Perfect WR450 (at a price)

[WhiteLightning]

All-

I know its been done before but never in just one post. I have an 04 wr450 that I play with in the woods - not high speed, more technical. Its street registered and insured, but I haven't built up street wheels yet. (yes I do SuperMotard - but its a Vertemati).

I'm not much of a woods rider but thats what this bike is for. I'm learning slowly. I've known bikes my whole life and would like to set this one up close to my needs, so I'm coming to you'all for advice. Here are my thoughts: (oh, please treat me like a dummy, maybe this can be WRs for dummies?)

1. Should I drop the factory odometer and use something useful? If so, recommendations (and a replacement spacer?)

2. I should swap the triples to raise the bars, and fit "fat" bars. Which ones are total bolt on for the 04, including the little odometer (unless you tell me swap for a real computer)?

3. Gotta kill that dopey brake routing, need rec on new cable.

4. 6'1" 200#, should I put in new springs? (feels ok, but I'm not a dirt diehard)

5. Its gotta be quite (private lands and I like my neighbors), quitecool or PMB?

6. What other toys do I need (need is an interesting word)? I think a steering damp, maybe some airbox holes? I like light, and I like trick. This ain't no dakar rally bike, no big tanks or bags needed.

Thank you in advance!

WL

[WhiteLightning]

Already reply'n to myself.

Other thoughts. Wouldn't mind advice on a weekend riding school (I'm in the north east, but I could travel).

I would love suggestions on where to buy stuff etc. (online links whatever)

And, if there are other cool toys I must have for the WR, I'm game. I have some money allotted and I like to tinker... I no longer have any heavy tools (press, or millng machine) but I do have air tools and the like so I'm not against doing a bit of work to the bike.

WL

[Mike_Desrochers]

Hey WL, I have a 2002WR426, 6'2 200lbs. I changed the springs,rebound and compression in both front and rear. It made a huge difference as far as bumps in the single tracks. It holds a straight line, before that, it was like riding a sponge.

Good Luck!

MD

[PBDBLUE]

All-

1. Should I drop the factory odometer and use something useful? If so, recommendations (and a replacement spacer?)

2. I should swap the triples to raise the bars, and fit "fat" bars. Which ones are total bolt on for the 04, including the little odometer (unless you tell me swap for a real computer)?

3. Gotta kill that dopey brake routing, need rec on new cable.

4. 6'1" 200#, should I put in new springs? (feels ok, but I'm not a dirt diehard)

5. Its gotta be quite (private lands and I like my neighbors), quitecool or PMB?

6. What other toys do I need (need is an interesting word)? I think a steering damp, maybe some airbox holes? I like light, and I like trick. This ain't no dakar rally bike, no big tanks or bags needed.

Thank you in advance!

WL

Heres my .02 -

1) The factory odometer works ok but it's a pain to zero since you have to roll it back all the way by hand. The Trailtech unit is nice and has a lot more info like avg speed, max speed etc and is super easy to zero.

Trailtech

2)Replace the triples and put on your favorite fat bars (protapers) with a bit more rise for your height. You might consider the Scotts triple clamp since it mates up with their stabilizer. I don't know if they will accept the stock odo or not.

3)I'm still running the stock brake routing. There are a couple of companies selling CR style hoses. Fastline is one.

4) For your weight I think your ok with the stock springs. I weigh 180 and run a 5.6 rear spring but I do mostly very aggressive desert riding. I think for trail use you'll be ok but maybe someone more familiar with technical trails can chime in here.

5)I like the YZ exhaust with the PMB endcap on my desert bike and a GYT insert in the stock WR can on my dual sport. The YZ exhaust has much better performance but may be a bit loud for your application. The GYT is reasonably quiet (<96 db)and performs pretty well but does give up a bit of performance. PMB sells an insert as well that is supposed to perform a little better than the GYT. Of course there is the FMF 'Q' and the White Bros E-2 if you want to spend a bit more.

6)I highly recommend a steering dampener. I have a Scotts that I use on both my bikes. Won't leave home without it. It has saved my butt more times than I can count. You can get a package deal (see item #2) from Scotts that includes Protapers, triple clamp and the dampener. There are others on the market that I'm sure are good as well but I don't have experience with them.

Have fun!

[RichieGoatGruff]

The Scotts clamp(upper) is nice and everything bolts on. Trail Tech sells a decent speedo/computer, and a "dashboard" that works/looks good and they have tall perches for it. I have all the above on my 03WR(except stock height perches)and am pretty happy with it.

You need a stiffer rr spring....I'm 210# and have a 5.6kg/mm rr spring. Front are stock.

I have a GYT-R insert but want to try the quietiscool insert, it looks like it'd flow better.

And Pro-Tapers are de rigeur-gotta have them....

[Math]

Can't add a lot more but the best spacer you can put to replace the original speedo is the YZ spacer... You can also choose to put a little rubber cap on the rotating part and leave it there on the wheel.

If you are new to woods riding you might want to think to three essentials for your WR: 1) Hand Guards 2) Rad Guards 3) Skid Plate. I'd put that on my bike even before all you mentioned (pipe mods, dampener, braking line...).

Just my humble opinion. ?

Wish you a lot of fun

[beezer]

Who needs radiator guards?

A new radiator is only 290.00.