New 2009 wr450

[Snrub0800]

Hey, I just got an 09 and have some questions. How often should I change the oil, do I have to lube the chains and if so what with? When I got the bike the guy let me know the battery would not hold its charge therefore the e start didn't work. Does anyone know where I can get a battery? Also when attempting to use the e start the battery will after to or three tries of about two seconds each start clicking and the clock will reset and I don't know how to set the clock or use the computer. Is there wrong times to use the e start? Like if its a very cold start would it be better to just kick it? Thanks

[flyandride]

I have an 09 and change the oil about every 10 hours.  For the chain, I like Maxima chain wax.  The charging system on WRs in not great, mine wouldn't charge enough to use the e start much.  I changed the stator and regulator rectifier to Ricky Stator parts.  Now it keeps it charged and the e start works.  Only time I kick it is when it's very cold.  Otherwise I always use the button.  You can get a battery at www.rockymountainatvmc.com or ebay.  For setting the clock and using the computer you'll have to get a shop manual or owners manual. 

[FORMA MOTO]

Go to Yamahas site and down load a service manual and read it cover to cover

[Snrub0800]

Thanks guys and can you also inform me on suspension maintenance

[Mbiker_101]

Welcome, read the faqs at top of this forum, it answers many of your questions. It answers questions you don't have just yet. Haha

Also the front fork sucks, just get a 06 07 yz sss forks and it will save you money in the long run.

[FORMA MOTO]

^^ or get a Smart Performance kit to fix the base valve problem (it either bottoms or locks up, at the wrong times)

[SteveThe Snakes]

Definitely get the base valves fixed or new Racetech gold valves or other. They sack through the travel and make the forks very harsh and usually very dangerous.

[Snrub0800]

I didn't know wr450's had valve problems. How often should I check them or should I just replace them.

[SteveThe Snakes]

I didn't know wr450's had valve problems. How often should I check them or should I just replace them.

No valve problems. It's the base valve in the front forks.

[Snrub0800]

Oh, I gotcha now. Should I replace those or just get yz forks?

[SteveThe Snakes]

Oh, I gotcha now. Should I replace those or just get yz forks?

YZ forks are nice some people really like them on the WR's.

Either way you might want to send them out to get sprung and valved for your weight and riding style.

[Mbiker_101]

I've sent my forks out twice for revalving, never liked them, bought stock 07 yz sss forks and loved them, huge improvement!!!! Save the money and just buy yz forks. Don't make my mistake.

[barkbuster]

+1 on the yz forks

[SteveThe Snakes]

I've sent my forks out twice for revalving, never liked them, bought stock 07 yz sss forks and loved them, huge improvement!!!! Save the money and just buy yz forks. Don't make my mistake.

Who did you send your WR forks to.

I have been happy with the gold valved WR forks. I did them myself based on the racetech computer valving.

[FORMA MOTO]

It all depends on how/what you ride.

If you go from sand to boulders and whoops in the same 20 min, then the open bath will either be too harsh or too soft, regardless of clicker settings, based on bottom valving.

 

.

[SteveThe Snakes]

Yea I should say I sent mine out several times also. But to the wrong guy. He even insisted they were good until I did some intensive research and found out how full out s--- he was. He used to be a good suspension guy. Well used to be anyways.

[Mbiker_101]

I sent mine to a local shop in San Diego, won't say which one. Forks were ok in small stuff but hit a hard whoop and it would bottom hard. It help friend has a 08 Yz and would swap and ride the same jumps/whoop, his was dramatically better.

Also he bought a plated 08 wr450 for the street, he had his forks revolved by a different local guy in San diego and had the same issues would bottom on hard bumps. He would ride my wr450 with yz sss forks and it would never bottom.

We also did a YouTube video showing the difference. I'll see if I can find it.

[Mbiker_101]

Found the link

[SteveThe Snakes]

It's really a problem with suspension tuners on the WR450 forks. Most of them just put an extra shim or two under the stock base valves.

It doesn't work the base valves need to be machined to accept all shims and no springs. The other route is to replace the base valves completely.

The YZ's all use shims which are easily tunable and do not need the base valves changed.

So if anyone sends WR450 forks out for tuning you have to find out what the suspension tuner is going to do to them or your really wasting your money.

Some tuners are well trained and know what to do. The Racetech gold valves work.

Edited February 8, 2015 by stevethe

[FORMA MOTO]

Found the link

 

Really?

 

Some bonehead who rev's his bike to the rev limiter for 10 sec every hill climb has an opinion that has any merit???

 

You can even hear the piston slap around, on that poor bike.

 

What an idiot.

 

Oooh, the YZ suspension is better. That's a real revalation.

 

Edited February 9, 2015 by Kah Ran Nee