WR450 or the KTM 530 EXC???

[cadecourtley]

I am a very lucky man right now. I got an early Xmas bonus and am going to buy a dirt bike. The KTM 530 EXC or the Yamaha WR450??? I am 6' 200lbs. Live in Colorado and will be doing scrabbles and get to join the 500 club next spring (30% single track, 30% open, 30% mixed mountain/dry lake, 10% street). Any suggestions?????

[oldwhitehaired]

I bleed orange. I have an 07 640 Adventure and recently sold my 950 Adventure. I love my 640 - it runs and rides great.

The KTM racing bikes, at least for me are another story. I bought a WR450 last weekend and unloaded my KTM 530 XCR-W. The diehard racers may call me crazy, but when your over 50+ years old and need a pit crew to work on the bike every time you ride, that's not fun for me. The 530 XCR-W overheats on slow trail rides. My idle surged. The base of the cylinder leaked. And the way the lower header pipe is configured, it will melt through your boot or pants unless you install a shield the first time you start the bike.

The KTM racing bikes are finickey and require attention. You normally have to wait for parts and if you're not mechanically inclined, the KTM can be a problem. Are they great bikes? Yes, if you're a racer and have a mechanic on your team.

I have my 640 serviced at a good dealership with a strong service department. Any experienced KTM owner who does not work on his own bike will tell you that good service departments are as rare as hen's teeth.

Want to have fun? Buy a Yamaha, Honda or Kawasaki and go ride the bike.

Good luck with your choice.

[tweav]

I would do the ktm if I were you . just because the ktm does not say " for offroad use only" on the title.So getting a plate is a cakewalk. All you have to do is pay them for it no mods at all . ? My 07 wr450 took a lot of time and money to get it on road.

[Butta]

I would do the ktm if I were you . just because the ktm does not say " for offroad use only" on the title.So getting a plate is a cakewalk. All you have to do is pay them for it no mods at all . ? My 07 wr450 took a lot of time and money to get it on road.

While this is true for the majority of the states, Colorado is an exception. It is extremely easy to convert an "off road use only" bike to street legal. We are spoiled, and must enjoy it while it lasts.

I would go with the WR. I'm not sold on the longevity of the KTM's yet, especially as compared with the reliable Yammie's. I bleed blue, and there's a reason.

[jams229]

The KTM's 6th gear is a real treat on the road.

I own an '07 WR450, and I love it, but it is NOT comfortable on the street.

There are pros and cons for both.

The KTM motor is great and the fact that it comes tagged is awesome.

At 6 feet, you may be able to get away with not doing many mods on the KTM, but the Yamaha might be a bit cramped.

Ride them both if you can prior to choosing.

[Tough Guy]

This what the original poster stated regarding his riding..... "(30% single track, 30% open, 30% mixed mountain/dry lake, 10% street)."

10% street... The WR 450 will do that fine. Plating bikes in Montana is simple too. I have a plate for my WR...would I ride it on the road more than 10%? NO it would require alot of mods...put it on single track/ woods riding and its right at home.

Chris

[jpoehls]

Awesome...the WR has my endorsement.

[Savagekilla]

Believe it or not, in Sri Lanka any motorcycle over 250cc is illegal, with influence I can get upto 350cc.. The best part is there are SOOOOOO MANY big bikes (HAYABUSA'S , CBR'S , R1'S , TL1000'S ETC ETC) Even my dad has Hayabusa , CBR1100XX and a XR500R which I ride, but my dad has permits for all the bikes to be registered legally..

All the big bikes except my dad's bikes are plated as 250cc (how dumb) man I mean, how cant you see the difference between a 1000cc and a 250cc ?? LOL

Thats my story lol..

[suzukipoo]

Get a wr450 i was looking at the 450/530 ktm but the parts are so expensive here in south Africa you get the wr already with a license disk and # plate just need to add brake lights but you can use your arms as turn signals!

[Charles De Mar]

when I go to the motorcycle mechanic I know, he rarely has blue bikes there. I always see KTM's. Every time I ask, he says "POS KTM." That being said he owns a KTM (250f) that he picked up dirt cheap. It's been for sale and nobody wants it!

[Seabass]

Unless you like wreching a bunch...go with the WR. I've owned Orange and Blue bikes and the Yamaha's are horses! The KTM's are very nice bikes, but for me the added maintenance and sketchy suspension just scare me away. I'm on my second WR and couldn't be happier.

[sauce]

I bleed orange. I have an 07 640 Adventure and recently sold my 950 Adventure. I love my 640 - it runs and rides great.

The KTM racing bikes, at least for me are another story. I bought a WR450 last weekend and unloaded my KTM 530 XCR-W. The diehard racers may call me crazy, but when your over 50+ years old and need a pit crew to work on the bike every time you ride, that's not fun for me. The 530 XCR-W overheats on slow trail rides. My idle surged. The base of the cylinder leaked. And the way the lower header pipe is configured, it will melt through your boot or pants unless you install a shield the first time you start the bike.

