blue 450 for baja 1k or red?

[spidennis]

I'm really considering doing the baja 1000 and while my wr250 has been real good to me, it is an 03' model and I'm wanting a fresher bike. baja is mostly painted in honda red, and while I've owned plenty of red bikes in the past, I'm pretty happy and getting to really know my little blue bike. I'd really like to have fuel injection but don't know if I can wait for that in blue. want to share any thoughts?

[erickdj]

I'm really considering doing the baja 1000 and while my wr250 has been real good to me, it is an 03' model and I'm wanting a fresher bike. baja is mostly painted in honda red, and while I've owned plenty of red bikes in the past, I'm pretty happy and getting to really know my little blue bike. I'd really like to have fuel injection but don't know if I can wait for that in blue. want to share any thoughts?

I'd say stay with blue. Honda's "X" bike doesn't have fuel injection that I know of, plus a properly jetted carb works just fine. The blue bikes have unmatched reliability, as you probably know from having a wr250. The 07+ model wr's are some fine machines. I'm extremely happy with my 07 wr450f, I'd take it to baja any day.

[spidennis]

ok, i'll meet you in baja in nov!

[spidennis]

well, that color thing didn't last too long ... after I take care of some hurricane damage to the house I'll go looking for a slightly used wr450 that was used as a trail bike and make that my baja runner. I might even have to sell my 250 but would rather not and keep it as my training and beach bike.

[erickdj]

well, that color thing didn't last too long ... after I take care of some hurricane damage to the house I'll go looking for a slightly used wr450 that was used as a trail bike and make that my baja runner. I might even have to sell my 250 but would rather not and keep it as my training and beach bike.

That's a good plan, finding a slightly used WR. You get an awsome bike and get to save plenty of $ at the same time. I'm not sure if whenever I need another bike I'll get a new or used bike, saving $1-2k on a lightly used bike sure sounds good after paying for two brand new bikes in one year.

Can't make it to baja this November, but I sure will swing by as soon as I have a chance. Luckily I was raised there, so I pretty much know what the area is all about. I got immediate family living there, so I've got it made with accommodations:smirk: .

[spidennis]

we should team up some time! .... after I solo the 1k anything else will be a cake walk!

[spidennis]

well, i'm back to mixing up ideas again .....

seems finding a used wr450f is tougher than finding a wr250f .... I was going to put a 290 kit into my 250 until I thought about getting the 450, but then that made me think that if I had my older 03'wr250f and a newer wr250 (say 05) that I put the 290 kit into, then I'd have a spare parts bike and a baja prerunner and have a fresh bike to race with. I wish I knew what the difference between a 290 and 450 felt like ......

[taksx]

Here are my thoughts.

Stick with the 250 if you get a newer one, great. use it as parts like you mention. If not you'll need a bin full of wheels, air filters, bulbs, clutch, soldering wire and tools, etc, etc. Plus there is less competition in the 250 class, less then 12 for sure.

If Your a Yamaha guy race the WR It really doesn't matter what You race as long as your self sustain with tools, compressors, parts, mechanical knowledge, and a fine tune bike. Especially that suspension. spend the cash and dial it in for 800 plus miles of sand and whoops!

I think the 1K is a loop race again this year? if it is it will be a pice of cake to chase. Last November we had 3 trucks chasing a solo rider and never had serious problems. Just do your homework with maps, radios, and meeting points. everything will most likely work out.

WR450? I've raced mine down there a hand full of times and done numerous fun rides its a great bike, reliable, and decent motor. My opinion would be to stick with the 250. its lighter and you'll save more energy on the smaller bike.

Don't know what else to add except to start saving some cash. that race is one the most high price events in the history of off road racing.

There are other off road series in Baja besides Score. Like Record, Code, and ZR. those will be a little gentler on your wallet. with about $1000 you can race one of the Mexican series and spend a week in Baja with a few friends. all the races use the same dirt roads/trails.

Late, Eddie

[spidennis]

eddie,

thanks a bunch for your expertise and advice. You're the first guy to suggest a 250 and will have to consider this highly. I'm training on my 250 and have my most fun on it, but I do wish I had a 290 kit in it. while looking/shopping for another 450 I did notice quite a few more 250s out there.

as for chase vehicles, I got my jeep grand cherokee with my small open trailer and hopefully a couple of friends with an exterra (sp?) with my hitch carrier on the back. My spare/parts bike can travel on either one.

