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Whos 450 is their trail bike.

By ZZ4Blazer,
in WR400F/426F/450F

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The Hill Boys

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I REALLY dont need to be seeing that. Years ago, a local fishing/camping place added a motorcycle section to their store. They had Jeremy Mcgraths supermoto race bike in there on display. I had never seen a supermoto before, and I instantly fell in love. I thought that was just the baddest thing ever.

Honestly, if I had a motard like that, Id probably be arrested and/or/both in the hospital real quick.

I went round and round about converting my WR to a sumo. Ended up buying a DRZ400SM. Now I have a perfect trail bike and hooligan street toy. ?

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Grand Master

Just_a_trail_rider

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Im sure most of you guys are a little biased since this is the yamaha section, but how many of you guys use the 450 as a trail bike?

Im looking for a dependable, powerful trail bike. Something I can throw a plate on, and be or atleast look street legal. I know a lot of forest land and such require it to be.

Will be 90/10 offroad, if even that much on. NOT looking for a dual sport. My dr650 does fine for that. But its not a trail bike. Wasnt designed to be, not gonna try to make it one. Most of the road riding will be to/from/between trails. Maybe around the neighborhood for some hooliganism every once in a while.

Riding open jeep trails, to tight single track, hill climbs, rock gardens and just about everything in between except for dune riding. I wanna get back into trail riding as I loved it even on the old, heavy, 70's beaters we would ride. It would only get better with a good bike.

Will not be raced, mx'd, etc. Primarily transported via my tahoe to riding locations, or camping in the area, road trips for riding weekend, etc.

Who uses their bike like this, and are you happy with your 450 for it? Or should I look elsewhere?

I have yz250 and a ktm 450 for racing. But my trail bike, the one I use for dual sport and fun rides, is my wr450. Its perfect. Nice power, easy to control. Its a gentle bike compare to the others. but.. it climbs like a billy goat!

I hitch it up the back of my Tahoe using my aluminum bike carrier and take it to the desert or the mountains and ride it all day, especially since I get over 100 miles on my 3+ gallon tank.

You absolutely cannot go wrong with this bike.

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mikewrf18

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My 07' WR450F is plated, and it's also uncorked. I was somewhat disappointed with it right off the showroom floor. If you get the opportunity, ride one that is stock, then ride one that is uncorked. You will be amazed at the difference! The only reason I'd ever give up this bike, is for a new WR w/EFI, if it ever happens! Oh yeah, I use mine exclusively for trail riding, and the plate allows me to connect to trails on public roads. (Legally)

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travertt

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Have an 04 legally plated WR450 (don't ask) fully uncorked,...actually never corked at all since its a Canadian bike and back in 04 came fully opened up from the factory. Sadly not the same today!

Used exclusively for serious 4-8 hour trail rides in some of the gnarliest and snottiest stuff you can imagine...basically ski-doo trails that in the summer are nothing put completely ungroomed and un-used stump and log infested rough cuts thru the forest connected by the occassional dirt road.

The WR is a blast. Enough power to plaster that stupid grin all over your face, get airborne over the occassional well place rock face and plow thru whatever comes your way.

The plate allows for the requisite 10-15 minute highway ride to the trails and back.

It ain't the most nimble beast in the woods, but if your not racing...who cares.

If you're a little height challenged (you will need to be able to put your foot down if you're in the really serious stuff) put a lowering link on it and head for the bush. I have a "Yama-link" on mine http://www.motorcycleloweringlinks.com/ and it works great.

Go for it....you will not regret it.

Oh yeah..forgot to mention....low maintenance and virtually indestructible!!

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Rising Star

CanadianWR450

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I was picking up my wife's brand new 2008 TTR 230 at the dealer when they wheeled out a mint 04 WR450 (Canadian, with opened exhaust...so it was already "uncorked" so to speak, except for the grey wire) fired it up for me and said "Here try this out before you leave with that double trailer with only one bike on it. Here is a free set of tie downs just in case you need them...."

haha!

Needless to say, the TTR was not lonely in the trailer on the way back home.

