wr450 vs. heavy rider

[mineolaman]

Hi guys, I'm a big guy, 6'4 and about 385 lbs. I've ridden a canam 500 mx for the last few years but really want a wr450. Would this bike be able to carry me around ok? I'm guessing there wouldn't be any issues with the frame. I don't really jump or get nuts, just ride in the woods and trails. I would appreciate any helpful comments or suggestions as to improvments to the wr if I were to purchase one. Thanks, Shawn

[Beyond The Pale]

You will need new springs right away. They might not make the optimum for you, but the stiffest available will help a lot. Otherwise it should work better than your old bike.

[Wrfrk]

As mentioned need new springs. Would also suggest re-valving and heavier oil in the forks.

[caymanwent]

Hi guys, I'm a big guy, 6'4 and about 385 lbs. I've ridden a canam 500 mx for the last few years but really want a wr450. Would this bike be able to carry me around ok? I'm guessing there wouldn't be any issues with the frame. I don't really jump or get nuts, just ride in the woods and trails. I would appreciate any helpful comments or suggestions as to improvments to the wr if I were to purchase one. Thanks, Shawn

So judging by your description, your the runt in the family?? I am a big guy too..6'2" and about 340lbs...I ride a DR 650...tried a 400 before I bought it and it just didn't seem to be able to comfortably handle my weight...not from a suspension standpoint, but from a power output...you have to remember you are hauling around the equivalent of two average size people on a bike that is set up to haul one less than average weight person..I really don't think those extra 50 cc's are gonna make much difference..Now the 650 on the other hand is a MACHINE...any machine in this size range would suit you...if you are doing more for off road riding then I would suggest the Honda XR 650...more on road manners and then your probaly gonna want to try the KLR 650...if you want to be able to ride your bike to the offroad destination, take a nice long ride off road and then hop right back on the pavement and take it all the way home...well then you should look at the DR650....all are good machines, but you really can't go wrong with the Suzuki..like I said, I have one and have put 6000 miles on it in a year and a half and would not trade it for anything....well, maybe a v-strom, but other than that, nothing....hope this helps...feel free to PM me if I can give ya any other assistance...

[MaddogYZ]

A WR 450 will destroy any aircooled 650, it'll haul you just fine after the normal uncorking/free mods are done.

[ears2244]

I agree with Maddog YZ!

[stlavsa]

So judging by your description, your the runt in the family?? I am a big guy too..6'2" and about 340lbs...I ride a DR 650...tried a 400 before I bought it and it just didn't seem to be able to comfortably handle my weight...not from a suspension standpoint, but from a power output...you have to remember you are hauling around the equivalent of two average size people on a bike that is set up to haul one less than average weight person..I really don't think those extra 50 cc's are gonna make much difference..Now the 650 on the other hand is a MACHINE...any machine in this size range would suit you...if you are doing more for off road riding then I would suggest the Honda XR 650...more on road manners and then your probaly gonna want to try the KLR 650...if you want to be able to ride your bike to the offroad destination, take a nice long ride off road and then hop right back on the pavement and take it all the way home...well then you should look at the DR650....all are good machines, but you really can't go wrong with the Suzuki..like I said, I have one and have put 6000 miles on it in a year and a half and would not trade it for anything....well, maybe a v-strom, but other than that, nothing....hope this helps...feel free to PM me if I can give ya any other assistance...

comparing a 400 to a 450 is a pretty faulty comparison. Totally different animals.

[Regalman]

tried a 400 before I bought it

I really don't think those extra 50 cc's are gonna make much difference..

Thinking that the power output of a WR450 is like that of a DRZ400's with an extra 50cc's is laughable.

Apples and Oranges

[caymanwent]

A WR 450 will destroy any aircooled 650, it'll haul you just fine after the normal uncorking/free mods are done.

I hope you just mean in the dirt or in the woods...cause I would clean your clock on the street on my DR....straight or twisties...

[idamoh]

I hope you just mean in the dirt or in the woods...cause I would clean your clock on the street on my DR....straight or twisties...

