moving from 250 to 450. will I regret it?

[MB3]

I'm currently riding an 2003 WR250F and love it. 90% of the riding I do is single track and 4WD track. Plenty of hills. Top of 3rd and maybe 4th gear is as quick as these trails allow, so I've never needed more power but my bike has done plenty of miles and is due yo be replaced. Should I take the chance to buy the 450 over another 250?

[dyloor]

If the 250 is working for you, I would stick with it.

[Seabass]

Try to get a test ride...I rode a WR 250 and was apalled at it's lack of power. It was fun to ride around for an hour or so, but the first serious hill I hit sent me back to reality. Then again...if you're happy riding the 250 now stick with it!

[redswr]

i was considering stepping down to a 250 but didn't like how i had to stay in it more to jump or go up hills. i bought my 450 and loved how i could just bog everwhere... it all depends on what you like. for me i like my power to come as easy as possible...

[cpr1]

I just sold my KLX250 and bought a 2004 WR450 and I couldn't be happier. I thought that the 450 might be a bit too much in the tight trails...but it wasn't. I'm only 5'7 and a 160lbs and have no problem with the bike on the trail.?

[theroyz71]

That good to hear cpr1. I'm considering the WR450F and other than an extra 65 lbs we are about the same size.

[MB3]

Thank you all for responses. Consensus seems to be 450. I'll will try and get a test ride on a new model. I rode a 426 earlier this and found it a bit tough in tight stuff and I seemed to get tied quicker. I have heard the new 450 are quite different to old 426?

[redswr]

Thank you all for responses. Consensus seems to be 450. I'll will try and get a test ride on a new model. I rode a 426 earlier this and found it a bit tough in tight stuff and I seemed to get tied quicker. I have heard the new 450 are quite different to old 426?

i have both the 99 400 and the 07 450... they weigh just about the same but when riding it feels alot lighter with the new one:applause:

[Mutu]

I'm currently riding an 2003 WR250F and love it. 90% of the riding I do is single track and 4WD track. Plenty of hills. Top of 3rd and maybe 4th gear is as quick as these trails allow, so I've never needed more power but my bike has done plenty of miles and is due yo be replaced. Should I take the chance to buy the 450 over another 250?

Where abouts are you dude?

Single track = 250F for sure!

Do you have to be fully registered? Is rec rego enough?

Id go any MX 250F. WR's are heavy buckets as you know......

?

[TheBlackSheep]

Thank you all for responses. Consensus seems to be 450. I'll will try and get a test ride on a new model. I rode a 426 earlier this and found it a bit tough in tight stuff and I seemed to get tied quicker. I have heard the new 450 are quite different to old 426?

Very different. Chances are, with a 450 you won't be as hard on the motor as you will with a 250. Which in turn means it will last longer, which in turn means it will save you money!

............ bahhh ?

[MB3]

Where abouts are you dude?

Single track = 250F for sure!

Do you have to be fully registered? Is rec rego enough?

Id go any MX 250F. WR's are heavy buckets as you know......

?

Sydney, Australia. Yes I need rego. We don't have rec rego in NSW.

[mikeythefokker]

Get the wr450. As a stock bike, they are pretty tame. The weight difference isn't huge, about 7lbs, and then as you get more comfy, you can start to do your mods and really make it feel like a 450. I've never met anyone who moved up and regretted it. Just ask the Jeffersons.

[Nostalgic]

Get the 450! I'd be willing to bet that after 3 months on it you'll never want to go back to the 250.

I have an 03 wr450 that is my first motorcycle of any kind. I've had it for less than a year and LOVE it.

It's shown its teeth a few times and bit me once but I'm ok and now have her tamed!!!

Good luck whatever you decide.

I will say 250's are fun in trails!! But, so are 450's and I prefer the 450 in every single other situation.

[Art_H]

I have both a WR250 and WR426, 2001. The 250 I got for my wife. After riding the 426 on some of the most difficult single track around, (Blue Mountain BC CANADA) I can say that the 426 is amazing even on the super tight stuff. Yes the 426 is heavier, it just makes me better faster. Not to mention having more endurance... When I ride the 250, it just does not feel right. It is a great bike, but cannot compare to the toque on demand for lifting the front tire to clear massive obstacles. When I've used the 426 on hill climbs at gravel pits, you can start virtually at the bottom and accelerate up the gravel. They have the go, and if you don't use the throttle correctly, a 250 will also get you into trouble. One of the failsafe ways to not get yourself into trouble is to not use the words " Hey! Watch this!!", before you do any type of riding trick/jump. Go with the 450, you will not regret it. I don't even like riding my 250 anymore... (in comparison)

My $0.02

Art

[jpoehls]

450 all the way and never look back. Power difference is INCREDIBLE and you only gained 7 pounds. IMHO, this is an easy decision. You may wonder why you have the doggy power of a thumper 250 in the first place.

[Just_a_trail_rider]

Get the wr450. As a stock bike, they are pretty tame. The weight difference isn't huge, about 7lbs, and then as you get more comfy, you can start to do your mods and really make it feel like a 450. I've never met anyone who moved up and regretted it. Just ask the Jeffersons.

Its a 7lb difference according to the scale. The difference between a 250 and a 450 is much more significant than 7lbs.

Its only 7lbs difference when unloading the trailer. But when you are riding on tight single track, over very rocky terrain, or get stuck on a hill, the 450 easily feels like it weighs 50lbs more.

A corked up 450 is not the same as a 250.

If you are riding an enduro or a really long and brutal trail ride, you will notice how heavy that 450 really is.

[Nostalgic]

Its a 7lb difference according to the scale. The difference between a 250 and a 450 is much more significant than 7lbs.

Its only 7lbs difference when unloading the trailer. But when you are riding on tight single track, over very rocky terrain, or get stuck on a hill, the 450 easily feels like it weighs 50lbs more.

A corked up 450 is not the same as a 250.

If you are riding an enduro or a really long and brutal trail ride, you will notice how heavy that 450 really is.

This is very true. I prefer my 450 big time but 7lbs doesn't do the true weight difference justice. Way more top heavy, etc...

[Mutu]

Sydney, Australia. Yes I need rego. We don't have rec rego in NSW.

WA here mate!

The only thing I don't like about the WR's is the weight, as you are well aware of. A 6th gear would be nice..... but this has all been said before.

Test ride a new Kato 250exc if you can. ?

[MaynardF16]

I just bought a 2007 WR450 to replace my 2003 WR250. After a few rough learning experiences, I have a permanent smile. When I changed the oil on my 250 so I could sell it, I got on it to warm it up. WOW, the 250 I was completely happy with was suddenly a dog. Upgrade, you'll be happy.

Maynard

[jpoehls]

Its a 7lb difference according to the scale. The difference between a 250 and a 450 is much more significant than 7lbs.

Its only 7lbs difference when unloading the trailer. But when you are riding on tight single track, over very rocky terrain, or get stuck on a hill, the 450 easily feels like it weighs 50lbs more.

In rocky terrain or especially stuck on a hill...that is when you really want the power of the 450 to tractor your way through. You will do better climbing on a 450 and not get stuck in the first place. I would not want to be stuck on a tight hill on a 250. The 450 you can keep tractoring. I ride a lot of tight single track in the canyons and going through the rocky tight up hills...thats where the 450 shines. If I had to make a rough estimate of the riders in the canyon...most are on 450 four strokes or 250 2 strokes. We all know the difference in controllable power of a 2 vs. 4 stroke.