Selling my '04 WR 450...feedback?

[kevin1209]

I just bought a used 04 WR450 to upgrade from my 98 WR400. I really wanted the electric start so I could get away from the dreaded decompression lever on my old one. Like an idiot, I didn't do any research before I bought it. I'm 5'-7" tall, and Yamaha raised the seat height in '03 from 36" to 38". It is WAY too tall for me to ride comfortably in the dirt. I shaved the seat, but it still didn't help enough. Plus, the electric start is a major piece of sh**, in my opinion. It won't even turn the bike over 95% of the time with a freshly charged battery. The one good thing is that it kickstarts so easy, I don't even mess with the electric start. I just took my 400 for a ride Tuesday, and realized that I had a good thing with what I have. I am selling the 04 WR450 to the first person with $4,000 cash. It's all stock, except the original owner took off the back fender and put on a YZ fender. I haven't ever messed with the electric start, so it may just be user-error, but it won't start the bike. It has new handguards, new grips, and a fresh oil change. Normal plastic scrapes and stuff. I think I have it priced to sell quick. What does everyone think? Good price or not? Anyone interested?

[Stranglersfan]

can you post it to the U.K.? ? I'd snap it off ya for $4grand!!? with the strong U.K Pound, that's a VERY nice price indeed; shame about that stretch of water between us though ?

Joking apart, i was seriously looking to upgrade my 02 WR426 Supermoto to either an 04/05 maybe even an 06 if the bucks come flying in for my bikes sale? pity the 06 WR don't have the box frame like the YZF does otherwise my decision would be made. That'd be the dogs Supermotard dressed in black with a nice shiny frame. and NO! i don't want a CRF! before anyone says "if you like the box frame, go for a blah blah blah"... I like my reliable thumper, especially when it has yamaha stamped on it

As for the starter issue? hmmm? that was one of the main reasons why i wanted to upgrade, as "nipping" to the shops on my bike is a real pain in the kickin her over after every stop! Since i ride mine like a street bike, i really wanted the "easy start" option, now i'm having second thoughts? especially if the elecky start is as weak as people are saying...........

but for 4 grand! i'd definetely take the chance that it was fixable, if not i'd gladly try to snap my leg while kicking it over, the hard way..

good luck, i don't think you'll have any problem selling it for that price....

[450pmp]

The starter on my 04 wr450 hasn't given me any problems at all yet.

The two associated handlebar switches have both been broken a couple times each due to impact though (Clutch engaged and start switch).

I'm 5'9" and the height has trained me to plan ahead when stopping (watch out for ruts or low points) but doesn't affect me when I keep moving forward-I can always reach the foot pegs!

[ncmountainman]

my 04 wr450 was like new with around a grand in mods and it took 4 months to get $3200 and a case of cold bud for it i hope you do better

[hodgkins]

you know you could have it lowered a reasonable amount.I ride with a couple of vertically challenged people and both had theirs lowered.1 had 4" and the other 2" plus some seat shaving.both are much happier as well as the bikes.one rides an 04 yz450 and the other a newer kx250.

[ARin]

if you ride around rocks, you will appreciate having your feet up and out of harms way.

[Rip Wheeler]

my 04 wr450 was like new with around a grand in mods and it took 4 months to get $3200 and a case of cold bud for it? i hope you do better

Wow NC/MM, I sold my old 01 WR426F for $3700, it was 3 years old! Must be different markets I guess.

[Just034]

I just bought a 04 wr450 for 4500 with scotts tripple clamp/stabilizer/pro-tapers/utah skid plate/ and some other add ons but it was in like new condition so I was happy with the deal. In fact I saw the add here on TT classifieds.

[bg10459]

Plus, the electric start is a major piece of sh**, in my opinion. It won't even turn the bike over 95% of the time with a freshly charged battery.

Not for nothing, but that starter issue is fairly easily fixed. My 03 WR had the same issue. I thought I needed a new battery, but jetting and proper technique cured all without the need for a new one. Just kick it for the first start of the day and you're good to go.

