Wr450 Vs 450exc

[hollywood_72]

So I'm thinking about getting back into the off-road world of motorcycles and have been looking at a "05" and "06" Yamaha WR450F. With the "05" pricing at $5618 out the door and the "06" at $6254 out the door.

The other bike I've been looking at is a "05" KTM 450exc for $6042 out the door. Not knowing much about KTM's does that sound like a good price?

Does anyone have experience with Yamaha and KTM that could give me a real world comparison. (i.e. reliability, maintenance, value, ect…)

My plans are for trail riding and some hair scramble/gncc style racing at a local track that uses parts of their motocross track and a woods section for an hour-long race.

Thanks,

Kennedy

[Indy_WR450]

My buddy TT member DavidM has a new 2006 KTM450EXC and my other buddy TT member WRer has a new 2005 WR450. The KTM still turns quicker than the Yamaha even though both feel just as light now. You would want to change the triple clamps on the WR to quicken up the steering for tight woods of Michigan. The KTM still has a better woods supsension but the Yamaha is greatly improved from the 03/04 years when it was labeled that WR stood for "wrong rut". Reliability is comparable but the edge would have to go to Yamaha for overall reliability. Both are great bikes. If you are price sensitive I would go with the blue bike it now comes with good bars and chain that it did not have in years past. ?

Applied 22.5 mm off set clamps make the YZ/WR turn on a dime!

[tony1970]

I have ridden both. KTM has one heck of a bike, but I did not like the rear linkless suspension. Felt mushy and tracked funny to me, but that is just me. The WR takes more work to get to 100% but I am a tinkerer so did not mind. You cannot lose with either of them, but you might be called a pump-kin on the KTM. ?

[tigerowner_ut]

I don't think there is a bad 450 out there anymore. Most models are just refined since their introduction. I am still a bit unsure about the Hondas valve life but I would own any of the others out there. Every shootout I hear about round the world has a different winner. Point is that a good dealer is more important than most other factors. We all change bars, clamps, tires, pegs.... to get our bikes how we want them so minor ergo differences are no big deal. Most of us cannot ride the least powerfull bike within 80% of its potential.

[Bamster]

The other bike I've been looking at is a "05" KTM 450exc for $6042 out the door. Not knowing much about KTM's does that sound like a good price?

My buddy TT member DavidM has a new 2006 KTM450EXC The KTM still turns quicker than the Yamaha even though both feel just as light now.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't there a big difference in handling between the 05 and 06 450 exc's? I think if you want the better handling bike for 05 the KTM 400 exc is route to go. The 06 450exc's do handle more like the 05 400 exc's. I have not tried either but I have ridden the 05 300 exc 2 stroker and is the best bike I have ever slung a leg over..

[Texas4play]

If I had to decide on a new 450 at this point I would go for the 2006 KTM XC450

[Indy_WR450]

If I had to decide on a new 450 at this point I would go for the 2006 KTM XC450

make sure it has the XC-W designation for an EXC style gearbox if you go that way! ?

[elton]

make sure it has the XC-W designation for an EXC style gearbox if you go that way! ?

XC-W is a 2-stroke designation; in 4-strokes there are EXC/XC/SX's.

In 2-strokes; XC are close ratio, XC-W is wide ratio.

The 450xc doesn’t have the MXC close ratio tranny, its has different ratios(1st/2nd are the same as the EXC, 3rd-6th are like the MXC); compelling for faster GNCC tracks, along with it's quicker revving short-stroke motor (more similar to the SX motor -- the 525XC however is a recycled MXC motor and tranny).

Elton

[Chas_M]

Note that the 1st gear in the 450 XC is slightly higher than the EXC 1st gear, i.e. close to the EXC but inbetween the EXC and MXC 1st and 2nd gears.

[sorbs]

Get the 06 YZF450...it is the best of the best.

[pkcof]

It's pretty hard to go past either of these bikes and i certainly wouldn't want to bag the KTM. I was also tossing-up which of there would be mine for the next few years and the Yamaha scored only by the slimmest of margins. Price, dealer location, reputation for longevity and ease of parts (at reasonable prices) just swayed me toward the 'Blue' - but, ride them both, make your own decision and you'll be happy with whichever color you choose.

[kskyles]

KTM's are great bikes. I currently own one. I'm pretty happy with it, but parts are a problem. I can get them online, or from a dealership here in town. For the most part, I'm not happy with the wait times and pricing for the parts.

I just bought a WR, but don't regret buying a KTM. If you can wait for parts and don't mind paying a little extra, then it's not a problem.

[Chas_M]

I don't find most KTM parts to be that much more expensive than Japanese parts, plus KTM's rarely need replacement parts.

[Johnny34]

They both rock. Pick a color and go ride!

[hollywood_72]

After all the great information I have decided to go with the WR.

The dealership with the "06" called me back and said they would sell it out the door for $5895. I'm going to check the dealership with the "05" for their best out the door pricing to see if it will change.

After more research it looks like the only difference between the two is the electric speedometer. At what price savings does it make sense to buy the "05" over the "06"?

Thanks again for all the info.

Kennedy

[hankdog]

After all the great information I have decided to go with the WR.

The dealership with the "06" called me back and said they would sell it out the door for $5895. I'm going to check the dealership with the "05" for their best out the door pricing to see if it will change.

$5895 sounds like a great price for an '06...I paid $6100 for my '05 last summer. I'd go with the dealer you like best - pick the one that knows the bike and won't have any trouble ordering you accessories like hand guards, skid plates, radiator guards, etc... My dealer sponsors local hare scrambles, and a race team and has all these cool accessories hanging on the wall anytime I want them, and they know what works and what doesn't. This most excellent dealer also sells KTM, so that made my decision pretty tough, but I decided I liked blue! A good dealer will make a difference in helping you maintain and accessorizing your WR.

[elton]

....At what price savings does it make sense to buy the "05" over the "06"?

For the $200 difference you cited; its a no-brainer to get the 06. At this time of year, a new 05 a bona fide "leftover". You hear stories of people getting 25-30% off MSRP on "leftover year" bikes; guess that would be in the ballpark IMO, because it has depreciated a year before you take delivery.

Elton

[mmello]

My buddy TT member DavidM has a new 2006 KTM450EXC and my other buddy TT member WRer has a new 2005 WR450. . ?

Applied 22.5 mm off set clamps make the YZ/WR turn on a dime!

Will it fit the 05 WR-450 ? Because it says :04-05YZF-04YZ125/250 SLD FACT 22.5MM

[5344]

on the site .

Will it improve my ride in the woods and in the desert ?

Thanks .

_____________________________

05 WR-450 , all free mods, Acc pump, Zip ty, Jd jetting (160,48,red#4), SuperTrapp IDS2 16 disks.

[Indy_WR450]

I would leave the clamps stock for desert riding. The triple clamps from applied are better for tight woods. ?

[mmello]

I would leave the clamps stock for desert riding. The triple clamps from applied are better for tight woods. ?

Thanks a lot. Indy

Its too expenssive to not work on all tracks !!

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05 WR-450 - All free mods, Acc pump, Zip ty, Jd jetting (160,48,red#4), SuperTrapp IDS2-R 16 disks.