2012 wr450

[BoiseBee]

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe the new WR450 just won the Roof of Africa Extreme race last week. A 16 year old kid whooped Jarvis, Letti, Birch etc.. on a 450. That is the first major win I've noticed for the 12 WR450.

Wade Young rides a YZ250B. But a great win none the less!

[Bandit9]

Wade Young rides a YZ250B. But a great win none the less!

[Bandit9]

Sure looked like a 450 to me. How do you know?

[Bandit9]

http://www.enduro21.com/index.php/component/k2/item/750-young-wins-roof-of-africa

[BoiseBee]

Sure looked like a 450 to me. How do you know?

The Yamaha-Africa facebook page said he was riding a YZ250B (2 stroke), but the FIM-AFRICA website lists clearly in his rider profile that he rides a YZ250F. If you look at the top of the page above his profile, you can see he races in the Enduro 1 class on a Yamaha 250/4 (250cc/4 stroke).

http://www.fim-africa.com/isde-team-sa

Here is the rider list from the actual Roof of Africa race, which also shows he was in the 250 class. Just click on the "Entry List" tab.

http://www.roofofafrica.org.ls/

Edited November 25, 2012 by BoiseBee

[Bandit9]

Oh well, still cool that Yamaha won.

[BoiseBee]

Oh well, still cool that Yamaha won.

No doubt!

I'm looking forward to seeing how the Yamalube Active 8 team does this year in the Australian AORC series on the new WR 450's

[Navaho6]

Nice footage of Matt Phillips on the WR -

[Lumberjack450]

Anyone know where I can find a shorty clutch lever for the 12? I really want one so that I can use my fancy on the fly adjuster with my probends... plus I only use 2 fingers anyways and I'd rather not just cut the stock lever.

[Dave WR450]

I had to get a short clutch lever for my Cycra hand guards to fit, Moose Racing PN 0613-0034.It is for 03-07 but fit my 12 and works great.

Edited December 18, 2012 by Dave WR450

[supermega1]

I had to get a short clutch lever for my Cycra hand guards to fit

Had the same issue with my Cycra's when I bought them. I put the spacer kit on it and now have no problem what so ever.

http://store.cycrara...yspacerkit.html

Edited December 18, 2012 by supermega1

[huero]

Yes, I had the forks reworked also:

Spring: .50kg

Preload: +3mm

Oil/Height: MX5 - 375cc

Compression: 16

Rebound: 18

Hey Boise,

Where do you get the springs? Or, I guess what I want to know is if racetech springs for the 2010-11 yz450 fit the 2012 wr450. I called racetech today and they are not sure. They have yet to have a 2012 in to check. I suspect that the springs at both ends are the same.

Thanks

Huero

[BoiseBee]

Hey Boise,

Where do you get the springs? Or, I guess what I want to know is if racetech springs for the 2010-11 yz450 fit the 2012 wr450. I called racetech today and they are not sure. They have yet to have a 2012 in to check. I suspect that the springs at both ends are the same.

Thanks

Huero

I got my suspension re-sprung and re-valved at TBT racing. I would give them a call and see if you can buy the springs direct from them. Those dudes know these Yamaha's.

http://www.tbtracing.com/

[JDLowrance]

I just got my 0.54kg/mm springs from RaceTech. Talk to Tony in service...he'll hook you up. It's the same springs used in the 06-09 YZ450F. I know this as I had some 0.50kg/mm springs laying around from my -08 YZ450F and they matched up dimensionally with the stock springs and fit right in.

Edited January 9, 2013 by JDLowrance

[huero]

Thanks Boise

[huero]

I just got my 0.54kg/mm springs from RaceTech. Talk to Tony in service...he'll hook you up. It's the same springs used in the 06-09 YZ450F. I know this as I had some 0.50kg/mm springs laying around from my -08 YZ450F and they matched up dimensionally with the stock springs and fit right in.

JD,

Thanks for the heads up. I will call them back. That's exactly what I needed to know.

Thanks again,

Huero

[RMXGus]

Gday guys, thought id throw in my own review of the 2012 WR450 as i recently had half a days riding on one.

I'll try to make it brief.

Pros (for me) :

1) The engine. I liked it. The fuel injection was a good step forward. Felt strong mid to top, bottom wasnt as pokey as my RMX, but it was not lacking power. Big improvement.

2) Brakes were good. Good feel, not over the bars Brembo power, but i like a little forgiveness in my brakes, so for me they were nice, and once again, not lacking stopping power.

Cons (for me)

1) Erganomics... The bike was not comfortable for me (5Ft,11) reguarding peg height, bar height and bar positioning at all. And also made seat height feel wrong. This was my biggest issue with the bike, and has a massive impact on my riding.

2) Suspension. Felt like a lounge chair. Which would be good for casual riding, but nothing else.

3) Front end stability. Not sure why it shook and kicked so hard, maybe rake? Im not sure, but not good on the very rocky terrain we were riding.

One good thing is most of what i didnt like could be changed to improve. So if you have your heart set on this bike and are prepared to spend it could end up right for you.

Should also mention all my comparisons come from the 2011 RMX which im currently riding.

Thanks gus, hope ive added a little perspective ?

[supermega1]

3) Front end stability. Not sure why it shook and kicked so hard, maybe rake? Im not sure, but not good on the very rocky terrain we were riding.

I noticed a lot of twitchy-ness in the front where it felt like it was wanting to go all over the place and you kinda had to fight it.

Switched the front tire out to a Maxxis Desert IT and it completely changed the feel on the front end. It lost all of that twitch.

Not sure if this is comparable to what you experienced but I know that switch made a world of difference.

[Bandit9]

WR450 twitchy?????? They are known for their stability. They are one of the most front end stable bikes out there. I would venture to say someone has set up issues or way too soft springs.

[Lumberjack450]

WR450 twitchy?????? They are known for their stability. They are one of the most front end stable bikes out there. I would venture to say someone has set up issues or way too soft springs.

I have to agree with you... I've never experienced head shake ever on this bike.

This is also the best front-steering bike I've ever ridden. I've had had multiple comments about how it feels like "it's on rails" ! Especially once I got rid of that mx51!