General Chat

[David Smith]

Hi Adam, steping up to a 450 theres a lot of diferences
power weight handleing
all big issues, but the bigest issue is the crf450's and there valve issues, i know people that have done valves at 1,000km and it cost them about $1,000
id realy look into it and dont take what the dealer tells you try a inderpendant shop for advise on it..

as for 250 - 450 i just went from a ktm 250 to a wr 450
and im loving the extra power straight line probly not much quicrer at all but the grunt out of the corners and the ability to leave it in a higher gear up a hill makes it well worth while.
the weight issue yes its heavy not on paper buy the books but the enersia on the motor makes it feel heaver to ride
and by the end of the day it dosnt feel like you have raped a little 250 by reving it all day
but my arms let me know im on a 450 again
so all in all either bike has its fors and againsts
id say get the 450, but if your only 70kg id get the 250
if your round 95 like me go the 450,

hope this helps

[David Smith]

good move you wont go wrong i just checked my tappets on mine befor the hcr and they were still like new
the oil comes out golden after 500km
filter every 1000km, are you going on any rides soon?
have to catch up. ive got a level 2+ ride coming up in a few weeks at rawson its got 2 hills one has a way around the others pritty easy as long as its not raining

[chrism]

I'm going to try and get to your ride at Rawson, but I have to work on the occasional Saturday morning.

I was thinking about doing a DBW ride at Moondarra this Sunday, I'd do Fumina on Sat but I'm working

[Mat R]

Hi Adam,

A person I work with is selling his 04 WR-F 450 for around $7000.  It is listed on bikesales.com.au and his name is Jeremy.  He decided to go from that to an 06 YZ250F with a rec reg kit.

I guess until you have ridden a few 250's and 450's it is hard to compare and work out what suits your riding style.

For now I am happy with the DR-Z400 but it is on the heavy side of things.  Just wish it had the E at the end.

ADB had a 450 "shootout" in the March edition, I think. This month it is the big bore enduro's.

Mat.

[Mat R]

Hi Adam,

The 04 is electric leg, and Paul explained why the YZ cam, though not sure how much extra maintenance that would be.  No other damage or work needed.  I am tempted to buy it but that is spending money I shouldn't.

As for trade in, the main point to you will be changeover cost which can often cloud the issue of how much the bike is and what you are getting for the XR.  They are likely to use any obvious damage as a lever to convince you it is worth less money.

New XR250's are cheap, and the new KLX250 is only $6500 plus the on roads.  This will hurt what you can sell your bike for. So a small loss on trade in may be worth avoiding a long wait to sell.

As for where the second hand WR-F's are, there does not seem to be one place that has them always "in-stock".  Check out bikesales, motorcycle trader (our HCR sponsor) etc to see who has one worth looking at.

Cheers,

Mat.