The KTM racing bikes are finickey and require attention. You normally have to wait for parts and if you're not mechanically inclined, the KTM can be a problem. Are they great bikes? Yes, if you're a racer and have a mechanic on your team.

I have my 640 serviced at a good dealership with a strong service department. Any experienced KTM owner who does not work on his own bike will tell you that good service departments are as rare as hen's teeth.

Want to have fun? Buy a Yamaha, Honda or Kawasaki and go ride the bike.

Good luck with your choice.

Hey Guys,

I agree and disagree...

There is some information missing here that I think is worth mentioning.

IMO all the new bikes are finicky and require attention when new. The WR 450 is corked up with throttle stops etc. The KTM’s are lean from the factory like ALL 4 stroke dirtbikes in order to pass emissions in the US. You need to re-jet the KTM’s when new and your idle surging and other related problems go away.

You do need a pipe guard or you will burn holes in your pants.

You do not need a pit crew every time you ride. That is just ridiculous.

It does seem that when you want a KTM part that they are always on backorder. What I have learned is that the backordered parts are usually for new bikes. After a few months of their release the parts become readily available.

As for the local Yamaha dealers, many of them don’t stock parts either so you have to wait for them anyway. From what I understand KTM is better now than they used to be.

Old White is correct that it helps to have a good KTM dealer. But on the other hand TT and other forums provide a wealth of info for maintenance on KTM’s and your WR, CRF’s etc.

You do not have any more maintenance on a KTM than you do on any other bike.

I started with a Honda CRF 250X. Sold it for a 2007 KTM 450 XC-W and now I have a 2008 450 XCR-W. KTM’s are fantastic bikes. Out of the box the suspensions are near perfect. The motors are purpose built for the woods/ desert. KTM is the only manufacture that has a bike for want you need/want - the desert/GNCC (XC), woods (XCR-W) and track (SXF). They even have a Street legal Dirt Bike (EXC). The others have 1 bike that is made for a wide range of riders.

The new 08’s have major improvements over the 07’s. New motor and frame.

The 2007 KTM 450 XC-W was offroad bike of the year in 07’. My prediction is that one of the new KTM 450’s or 530’s with get bike of the year again.

For the record. I like the new WR 450’s and I considered buying one when the new frame came out. They are bullet proof. I went with the KTM because I was able to get it plated in CT. My friend is looking to buy a new WR450, hence why I’m hear reading reviews. He’s a Yamaha guy. Hope this helps.

Read, ride and buy the bike you like.

Have a good one guys.?

[Nostalgic]

Hey Guys,

I agree and disagree...

There is some information missing here that I think is worth mentioning.

IMO all the new bikes are finicky and require attention when new. The WR 450 is corked up with throttle stops etc. The KTM’s are lean from the factory like ALL 4 stroke dirtbikes in order to pass emissions in the US. You need to re-jet the KTM’s when new and your idle surging and other related problems go away.

You do need a pipe guard or you will burn holes in your pants.

You do not need a pit crew every time you ride. That is just ridiculous.

It does seem that when you want a KTM part that they are always on backorder. What I have learned is that the backordered parts are usually for new bikes. After a few months of their release the parts become readily available.

As for the local Yamaha dealers, many of them don’t stock parts either so you have to wait for them anyway. From what I understand KTM is better now than they used to be.

Old White is correct that it helps to have a good KTM dealer. But on the other hand TT and other forums provide a wealth of info for maintenance on KTM’s and your WR, CRF’s etc.

You do not have any more maintenance on a KTM than you do on any other bike.

I started with a Honda CRF 250X. Sold it for a 2007 KTM 450 XC-W and now I have a 2008 450 XCR-W. KTM’s are fantastic bikes. Out of the box the suspensions are near perfect. The motors are purpose built for the woods/ desert. KTM is the only manufacture that has a bike for want you need/want - the desert/GNCC (XC), woods (XCR-W) and track (SXF). They even have a Street legal Dirt Bike (EXC). The others have 1 bike that is made for a wide range of riders.

The new 08’s have major improvements over the 07’s. New motor and frame.

The 2007 KTM 450 XC-W was offroad bike of the year in 07’. My prediction is that one of the new KTM 450’s or 530’s with get bike of the year again.

For the record. I like the new WR 450’s and I considered buying one when the new frame came out. They are bullet proof. I went with the KTM because I was able to get it plated in CT. My friend is looking to buy a new WR450, hence why I’m hear reading reviews. He’s a Yamaha guy. Hope this helps.

Read, ride and buy the bike you like.

Have a good one guys.?

I like it! Fair and balanced advice.

[oldwhitehaired]

Sauce, I was being tongue in cheek about needing a pit crew or mechanic everytime you ride a KTM racing bike. ? It was only stated to make a point on how finicky the KTM dirt bikes are when compared to the Japanese dirt motorcycles.

