Thinking of upgrading - wr400 to wr450

[falklandsx]

Long-time lurker, first-time poster.

Looking for opinions. I presently own a 2000 wr400 and a 2004 DRZ400, and (of course) the obligatory CRF100 “for the wife.” ? The WR is almost bone stock (just the free mods, and an 07 FCR-39 with remote hot start.) So here’s where I’m at… the forks on the WR are due for a rebuild, and after reading a ton of posts on suspension, I’ve decided to tune the front and rear suspension for my weight (about 215 without gear.) In looking into this, it’s going to cost me about a grand to do everything I want to do (correctly.) I’ve always loved the WR, with one exception… getting stuck on a rutted-out hill, screwing with the compression release, and trying to get a good kick in to get the bike started again… pain in the ass!

So here’s my conundrum—should I spend the money on the WR400 suspension, slap the auto-decompress cam in, and keep the bike for a few more years, or get a wr450 (thinking 07 – 09) and spend the money on setting it up correctly?

Definitely not going to set the DRZ up as a “capable” dirt bike… I picked it up as a basket-case to use it for dual-sport riding (LA-Barstow-Vegas style,) and that’s how I’ve built it.

For reference - I live in AZ, and like single-track, trails, and forest riding.

Thanks!

[MANIAC998]

Well, the magic button on the newer WR is, well, magic! But upgrading to one is going to cost you a lot more than a grand. So if I'm reading into this correctly, your planning on selling the 400 and using that money along with the grand that would have been put into the 400 suspension to purchase the aluminum framed WR450. Power-wise, they are going to be fairly similar, but the newer WR will outhandle the 400 by a good amount.

[kawi380]

i would say go with a newer one or possibly a newer KTM if you are so inclined. I too live in AZ and have an 08wr450f. It is an excellent bike and has been absolutely bullet proof, but there is a night and day difference between it and the older ones. depending on where you live we could go out and I could let you take it for a spin to see if you feel much difference

[travertt]

Maniac's right.....at the end of a long hard day, stuck on a steep muddy hill, kickstart facing downhill, your buddies all watching you (probably deep down inside hoping for a good laugh)...you want the magic button.

You also want it every other time too.

[falklandsx]

i would say go with a newer one or possibly a newer KTM if you are so inclined. I too live in AZ and have an 08wr450f. It is an excellent bike and has been absolutely bullet proof, but there is a night and day difference between it and the older ones. depending on where you live we could go out and I could let you take it for a spin to see if you feel much difference

Thanks guys! I'm convinced - posting the bike today, and looking for an aluminum-framed WR450.. or maybe a KTM 380, I've had my eye on that bike for a while.

Kawi380- I might have to take you up on that. I'm in North Scottsdale (Bell & 101,) what part of town are you in?

Cheers,

[kawi380]

I'm in queen creak and ride most every weekend ?