yzf 450 or wr450?

[Stone Works]

I'm looking at both models, and I kinda like the yzf alittle better. My question is does the yzf have good reliability vs. the wr. I won't be doing any hard core racing , just goofing around at a small local track and basically just riding on some fast trails and a couple of fields cut out almost like a dirt track corse but with some small jumps and some tight corners. Which do you think is better?

[450-F]

Since you posted this in the YZ forum, I'd say you already have an idea of what you want to get. Nevertheless If I were you id probably get the yz450 for that kind of riding. If you were going to ride trails specifically, you might want a flywheel weight.

[Stone Works]

Can I ride the yzf normally and not balls to the wall on a race track or is it a bike that just needs to be raced.

[Dveitch8]

it likes to go fast but its very capable on slow rough trails also, it has a super smooth power delivery which makes it feel a little milder but don't be fooled it hauls, flyweel weight might be nice, but I don't have one and it does just fine in the tight stuff.

[Stone Works]

How does the flywheel weight help?

[nickeenoo]

I just went through the whole YZ vs. WR thing. Long story short: I thought I would enjoy the WR more because I am not eighteen anymore, we ride some tight rocky trails every once in a while, e-start would be nice, I am not a racer.

Bottom line: I just sold my 07 WR and bought and 07 YZ and I'm pissed that I just didn't get the YZ in the first place. The only advantage the WR has (for me) is the e-start. And, as I found out, the advantage of e-start has nothing to do with the ride quality. The YZ has better/more fun ride qualities all around. It's lighter, better power stock (my stock YZ feels like it has more power that my piped WR), the YZ suspension alone is worth buying the bike, simpler to fiddle with (no smog garbage, etc.)

Now, I can understand someone getting a WR for reasons such as green sticker, getting it plated, they ride at night, etc. As far as straight riding enjoyment, the YZ is better hands down. And, as far as starting the bike goes, if the bike is jetted correctly you shouldn't have to kick the bike more than two or three kicks anyway.

I realize this is only my opinion and the WR guys will likely disagree, but to me it comes down to how fun the bike is to ride as I don't have to deal with green sticker, lights, plating, etc. For me, there is no comparison, it's YZ hands down.

Hope this helps,

Nate

[dlt333]

If you don't plan on any night rides or ever riding it on the street - go with the YZ. I have a WR 450 - 2007 and I love it - but I sometimes do the abovementioned activities. The YZ is lighter and has to be kicked - which may be a consideration - either way, I don't think the durability is an issue if you maintain them correctly. If you go with a WR - get at least a 2007 with the alum. frame - much lighter and thinner than the 06 - Good luck

[RJB]

I just went through the whole YZ vs. WR thing. Long story short: I thought I would enjoy the WR more because I am not eighteen anymore, we ride some tight rocky trails every once in a while, e-start would be nice, I am not a racer.

Bottom line: I just sold my 07 WR and bought and 07 YZ and I'm pissed that I just didn't get the YZ in the first place. The only advantage the WR has (for me) is the e-start. And, as I found out, the advantage of e-start has nothing to do with the ride quality. The YZ has better/more fun ride qualities all around. It's lighter, better power stock (my stock YZ feels like it has more power that my piped WR), the YZ suspension alone is worth buying the bike, simpler to fiddle with (no smog garbage, etc.)

Now, I can understand someone getting a WR for reasons such as green sticker, getting it plated, they ride at night, etc. As far as straight riding enjoyment, the YZ is better hands down. And, as far as starting the bike goes, if the bike is jetted correctly you shouldn't have to kick the bike more than two or three kicks anyway.

I realize this is only my opinion and the WR guys will likely disagree, but to me it comes down to how fun the bike is to ride as I don't have to deal with green sticker, lights, plating, etc. For me, there is no comparison, it's YZ hands down.

Hope this helps,

Nate

Nate, I'm of the same opinion. Just taken delivery of a new 08 YZ450, as my 07 WR450 just didn't cut it. Bought it for all sorts of reasons, but preferred my 02 YZ426 in many ways. I don't race MX, but just blast around in the jungles with mates on weekends. The electric start was a big bonus, but it didnt' serve any purpose once the bike was running. Looking forward to the same old enjoyment factor again on the YZ. Just my $0.02

[nickeenoo]

Nate, I'm of the same opinion. Just taken delivery of a new 08 YZ450, as my 07 WR450 just didn't cut it. Bought it for all sorts of reasons, but preferred my 02 YZ426 in many ways. I don't race MX, but just blast around in the jungles with mates on weekends. The electric start was a big bonus, but it didnt' serve any purpose once the bike was running. Looking forward to the same old enjoyment factor again on the YZ. Just my $0.02

100% agreed.

[factoryfloyd116]

i'd get the yz for sure. i have an 08 and they seem so much lighter and flickable than past years, especially compared to the wr. if you get it i'd wait till you ride it first to determine if you want a flywheel weight or not, because to be honest, the 08 yzf450s arent exactly the fastest bikes around.

[Stone Works]

Will the yzf over heat if I ride trails or hills or just having fun in the back yard(very big)?

[grayracer513]

Not if it moves.

[450-F]

Lets just say my next bike will be a YZ, I bought the WR for a woods bike, and it isnt very nimble, and power just isnt there, especially with a pipe. Also I don't even use the electric start, its for ? . Its actually faster kicking the WR ?

[usmcpaul]

I had a CRF450X originally, because of the magic button, but soon realized that it was not worth the extra weight and power loss. (Not to mention they are red valve eating pigs). I then bought my YZ450F and could not be happier.

Now when I ride my friends 450X, I hate it (it feels like I am trying to navigate the Queen Mary through the trails). Go with the YZ, you won't be disappointed. I do some trail riding here in Michigan, and have never seen a problem with over heating and there are multiple guys riding YZF's and CRFr'S.

[grayracer513]

Lets just say my next bike will be a YZ, I bought the WR for a woods bike, and it isnt very nimble, and power just isnt there, especially with a pipe. Also I don't even use the electric start, its for ? . Its actually faster kicking the WR ?

You'd probably be really annoyed, then, when they had a straddle the front wheel start at a desert race, and all of those ":censored: " had their bikes running while you were still throwing your leg over and were 200 ft in front of you when your bike started on the first kick.

[felix 222]

yz450

[450-F]

You'd probably be really annoyed, then, when they had a straddle the front wheel start at a desert race, and all of those ":censored: " had their bikes running while you were still throwing your leg over and were 200 ft in front of you when your bike started on the first kick. ?

You have to push the electric start button about 4x before it will fire (thats when its moderately warm). One kick, and its started.

[grayracer513]

You have to push the electric start button about 4x before it will fire (thats when its moderately warm)

Not when it's set up correctly. Check the WR forum. Besides, you can do all of that while you're getting on the bike. Can't kick it once until you're on it.

Every desert race I go to, even the ones where you're on the bike to start with, half the e-start stuff is gone when the first kick start bike leaves.

[diesel05]

yzf is a great bike. the only way to go

[450-F]

Not when it's set up correctly. Check the WR forum. Besides, you can do all of that while you're getting on the bike. Can't kick it once until you're on it.

Every desert race I go to, even the ones where you're on the bike to start with, half the e-start stuff is gone when the first kick start bike leaves.

Do you have a specific link? I searched and didn't see anything about making the WR fire on the first hit.