06 vs 07 WR450F

[Diabs]

Not if the shape is right #(deep thin box section)

Possible to get same strength for less weight using Al

Honda tried that with the first batch of Al frame's....too may returns and cracked welds....at least thats what I heard???

[diegox450]

Not if the shape is right #(deep thin box section)

Possible to get same strength for less weight using Al

As for lower costs - I don't think so

Al is alot more expensive to buy and process

I bet the AL frame costs Yam more to make than the steel one, what with all those castings and welding

Search the forum... lots of posts regarding alu's cheaper production costs...

[SlowDinoDog]

The ability to change needle clip settings and main jets in a few minutes while the carb is still mounted in the bike without pulling the rear subframe and shock is a huge convenience. It makes it easy to dial it in.

Mostly, it's a styling preference. Personally, I like that "old school" steel tube frame look.

[GuyGraham]

Search the forum... lots of posts regarding alu's cheaper production costs...

Which forum - I didn't know there was a Yamaha accountant on this forum

Al is more expensive to buy - fact

AL frames have to be heat treated after welding - fact

Al frames have cast sections welded in, meaning extra operations (ie costs) from the casting (be it sant cast or die cast) - fact

Al requires Tig welding which is more expensive than Mig used on steel - fact

So, please explain how a steel frame is cheaper to make than an Al frame

[GuyGraham]

Honda tried that with the first batch of Al frame's....too may returns and cracked welds....at least thats what I heard???

Cracked welds is a welding or H/treatment issue, not a result of the section shape of the frame tubes

[zimak]

Wow i must of had a lemon 06' because mine was a dog on the bottom end and the handling was nothing like my 08'...and by the way, they made specific changes to the motor in 06' to try and make the power more linear, end result the power sucked.

Everyone has an opinion, take from it what you want.

Just my .02

For sure.

The only time I feel like I'm low on bottom end is after a quik swap to the 03 YZ450 and back.

Other than that my 05 feels amazing.

[diegox450]

Which forum - I didn't know there was a Yamaha accountant on this forum

Al is more expensive to buy - fact

AL frames have to be heat treated after welding - fact

Al frames have cast sections welded in, meaning extra operations (ie costs) from the casting (be it sant cast or die cast) - fact

Al requires Tig welding which is more expensive than Mig used on steel - fact

So, please explain how a steel frame is cheaper to make than an Al frame

Search... AL frames are cheaper and easier to produce... simply use the search box, lots of discussion about steel vs alu ...

Why Yamaha would switch from a cheaper lighter steel frame to a heavier and costly alu frame ??? There's no reason...

[Diabs]

Cracked welds is a welding or H/treatment issue, not a result of the section shape of the frame tubes

Yes, you are right, but I beleive the reason for the cracks, came from al stressess, which be it weight or design, torque, rigidity....why bother?

The steel wins hands down I think in all areas, which is why old school exisits.

[Bushdog]

07 for sure -reasons

Alloy frame!

looks soooo much more sexy than 06!

goes like the clackers!

Yamaha havnt changed the design from 2007-08-09-10 - THEY ARE ON A WINNER WITH THIS ONE

better resale value

[GuyGraham]

Search... AL frames are cheaper and easier to produce... simply use the search box, lots of discussion about steel vs alu ...

Why Yamaha would switch from a cheaper lighter steel frame to a heavier and costly alu frame ??? There's no reason...

Again, you're not explaining how its cheaper

23 years engineering experience (some as a costing engineer) tell me

• 
  If the raw material costs more to buy, the end product will be more expensive
  If you have to do secondary operations ie H/treatment, then this is gonna increase the cost of the product
  If you have to produce special castings for sections of the frame then the extra components and their respective process will add cost to the final product
  IF you have to weld it all together with a more expensive process then the final product is gonna cost more
  

The Steel WR frames are made from off the shelf tubing, cut and bent to shape automatically on saws and pipe benders which is cheap, quick and easy

There is no way the AL frame costs less to make than the Steel frame

[AnimalDan]

2006 Steel frame = $1,164

2007 Al frame = $1,800

I'd rather ride than wrench on my bike so I prefer my 2005 and 2006. (I don't mean reliability, I mean the wrench time to get to parts)

[odlaw19]

I've had both steel and alu frame yamaha over the years and never had a problem with either. Yes, there are pros and cons for both but the reality is that Yamaha produce quality bikes.

Plenty of people buy bikes because they look good, not the best reason but it is the truth. I wouldnt let carby access be the deciding factor in which second hand bike to buy.

Everyone knows the WRs are corked up out of the factory. Too many people (dealers too) think throwing a huge main jet at it will fix it. IMHO the 175 main that comes in the GYTR kit is over kill. Some many bikes are pigs because they have never been setup properly. I had this issue with my WR450 07 when i bought it second hand, but it didnt take much to fix.

May be a plastic frame would be cheaper to produce????