What kind of relibility has the wr 450 had. I am looking at getting a new bike and might consider a WR450. I will need to plate it and it will see some road use so how are these bikes holding up? I am riding a XR 400 right now. Or should I go orange, 500 street legal and fuel injected or a Husaberg 570? Opinions please.

Not quite as bulletproof as your 400, but I would put the WR heads and shoulders above the 500 and 570 you listed on a reliability scale. Performance-wise, it will easily out-do your 400, but also give up something to the 500 and 570. It's all about compromise and where you want to be on the reliability and performance scales.

woods-rider, on 27 January 2012 - 01:38 PM, said:

/\Couldn't have said it better myself.

Blue makes a dual sport WR250R but they are lacking its 450R counter part. I have no experience as far as making a WR450F street legal in WV.

Good Luck!

You can uncork the WR and add some performance. For a few extra bucks, you can install YZ cams which will make a noticable difference. My WR426 had all of the free mods and it ran very strong...just sold it to a friend recently. The WR offers good reliability for the amount of performance you get...but Im not sure it compares to the KTM.

SleepyHeadYZF, on 27 January 2012 - 01:49 PM, said:

I believe it is pretty easy here in WV to plate a bike, i know several people that have. I dont believe the 250 has the power I want. I know someone with one and he mentioned that to me. My xr is bored and it runs great. I want better suspension and something newer. I am even thinking about the KTM 690.

How much % road vs offroad are you riding? And what type of off roading?

moto_rider7755, on 27 January 2012 - 02:22 PM, said:

from single track to fireroads to two lane rural roads. Depends when I go riding,sometimes in the evenings a 40 or 50 mile road ride and weekends can be 60+ miles off road. I just like riding and do not want two bikes

The WR has one of the most durable modern 4t motors. KTM's 4t's are good performers but not nearly as reliable unless you go with a pre-2008 model. The KTM 450 and 500+ models will be better on the road because of the extra gear. 2008 + Ktm 4t has known durability issues. The 2012 model has a new motor.

I've been riding an'06 WR450 for three years on tight single track and quad trail. It does a fine job, and I've had no mechanical issues. Valves have never needed adjustment.

he lighter bikes are less tiresome on long days but it's not important to me since I don't race. With any bike, it is critical that you get the suspension set up properly for your weight and type of riding. Over the last several years I've learned just how important this is and how little changes can make a huge difference in how your bike handles. Still it amazes me how some of my riding buddies pay little or no attention to suspension set up. That's why it is so difficult to judge someone else's bike unless they are the same weight as you and have the bike set up properly.

Both the WR and KTM will serve your needs well. I mostly agree with Navaho6...except for the 2008 and later model reliability comment. I ride frequently with a guy that owns a 2008 530 XCW. As of last Saturday, it has 194 hours. Its had one valve adjustment at about 100 hours and hasnt moved since. The engine is 100% original, except for the valve shims. He is not really super meticulous about maintenance either. The bike had a leak in the homemade overflow and ran it out of coolant. It got hot enough that the clutch stopped working and died. Everyone there thought it was toast, but It didnt hurt the engine. I would say that is very reliable. I also have met other guys that ride later model 450s. I have only heard good things. I would have to agree that the 2007 and prior "RFS" motors were the perfect combination of reliabilty and low maintenance, but the newer bikes are also very good.