup including the custom flanges that capture the K&N air filter. "I have been using K&N filters on my motorcycles and quads for 20 years due to the availability, selection, quality, and performance," Lambert mentioned. "So when this custom project arose I already had K&N on my mind for the intake." His other projects normally involve building trucks with Cognito Motorsports suspension and steering components, although he is also building himself a Kawasaki Teryx setup for desert racing, and currently drawing up plans for another SR1 Rhino setup for short course racing.

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.