2014 WR450

[JaimeV]

Fantastic bike!! I wish to have one to tuned like a Dakar rally bike... I love them!! ::012::

 

[snakebitten]

Be happy to give an "old man" review later, Madhatter!

Already have a few rides on it. Some time spent just cutting up on my property, and a couple of short jaunts around town, because I can.

First thing you'll know if you get the EXC is it is geared CRAZY TALL. Seems KTM swaps 13-50 sprockets for 15-45.
That's an amazing large adjustment just to ride their 500 Enduro on the street. And you know it when your cruising at 65-70mph and you downshift because it feels like it's lugging. Lol

I compromised, since I'm not aiming for the really slow technical single track, with a try at 14-48
Rode it over to "my mechanic" to swap sprockets. (He has all the cool air tools)

Turns out my chain needed another couple of links. So I stole Combos truck and ran to get a new one. Then he was even kind enough to cut it to length and get it all on and adjusted!

Just rode it home. Much better. And nice to gain a bit of acceleration as a bonus. It's all good so far.

Oh, except my kick stand came from KTM with the wrong bolt and it resulted in breaking right off.
It was fun to show up at Combos and "braaaaap" across his acreage, then slide to a stop in front of him. Hit the kill switch. Then just drop the bike to the ground and walk away from it like it was a kids bicycle.

 

[Combo]

I'm already tired of working on KTM's ............. ;D I could not believe you pulled up on a 15K dirt bike and laid it on the ground when you pulled up. Didn't know you broke the Kick stand. ::013:: The funny part was when I told him I saw your dismount but how do you get back on. He said I straddle the bike and pick it back up. ??? ;D ??? ;D ::025::
Was fun today and .............OK I like your Bike too.

But I have an answer to that Fancy 500 of yours with my blower addition I told you about.

 

[Madhatter]

snake, great start to a comprehesive real world owner ship reveiw... cycle world came today, ktm vs. bmw .... their final tally on the beemer, 11,000 miles (Mind you, they do say in article they rode them hard. and the beemer ha sbeen dropped a few times) and 1800.00 dollars in maintenance plus 3100.00 dollars in repairs . 400.00 to fix broken horn button... and yet they sing its praise as the best thing ever... 5000.00 extra dollars to pay in 11000 miles .... wow.... i have had my tenere 2 years next month, i have not spent more than 500 on maitenance in that time and 14000 miles, and that includes new tires.... that katoom looks like it could be a great machine . i hope it is .... i might just want one.....

 

[carrot]

looks like where about to have a ktm vs. yamaha i will have to put my money on the yamaha sorry snake

 

[snakebitten]

So that rotopax isn't for extending your range in the desert, after all. That's the fuel tank for that fancy turbine. Very clever. Couldn't get that in blue?

Carrot, no apologies necessary. Really.

Truth is, I woke up a few days ago with a sudden case of "wait a minute, I don't have to eat their dust on my lowly DRZ" and had the urge to sneak behind their (2 old dudes) back and get their guy to build me one of them fancy WR450-plated bikes too. Secretly.

Got my cell phone mapping program to show me where their dealer is located. I had never been there. (bought my Tenere at the sister dealership back in 2012)
I was just a few blocks away and after having 3 cups of coffee, I needed to.......well, you know.
So I stopped at a Kawasaki-KTM dealership, almost across the street, just at opening time. To PEE

Well, the rest is history. And Combo is crazy. The KTM ain't 15K. At least it isn't if you take them up on their moto of "Ready To Race", and ignore all the really cool stuff they have hanging all over the walls in the ORANGE room.

The owner pretty much MATCHED the price of the WR. So there!

But I still get your point. If you mean things like reliability and getting you back home and washing it and just putting it back in the barn.
Yea, I ain't stupid.

