Just picked up a 2006 WR450. What do I need to know?

[condor74]

It looks like I will soon be picking up a 2006 WR450.  I am traiding my Jeep Cherokee for it.  The bike supposed to be fairly low hours but I dont know if the factory speedo/odometer has an hour meter.  The bike is all allegedly all stock.  I will see it in an hour or 2.

 

I guess my first question is what are problem areas with this bike?  I have read about modifying or replacing the the throttle stop and also exhaust modificatoins and rejetting. 

 

My current bikes are a 2004 CRF250X which I love, My 2002 KX250 which I also love.  This will be my first time owning a Yamaha dirt bike.  I did used to have a 2006 Raptor which my wife and daughter rode.  

 

I will probably be selling one of my bikes as when this trade deal came up, I was mainly trying to sell my Jeep.  

[D-rek07]

I have the same bike. The bike I have already had the throttle screw. It is either just a shorter screw or the YZ screw. I'm pretty sure it is just the YZ one. Also, research the grey wire mod. 

[FORMA MOTO]

Read all the pinned posts at the top of the forum

[condor74]

I just rode it up and down the street.  It seems pretty quick actually.  How can you tell if throttle screw has been done?  This is my first Yamaha and my first 450.  I have had lots of 2 strokes and my one CRF250X which I bought new.   The throttle seems to twist the same amount as my other bikes.  I havnt had it in the dirt yet  but it feels every bit as fast as my KX250 blasting down my alley.  It also does feel very heavy.  

[D-rek07]

Obviously one is shorter but I don't know how much. Next time I go home, I will measure mine and see what it is. That won't be for a few weeks though. Hopefully someone else will know how long it is. 

[redhurricane]

You would know if the throttle stop was still in, limits throttle to about half. If seat of the pants feels close to the speed of your 250 2t, it's likely removed. Do the free mods, ride the wheels off it. I have a 2006, and am on my second top end. ORIGINAL CLUTCH still. How it lasted this long is beyond me. grease all the pivot bearings and wheel bearings/heatset. stock stem bearings were usually under lubricated from the factory and people neglect them.

[condor74]

Thanks for the advice on the pivot bearings. I will definitely check that.

[eRRmmm]

Thanks for the advice on the pivot bearings. I will definitely check that.

 

I just picked up a 2005 WR450, looked in ok shape from the outside.  Here's what the swingarm bearings looked like...

 

 

linkage bearings were not much better but seized in - needed heat, a good vice and some aggression to get them out.

 

It now has new swingarm/linkage/shock bearings, wheel bearings and seals, tubes (inside of rims were full of corrosion), rim-locks, tyres, chain, sprockets, chain slider, radiator fluid, brake fluid, brake pads and of course oil and filters.  He recently had the fork seals replaced by his dealer and it appears there is fresh grease around the headstem so I haven't done that yet, but will check it soon.  Valves are well in spec ?

 

Pressure washers.... shiny on the outside, rusty on the inside. ?

[redhurricane]

Yes- all the pivot bearings are suspect to this. swingarm bolt goes through the frame and case- neglect those bearings and you'll find yourself cutting the bolt out of the frame. I've seen this more than once on used bikes.

[Parx_400]

I just picked up a 2005 WR450, looked in ok shape from the outside.  Here's what the swingarm bearings looked like...

 

 

linkage bearings were not much better but seized in - needed heat, a good vice and some aggression to get them out.

 

It now has new swingarm/linkage/shock bearings, wheel bearings and seals, tubes (inside of rims were full of corrosion), rim-locks, tyres, chain, sprockets, chain slider, radiator fluid, brake fluid, brake pads and of course oil and filters.  He recently had the fork seals replaced by his dealer and it appears there is fresh grease around the headstem so I haven't done that yet, but will check it soon.  Valves are well in spec ?

 

Pressure washers.... shiny on the outside, rusty on the inside. ?

Mine looked like that on an 06. Bike was on the coast. Still had the stock tires on it (and stock swing arm/ linkage lube). 

[still2smokin]

When buying any bike more than a few years old , I just assume it needs all new

bearings and a oil change on the boingers so I try to work that into what a used

bike is worth to me.

 

From what I have read and seen , these bikes come way under greased from the

factory/dealerships and its rare that people take apart brand new bikes to properly

grease them.

 

I picked up my 05 about 2 years ago and tore it apart to find all the bearings were toast

on a " low hour , well maintained bike "  (? ?  ).

 

I think the bearings were about $250 (wheel F&R , steering , linkage , swing arm ,

linkage and shock ) and are well worth the $$ .

 

In fact that reminds me......      

 

Its time to re-lube them again.

[condor74]

I will go through the bearings as soon as I get  a chance.  I took it for a little ride today.   It ran ok.  Once it was warmed up it seemed to ride ok but there was an annoying flame out problem that got real old real fast.  Why do bikes always flame out when you are leaned over or climbing a amall hill?  lol It feels like it could use some jetting and maybe some opening up of the air box and exhaust. 

[condor74]

Took it for another ride today.  The bike seemed to run very good today. I changed the way I was riding it a bit and had good results.  I kept the RPMs a bit lower and worked to keep the bike in the meat of the power band.  I had a very good time.  The bike does not really like revved real high and I liked having it in the mid throttle area to avoid the dreaded flame out.  Doing that the bike ran excellent.  I had a lot of fun leaning it over and letting the back end stear it around corners.  I am so used to riding my KX250 and my CRF250X that I was not used to letting the power build from a lower rpm.  The best thing I can compare it too is I used to have a 2006 Yamaha Raptor 700. It made power from engine size vs revving the motor up.  It was fuel injected though and did not have the flame out issue. Now if I can only get it plated here in CA.

Edited November 2, 2013 by condor74