Yamaha has announced a new anti-theft feature for its four-stroke off-road bikes – an app on the rider’s phone enables only the authorised user to start the engine, after entering a password. Yamaha describes the anti-theft app as an ‘industry first.’

Available as standard on all of its 2026 full-size four-stroke off-road bikes – that’s the road legal enduro WR250 and 450F, and the off-road only YZ250 and 450F – the app allows the user to communicate with the bike, and all they have to do is install it on their phone. The bikes’ existing CCU (communication control unit, a small black box which communicates between the ECU and outside world) can disable the ECU if needed.

It does this by Wi-Fi, so there’s no need for a phone signal. To unlock the ECU, the user just gives the starter button a prod to wake up the bike, pairs the CCU and phone, then enters a password (chosen by the user). Without that, the engine will turn over but not start.

Yamaha admits that thieves could still carry the bike off and replace the ECU and CCU to get it going but reckons the hassle and expense will put off opportunists.

Jim Freeman, chair of the BMF applauded this use of available technology to combat bike crime. “This sounds like the sort of low-key tech that actually works. How long will it take tech savvy hackers to find work arounds? I’m guessing a matter of months, we’ll see, but full marks to Yamaha for making the effort. ”

Written by Peter Henshaw

Top image courtesy of Yamaha