WR450 vs YZ450

[PROWLER 58]

Still thinking of what I want to get , I plan on having my next dirtbike a long time and taking great care of it. Im new to modern dirtdiking.My last dirtbike was a 94 KLX650. I thought I was certain about a WR450,I know its a great bike.But now that Ive looked into it more, a YZ is a 4-stroke, cheaper than a WR , maybe more advanced than a WR ,I dont have to deal with the mods,less weight, why would'nt a YZ be better for a woods,strip mines ,anywhere playbike than a WR ? this may de a dumb question , Id love to hear feedback from those who know more about these 2 bikes.

[kevinwr450f]

The "little button" on the WR makes it my choice. It's plenty fast with mods and a pipe. The '07 has a new frame...speedo is nice too... I've seen 94mph on a dirt road. I love mine.

[PROWLER 58]

Great points kevin.I didnt know that the YZ has no electric start

[Michigan DS]

The WR also has a headlight and is easier to plate if you need to get from one trail to the next via a road. In Michigan, having a plated bike makes a huge difference in available trails.

Good Luck,

DS

[xrmarty]

Most likely in your state, it will be much easier to plate the WR. From what your short thread indicated, I have a suspicion you're a trail rider. As said before, the WR has the E start. Dont underestimate that. Trying to kick start a bike on a trail can be a real challenge. There is a reason they call it the magic botton. The suspension on the WR is also more trail worthy.

[Just_a_trail_rider]

I agree with the above posts. I often kick my bike over. (I do this out of sympathy for my daughter who does not have the magic button on her bike)

It kicks over and starts pretty easily, even when flooded. I am sure that the yz will start pretty easily as well. The different is... when you are 3 hours into a tough ride, your tired, out of breath and you stall or crash going up a soft, slippery and steep hill. You can pick up the bike, hit the magic button and walk/ride it up the hill. At that point, you will understand how convenient the magic button can really be.

[Flaminchiten1967]

The WR has the E-Start, headlight, more fly wheel weight making it harder to stall when lugging, larger gas tank, skid plates, kick stand, 18 inch rear tire (less flats), Not sure about the gearing in the transmission but im pretty sure the WR has a wider spread in the ratios.

I went with the WR cause I knew I wasnt going to be racing it and would be trail riding it.

[SJMC_DON]

The WR has the E-Start, headlight, more fly wheel weight making it harder to stall when lugging, larger gas tank, skid plates, kick stand, 18 inch rear tire (less flats), Not sure about the gearing in the transmission but im pretty sure the WR has a wider spread in the ratios.

I went with the WR cause I knew I wasnt going to be racing it and would be trail riding it.

All good points but don't under estimate the WR as a lethal race weapon... I am killing pumpkins and pullin' YZ's in the straights at the GP's Hare Scrambles every other weekend ?

The YZ has a closer ratio transmission, stiffer suspension with twin chamber forks, a harder bottom end hit and a few other things to make it a moto crosser but like the WR it can be modified to run with the best in the off road arena.. ?

[amaaaron]

im 21 years old i have both bikes i race harescrambles and motocross and if i had to pick one for my overall bike id pick the wr

[PROWLER 58]

The WR has the E-Start, headlight, more fly wheel weight making it harder to stall when lugging, larger gas tank, skid plates, kick stand, 18 inch rear tire (less flats), Not sure about the gearing in the transmission but im pretty sure the WR has a wider spread in the ratios.

I went with the WR cause I knew I wasnt going to be racing it and would be trail riding it.

These points convinced now that the WR is my next bike.I was thinking that the diffences wasnt very much. I see now that they are,and since i want the bike for trail,woods etc... the WR is the one. Thanks, Guys

[wswain]

well my mate has an 03 yz450f pretty much stock and the guy down the road from him has a wr450f which has been physically converted to a yzf eg lighs removed etc and a staintune added as well as some other stuff and this is what they said.

my friend jumped off his yzf into the wr and straight away felt the power loss- his yzf rips the wr is a little slower but in the more open terrain the wrs gearbox works better. he said hed still stick with the yzf over it anyday but for riding around town the wr would be good

[Flaminchiten1967]

All good points but don't under estimate the WR as a lethal race weapon... I am killing pumpkins and pullin' YZ's in the straights at the GP's Hare Scrambles every other weekend ?

The YZ has a closer ratio transmission, stiffer suspension with twin chamber forks, a harder bottom end hit and a few other things to make it a moto crosser but like the WR it can be modified to run with the best in the off road arena.. ?

I should have specified that I never planned on racing it in any MX races...

[PROWLER 58]

thats interesting. why would you pick the wr ? thanks, bob

[PROWLER 58]

i was at a dealer on sat., he pointed out that in ohio you can also get an apv plate( all purpose vehicle) with the WR,not the YZ. apparently this plate allows you to ride secondary roads to get to where your riding. thats a plus too.

[MN_Paul]

You also will need a different exhaust to get under the 96db limit. To me the kickstand is a huge plus.

[Mutu]

If the WR was 35lbs lighter (same weight as YZ) there would be no question.

The WR is a porker! YZ is easy to kick start, just like the WR if any one bothered to try!

My next bike will be a YZ, you don't have to modify them in any way - just start it up and blast away. E-start doesn't make up for 35lbs. 35lbs dry weight is HUGE!!!

I got a WR because I needed a plate, and in '05 the YZ's were 4 speed. They are now 5 speed.

I still would have got a YZ in a blink of an eye if I didn't need the plate.

I would go the YZ!

[Mutu]

You also will need a different exhaust to get under the 96db limit. To me the kickstand is a huge plus.

Kick stands are cheap.

The WR's are that choked up, you need a different exhaust anyway! ?

[Impaler]

good call