While it appears that nearly all 4 strokes need to be jetted, the difference here with the Yamaha and KTM's is that the Yamaha can actually be ridden off the showroom floor without having to do anything to it. Jetting and other mods will enhance the Yamaha's performance.

My experience with the KTM 530-XCR-W was that the jetting and other mods were required to get the bike running correctly.

The way we describe the differences may be semantical, but enhancements vs. requirements are the reason I ultimately moved over to the WR450 over from the 530.

KTM makes incredible machines. For example, my 2007 KTM 640 Adventure runs great - I rode it home from the dealer on the freeway, bone stock. It idled well, ran cool and it was smooth. Any mods to the 640 would enhance it's performance, but the mods were not a requirement to get the bike to run properly.

[sauce]

Sauce, I was being tongue in cheek about needing a pit crew or mechanic everytime you ride a KTM racing bike. It was only stated to make a point on how finicky the KTM dirt bikes are when compared to the Japanese dirt motorcycles.

While it appears that nearly all 4 strokes need to be jetted, the difference here with the Yamaha and KTM's is that the Yamaha can actually be ridden off the showroom floor without having to do anything to it. Jetting and other mods will enhance the Yamaha's performance.

My experience with the KTM 530-XCR-W was that the jetting and other mods were required to get the bike running correctly.

The way we describe the differences may be semantical, but enhancements vs. requirements are the reason I ultimately moved over to the WR450 over from the 530.

KTM makes incredible machines. For example, my 2007 KTM 640 Adventure runs great - I rode it home from the dealer on the freeway, bone stock. It idled well, ran cool and it was smooth. Any mods to the 640 would enhance it's performance, but the mods were not a requirement to get the bike to run properly. :

Nice bike oldwhite!

I will quote from the WR450 link below...

You need to do the free mods to get it to run like it was designed to.

AIS removal ('05+ models), shortening the throttle stop, airbox snorkel/cutouts removal, grey wire disconnection and removal of the exhaust pea-shooter. The details for each can be found at ThumperFAQ.com. The site is primarily directed at the WR250, but the procedures are the same for the 450.

https://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=439173&page=2

https://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=440631

Holy CRAP!? And you said the KTM’S were finicky????

More quotes:

Q: Why does my bike die when I wick open the throttle from idle or low RPM's?

A: You have the dreaded "off-idle bog". Don't worry though, everybody has it until they tune their carb.

wait till you do the mods then you'll really love it, it wont be the same bike.Hang on and have a blast!

How is that not having to do anything? ? All I'm saying is that all new 4 stroke dirtbikes have to be tweaked some way for them to run the way they were designed to. The US has strict guidelines and the manufactures have to ship them lean to pass. It is what it is. I can go on the CRF, DRZ, KTM, and KLR forums and find similar info on all those bikes.

KTM decided to ship their bikes with a lean pilot and main jet to pass emissions. Yamaha gave you an extra pound of stuff to pass emissions. Look at the pictures in the links. I'm not making this stuff up.

Yamaha even sells a FACTORY AIS kit because they know their bike won't run right without it.

Sure some bikes are not as corked up as others.

Sure you can take any new bike and just ride it, but it will be lean. And is that good for the longevity of the bike?

Oldwhite I just don't agree with you on this one.

If you want to compare.

KTM 450XCR-W - Rejet

Yamaha WR450 - Re-jet and AIS removal ('05+ models), shortening the throttle stop, airbox snorkel/cutouts removal, grey wire disconnection and removal of the exhaust pea-shooter.

Now if you buy the KTM 450 EXC (07,08) you will have to do similar mods like the WR because it is street legal.

[MaxPower]

thats cool looking

[MaxPower]

I ride a 04WR450

If I had a chance to do it again

I think I would go for the KTM

My bike is just too tall and too heavy

If its going to be tall and heavy, I wouldnt mind a sixth gear

[jpoehls]

I think you have 2 fine bikes to choose from, and frankly you can't go wrong either way. I have the 07 plated WR450, and I love it. I looked at the KTM, but the dealer would not play ball negotiating. Yamaha dealt with me, and made me feel like I was the customer. KTM treated me like dirt and I had all cash to pay with the bike.

Either bike you buy, you will have a blast. The KTM has 6 gears, but the WR has an aluminum frame. If they would have fuel injection and 6 gears...now that is the perfect bike. That will be soon to come in a couple years.

Good luck with your selection. You will be happy either way.?

[Nostalgic]

I ride a 04WR450

If I had a chance to do it again

I think I would go for the KTM

My bike is just too tall and too heavy

If its going to be tall and heavy, I wouldnt mind a sixth gear

How tall are you? I find the wr450 top heavy too but assumes all 450's are like that.

[sauce]

How tall are you? I find the wr450 top heavy too but assumes all 450's are like that.

I think the new WR Alum Frame changed that in 07?