2005 wr450 vs 2005 450exc

[ADAM_3rd]

I'm looking for first hand riding experiences,and an unbiased opinion.which bike handled and rode the best in all conditions,wet, mud,roots,and tight single track. ?

[ADAM_3rd]

OK SO NO ONES RODE THEM BOTH? how about the 04 models. ?

[Indy_WR450]

Hard to get an unbiased opinion on this forum! ?

[jerryls]

Try the "What Bike Should I Buy" forum at ktmtalk. This question seems to pop up about once a week.

I can't give you the exact comparison you're looking for, but I own the '04 WR and have ridden a '04 KTM 525 (basically the same as the 450, just more displacement). Once you do the free mods on the WR, it compares pretty favorably with the KTM power-wise. KTM seems smoother in the power delivery. Other than that, I didn't notice a whole lot of difference. Both are difficult in really tight trees, but pretty good everywhere else.

If you're going to spend $6-$7K on a bike, go ride both. I'd get the '04 WR over the '05 WR. The changes are not that substantial, and you get a bigger tank on the '04. With $1K you save, you can buy a truckload of goodies to put on it.

[BigE]

I was having some work done on my 03 wr450 and my buddy let me race his 04 450exc. Surprisingly the bikes stacked up pretty evenly. The KTM has a little smoother delivery. My WR had more grunt in first gear. The KTM had a longer first gear. Both bikes will top out as fast as you need to go on top end.The big difference was 2nd and 3rd gear. The yamahas 2nd gear is awesome for southeastern trails.It is very responsive where as the ktm kind of rolled on.The KTM's magic button is automatic.My yamaha seems to have more potential for racing but if you were just trail riding I cant say you would go wrong either way so save the money and buy blue. Just for the record I was damn glad to be back on my yamaha the following Sunday.

[Indy_WR450]

My brother and riding buddy both have KTM 525's and I too am so glad to get back on the Yamaha after riding orange. ?

[davidm]

Indy, The only reason you got back on that Blue Parts

Special is I made you get off my 525 Orange Orgasm !!

david ?

[Indy_WR450]

Hey David, I see you had to start over with a new TT handle. ? I just think blue bikes fit my riding style better. ?

[davidm]

I agree, you do great with the Mr Blue !!!!

? :cry: ?

Your friend David

[Rocky_Mountain_Racer]

I have rode KTM's since 2001. I bought an 04 wr450 this spring and could not get use to the top heavy feel, so I bought an 04 450 exc. If you ride more open terrain the wr is a great bike but for real tight stuff I would take a KTM every time. ? :cry:

[Indy_WR450]

I agree the blue is handicapped in tight woods. But then again so are most 450's. If all you did was ride tight woods I would get a CR250X. That is one awesome light feeling great handling bike! ?

[kurtdb1]

Try the "What Bike Should I Buy" forum at ktmtalk. This question seems to pop up about once a week.

I can't give you the exact comparison you're looking for, but I own the '04 WR and have ridden a '04 KTM 525 (basically the same as the 450, just more displacement). Once you do the free mods on the WR, it compares pretty favorably with the KTM power-wise. KTM seems smoother in the power delivery. Other than that, I didn't notice a whole lot of difference. Both are difficult in really tight trees, but pretty good everywhere else.

If you're going to spend $6-$7K on a bike, go ride both. I'd get the '04 WR over the '05 WR. The changes are not that substantial, and you get a bigger tank on the '04. With $1K you save, you can buy a truckload of goodies to put on it.

actually there are a few BIG changes for the 05 WR450...ex: lower center of gravity...48mm forks (instead of 46) front brak ehose re-route...better plastic formula (i'll believe it when i see it) and slimmer profile. OOOOPS cant forget the new sized exhaust ports (smoother throttle response)...and other weight saving things like new swing-arm...other but cant remember all right now.

[mikst]

How is the durability if you compare the bikes?

Aggressive camshaft lobs in KTM and Husaberg, similar parts, give valve train wear and damage the valves/cylinder head. I don’t know if the last HP is worth that?

If you want power, KTM 525 EXE should be your first choice. With this bike you have no trouble to follow in the MX races. It delivers the power smoothly and is easy to handle. In the trail a 250 or a 450 is much better.

What I have heard Yamaha get credits due to the excellent suspension. Lot of complaints on the –04 WP there I ride.

[Indy_WR450]

The Yamaha valve train on the WR is very reliable! ?

[Dan_Lorenze]

It looks like we could all agree that the 04 and older model WRs might be on the top heavy side. The biggest changes on the 05 models are to combat that issue. Until I ride the 05 WR I can't make a comparison between the two bikes. The 04 and 05 WRs are different so it's unfair to compare apples to apples.