2008 450 Off-Road Comparison

The suspension is the plushest of the bunch and takes even the smallest ripples out of the ground. Comfort is top-notch and it also has the cushiest seat in the group. You can still race the bike in a GP but it's the first to bottom out (especially the rear) in big whoops or on jump landings.

We know the KLX is tough; we've been longterming our test bike from last year and it has taken a thrashing and is still running strong. Complaints center around a battery charging system that's just barely adequate and a brilliant muffl er that's so quiet you hear all kinds of other noises on the bike that you've never heard before.

The Verdict
This is the easiest bike to ride and a favorite with our novice riders. The less aggressive power delivery and the softer overall nature of the suspension also make it a top choice for those at any skill level who do nothing but trail ride

Yamaha WR450F
Don't Write Me Off Yet!
The only bike left mostly unchanged (it got new fork lowers and lighter disc rotors) from 2007 was the Yamaha. We included it as a benchmark of where we've been and to highlight the leaps the upgraded bikes have made. But we were surprised by how-as the trend of lighter and more feathery machines gets pushed-the stability and planted feel the Yamaha possesses (along with a more top-heavy stance) makes friends just as fast.

The Facts
We've always loved the linear and smooth WR motor; we've just hated that you have to make some modifi cations to get it to run the way most riders will ride it.

Read this: We installed the shorter throttle stop from the GYTR kit (part No. GTY-5TJ93-69-01) took out only the smallest baffl e from the muffl er tip (not the whole tip!) and pulled out the restrictor on top of the airbox. Then we disconnected the gray wire. We didn't change the jetting nor did we remove the airinjection system as it has no effect on the power.

When your Yamaha WR doesn't run well, reread the above paragraph before you write us a letter. A few riders actually ride the bike box stock and it's slower than a 250F and very easy to ride. Some install everything in the GYTR kit and it's a more aggressive setting than we've come to like.

The WR feels the heaviest on the trail, though it's pretty light in the handlebar and steering effort is low. In quick side-to-side and when the bike is bouncing around is when you notice the weight. In higher-speed riding the Yamaha, like the Kawasaki, is the most stable and therefore very comfortable. You also feel as if you sit a little more on top of the WR and it gets cramped quicker for larger pilots.

Suspensionwise, the WR strikes a balance of plushness and stiffness that has it being very middle of the road. It bottoms less than the KLX and more than the CRF-X or XC-W(R). It's plusher than the latter two and not as much as the Kawasaki.

The Verdict
This bike isn't out of the game yet. Once uncorked the motor is everything the KTM and Honda are and it loves the higher-speed arena. It bridges the gap between the aggressive red and orange bikes and the mellow green one.

For the some uncensored opinions and more photos, check out www.dirtrider.com.

1998 Honda XR400
A Bargain And Some History
What is 10 years of off-road motorcycle performance? And can you put a price on it? Well, for about $1500-$2200 you can find a nice Honda XR400 like we did and ride it to fi nd out. We took this decadeold bike out with us on one of our testing days and rode it with the current crop of 2008s to see where it fi t in.

The Facts
The XR had a loud muffler on it and the handlebar and levers were pointing every direction but straight. I dug up a stock muffler (which I feel is the best performing muffler on an XR400) and put on a Fasst Co. bar and new ASV levers. The bike felt totally fresh and ran like a top.