2007 WR's???

[crashtom]

Anybody ever seen one in person and when will they be selling? Also, when a brand new 2006 WR sells for $5800 o.t.d. do you think spending an extra $1500-$2000 would be worth it for the 2007?

[clark4131]

No. November, maybe. No. Read this, then buy the '06...SC

[MAC 450]

Depends of MONEY is an issue...(always is with most of us..)

I almost waited to buy the 2008 KLX 450R, but the price tag of the 2006 WR 450 and it's known reliablity and aftermarket parts etc...

Made me buy a 2006 WR 450 last week..I'm happy with my purchase.

[Ganadore]

Yes, you can get some pretty good deals on the 06's right now. I ended up putting money down on the 07 WR450 that our dealer is scheduled to get in November. Hopefully it will come in then, but I am not holding my breath. I ended up getting it for $6963 OTD. So as stated above, the 07's can run you close to $1500 over the 06's depending on where you live and your dealer.

[andrew_driscoll]

I sat on the '07's over the weekend... all I can say is VERY nice. The magazines down here have had them in there hands in the past week and are doing the writeups as we speak.

Any saving you make on a run out '06 now will be cancelled out by the extra depreciation because in a couple of years time people will be steering well clear of the steel framed models like the plague. They will see 03,04,05,06 as all being essentially the same.

Stick it out a couple of months and you'll have no regrets...

Nothing worse than shelling out for a run out deal and then hearing rave reviews a month later about the newest model....

[clark4131]

Any saving you make on a run out '06 now will be cancelled out by the extra depreciation because in a couple of years time people will be steering well clear of the steel framed models like the plague. They will see 03,04,05,06 as all being essentially the same.

I love it when people talk about resale value and depreciation on a dirt bike, something that comes with a 30-day warranty at best. It's absolutely ludicrous. Dirt bikes are used and abused throughout most of their lives and worrying about how much money your going to get out of it when the time comes to upgrade is senseless. Ride it, break it, fix it, then sell it for a grand or two and move on. Besides, it's not like you're buying a freakin' BMW or Mercedes. In the grand scheme of things, they're cheap toys. There will always be a market for used bikes, aluminum or steel frames notwithstanding, as people will always be looking for something to learn on without having to worry about scratching the fender or denting a rim. As soon as you buy a bike and scuff the tires, you've lost money. If that concerns you, look for a new hobby. I hear stamps are fun...SC

[A-ron]

Dirt bikes are used and abused throughout most of their lives and worrying about how much money your going to get out of it when the time comes to upgrade is senseless. Ride it, break it, fix it, then sell it for a grand or two and move on.

Amen, Steve!

[Beejay]

crashtom, if you can afford it buy the 07, nothing like owning the latest bike.

[crashtom]

Thanks again for the input.

[pkcof]

i bought my '05 as a 'run out' model and have not looked back. I got a great deal, uncorked it, set up the suspension and haven't been off of it (except the odd 'step off'). So far it's 4,100 klm and counting. Resale value ? - like i'm gonna sell it ???

[Just034]

Regardless of what anyone here says. There will be a glut of 03-06 WR's on the market after the new WR arrives. That does not say the 03-06 are anything but great, but I would be completely surprised if the 07 is not better in every way to the older bikes. It is a thing called progress. Yamaha set out to build a better bike than they previously had. They achieve a better product each time. It also helps that this genre of bikes is getting more competitive between KTM, Yamaha and Honda with even Kawi releasing an off-road bike based on the KX450 next year. 07 will be here within weeks.

[jetfuel]

It's probably a very good bike but... I'd rather spend a grand more on something with a license plate from the factory (KTM). I love my WR and you can debate resale,reliability and improvements all you want... they are all close in price and performance (WR reliabilty awesome)... but, with getting one plated a hassle and riding areas shrinking or becoming divided (at least here in the northeast) No plate..No sale... just my $.02

[Punisher660]

I love it when people talk about resale value and depreciation on a dirt bike, something that comes with a 30-day warranty at best. It's absolutely ludicrous. Dirt bikes are used and abused throughout most of their lives and worrying about how much money your going to get out of it when the time comes to upgrade is senseless. Ride it, break it, fix it, then sell it for a grand or two and move on. Besides, it's not like you're buying a freakin' BMW or Mercedes. In the grand scheme of things, they're cheap toys. There will always be a market for used bikes, aluminum or steel frames notwithstanding, as people will always be looking for something to learn on without having to worry about scratching the fender or denting a rim. As soon as you buy a bike and scuff the tires, you've lost money. If that concerns you, look for a new hobby. I hear stamps are fun...SC

Sorry Clark, I have to disagree with this one.