I'm gonna need a dedicated pit company though to make things easier on myself, especially for gas stops.

I'll have to look into these other races you mention, a cheaper race might be a good warm up and experience builder for future racing down there.

If I was going the 450 route I'd go with dual 8" HIDs, but do you think for a 250 a single 8" HID would be enough? I hear that these lights are a bit heavy and maybe too much for a 250 to handle a dual set up?

entering the b1k is like taking the final exam in dirt bikes, it makes you get everything together, money, knowledge, training, gear, friends, and shows you what you need to study more on. In my case it's everything, but it's sure helping me to learn !

[Baja trail Rider]

I have wr250&450 great bikes,but the 250 has no top speed.When it is geared up,you will be down shifting that 250 bugger.

[spidennis]

I have wr250&450 great bikes,but the 250 has no top speed.When it is geared up,you will be down shifting that 250 bugger.

I've been running 14/52 sprockets on my 250. when it's hard pack I can be in top gear, when in deep sand I'm a gear down. this seems to be ok for faster riding. I've also run the stock 13 and sometimes a 12 on the front for different things, but for running the 250 at b1k 14 up front is my choice I'd imagine.

[123BigcoopDawg576]

if it was me, i would run a 450 its not much bike and its not to little...the 250 can do it but its going to be more work especially if you are soloing.

[thumperjp]

I'm really considering doing the baja 1000 and while my wr250 has been real good to me, it is an 03' model and I'm wanting a fresher bike. baja is mostly painted in honda red, and while I've owned plenty of red bikes in the past, I'm pretty happy and getting to really know my little blue bike. I'd really like to have fuel injection but don't know if I can wait for that in blue. want to share any thoughts?

Go with blue.

I had tried Baja1K in 2007. #106x My 08WR450F run great.

08Wr450F

2006YZ450F frontfork, IMS tank, Scott stearing stabilizer, Baja Design Dual HID, 14-48T Sprocket and Filter skin, that's all.

[spidennis]

yz front forks huh? instead of the wr ones?

[123BigcoopDawg576]

yz front forks huh? instead of the wr ones?

YZ forks are not need...you can have the WR forks valved and sprung to handle Baja just fine. the yz route is a very good option but by the time you buy the forks and then have them valved and sprung your good be spending more money. you arent a pro rider so the question really is do you need that?

[123BigcoopDawg576]

IMS tank, Scott stearing stabilizer, Baja Design Dual HID, 14-48T Sprocket and Filter skin, that's all.

These are all great suggestions ?

in all honesty is comes down to how much money have to spend and how setup you want to be.

if it was me, i would have my bike dialed even if that ment buy a new bike.

[spidennis]

nope, I'm not pro .

need it? not yet, not this year.

and you said " and that's all"?

as I'm pouring through all the reading and research, ouch!

there's way more to it than " and that's all".

[spidennis]

in all honesty is comes down to how much money have to spend and how setup you want to be.

if it was me, i would have my bike dialed even if that ment buy a new bike.

so how many only use one bike? I'd sure love to have two of the same bike, the first bike to practice, prerunner and then later be a parts bike, and the second bike as the race bike, but ..... yeah, that's a big BUT!

my 03'wr250f will have to be the first bike of this plan, still working on what is going to be the race bike.

yeah, I'm seeing I have to get my money pipe line built and working to support my habit as it's only getting worse!

[erickdj]

yz front forks huh? instead of the wr ones?

Absolutely, yz forks are far superior to wr forks, even in stock form. Unless you weigh significantly more than 200lbs, the stock valving on yz forks will do the job just fine. Swapping the wr's forks for yz forks is NOT more expensive than re-doing the wr forks, I know because I just did it myself on my bike. Find a good deal on some yz forks, then sell your wr forks, you might just end up breaking even on the cost.?

[123BigcoopDawg576]

Absolutely, yz forks are far superior to wr forks, even in stock form.:

I completly agree

Unless you weigh significantly more than 200lbs

You got me there! In my case, my wr forks can hang just fine with a yz front end ?

i guess in the end, its to each his own...either way, a yz front end (stock) vs a sprung/valved front end will both be better then a stock front end:ride: