MotoX with 2007 WR450??

[bboyce]

I am thinking about getting the new 2007 WR450, but I occasionally do motocross, and I was wondering if the WR will be able to take the jumps or not. I am a pretty average rider...maybe C in MX and B for off-road. I weigh only 130lbs and im 5'11. I have a 450sx right now that bugs the crap out of me off road!! But, I want a flexible bike, I am planning on either getting the YZ450f or WR, and I want a bike that can do MX, then go to the trail, then with little mods be able to ride on the roads. I know this is asking alot from a bike, but I don't have enough cash to buy 2 different bike.

Now I know all about these bikes, but my theory was that if I took the lights off and the taillight off and put on MX numberplate and rearfender, took the battery out, and added some comp. damping I could do just fine on an MX track. At my weight im sure it should be fine, but I need opinions!

Thanks guys,

-Brandon

[odonnks]

I'd say no. Pretty heavy and it'll wear you out quick. The suspension will need reworked since its not made for jumping like on a MX track

[bboyce]

You say no?...but think, the bike is ment for a 185 lb guy..im 130, Im used to a heavy bike, and if I take the lights and battery off..i can shave almost 10 off, that leaves me being only 12-14lbs heavier, im not worried about that.

[neilking]

I've never ridden a 450, but my 400's gearing is all wrong for the track. But, I don't wring the shit out of my 400, so it seemed I had to keep the rpm too high in the corner or if I up shifted up I was going in too hot and coming out too slow. The close ratio of the YZ is there for a good reason I'm guessing, because I've never ridden one.

[bboyce]

Correct me if im wrong, but I thought the new YZ 5 speed is the same as the Wr's for 07... ?

[huntmaster]

Trial riding an MX bike is not ideal but might be easier then motocossing an enduro bike...depending on the riding conditions. No bike does it all.

[neilking]

WR still stands for "wide ratio". So, the gear ratios are still different between the bikes. I'm not absolutely sure but I think the YZF originally had a 5 speed then dropped to 4 so they could beef up gears.

[CSS9961]

How important is street riding to you? Wouldn't it be MUCH harder to make the YZ street legal? ?

Sounds like you are prepared to make some compromises... You just have to decide which two points of the triangle MX/Woods/Street are the most important.

I have an '07 WR450 on order, but I won't be doing much if any MX.

[Punisher660]

I take my 04 WR450 to the track all the time. It works great - not as light and flickable as a MX bike, but I hit all the same jumps. I did have my suspension re-worked by PRS, but I'm more than double your weight - (6'3" 280).

The extra weight of the bike does tire you out a little quicker, but if its just play riding on the MX track - the bike does fine.

If you were looking to compete in MX, get an MX bike - I would seriously look at a CRF450 (don't flame me) only because trail tech has a new stator that pops in ($140) and gives you lighting capability. I didn't see one of those for a YZ or I would definitely get the YZ:D But it looks like with that setup, you could get a MX bike with lights and thats the biggest step to making it street-able. It would only be good on the streets for a short commute, nothing that takes you on the freeway. Anyhow, thats my $.02

[Punisher660]

I forgot - I also have my gearing dropped 1 tooth on the front and never use 1st gear on the track........or 5th very often since most of our tracks are more of a short supercross style than the large motocross style tracks

[WR_Dave]

Ever think of buying a used street bike and save the cash for the "New" dirt bike. No bike does it all without several compromises. WR Dave

[Triumphs]

Ever think of buying a used street bike and save the cash for the "New" dirt bike. No bike does it all without several compromises. WR Dave

Yep. The dualsport types will take exception but I remember a very wise old off-road magazine editor saying "if you want a dualsport bike, buy two bikes...a dirt bike for the dirt and street bike for the street"! ?

[bboyce]

Buying two bikes is not completly out of question. I just would like to purchace a brand new bike, not two used bikes. But as of now, im thinking the yz450f.

[642MX]

I'm in the same boat. I'm going to buy a new bike. I ride a 50/50 mix of woods and MX. I love the electric start, and hate the kick starter. I don't want a heavy slug when I'm on the MX track, but I don't want to be kicking a YZ in 90 degree heat either.

I'm leaning towards the WR, but then I have to figure out if the magic button is worth the trouble of removing the smog crap and having the suspension redone.

I wish there was a bike that could do everything..... ?

[bboyce]

Thanks for all your help guys, Ive decided to go with the 2006 YZ450fb

if you read this 642MX, I think the YZ is the right way to go, plus im gonna be saving a crap load of money, so my decision is made! Thanks again. ?

[NOMADAK]

Good choice on the YZ450. I tried to mx race a 2003 WR450F a few years ago. I had the full treatment done by Race Tech on the suspension, heavier springs, re-valve etc. I holeshot 16 out of 20 state rounds, the motor had plenty....no question mark there. About halfway through the 20 minute moto.....I was worn slap out. I worked out like a demon possessed thinking that would make up the difference. I had better skills than most of my competition. I would pretty much leave them the first 4 laps, then my tounge was wagging. I had taken as much weight off the bike as I could but left the battery in. The bike was 38 pounds heavier than the YZ450 that year. No matter how good you are you will not overcome the drawbacks of the bike for MX.

I got on a YZ250 the next season and won 3 championships. I'm on a 2006 YZ450F now, couldn't be happier.

WR450's are great bikes. Very reliable, powerful and versatile. But for competitive MX....a big no-no.

[06WR450FSM]

You definitely can't have it all. Your street use better not include highway speeds. The YZ tranny range is too tight to provide a reasonable cruise rpm.

[R_Little]

If you are a "C" MX rider then I don't think a WR is going to make or break a championship. On the other hand a YZ450 is gonna stink in the woods especially for a guy who weighs 130 lbs. Why do you want such a big bike in the first place? The 450 MX suspension is going to bounce you around like a pingpong ball in the woods. Do you want to be kickstarting that thing in the woods all day? You won't even be enduro legal with it. No lights, no coolant overflow etc.

I bet you'd go faster all around on a KTM 200 or a Honda 250x. MX or not

[642MX]

Why don't they make a YZ with electric start?

I still am not sure what I want. ?

[bboyce]

If you are a "C" MX rider then I don't think a WR is going to make or break a championship. On the other hand a YZ450 is gonna stink in the woods especially for a guy who weighs 130 lbs. Why do you want such a big bike in the first place? The 450 MX suspension is going to bounce you around like a pingpong ball in the woods. Do you want to be kickstarting that thing in the woods all day? You won't even be enduro legal with it. No lights, no coolant overflow etc.

I bet you'd go faster all around on a KTM 200 or a Honda 250x. MX or not

Sorry I forgot to mention that I am going to be getting springs, even if I only rode MX, the stock springs are wayyy to stiff for me. And I have a 450sx that I ride all day in the woods now, and I dont mind kickstarting it one bit. I can make the YZ street legal if I want to here in MI. And why do I want such a big bike, well its all preference isnt it. While a 250f is plenty of power for anyone on a MX track, I prefer the power delivery of the 450, and where I ride, there is alot of sand and hills, so thats why I want a 450.

And me going faster on a KTM200-Def. no, b/c I dont get along with two strokes at all, and on a 250x, doubt it, and I dont want a bike that I will have to be replacing and adjusting the valves on every 10 hours. Plus did I mention im getting this bike at 5700 OTD and its the Aniv. Edition, you can't beat that, even the 250x weighs more than the YZ, and costs more.

-BBoyce