The Matrix Concepts Canada Pit Tour- Shawn Maffenbeier’s 2023 MX101/FXR/Yamaha Racing YZ450F
It always amazes us how fast the summer goes by once the Triple Crown Series begins. Here we are on the eve of Round 5, and it’s time for another Matrix Concepts Canada Pit Tour. This week we’re looking at one of the cleanest-looking bikes in the paddock, Shawn Maffenbeier’s 2023 MX101/FXR Racing/Yamaha YZ450F. Kevin Tyler and his MX101 Yamaha crew have always done a great job making their team bikes shine in the pits. And while the bikes look somewhat stock from a distance, up close, all of the items and the attention to detail add up to one of the best working and most durable bikes on the track.
As you will see in these stunning James Lissimore photos, it’s the little things that help to make Maff’s bike special. From the one-off Raptor footpegs to the longer swing arm to all of the very cool Yamaha GYTR parts, nothing has gone untouched on the #3 machine. Shawn Maffenbeier isn’t considered a picky rider compared to some riders in the paddock, but he likes what he likes and knows how he wants certain items on the bike to feel while battling for wins in the 450 class. So, between him and his trusty mechanic Scott “Donk” Donkersgoed, they worked extremely hard on the all-new 2023 YZ450F to get everything just right. So without any further ado, let’s dive into Shawn Maffenbeier’s race bike in this week’s Matrix Concepts Canada Pit Tour.
Shawn Maffenbeier’s 2023 MX101/FXR/Yamaha Racing YZ450F shines in the early morning sun!From the ground up, the MX101 Yamaha Team uses products they trust. Like the full range of Dunlop Tires. Like most of the top riders in the Triple Crown Series, Maff uses ultra-trick SSS Suspension. One of the coolest items on Maff’s bike is perhaps the one that is hardest to see. For this year, Maff is using a longer swingarm off a 2017 model. This modification came right from Yamaha USA as Eli Tomac was running the same set-up. The Light Speed rotor covers work good and look great. Here is another look at Maff’s swingarm as well as his Raptor footpegs. Check out how nice the Light Speed skid plate fits. Like the rest of Maff’s bike, it’s extremely clean looking. Also, Matrix Concepts Canada provides these cool looking bike stands for the entire MX101 Yamaha Team. For 2023, Yamaha offers YZ450F owners an option to buy a bolt-on GYTR hydraulic clutch system. However, with limited supply for this year, Maff chose to stick with a cable operated clutch and ARC levers. These Ride Engineering Calipers look good and work good. They’re more resistant to heat and with a larger piston, they’re able to keep a consistent feel throughout a long national moto. Another item that kind of goes unnoticed unless you’re looking closely is the Honda front brake assembly. It’s not that the stock Yamaha doesn’t work well, it’s just that Maff likes his front brake to have a certain feel and this gives it to him. These Ride Engineering 8-bolt bar clamps offer Maff the strength and durability he needs on the rough national tracks. Maff is one of the rare pro riders who run stock triple clamps on his race bike. He likes the feel of them and sees no reason to change. Also, as you can see Joe Skidd has a nickname for Shawn. As we mention above, Maff uses an assortment of cool looking GYTR parts that are available to anyone through Yamaha Motor Canada and their dealer network. Each week, everything in the engine is gone over and replaced if needed. Sometimes it’s not about the parts on a factory bike that make them special, it’s the constant attention that each bike gets. We were surprised to learn that Maff’s engine is pretty much stock. His mechanic Donk, who also owns Dialed MX, has polished all of the internal components of the engine and then checks them each week. If this is Maff’s final year of racing we’re sure going to miss the big #3. Finally, as you can see FMF handles the exhaust system on Maff’s bike, and Decal Works provides fresh custom graphics each week.