WR450 For the 230lb+ Rider

[Eroc1313]

Got back into woods about 3 months ago when my son and daughter took interest in riding their dirt bikes around the farm. Purchased a good used 02 WR250 from a local kid with all the free mods. Its been alot of fun and Ive really enjoyed it.

Background: Im 46 and weigh 245 with gear on. In the gym 5 days a week

so Im not a "couch potato" by any means.

Have recently found the 250 has become more underpowered the more my skill levels are coming back. (Raced MX in my 20s) and the suspenision is no were close!

My ? Big bore kit and suspension retune on the 250? Orrrrrrrrr move to 450?

Will I have to retune the 450 suspension as well?

To mod the 250 , about 1200 and remember its an 02. I can pick up a 06 or 07 WR450 for less than 4500 around here in NC with things as they are.

Would like to here from some of you veteran 450 owners in my weight class.

Thanks!

Eric

[kwar63]

Bump. I am in your same situation with an 2006 WR450 free mods, YZ pipe. I primarily ride in the woods but have been to the MX track a couple of times. I will not mention how many times I have bottomed out in the woods and the track. Would be curious to see if the existing WR suspension can be tightened up or if I have to pay for a complete retune. I definitely have to do something before I get hurt or damage the bike.

Kurt

[byggd]

From what i've read the 426/450 are set up for about a 170-180 lb rider so yes you would need retune a 450 as well.

[Eroc1313]

I wonder if the YZs are set up any heavier. Flywheel weight and a pipe change and you'd be there.

Of course I would like to have the magic button. After picking up one of the kids off the ground a time or two, kick starting on a hill side can be sooooo

much fun!

[bg10459]

I'm 6-5, 260, B vet and I've been riding DS and racing HS on a WR450 for three years now. I've done springs front and rear and I keep fresh Mobil1 ATF in the forks, but otherwise the suspension is stock. Of course, all the free mods, YZ pipe and lots of off-road mods, but this bike does great.

The MX track is another story, though. I've got a YZ250 for that.

[swede426]

I wonder if the YZs are set up any heavier. Flywheel weight and a pipe change and you'd be there.

Of course I would like to have the magic button. After picking up one of the kids off the ground a time or two, kick starting on a hill side can be sooooo

much fun!

So you mean the kids just leave the bike on the hillside after a fall and expect you to pick it up and start it for them again?

[Eroc1313]

So you mean the kids just leave the bike on the hillside after a fall and expect you to pick it up and start it for them again?

Yea, I guess I spoil em. Truth be known, my son (10) can pick his XR100 just fine, unless he is off a cliff at Brushy, then I have to get my wife on the Grizzly to pull it out. My daughter(12) rides a TTR225 and that thing is one heavy PIG. Im pretty sure its heavier than my WR250!

She's gettin stronger though, with every fall!

[swede426]

Yea, I guess I spoil em. Truth be known, my son (10) can pick his XR100 just fine, unless he is off a cliff at Brushy, then I have to get my wife on the Grizzly to pull it out. My daughter(12) rides a TTR225 and that thing is one heavy PIG. Im pretty sure its heavier than my WR250!

She's gettin stronger though, with every fall!

I think it's a good groundrule if they ride on there own that they have the strength or size of bike that they can push the bike away if they fall and gets the bike over them.

[Routt North]

I have an 08' WR450 and have no bottoming issues. I weigh 270 and like you work out a lot. I only ride in the woods though. I have only adjusted the stock suspension and also did the free mods. Anyway, I would move to the 450. It is a nice powerful ride.

[Demo_Slug]

I range from 220-240:cry:

on my 08wr, I just couldn't get the front to feel planted until I adjusted rear sag. front end would just wash out. the 739FA probbaly didn't help things. but, I was able to get the rear sag OK with the stock spring but had very little pre sag. this fixed my washout problem but the rear suspension was harsh.

so... I put in a 5.8 spring. now I have proper sag and decent pre sag. got my plush suspension back. works great for me. A new spring is $100. I got front springs, but havent installed them ?

[Eroc1313]

Thank you all for your input! It looks like the best thing for me ta do is buy a 450. Retuning the suspension seems to be a must on either bike, so why not go ahead a have the extra torque the 450 will provide.

Its funny, I posted this same ? on the 250 board and have gotten zero feed back. I guess Im the only "Man" ridden a 250, and that is soon ta change!

Thanks again!!!!!

Eric

[Demo_Slug]

450 power is rad!!!! there is no reason to deprive yourself ?

[bicyclebob]

Eric,

You will find that the stock suspension will most likely suit your needs untill the speed increases. Get one and go ride!

[Just_a_trail_rider]

Either bike will carry you around. There plenty of guys bigger than you on a 250.

Your riding skill should be the deciding factor. Can you handle a 450? Its a lot to deal with in tight technical terrain.

If you can... then get it.

[tankinfrank]

Hey, I'm 52 and 250. Love my 05 wr450. Replaced the suspension springs and the free mods. Bike runs great and pulls me anywhere without any problems. Great for trail riding and the knarly trails in Colorado. However, my son has an 07 yz 450 and I love that bike on the trails! Even in the tight stuff the bike is a blast. I think my weight acys as a natural fly wheel because the motor will lug at low rpms when riding a gear high and still snap to when you twist the throttle.

[willy_fitz]

After doing the free mods to let the motor breath the most important thing you can do for any bike is to dial in the suspension for your weight. There are lots of posts on the subject but getting the static sag and race race set lets you know you have the correct spring on the rear shock. Set the static sag first using the collar adjuster on the rear shock. Once the static sag (also called preload) is set correctly, the race sag can now be checked. If the race sag is out of spec, the shock spring is not correct for your weight and will need to be changed. There is a good explaination of all this on the Race Tech website.

For woods riding with the older WR's the forks & shocks were valved too stiff and had to be reworked but according to my sources at Yamaha Canada the new WR's have a more compliant valving and once broken in work well in the woods.

I have not had a chance to ride my new 08 WR450 yet due to surgery recovery issues but the bike is ready to go as soon as I am.?

[Routt North]

EROC,

I know you posted a long time ago but it has been a while since I have been on TT. Anyway I would like to share my experience as a "fit" heavy rider. I have the 08' WR450F with the free mods. The power is excellent but the suspension is soft. I just ordered new Factory Connection springs from Motosport. I went to a .50 fork spring and a 6.0kg rear. I don't have them installed yet but I will be sure to report back when I do. As for the upgrades to the 250 I would just spring for the 450. You probably already did all of this but just in case you didn't here you go.

[idamoh]

I have an 08 WR450. I'm 6'6" and weight about 260 with all my gear on. I had some real issues with the stock suspension, so I respringed with FC 6.7 on the rear, and .50 on the front. The rear seems to be decent now, but I have some major issues with bottoming on the front. I am going to revalve the front soon. I recently rode a buddies YZ 450 with stock springs and valving and it was like night and day in comparison to the WR. My biggest disappointment with my WR would have to be the suspension.

[TRUE_2_YAMAHA_001]

if you step up to the 450 you will never look back. i am 215 at the gym 5 days a week as well and i did my suspention and rememeber!! stiffer springs softer valves, not the other way around. and i just blew up my 2002 wr and now have an 05 so that is another thing to keep in mind.