Yamaha WR250F or WR450F ??

[swezy207]

Trying to decide on what bike I want to buy. I'm 6ft, 230 lbs, this is not my first bike, it will be for moderate to heavy trail riding, some jumping, and some possible road use. Also keep in mind I might get back into racing harescrambles.

I like the 250, but I want to make sure it has enough power for me, I heard the 450 needs a lot of tuning for low end so the bike doesn't chug. And is also heavier.

Anyone have both or have ridden both and can help me decide?

 

[wings_of_fire]

I can only say that any off road bike over 250 is KICK ASS.

 

[theloudone]

just about any bike is going to need some tuning. a 450 might weigh a little more but it's going to have the power to compensate for it. if you can afford it you should go with the 450.

 

[1tonscout]

I rode a new fuel injected kawasaki 250 and I was very impressed with it. I have ridden a few yamaha wr450's in the desert and they were ok. My main bike is an 08' ktm 300 xc-w and I can't say enough good things about it. best bike i've ever ridden. I've had and have a few bikes:ror:

 

[offroadace]

250 will not be enough power for you. The 250 will be good for slow trail riding and some small scale general purpose type riding, but if you want something that will grunt you out and has power to spare then go for the 450. Not sure how much tuning is really needed. Maybe a sprocket change or a CDI mod. Doubt you would need more than that for what you stated.

 

[1tonscout]

the 450 is a piece of chit in stock form. the smog bullshit has to be removed, the carb needs to be re-jetted and stock exhaust is too restrictive.

 

[swezy207]

I decided to go with the 450. Ordering it from Yamaha warehouse tomorrow.

 

[puddin]

Buy a can am ds 660 and get a second job to afford it. I bought a 06 400 4x4 from the dealer and have beat it like a toothless crack whore. Its still going strong. I love it just wish it had more power.

 

[racin707]

Your height and weight I recommend the 450, if you go new with the aluminum frame and fuel injection the Yamaha don't feel heavy at all very well balanced, power wise I know on the old one you could snip a wire and it turned off the rev limiter the give it the rev of the motocross version, then getting a little bit bigger rear sprocket can help with getting it lower geared for trail riding, raced bikes for years and have demo ridden just about all if then before I got out last year and each bike had its perks and down, but honestly Yamaha is the most reliable motor you can get with the least issues...happy hunting

 

[gdb85]

I rode a new fuel injected kawasaki 250 and I was very impressed with it. I have ridden a few yamaha wr450's in the desert and they were ok. My main bike is an 08' ktm 300 xc-w and I can't say enough good things about it. best bike i've ever ridden. I've had and have a few bikes:ror:

I have to agree my last two bikes back in 99 and 01 were the 300 MXC (I liked the close ratio tranny for eastern woods)

The absolute best bikes I owned. I had RMX's, YZ's, WR's. Just something about the KTM that I liked and suited my riding style.

Anyhow, good choice on the 450. "thumbsup" I liken the 4 strokes to the previous 2 strokes...what would you rather have under your but, a 125 or a 250. You know what I mean?

Have fun!

 

[swezy207]

I got my quad running again today! It should hold me over til I get my bike... It's an '03 Suzuki Z-400 lots of mods, was my harescramble machine for a few years. Fun quad, very fun.

 

[OTHGbronco82]

Isn't the WR450 just a 250 frame with a 450 motor in it? I thought that's what I read in Dirt Bike magazine.

 

[puddin]

Isn't the WR450 just a 250 frame with a 450 motor in it? I thought that's what I read in Dirt Bike magazine.

Yes. The extra weight comes the motor.

 

[swezy207]

Got it!!!

 

[wings_of_fire]

Congratulations and have fun"thumbsup"

Wish I could just walk into a showroom and buy one

 

[OTHGbronco82]

Yes. The extra weight comes the motor.

And more power.

Nice bike BTW."thumbsup"

 

[Fiftygrit]

In all my years of riding, I would rather have the power and not need it than have less, sometimes a little more poop can get you out of trouble, Im 6ft 1in and 215 and I would go for the 450 hands down, My HD in the garage has 1450 cc and there is days when I wish it had more, my Honda 250 is too small Im always hunting for the right gear my 650 you just roll on the throttle and the torq does the job, onlu you can decide cheer`s

 

[lunatick]

Yes. The extra weight comes the motor.

I like the 300cc two strokes
Best of both worlds , light weight and power"thumbsup"