2016 wr450 instead of an fx ?

[chelder]

Hey Chelder. Bike looks great, neighbour.

I'm also putting on a Yamalink. I've talked to Dan at YL and he said the link off the traded YZ250FX '15 will work fine on the WR450F '16, only a mm or two difference. He said to set the the rider sag carefully and I'd be sweet. Concensus seems to be around 118mm rider sag. Seems a lot but I'm not arguing with the experts.

Are you planning on fitting a new shock spring? Lowering links reduce the effective spring rate by around 15% so a 15% stiffer spring is needed to bring the rear end back to an effective OEM spring rate. I'm fitting a 5% stiffer spring with my YL to give me 10% softer shock spring rate. I have a Factory Connection Spring ready to go on. I plan on fitting 10% softer fork springs to balance the whole bike. Also fitting softer secondary chamber springs to add a further level of plushness. I'm a starving-chicken 75kg so respringing essential. All reviews suggest that the bike is setup for an 85kg rider, not the usual Yamaha 75kg Rider.

I see a yellow 60th Anniversary bike in your pics. Not tempted? My dealer is bringing in both yellow and blue and I get to choose. Heading towards the blue. I've got a blue Ti FMF arriving so might look a little 'bright' on the yellow bike.

Gazza.

Hey Gaz, I'm running the Kroozetune 30mm link I haven't used it yet plan on running it Wednesday and Thursday like you I am only a lightweight 73kgs I fi d the shock a bit stiff if my YZF is anything to go off I believe it has the same stock Spring rate so hopefully keep the link will sort it just nice, 118mm of race sag seems excessive I will start out at about 108mm and work from there.

The fork rate will hopefully stay the same I like my forks a bit stiffer generally I do about 10-15 hours on stock suspension before sending it off to a tuner so once I put a few hours on it I'll let you know how it goes.

I'm not a big fan of the yellow at all sorry blue only for me haha!

[Ghazzah]

I have to agree re the Yellow/White. Looks like a kid's lolly. Willy Wonker's latest creation. I know that it is a special anniversary retro livery etc, rare as rocking horse poo etc, but, nah. Blue for me too. I'd just look too needy riding around on the yellow one. Look at me, look at me! ;-) Mind you, it would make me more visible to the fast guys as they screamed up behind me on the trail. Gaz = Mobile Chicane. 

 

I ran the Yamalink Trail with the stock FX spring and unmodified forks and hated it. Just felt like the arse was dragging everywhere, even with the recommended 3mm lowering of the triples. The moment I softened the front, I felt so much more confident. Different strokes for different folks (small suspension joke...see what I did?). 

 

118 has been reported by a number of reputable publications saying that these YZ-based bikes can handle it, giving more high speed stability without sacrificing turn-in speed. We'll see. 

 

Agreed re the bed-in of the suspension before working on things. I soften all of the clickers right off and just go play while everything beds in. I'll probably have a go at the forks myself when the time comes. I managed to bumble my way through the FX forks without screwing things up too badly. Quite enjoyed the exercise, if I am honest. 

 

I'm a hobbit-like 170cm so need to lower the bike. They are a tall beast stock. I am a medium skill rider (on a good day) so any sacrifice in handling by lowering the scooter is seriously not noticed. 

 

Later, Gaz. 

[Hans Schmid]

Nice job Monk. I fitted a Cyclops LED to my Sertão, what a light! They knock HIDs out of the ballpark, and quartz halogen are not even worth mentioning. I've ordered a Cyclops for the WR. Super simple install, only one small module to find a home for. What are your thoughts on water protection for the Cyclops? Will they survive off road immersion? G.

Water is no issues. I mentioned mud falling into the fan and he suggested putting something like a small layer of panty hose over the fan and it'll work fine...

[Ghazzah]

Thx, Monk. Good idea. Just wondering about the pantyhose melting on the heat sink on the back of the bulb assembly? I must admit that I've never touched the heat sink after use someo idea if they get hot or not.

[Hans Schmid]

Thx, Monk. Good idea. Just wondering about the pantyhose melting on the heat sink on the back of the bulb assembly? I must admit that I've never touched the heat sink after use someo idea if they get hot or not.

Daryl said it wasn't a problem... There is another part (and for the life of me I can't remember what he called it) about 3in from the bulb that get pretty hot too. When I touched it after last nights run session, it wasn't 'that' warm so I'm not too concerned. Again, on the stand she works awesome. I'll get some riding in at night over the next couple of days and that should really determine the durability...

Meanwhile, I'm just bolting this up now...

[Hans Schmid]

Here is the bulb...

[Ghazzah]

Good lord, man! Look at those moth-burners! Colour me impressed. The Bulb looks quite different to the one I installed in the Sertão. Just ordered mine off Rocky Mountain. Should be here soon. The parts are starting to stack up in the garage, all I need now is the damned bike! Come on, Yamaha NZ. They are holding off releasing the new model while they try to unload the '15. Grump.

[Summit]

Back to the original post, now I'm thinkin 450fx with a light kit. Question, where to buy the light kit and can you get a tail light/brake light? As mentioned, I can plate an fx here in Montana so that's not a concern, just want a headlight and tail light with brake light. Might be easier than uncorking and piping a wr.

[Hans Schmid]

Back to the original post, now I'm thinkin 450fx with a light kit. Question, where to buy the light kit and can you get a tail light/brake light? As mentioned, I can plate an fx here in Montana so that's not a concern, just want a headlight and tail light with brake light. Might be easier than uncorking and piping a wr.

BajaDesigns and Tusk both make kits. All relative to what you want to spend...

Edited February 21, 2016 by Monk