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WR426 compared with WR450

By poster72,
in WR400F/426F/450F

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poster72

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Ive been trying to locate an '04 WR450 for a while (hard to find) and recently found a deal on an '01 WR426. Im not familiar with this bike, can some of you give differences, advantages, disadvantages of the two bikes? Other than the 450 having the estart I know no other difference, oh other than the obvious displacement.

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FTD

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I believe a correctly tuned and set up WR426 runs better than a WR450.

I refuse to talk smack but I have seen it lots of times... just being honest. ?

The WR450 feels more nimble for sure. It has a smoother power and doesn't "hit" like the 426. Cam I guess...

I still prefer my WR426 over the 450. I like the hit.

I have rode both in most terrains... desert to single track.

I do wish I had the "button." ?

I would like to put my legs over an '05.

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dirtr1der

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FTD, nice signature!

I think they lowered the compression on the 450 by changing piston shape and that mellowed the "hit" a bit. I haven't been on one, but got the jump on one last year on a gravel road. He never caught my '02 426. He was right on my tail, though.

Both are great bikes. I'd love the magic button, but if you learn how to start these bikes, they should start on the first or second kick every time.

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PBDBLUE

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Having owned all of of them IMO each generation of 4xx has been a significant inprovement over the previous one. I currently own both an '01 WR426 and an '04 WR450. The 450 it will spank the 426 hands down. To be fair both are equipped with YZ exhaust cam timing. Handling and suspension are also significantly better on the 450 as well as having a lower center of gravity. I still like my 426 which I currently use to dual sport but for all out cross country the 450 is definitely the favorite.

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tree77

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I think you fave to factor in the $$$ difference between the two bikes.

Although I have never ridden the 450 I do own a 01' 426. I cannot say anyting negative about this bike. It is flat out incredible! Before I bought it I was worried about the "hit". It turns out that there is very little and it is VERY manageable. In fact, to me the bike is VERY fast yet VERY manageable.

Again, although I have never ridden the 450, I have a VERY hard time thinking it could be much better than the 426. The magic button on the 450 is definitley a plus but once you learn the starting procedure for the 426 the bike is a piece of cake to start. Again, how much money do you want to spend for an e-Start?

It is actually MUCH easier to start than my XR250. The 426 usually starts on the second or third kick. If you do buy the bike PM me and I will send you the starting procedure. Or you could also do a search here on TT. There are several posts relating to the starting procedure.

Tree

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CORKER

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I have an 01 and an 05. Rode them back to back. 01 was more plush because the suspension has been broken in and set to my liking. It is a great bike.....but, since I got the 05 I haven't ridden the 426 since. I have gone on a couple of long weekend rides and the 426 stayed home. I love the 05 power delivery, quiet,quiet,quiet, and the suspension cruises right over the rough stuff. Now of course the 05 is new so that has alot to do with it, but also, if both were in the same condition with no preference as to which year was which, the 05 goes on the truck and the 01 goes on the selling block.

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Grand Master

Rip Wheeler

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Ive been trying to locate an '04 WR450 for a while (hard to find) and recently found a deal on an '01 WR426. Im not familiar with this bike, can some of you give differences, advantages, disadvantages of the two bikes? Other than the 450 having the estart I know no other difference, oh other than the obvious displacement.

Well, I owned a 2001 WR426F which was YZ timed and all the free mods. It did rip real nice. I sold it only to purchase the 04 WR450F, and the only reason I did that was for the electric start. The 450 is WR timed, and the power delivery is more "linear" or even, from bottom to top, while the 426 being YZ timed had a little more ooopmh feeling, but lack in the bottom. This was all from the cam timing, otherwise, I'd say they were pretty close. I have added some extra like pipe and jetting and the 450 has more snort for sure now. But you cant go wrong either way. But you may want to consider the e start, it was a big factor for me.

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bigdrtrdr

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. I sold it only to purchase the 04 WR450F, and the only reason I did that was for the electric start.

Tell you the truth Rick I was a little confused as to why you didnt wait for the 05 Wr 450 instead of a late 04.

Not getting that boat anchor of a muffler would have been enough for me.

The 05s come stock world wide with the nice aluminum can Plus the new forks to boot.

"Quiet Power Stock" Thats a new statement for Yamaha.

There all great bikes though, I'm Just jealous you got a newer one. :naughty:

See ya at the D-100 in 4 days!

Eric

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Grand Master

Rip Wheeler

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Tell you the truth Rick I was a little confused as to why you didnt wait for the 05 Wr 450 instead of a late 04.

Not getting that boat anchor of a muffler would have been enough for me.

The 05s come stock world wide with the nice aluminum can Plus the new forks to boot.

"Quiet Power Stock" Thats a new statement for Yamaha.

There all great bikes though, I'm Just jealous you got a newer one. :naughty:

See ya at the D-100 in 4 days!

Eric

Eric, I got it new in the crate for $5399, smoking deal, as it was a model that was ending and thats why I made the move. As for that muffler, I removed it and added the FMF Powercore4 with the quiet insert and tossed in the JD kit. The FMF was atleast less than half the weight of the stocker anyway. I still have the stocker just in case. Hey, I only did it for the e-start! Oh, and I got it "plated" too! :naughty: I didnt even sell my other bike till this was a done deal and plated! In fact, it was a TT member that bought my plated 426 from me. And I'll look for your trailer over in Odessa and stop by and say hello again!

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GasAHolic

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I had an '02 WR426 and now have an '05 WR450 and think the 450 is a superior bike hands down. Sure if you're talking cost, it's significantly more. But if it's bike vs. bike, the 450 is more nimble, even smoother power curve, estart, better cam timing, no hot / cold start BS. Love the 450.

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