There are certain makes, models, years, etc. that hold their value better than others. A few examples are the YFZ450, all 4X4 quads, the CR500, 1967 - 1969 Chevy Cammaro and diesel picup trucks. I have seen several '04 YFZ 450 quads that are going for $4500 - $5000 (and selling at those prices). Compare to a same year Raptor of equal condition and you are closer to the $3000 range......there wasn't that big of a price difference when they were new. (a new version of the Raptor could have something to do with that)

A mid 90's CR500 still fetches a $1700 - $2400 price (in great condition of coarse) even though its blue book value is closer to $1100.....ever look for a 4X4 quad? People want $5000 for a quad that is 3+ yrs old.......its all supply and demand, some vehicles are in demand more than others and therefor hold their value longer.

[clark4131]

P660, you make a point, a luke-warm one, but a point nonetheless. The only dirt bike you mentioned is the CR500. That bike is unique in that it was a true freak of nature, a large-bore 2-stroke with truckloads of power and a cult-like following. I'd gladly pay full price for a new Service Honda CR500. The rest of your examples are like comparing apples and footballs. Quads, diesel pickups and muscle-car era Camaros do very poorly on singletrack, so I think you might need to rethink your examples.

My point was this, in a market where there are a lot of a certain type of bike, i.e. WR's, CRF's and other enduro oriented 4-strokes, I believe it's a waste of time basing your purchase decision on resale value. Find the bike that fits the bill for your budget and ability, and buy it for those reasons, not because you want to break even in 3 years when you sell it. That's not gonna happen. Aftermarket expenditures rarely come into play when determining what a used dirt bike should sell for, unless your potential buyer is in the market for those specific goodies. Modified dirt bikes are like fingerprints, everybody's are unique and one man's mod is another man's waste of time.

With regard to the '07 WR, I have no doubt it will be a noticeable improvement/change, but it's a widely held industry-led belief that EFI is the next big leap, possibly seen in the next year or two. With that in mind, would the 2007 carbureted aluminum frame WR become a dinosaur that people would run away from screaming when it shows up in the used classifieds? I think not. The technological leaps that these companies are making between model generations always sound like they're going from a slingshot to an atom bomb in the course of a year or two. The reality is that it rarely, if ever, is that drastic an improvement. It's really about marketing, placement, and oftentimes, bold new graphics. But hey, this country's consumer profile is like that of a child, lured to his doom by shiny trinkets, bright colors and the promise of 72 virgins on two wheels...SC

[crashtom]

Wow. I like the way you guys think or should I say write. I just called again about the waiting list for the 2007 WR 450. $7200 O.T.D. here in California. Puts it up there with a 2006 KTM 450 EXC that some swear is still more advanced and lighter. Right now in L.A> i can buy a 2006 WR450 for $5800 O.T.D.

What I'd really like to find is a 2005 WR 450 SLEEPING ON A SHOWROOM FLOOR FOR $5000 or less!

[illTTR]

5800 OTD sounds great to me.. the local dealer here won't go lower than 5700+tax and title.. ?

I'm debating whether to go down and pick it up today. 2006 WR450F.

[crashtom]

Makes me wonder though, with the waiting list forming for the 2007, the new 2006's will probably drop even further.

[illTTR]

anyone know what invoice is on the 2006 WR450?

[GCannon]

You could be riding that 2006 WR this weekend instead of "Dreaming" about that 2007 that you and your dealer have no idea when it will be here.

[pkcof]

5800 OTD sounds great to me.. the local dealer here won't go lower than 5700+tax and title.. ?

I'm debating whether to go down and pick it up today. 2006 WR450F.

what are you waiting for - an invitation ? ... go and haggle !!