[ncmountainman]

Wow NC/MM, I sold my old 01 WR426F for $3700, it was 3 years old! Must be different markets I guess.

and mine already had that junky starter removed? oh well,the yz suits me much better. hopefully i'll not have to sell this one t'ill yamaha comes out with fuel injection and variable timed rotary valves,might as well throw in hydraulic drive(i never liked chains and sprockets much)

[Rip Wheeler]

...might as well throw in hydraulic drive(i never liked chains and sprockets much)

Hydrostatic drive robs too much power via friction/heat. You'd have it ripped out for sprockets and chains in short order.

[SJMC_DON]

My 04' must have been assembled the same day when they opened up that crate of piece of sh** starters and started bolting them in?

Any way, it's not jetting in my case the starter is just a piece of sh**. I am going to order a new starter monday hopefully it will last a little longer than the next one.

I think your price is fair but if I wanted a WR with a magic button and it did'nt work the day I looked at the bike there would be no deal ?

I have to look back thru the posts but someone posted a link to a site that was selling OEM starter motors for $178.00. I am almost certain they over $200,00 at your local shop. Something to think about

Good Luck ?

[viggen]

like someone else stated, try lowering the bike. I would think pretty mucha new rear spring is all that's needed??

If you do keep your 98 400 consider the 03 450 exh cam mod, suppose to make starting a LOT easier!! O have a new cam to throw into my yz400, now I just need some time to swap it

[Rip Wheeler]

My 04' must have been assembled the same day when they opened up that crate of piece of sh** starters and started bolting them in

And mine must of been built after they got rid of all the pice of $hit starters. Mine has worked flawless and this is its second season. My build date is 1/04. Original battery, has lots of cranking in it everytime. I do put it in a 250 milliamp charger from time to time

[SJMC_DON]

And mine must of been built after they got rid of all the pice of $hit starters. Mine has worked flawless and this is its second season. My build date is 1/04. Original battery, has lots of cranking in it everytime. I do put it in a 250 milliamp charger from time to time

I have a brand new $90.00 battery on the shelf because I thought my original would not hold a charge but it made no difference? There just seems to be some of us out here that got a bad starter:cry:. I bought the bike in March of 04' and I think it started acting up by November that same year. Bought thru Intn'l M/C Brokers so I figured I did not have any kind of warranty recourse

Anyway, it starts on the first kick and with any luck the new starter will work good

[Rip Wheeler]

...I bought the bike in March of 04' and I think it started acting up by November that same year. Bought thru Intn'l M/C Brokers so I figured I did not have any kind of warranty recourse

Anyway, it starts on the first kick and with any luck the new starter will work good

Hey, I got mine from Zach also. As for the warranty, its not worth it. It would only be 30 days if you bought it int he US anyway, the extra cost would be way more than the starter. Hey, did you get a WA plate for your bike like I did?

[huskydoc]

My .02 on starters. I would describe myself as lazy. Having previosly owned a KX500 which if it didn't light on the first kick surely would on the 20th and a Husky TE610 that yes I could, on occasion, light with my left foot (Left sided Kick) often took a precise ritual to get lit in 1-3 kicks, when the ritual failed it would leave me out of breath. When I bought my 04 WR450 I vowed to never kick start it. My buddies w/XR650's laughed at first and now they give me dirty looks when I stretch my thumb before pushing the magic button. After a little over a year with close to 30 riding trips and multiple restarts I have never kick started my bike nor have I hooked up a charger to my battery. My starter has never failed me. I love my WR, it makes being lazy easy.

[kevin1209]

This has turned into some interesting info! I am going to try adjusting the jetting today. If that doesn't work, I guess I will look into a new starter. Good thread, keep writing.

[bg10459]

If you're going the jetting route, cold starts (with choke) will definitely be easier with a bigger starter jet. The pilot needs to be right on for hot starts (without choke)

[SJMC_DON]

Hey, I got mine from Zach also. As for the warranty, its not worth it. It would only be 30 days if you bought it int he US anyway, the extra cost would be way more than the starter. Hey, did you get a WA plate for your bike like I did?

Yeah, I got a plate. I couldn't believe how easy it was

The bike is far from legal, first thing I did was take off all the WR lights and plastic and put YZ fender and number plate on it. I am actually thinking of dual sporting my 400 and I may just use the plate for that. I really don't think Johnny Law would no any different. Then I can just paste the ORV tags from my 400 on my 450.