Going for a little putt and the thing standing up in 3rd on pavement with nothing but a twist of the throttle, and not even THINKING about wanting the front end up sold it.....my last bike was a 84 XR 500 about 20 years ago....lol

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The Hill Boys

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Whered you guys get your bike? Buy them new? Found em locally?

I dont have all the money yet, but been keeping my eye out. Theres almost NOTHING. CL, ebay, local, cycletrader, etc.

I found mine on Craigslist. An 06 that an older gentleman had bought to ride with is son. His knees went out on him and he couldn't ride anymore. Bike had about 4 hours on it total. It had sat for a long time in his garage though. Carb was a wreck. Gas had gummed up, dried out, and was peeling/cracking. Since I needed to uncork/rejet, etc, it wasn't a big deal. Paid $3200 for it. I wouldn't think of buying a new bike. The mark up is so high. No matter how much you care for it, two years later it's worth half of what you paid. Look used. Be patient. Something will turn up. Be ready to act quick when it does. Here is a few sites to help you in your search....

http://www.bikefinds.com/

http://www.searchtempest.com/

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Grand Master

SJMC_DON

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I was picking up my wife's brand new 2008 TTR 230 at the dealer when they wheeled out a mint 04 WR450 (Canadian, with opened exhaust...so it was already "uncorked" so to speak, except for the grey wire) fired it up for me and said "Here try this out before you leave with that double trailer with only one bike on it. Here is a free set of tie downs just in case you need them...."

haha!

Needless to say, the TTR was not lonely in the trailer on the way back home.

Going for a little putt and the thing standing up in 3rd on pavement with nothing but a twist of the throttle, and not even THINKING about wanting the front end up sold it.....my last bike was a 84 XR 500 about 20 years ago....lol

I had an 04' Canadian WR450, it came stock with the correct (YZ) throttle stop and I don't even think it had a grey wire. It's a toss up but it may have been one of my favorite WR's that I have owned.

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CanadianWR450

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I had an 04' Canadian WR450, it came stock with the correct (YZ) throttle stop and I don't even think it had a grey wire. It's a toss up but it may have been one of my favorite WR's that I have owned.

Mine had the grey wire, and I now have it hooked up to a toggle switch I have never had to use the "hooked up" position though since my other mods.

I know a lot of ppl have said it does not do anything, or felt no difference on Canadian bikes, but with it being fast and easy to switch between ignition settings, I can say beyond any doubt that the grey wire DOES make a difference on mine, and it's very noticeable between the settings.

I got it for $3600 Cdn out the door back in 2008, and that included a brand new battery installed, and the front forks serviced (one had a leaky seal).

I LOVE it the way I have it set up now, there is simply no such thing as a wrong gear while trail riding. I just cruise along, take in the sights don't even know what gear I'm in half the time. I seriously don't know what you would have to do to stall it. You can lug it down 2 gears too high, and it couldn't care less....cruise the trails all day like that....twist, and instant power and torque, even hitting unexpected hills 2 gears too high.

I plan on keeping it for eternity, even if it's eventually only a souvenir garage queen.

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Dube2

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Mine had the grey wire, and I now have it hooked up to a toggle switch I have never had to use the "hooked up" position though since my other mods.

I know a lot of ppl have said it does not do anything, or felt no difference on Canadian bikes, but with it being fast and easy to switch between ignition settings, I can say beyond any doubt that the grey wire DOES make a difference on mine, and it's very noticeable between the settings.

I got it for $3600 Cdn out the door back in 2008, and that included a brand new battery installed, and the front forks serviced (one had a leaky seal).

I LOVE it the way I have it set up now, there is simply no such thing as a wrong gear while trail riding. I just cruise along, take in the sights don't even know what gear I'm in half the time. I seriously don't know what you would have to do to stall it. You can lug it down 2 gears too high, and it couldn't care less....cruise the trails all day like that....twist, and instant power and torque, even hitting unexpected hills 2 gears too high.

I plan on keeping it for eternity, even if it's eventually only a souvenir garage queen.

yea, wut he sed...

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