XR650R Vs. WR450F

[Bababooey]

I'm new to riding on the dirt, but have been riding streetbikes off and on for the past 17 yrs. I'm looking to get either a XR650R or a WR450F and then adding a dual sport kit. Any opinions as to one bike or the other? I searched around on the site, but didn't find too much. If anybody has any experience with both rides, or even just one, I'd love to hear your opinion.

I'm more concerned with power, and ride-ability off road than I am with on road comfort as I have a streetbike for long hauls already. I'm 6'3 and 210lbs if that comes into play.

Thanks for the help.

[Dutch]

Both great bikes, WR is quick and light, (relative), XR is FAST and very capable if set up correctly.

This is my third WR but I can't wear out the XR-R.

[bloosman]

I can't speak for the WR, save that I know a few people that have them, and are happy with them. I sorta stopped riding my XR650R for a couple years after I got my CRF450R, but recently I went street legal on the XR650R and have been riding the crud out of it. I had forgotten what an incredible bike it is.. I absolutely love riding my BRP now.

[huntmaster]

Having been looking to replace my old XR I just turned down a smokin deal on an 04' WR-450 from a local dealer. I might kick myself later, but even though the bike has been on my short list for a while...I'm having trouble warming up to it.

Generally, I take magazine testors comments with a grain of salt, but their remarks reflect my own experience riding them. The WR-450 doesn't FEEL any lighter then the 650R, and feels much heavier then it's 450 contemporaries, despite being close on paper. The recent Cycle World enduro bike comparison went so far as to call it HEAVIER feeling then the 650R! The XR carriers its weight well, the Yamaha doesn't unfortunately. And the Honda has that motor!

I want to like the WR, and with no CRF450X in sight (and no lottery winnings to buy a KTM)I was considering it. Otherwise it's reliable, well priced, good performing bike with proven durability against most designs except perhaps the XR650R. Will just have to keep waiting I guess! ?

[smashinz2002]

There is absolutely no question here, get an XR650R and forget about the yamaha. I owned a 2000 model YZ426F, which is the MX version of the WR, and it was very quick and a lot of fun. But reliability issues came up, as well as that bike being a total pain to adjust the valves, so I sold it and bought a 2000 XR650R. I still have the XR, and it has NEVER given me any type of trouble at all. I still ride it, quite often, it's street legal and has been uncorked/powered-up/jetted. The engine is awesome and bulletproof! If you get one you will never have to worry about lack of torque or power. The bike rips big time!(uncorked/jetted, not stock)

It's heavy but I don't notice it unless I hop on it after riding my KX500. And the XR does not feel slow after riding the big KX. That is saying something because my KX500 is a freakin monster.

OH yeah, adjusting the valves on the XR, which must be done periodically, is pretty easy. On the yamaha, it's a complete and total pain in the butt, with those dual cams and all that mess going on. It's horrible I hated that part most of all.

LL.

[big t]

The 650 is great. Don't let the weight scare you. It doesn't feel as heavy as it is. ?

[YamahaWR450FMike]

NO WAY! Get rid of the Honda and get that Yamaha WR. I've been on a XR650 and a CRF450 and doesn't even come close to touching the power or reliablity of the WR. Trust me, you won't be sorry!

There is absolutely no question here, get an XR650R and forget about the yamaha. I owned a 2000 model YZ426F, which is the MX version of the WR, and it was very quick and a lot of fun. But reliability issues came up, as well as that bike being a total pain to adjust the valves, so I sold it and bought a 2000 XR650R. I still have the XR, and it has NEVER given me any type of trouble at all. I still ride it, quite often, it's street legal and has been uncorked/powered-up/jetted. The engine is awesome and bulletproof! If you get one you will never have to worry about lack of torque or power. The bike rips big time!(uncorked/jetted, not stock)

It's heavy but I don't notice it unless I hop on it after riding my KX500. And the XR does not feel slow after riding the big KX. That is saying something because my KX500 is a freakin monster.

OH yeah, adjusting the valves on the XR, which must be done periodically, is pretty easy. On the yamaha, it's a complete and total pain in the butt, with those dual cams and all that mess going on. It's horrible I hated that part most of all.

LL.

[timvv51]

I have owned both and whichever you choose it will be a good bike. I think those Cycle World guys are wrong. The WR450 feels every bit of 25 lbs lighter. The WR just has a more nimble feel. Plus there is the magic button. But I would like to own another BRP just to dual sport it. I agree about the valves and the BRP has a much more comfortable seat. The WR450 will out run the BRP just about everywhere till you get over 65MPH in the dez. Just my opinion. But two years experience with the BRP and a year and a half with the WR has to count for something. Tim

[smashinz2002]

Cool, Tim, I didn't know the WR has E-start these days,duh!

And yeah you guys are right the WR/YZ is lighter and does feel lighter than the XR. But keep in mind the guy is wanting to use the bike on the street also. I'm curious too, how well the WR works on the street.

Well I know yall are right, he would probably have fun with either bike I'm sure. ?

[timvv51]

To my knowledge there is not a tire that is capable of being highly suitable to both street and dirt. Please clue me in to your favorites if you want but I dont know of any that I would run on serious single track and the turn around and run on a rain slick mountain highway. Therefore, dual purpose is a highly suspect compromise and I would only run one of these bikes on the road to connect loops or in an emergency. BUT I have plated dirt bikes and intend to do so again just for those aforementioned conditions. And I too agree I think I would rather have a BRP dual sported than a WR450. If you have the coin a KTM525EXC would probably be the ultimate. Tim

[huntmaster]

I have owned both and whichever you choose it will be a good bike. I think those Cycle World guys are wrong. The WR450 feels every bit of 25 lbs lighter.

I wouldn't have put much stock in their comments if I hadn't noticed it myself actually riding them. The Yamaha feels no lighter...and is a tank compared to it's 450 class counterparts. Don't get me wrong...as noted above I think the WR is a good bike. If you have to have the "button" the choice is moot. But between the two the Honda has THE motor, nicer suspension and "feels" no heavier. Think I'll wait and see what (if?) the CRF450X is all about!

[timvv51]

I am going to wait till the second year of the crf450x comes out. I love my WR but I will never buy another first year bike. I ditched my starter and battery after 6 months cause they were garbage. The WR is very easy bike to kick start. Also no wooduff key probs here (knock knock). I would even recomend 03 WRs as used bikes if it could be ascertained that they had never spun the flywheel on the crank. Have to respectfully disagree about the BRP handling better than the WR. Having owned both like I said the only place I give the BRP the edge is high speed dez and the WR goes fast enough for me in the dez. Man I wish that crf450x would show up. As I am getting older my main priority is something reliable that will take me way into the boonies and back and the BRP is probably gonna be a winner in that category for a long time. Tim