But, if you mean which one makes you get up in the middle of the night and go in the kitchen just to STARE at it..........well, you're on! Lol

By the way, this ain't my first or only orange machine. I've been smitten long before now. I liken it to those things in life that make a normally sensible man just occasionally throw caution to the wind. Ironically, orange means CAUTION

 

[Madhatter]

i find my self staring at my tenere like i used to look at my wife... she has noticed... man why don't yamaha hang some lights on the wr450, be an easy call... snake , carrot got it bad for a new play bike, just a matter of time before he pulls the trigger.... then i'll have to pull trigger on a bike myself ... i had a dr650 before lust pulled me away(the tenere's sparkeling headlights had me at first look)and i've been thinking about another... the ktm is that sassy little gal down the street that has a man thinking (you know all stupid) can i really do (afford) that... i got no problem she wears orange.....is she just after my wallet.....

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Damn, congrats Snake. I once had me one of those orange bikes back when they were 520cc. Most freaking amazing thing I've ever ridden for the first 2 to 3 hours of the day. Starting around hour 3+ when the body and brain is getting tired, the bike is still ready to rock. Be very careful at that point. It scared me more than a few times. Wish I had a place to ride one of those again. It was an unbelievably awesome machine.

Does the seat still feel like sitting on a piece of cast iron? Mine did.

Enjoy...and be careful out there. That thing can bite the hand that feeds it.

 

[snakebitten]

I hear how crappy the seat is on every bike I ever bought. And I gotta believe it's true if 90% of the folks complain.

But, I have 1 advantage over most........
Due to a spinal chord injury at T2-T7, I barely have sensation below my upper torso, down.
Don't know if my boots fit real well. Don't know if my legs are asleep, don't know if an insult is sharp or dull or cold or hot.......

That's why my foot pegs are so big on my Tenere. Need to know my feet are ON them without looking down to check. Lol
Having said all that, I still have aftermarket seats to address the 2x4 dirt bike seats. I assume my hiney appreciates the blood flow help.

As for being careful after being fatigued, I hear you loud and clear. I promise. Besides, the "race" in me is a far tamer demon these days. I LOVE to push it when doing anything. But pushing it is now a senior citizen version of pushing it.

There are no youtube videos of guys riding a 500EXC the way I do\will. Wouldn't get any hits.

 

[FrontRangeRider]

Combo - Are you still liking the WR450? I have a chance to buy a slightly used one that is already set up as street legal. I have the bug for a nimble, lightweight dirt bike for the more gnarly stuff that I know I don't have the proper Tenere skills for.

 

[FrontRangeRider]

The lightly used WR450F was sold before I made an offer so I am buying a 2015. Paid my deposit today, picking the bike up on Tuesday.

 

[snakebitten]

That's the spirit!

Just let go every once in a while. Reach for the gusto.

You can be practical tomorrow. >

 

[Combo]

The lightly used WR450F was sold before I made an offer so I am buying a 2015. Paid my deposit today, picking the bike up on Tuesday.

What Snakebitten said!

Sorry it took me so long to reply but looks like you made a good choice anyway. ::008::

You are going to have a blast on that 450. I love mine. ::001::

 

[FrontRangeRider]

I picked up the WR450R today. Since we did not get home early enough to get a real ride, I had to satisfy myself with riding up and down my dirt driveway (1/2 mile long) to start the break-in process. What a hoot! My driveway is full of roost and power slide marks and I am only using small throttle. I'm guessing large throttle openings are going to be amazing! No photos yet; I was overly focused on riding the bike. I'll get some photos in the next day or so.

The dealer installed a brake light switch for me so all I need to do is install the horn and mirror (already purchased ), swap the tires, and get the CO State Patrol inspection to make it street legal. In that vein, I may change the rear sprocket. Apparently, the sprockets on the 2015 WR are 13 front and 50 rear. According to the Gearing Commander website, I'll be turning around 6k to do 55 mph. Seems like high rpms for not very high highway speed.

Anyway, dying to get out for a real ride so Jan and I are searching the web for local places to ride this weekend. We just learned that Fort Carson has an OHV park; just need to verify that there are some novice trails for Jan to work on her skills. I'm god with falling and having to pick up the bike; she is less enthusiastic about that learning style. Also need to determine whether they will take my word that I have taken the MSF course. I took those course so long ago that I can't find my card. I have drivers licenses going back to 1975 that show motorcycle endorsements but I can't find either of my two MSF Basic Rider or my Experienced Rider Course cards. It won't shock me when they tell me I cannot ride on base. LOL

 

[snakebitten]

WooHoo!