In the original description of the post I believe the big guy he was looking for an off road trail bike, and not one for the street. I would have to agree with everyone else you cannot compare a WR450 to a DRZ400. I don't see the advantage to getting an XR650 over a WR450 either. Either way your going to have to seriously stiffen up the suspension, and a WR will haul your big butt around as well as the XR with less weight on the bike.

[mineolaman]

I gotta hand it to ya, you have a knack for stating the obvious fella. ANYWAY, getting by Richard Simmons' advice for a moment, I appreciate all the GOOD advice and helpful directions. As for you Richard, I know you're probably trying to help and make life good in your 160lb world but honestly dude this is a dirtbike forum, not a gym, get over yourself already.

[diegox450]

I hope you just mean in the dirt or in the woods...cause I would clean your clock on the street on my DR....straight or twisties...

L.O.L. I think you never ride any 450 ??

[markh1]

I'm pretty much the same build as you and have had my WR for over a year and it has more than enough power to get you into trouble but its super controllable,smooth power and will get you up just about anything you have the BALLS for. As for the suspension springs are a must before you even take it out and if you can afford it do a revalve at the same time im about to have mine re valved in a couple weeks. Also do the free mods asap!

[mineolaman]

Well, i really appreciate the good advice. It's nice to know there are some helpful folks in here. Also, I see you are a fellow Texan...GO HORNS!! I'm guessing you had the spring job done before you had your's on the trail then? I thought I'd go ahead and do that as well. I'll have to wait a bit for the revalve but i'm not going to be doing any crazy jumping or mx riding anyway. I ride woods and trails. When you start getting in the 40's it hurts too bad to fall. lol

thanks again,

shawn

[Regalman]

I hope you just mean in the dirt or in the woods...cause I would clean your clock on the street on my DR....straight or twisties...

LOL, I hope you have some serious money put into the 650 or won't even come close cleaning the clock of a properly setup WR on the street.

[gregg holloway]

Hi

Im 6ft 4 and weigh 110kg.

I have only raised the bars and the bike is fine.

we do 250 km every weekend and none of it is easy.

You can put a heavier spring in therear but standard will be OK.

Gregg

[JSanfilippo]

I've seen a bigger dude ride a WR 450 with the 490 big bore kit in it. If I had to guess hes probably about 6'3"-6'5"ish and about 320-335 lbs (I'm horrible at guestimating weight). The bike didn't look like it was straining at all.

270 lb WR 450f + 385 lb man/about 48 hp (uncorked) = Roughly 13.6 lbs/hp

250 lb WR 250f + 190 lb man/ about 33 hp (uncorked)= Roughly 13.3 lbs/hp.

So a big dude on a 450 is gonna have roughly the same throttle response and power on tap as an averaged sized dude riding a 250f. Having once been an averaged sized dude at about 190 lbs I didn't think a 250f (YZ specifically)was hurting for power at all. I think an uncorked stock WR 450f is plenty for a 350 lbs + rider.

[diegox450]

Hi

Im 6ft 4 and weigh 110kg.

I have only raised the bars and the bike is fine.

we do 250 km every weekend and none of it is easy.

You can put a heavier spring in therear but standard will be OK.

Gregg

Same here... but riding 200kms per weekend... stock springs and rised handlebars, just adjusted the sag and a little more compression and rebound

[robbieallen27]

Ive got a wr 450, im 6'2 154 kg (over 300lb) i changed the springs to suit my weight & now iTs a crazy kick ass rig ! Ive ridden off road with little fellas on drz400 & they cant keep up! top machine the WR450!

[Bushdog]

Thinking that the power output of a WR450 is like that of a DRZ400's with an extra 50cc's is laughable.

Apples and Oranges

my word! - the 450 is a BEAST, ill say it again BEAST!!!!!

A drz400 would have similar power to a WR250.

man the thing can pull up on the back wheel in 4th gear easy! YOU WILL NOT NEED ANYMORE POWER. you would also struggle to find more power, unless you get a KTM 530, Husaberg etc - the WR450 is a MOUNTAIN of power compared to the Dr650 and drz400. BEAST! GET ONE!.