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Any real info on the '16 WR 450 yet?

By BigBelly,
in WR400F/426F/450F

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BigBelly

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Sold my 2007 WR 450.  It was a flawless bike for me.  Ready for a new bike and am torn between the new WR and going back to a two stroke enduro model.  I would love to know more about the '16 Wr 450 but I can't find anything at all.  Tried to even sniff things out with my buddy at Yamaha and everyone is being tight lipped.  Do we have an all new bike coming out or not?  September is usually when things start coming out... anyone have any reliable news?

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Grand Master

SilvFx

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 Ready for a new bike and am torn between the new WR and going back to a two stroke enduro model. 

 

Was a two stroke guy for years, loved them.  Never owned a four stroke.  When kids showed interest in riding, I picked up '08 YZ450F for offroad/trail riding.  Hated it.  Sold it.  Bought a '10 Husberg 450 more suited for enduro riding.  Loved the motor, didn't care much for the handling.  Picked up an '07 WR450F as a step up bike for one of my kids (who wasn't quite ready).  I liked it so much I am riding it now.  Traded the '10 Husaberg 450 for a '12 KTM300 XC-W because I kinda missed that two stroke power.  First thing I noticed about the bike is the vibration through the footpegs.  Was bad for the first 30 minutes and then I got used to it.  It's fun riding the KTM 300 because it is lighter, but most of the time I find myself missing the low end power and acceleration of the WR450F.  Also threw a used Rekluse Z-start pro clutch in there after my buddy picked one up.  Love that thing.  Use it when you want, don't use it when you don't want.  Love the slingshot effect coming out of corners riding a gear higher, especially if you are in a lower traction situation. 

 

On one of our rides this year we ran out of daylight on some hard single track so, I rode the KTM 300 XC-W back on two lane paved road (bike is plated) to grab car/trailer and pick up my buddies.  Speed limit was 45-65 mph on that section of road.  Gawd that sucked.  The vibration was out of this world.  Squirrelly handling and revved out  for the most part between 55-60 mph.  Definitely was wishing that I had brought the WR450F that day.  Would have been a beautiful smooth ride as the sun was setting and 65 mph would have been no problem with either the WR450F or Husaberg FE450.

 

So all that is to say, I think after riding two strokes for decades, I may have finally made the mental conversion to a 4 stroke.  Current thinking is that I might try to trade up the 2012 300 XC-W to a 2013 or 2014 WR450F with fuel injection (I definitely liked that aspect of the Husaberg 450).

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Grand Master

KennyMc

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Was a two stroke guy for years, loved them. Never owned a four stroke. When kids showed interest in riding, I picked up '08 YZ450F for offroad/trail riding. Hated it. Sold it. Bought a '10 Husberg 450 more suited for enduro riding. Loved the motor, didn't care much for the handling. Picked up an '07 WR450F as a step up bike for one of my kids (who wasn't quite ready). I liked it so much I am riding it now. Traded the '10 Husaberg 450 for a '12 KTM300 XC-W because I kinda missed that two stroke power. First thing I noticed about the bike is the vibration through the footpegs. Was bad for the first 30 minutes and then I got used to it. It's fun riding the KTM 300 because it is lighter, but most of the time I find myself missing the low end power and acceleration of the WR450F. Also threw a used Rekluse Z-start pro clutch in there after my buddy picked one up. Love that thing. Use it when you want, don't use it when you don't want. Love the slingshot effect coming out of corners riding a gear higher, especially if you are in a lower traction situation.

On one of our rides this year we ran out of daylight on some hard single track so, I rode the KTM 300 XC-W back on two lane paved road (bike is plated) to grab car/trailer and pick up my buddies. Speed limit was 45-65 mph on that section of road. Gawd that sucked. The vibration was out of this world. Squirrelly handling and revved out for the most part between 55-60 mph. Definitely was wishing that I had brought the WR450F that day. Would have been a beautiful smooth ride as the sun was setting and 65 mph would have been no problem with either the WR450F or Husaberg FE450.

So all that is to say, I think after riding two strokes for decades, I may have finally made the mental conversion to a 4 stroke. Current thinking is that I might try to trade up the 2012 300 XC-W to a 2013 or 2014 WR450F with fuel injection (I definitely liked that aspect of the Husaberg 450).

Yeah, I had a CA plated '07 WR450. Sold it when I got my '15 300 XC-W about 10 months ago. I also have a '14 350 EXC.

Well, I sold the XC-W last month and am in the market for a current WR 450 or a 450X. Really missed the low end grunt on the 450 and the "lazy" way it allowed me to ride. I've found that is more my preference.

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Grand Master

OUTERLIMITS

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Was a two stroke guy for years, loved them.  Never owned a four stroke.  When kids showed interest in riding, I picked up '08 YZ450F for offroad/trail riding.  Hated it.  Sold it.  Bought a '10 Husberg 450 more suited for enduro riding.  Loved the motor, didn't care much for the handling.  Picked up an '07 WR450F as a step up bike for one of my kids (who wasn't quite ready).  I liked it so much I am riding it now.  Traded the '10 Husaberg 450 for a '12 KTM300 XC-W because I kinda missed that two stroke power.  First thing I noticed about the bike is the vibration through the footpegs.  Was bad for the first 30 minutes and then I got used to it.  It's fun riding the KTM 300 because it is lighter, but most of the time I find myself missing the low end power and acceleration of the WR450F.  Also threw a used Rekluse Z-start pro clutch in there after my buddy picked one up.  Love that thing.  Use it when you want, don't use it when you don't want.  Love the slingshot effect coming out of corners riding a gear higher, especially if you are in a lower traction situation. 

 

On one of our rides this year we ran out of daylight on some hard single track so, I rode the KTM 300 XC-W back on two lane paved road (bike is plated) to grab car/trailer and pick up my buddies.  Speed limit was 45-65 mph on that section of road.  Gawd that sucked.  The vibration was out of this world.  Squirrelly handling and revved out  for the most part between 55-60 mph.  Definitely was wishing that I had brought the WR450F that day.  Would have been a beautiful smooth ride as the sun was setting and 65 mph would have been no problem with either the WR450F or Husaberg FE450.

 

So all that is to say, I think after riding two strokes for decades, I may have finally made the mental conversion to a 4 stroke.  Current thinking is that I might try to trade up the 2012 300 XC-W to a 2013 or 2014 WR450F with fuel injection (I definitely liked that aspect of the Husaberg 450).

If you liked your '07 WR you will really like the 12-15 WR.  Same great motor, but it's a much better package with FI and tayloring it to your liking is easy and fun.  Probably does not have the same straight line stability as the '07, but it's close.  The low speed handling and overal suspension are miles better.  I had Precision Concepts do front and rear of my '08, but my stock '12 is better than that and I've hardly turned a clicker so far.  They are great bikes and truly bulletproof. 

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Grand Master

grayracer513

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There are still tons of '15's on the floor, and some dealers still have '14's 

 

Until they move them out the door, we won't hear a thing.........it's that simple.

 

Nonsense.  Leftovers are the dealer's problem, not Yamaha's.  The new models come out every year on schedule regardless of how many 1, 2, or 3 year-old models are still hanging around.  When I bought my son's '06, I was offered a "screaming deal" on an '02 426, still in the crate.

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Grand Master

Chaconne

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Nonsense.  Leftovers are the dealer's problem, not Yamaha's.  The new models come out every year on schedule regardless of how many 1, 2, or 3 year-old models are still hanging around.  When I bought my son's '06, I was offered a "screaming deal" on an '02 426, still in the crate.

Well if there are still a lot of 14s and 15s on the floor there should be a lot of good deals to be had...

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