As for gearing.......13-50 is definitely the "dirty" gearing package. Rightfully so since Yamaha shipped a DIRT BIKE to your dealer.

The KTM 500 XCW comes with that same sprocket set.
The KTM 500 EXC is the same bike but shipped with a license plate. It comes with 15-45 gearing.

Both are extremes, technically.

13-50 is geared to low for cruising the back roads at 60-70
15-45 is geared to tall for technical and tight off-road riding

Not saying this is gospel, but what has become pretty common for the folks that end up "dual-sporting" is splitting the difference.
14-48 is the consensus.

Keep in mind the Yamaha may have different gear ratios in the transmission. Surely it does. But coming with a 13-50 from the manufacturer indicates they probably aren't too far different. (other than I think Yamaha left one of their gears out of the transmission? > Sorry Combo and Fred, I just couldn't resist)

They make up for it by giving you an extra valve in the valve train though.

 

[scott123007]

13-50 is geared to low for cruising the back roads at 60-70
15-45 is geared to tall for technical and tight off-road riding

14-48 is the consensus.

Bruce,
Just a fyi if it's not too late. It's always better to try to achieve the gearing you want, by changing just your c/s sprocket. It is easier, less expensive, and can be changed back to lower gearing, with minimal fuss. (same chain can be used for both, without adding or subtracting links) From a wear standpoint, it is better to have the largest c/s sprocket you can fit in there. Although some may argue there is a power loss spinning a larger vs smaller c/s sprocket, it will be un-noticeable on a 450+ cc bike.

Just for reference, your 50T rear sprocket with a 15 c/s will give you a gear ratio of 3.33 which is only a 1-1/2 tooth taller difference than a 14/48 (3.42). Now, if you want to gear it a little lower, you just throw on a 14T (3.57), or put on your original 13T (3.84), in a matter of minutes, without having to add links to your chain.

 

[snakebitten]

Thanks scott123007

but yea, too late.
Keep in mind, mine is the EXC and came with the 45 tooth rear. But I still get your point.
I changed the rear to a 48 and it was an expensive blingy orange sprocket.
(Shoulda did the 50, maybe)



Now I have the 14 and 15 tooth CS sprockets. So I DO get to apply your principles, but with a small difference in ratios.
If I get a 13, then I have complete range of choices. And I concur!

 

[FrontRangeRider]

Had my first real dirt ride today in the Pikes Peak Ranger District. A buddy and I rode from the Rule Ridge trailhead, riding a combination of OHV and singletrack routes in the 717 area. A couple of observations:

It has been 37 years since I rode a high performance, lightweight dirt bike. The bike is WAY better than I am. The mix of exhilaration and fear made it a great ride. I probably should not have taken on the single track routes but with no falls, crashes, or tree impacts, it was a completely successful day. When I got home, SWMBO and I went to the local dealer to buy real protective gear. I now have chest armor and knee pads. The Aerostich wasn't going to cut it on those trails.

The power out of the 450 is amazing. It is hard not to spin the tire or powerslide. A little throttle provides a lot of power to the rear wheel. I learned to love the 13/50 gearing on a couple of technical climbs; in first gear, she just motored right on up in spite of my lack of technical skill. Even after I stalled the bike and had to kickstart it while trying to keep it from sliding backwards downhill. Once I get the bike street legal, I know I won't like the gearing nearly as much. At a minimum, I am going to try the bike with a 14 tooth c/s to see how it feels. And maybe a 15 as well. Probably have to change the chain for the two link difference. What do you think, Scott123007? Can I change the c/s by two without changing the chain?

 

[snakebitten]

On the WR can you reverse the axle adjustment blocks to avoid needing to change the chain length?

Frontrangerider, sounds like you had a great maiden voyage.
37 years? Mine is closer to 27-28 since my last true dirtbike. (88 YZ250)

Isn't it amazing how awesome these modern bikes are?

 

[Dirt_Dad]

It is hard not to spin the tire or powerslide.

Hard? Hell, I find that impossible on almost everything I've ever ridden. ::26::


Good to hear you're enjoying the bike. Congrats.