What's Not
The effort required (and money) to uncork the standard package to get to the closed-course competition setting (GYT-5TJ93-69-01, $49.95).
Getting to the carb is a hose-and-wire-filled nightmare.You buy your own hand guards!
Opinions
My first ride on the WR was in Costa Rica and was largely on a Jeep road with washboards and very little technical riding. I begged the tour guides for more nasty stuff, but between having the Yamaha PR guy telling them not to kill off any journalists and the tour company's fear of journalists wrecking what were to soon be its fleet of almost-brand-new Yamaha WRs, I was restricted to only average riding terrain, not what we'd typically consider material for a test back home. The trip was fun, especially the beach-I still shake thinking about it. So we got a bike here and went to work. And every time I ride this bike I like it more. It feels lighter every time I ride it. The power grows on me; it's very similar to the YZ with each ride but tuned for its trail-gobbling nature. And it is so quiet, I think the loudest thing is the chain slapping on the buffer pad. If you are asking me what I think of this bike and if you really should buy this bike, my answer is, "Yes!"-Jimmy Lewis/5'10"/185 lb/A-rider
Lately, most of my riding time has been aboard the '07 YZ450F, and I love the bike for moto and even like it off-road. Knowing the similarities in the basic platform, I was more than anxious to get miles on the '07 WR450F. The WR hides its added weight (compared with the YZ) very well, and the electric start and radiator catch-tank system are well worth the weight. And I love a kickstand. The seat is a little softer than the YZ, but otherwise the chassis feels similar. If anything, the WR has more bark at low rpm than the super-smooth YZ does. The gearbox spacing is very nice for trail work as well. For any sort of special-test-type section with a little flow to it, the WR rules the roost. It cranks through turns and has controlled suspension. Right/left transitions are quick and easy. But on a survival-type trail ride, I got stuck in ruts that my buddies motored right through on their KTM four-strokes. A quick check with a tape measure after the event showed the WR is 1.5 inches wider at the footpeg mounts and has 1.5 inches less ground clearance. Nevertheless, I truly enjoy the bike off-road and can't wait to get more time in the saddle.-Karel Kramer/6'1"/210 lb/B enduro rider
MSRP: $7199
Claimed dry weight: 247 lb
Actual weight (ready to ride, no fuel): 259 lb
Seat height: 34.6 in.
Seat-to-footpeg distance: 19.6 in.
Ground clearance: 10.5 in.
| Jetting |
| | Stock | Closed-Course |
| Main jet | 162 | 175 |
| Pilot jet | 45 | 50 |
| Needle | NFNT | DTR* |
| Leak jet | 60 | 45 |
| Fuel screw | 1.75 | 3.0 |
| * in 4th position |