'06 WR450F vs '07 WR450F

[inspector]

Tell ya what: I just came from an 1998 WR400 to a new 06 Wr450 ($4,000 by the way)and I don't see how it could get any better.

[xrmarty]

The aluminum frame makes it very difficult to work on the carb, ie, changing throttle cables, rejetting, etc. You have to remove the subframe, rear shock, and the upper engine mounts to get to the carb. That really suck in my opinion.

[w00dsRider]

My buddies with '06's envy the bitch'n aluminum frame and sweet LCD tail light.

Yeah the aluminum frame and LCD are "sweet" but my 06 doesn't cook my butt like your 07 cooks yours! Don't know why the heat on tight trails would get to the rider more on an 07 than an 06:confused:

[Morty]

Yeah the aluminum frame and LCD are "sweet" but my 06 doesn't cook my butt like your 07 cooks yours! Don't know why the heat on tight trails would get to the rider more on an 07 than an 06:confused:

Yes I noticed how hot my bike was also and it has been uncorked and rejetted, dealer said they are hot running bikes?

[JSanfilippo]

Thats weird. My bike ran much cooler after I re-jetted it. Taking of the AIS made the exhaust even cooler.

[SJMC_DON]

I have never noticed my 07' running any hotter than my other WR's:excuseme:

[JaysDirtyRide]

Yeah the aluminum frame and LCD are "sweet" but my 06 doesn't cook my butt like your 07 cooks yours! Don't know why the heat on tight trails would get to the rider more on an 07 than an 06:confused:

Yeah...it's a little weird. I have re-jetted after uncorking the exhaust and installing a PMB insert. It doesn't run lean...but the seat gets uncomfortably hot thumping around the tight single track in the woods.

It doesn't get hot like that when we're zipping around the trails...but slow it down to first gear thumping and it's all an "Asses of Fire!" type deal.?

The head pipe is not glowing and she has never boiled the coolant...just burn'n my biscuit's.

-Jay

[SJMC_DON]

Yeah...it's a little weird. I have re-jetted after uncorking the exhaust and installing a PMB insert. It doesn't run lean...but the seat gets uncomfortably hot thumping around the tight single track in the woods.

It doesn't get hot like that when we're zipping around the trails...but slow it down to first gear thumping and it's all an "Asses of Fire!" type deal.?

The head pipe is not glowing and she has never boiled the coolant...just burn'n my biscuit's.

-Jay

I'm running a tall soft seat from Guts so maybe I am not noticing it plus I only sit down maybe 10% of the time.

[JaysDirtyRide]

I'm running a tall soft seat from Guts so maybe I am not noticing it plus I only sit down maybe 10% of the time.

The Guts Tall/Soft is on my mod list for sure. I stand a fair bit when riding...just not when I'm paddling through some tight stuff.

BTW...I lived in Everett, WA for almost 18 years. I had a house at at Lake Bosworth for 10 years.

I know Monroe pretty well.?

-Jay

p.s. I'm sorry for taking the thread off course...

[w00dsRider]

The Guts Tall/Soft is on my mod list for sure. I stand a fair bit when riding...just not when I'm paddling through some tight stuff.

BTW...I lived in Everett, WA for almost 18 years. I had a house at at Lake Bosworth for 10 years.

I know Monroe pretty well.?

-Jay

p.s. I'm sorry for taking the thread off course...

Can't wait for you to get that tall seat. You'll have as much trouble as I do finding the ground! Well, I mean with your feet, I have no problem finding it with other body parts!?

Back to subject:

Both are great bikes IMHO can't go wrong with either.

At least we shouldn't see a 07 vs 08 thread!

[pYura]

Can you tell me weght data on WR 450 from 2003 to 2007?

Is the new alu frame that much better??

[SJMC_DON]

Can you tell me weght data on WR 450 from 2003 to 2007?

Is the new alu frame that much better??

I think the 07' is actually a lb. or 2 heavier ?

[pYura]

So its not that much of an improvemant is it? ?

[SJMC_DON]

So its not that much of an improvemant is it? ?

The motor is different, general concensus is that hits softer but is stronger every where else in the power (I agree).

Center of gravity is lower so the bike handles much better than the steel framed bikes and feels lighter BUT the bike is lower period.. ground clearance was sacrificed.

Jetting takes a patient person because of carb access pain...

I like it as much as any WR I've had but I learned after committing to racing a series despite constant maintenance, a new bike is a NEW BIKE ?

[WR_Dave]

I was out on a fairly lenghty ride this weekend and paid attention to the "more heat gets to the rider" situation and I think I have a workable theory. The aluminum frame absorbs and transmits heat more readily than the steel frame and the aluminum frame is also much larger so it makes sense that more heat would be getting tansmitted to the frame and rising up around the riders legs near the seat area. Might be a good idea to line the bottom of the tank with reflective material. Let me know what you think. Just my .02 --- WR Dave.

[JaysDirtyRide]

I was out on a fairly lenghty ride this weekend and paid attention to the "more heat gets to the rider" situation and I think I have a workable theory. The aluminum frame absorbs and transmits heat more readily than the steel frame and the aluminum frame is also much larger so it makes sense that more heat would be getting tansmitted to the frame and rising up around the riders legs near the seat area. Might be a good idea to line the bottom of the tank with reflective material. Let me know what you think. Just my .02 --- WR Dave.

I have been squawking about lining the tank and seat with heat reflective material...but I've been too lazy to just do it.

I resolve...I'll get this little mod done prior to my next ride and report back.

I only notice the heat thumping around a tight ST in the woods. As long as air is flowing through the bike I don't notice any heat and the seat feels cool when I stop.

-Jay

[xr250ryder]

Can you tell me weght data on WR 450 from 2003 to 2007?

Is the new alu frame that much better??

According to the Yamaha website, here are the dry weights for WR450F.

2008 - 248 lbs.

2007 - 246 lbs.

2006 - 249.1 lbs.

2005 - 244 lbs.

2004 - 245 lbs.

2003 - 245 lbs.

So the bike that weights the least, is the 2005.

but thats the bike that I have

[pYura]

Thats interesting, thanks for the look up mate!

[WR_Dave]

I think the bikes are getting heavier , because the factory is lying about it less than they used to. WR Dave.

[JSanfilippo]

According to the Yamaha website, here are the dry weights for WR450F.

2008 - 248 lbs.

2007 - 246 lbs.

2006 - 249.1 lbs.

2005 - 244 lbs.

2004 - 245 lbs.

2003 - 245 lbs.

So the bike that weights the least, is the 2005.

but thats the bike that I have

One thing looking at the weights on paper doesn't show is how the bikes feel.

Funny thing is my manual says that the bike without gas but otherwise ready to ride is 248 lbs. My old TT-R was 273