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Anyone ridden both Yamaha WR450F and WR250F?

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Blue_SV650S
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PostPosted: 22:12 - 24 Mar 2010    Post subject: Anyone ridden both Yamaha WR450F and WR250F? Reply with quote

Been thinking about getting a 450 ever since I got the 250, the chassis on the 250 is great, but the 250 motor just lacks low down grunt - which for what I use the bike for is annoying to be honest!! Thumbs Down

Anyway, has anyone ridden the 250F and the 450F to let me know if there is any notable difference in handling/feel?? And I do mean the 450 as that is the one I intend to get as it has lecy start!!

I don't think there is much physical weight difference (no more than a full to empty tank on the 250), but that all depends on where it is placed/displaced ...

Looking at the pics, they look almost identical chassis wise ... (need to look up specs really don't I Embarassed).

Any insight greatly appreciated Thumbs Up
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G
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PostPosted: 23:30 - 24 Mar 2010    Post subject: Re: Anyone ridden both Yamaha WR450F and WR250F? Reply with quote

Might be worth looking at a 300cc or similar conversion? Believe these are supposed to add usable bottom end without compromising the (relatively) light weight characteristics.
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Blue_SV650S
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PostPosted: 23:40 - 24 Mar 2010    Post subject: Re: Anyone ridden both Yamaha WR450F and WR250F? Reply with quote

G wrote:
Might be worth looking at a 300cc or similar conversion? Believe these are supposed to add usable bottom end without compromising the (relatively) light weight characteristics.


But is the 450 notably heavier then the 250 anyway (really?) ...

I had thought of a big bore, but bolting a bigger pot on is bound to only end up fecking the bottom end?!!? It is also hassle ... Confused
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G
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PostPosted: 23:59 - 24 Mar 2010    Post subject: Re: Anyone ridden both Yamaha WR450F and WR250F? Reply with quote

I haven't ridden a 250 in anger, but the stuff I've read suggests there is a noticably *bigger* feel. For green lanes I'm not sure it'd worry me too much - CCM and KTM both weigh a chunk more.
My Hussy was fine on lanes and didn't find the extra 'rotating mass' a big issue, though did find it was definitely more tiring than a stroker for involved riding - but I think they are a decent chunk lighter than the Yam's.
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ben_wheely
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PostPosted: 14:13 - 25 Mar 2010    Post subject: Re: Anyone ridden both Yamaha WR450F and WR250F? Reply with quote

Blue_SV650S wrote:

But is the 450 notably heavier then the 250 anyway (really?) ...


It is noticeable yeah. I cannot really give any more information, as I only rode the WR 450 on one green lane. One thing I can say, is that they are very easy to accidently wheelie Very Happy

If you want more lower down grunt ... have you tried fitting an after market exhaust ? Apparently the Boyesen Quickshot accelerator pumps are good mods too, and help bottom end grunt.

All good saying you want more bottom end grunt, but that can make it more difficult on the techincal and muddy/slippy stuff.
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Blue_SV650S
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PostPosted: 18:33 - 25 Mar 2010    Post subject: Re: Anyone ridden both Yamaha WR450F and WR250F? Reply with quote

wheely wrote:

All good saying you want more bottom end grunt, but that can make it more difficult on the techincal and muddy/slippy stuff.


That is exactly where I NEED the low down grunt!! Wink

Oh and I have an after market can too, I have also messed with the jetting and the throttle pump 'duration' ...

I have made a discernible improvement in the bottom end, but it still bogs down in the deep stuff and needs frequent gear changes to keep it a bit more on the boil/from bogging. It also won't lift the front on the throttle at normal revs, which is no good when you want to get over an obstacle/dip! Thumbs Down

At the end of the day it is a highly strung low capacity 4-stroke, if it only made say 2/3 the top end power, then it probably wouldn't be so robbed down the bottom Sad
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silky666
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PostPosted: 19:42 - 25 Mar 2010    Post subject: Re: Anyone ridden both Yamaha WR450F and WR250F? Reply with quote

Blue_SV650S wrote:

That is exactly where I NEED the low down grunt!! Wink

Whats up with the 2 stroke (spit) ?
Does it not have the low down torque / power ?
Is it light and easily manhandled about ?
Can it lift front end under power.. without hitting the power band and going mental ?


I am just asking for a mates brothers mate. ... I am not myself interested at all you see ... hate the things .. spit. Whistle
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Blue_SV650S
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PostPosted: 19:47 - 25 Mar 2010    Post subject: Re: Anyone ridden both Yamaha WR450F and WR250F? Reply with quote

silky666 wrote:

Whats up with the 2 stroke (spit) ?
Does it not have the low down torque / power ?
Is it light and easily manhandled about ?
Can it lift front end under power.. without hitting the power band and going mental ?


I am just asking for a mates brothers mate. ... I am not myself interested at all you see ... hate the things .. spit. Whistle


Yes it has more low down grunt than the WR, but it still isn't really enough to lift the front on demand (without coaxing).

I'd like to give the 300 a go, with the extra cc, and yet no weight penalty (exactly the same bike, just larger bore) I suspect that would be ideal ... a lecky start one would be FTW from a riders perspective!! Thumbs Up

But 2-strokes are smelly and a PITA as the range is so poor (and you need to carry and mix the oil).

Oh and the 4t will have some engine breaking and not need 'blipping', which makes the downhill much nicer/better! Thumbs Up
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silky666
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PostPosted: 20:25 - 25 Mar 2010    Post subject: Re: Anyone ridden both Yamaha WR450F and WR250F? Reply with quote

Blue_SV650S wrote:

Yes it has more low down grunt than the WR, but it still isn't really enough to lift the front on demand (without coaxing).

I'd like to give the 300 a go, with the extra cc, and yet no weight penalty (exactly the same bike, just larger bore) I suspect that would be ideal ... a lecky start one would be FTW from a riders perspective!! Thumbs Up

But 2-strokes are smelly and a PITA as the range is so poor (and you need to carry and mix the oil).

Oh and the 4t will have some engine breaking and not need 'blipping', which makes the downhill much nicer/better! Thumbs Up

Sorry to hijack the thread... but it may save me posting a new one (then again maybe not).
Anyway, so: I need a light bike ... with low down torque for grip ... + enough power to life front easyish ... + rideable for the day without filling up 3 times.

Is there such a 2 stroke ?
or are we having to go for a thumper ?
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ben_wheely
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PostPosted: 20:46 - 25 Mar 2010    Post subject: Re: Anyone ridden both Yamaha WR450F and WR250F? Reply with quote

silky666 wrote:


Anyway, so: I need a light bike ... with low down torque for grip ... + enough power to life front easyish ... + rideable for the day without filling up 3 times.

Is there such a 2 stroke ?
or are we having to go for a thumper ?


How about a 300 2t with a larger petrol tank fitted. Although aftermarket petrol tanks are soo overpriced !!

How many miles you get out of the WR 450 ?? We go out with a few 2t boys, and they fill up when we fill up. My 250 will go almost all day, but a few guys with the 450's tend to need fuel as ofter as the 2-smokers. Think that's mainly due to the small(er) tank on the 450's though.
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Blue_SV650S
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PostPosted: 21:08 - 25 Mar 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

I haven't ridden a 300 (in earnest) to say, but if I extrapolate from what the 250 is like then it should be 'ample' but not excessive/stupid ...

My 250 has a 12L tank, so that is ~2.5 usable gallons. Which gives me a range of ~50 miles before dry.

Oh and there is no point having a nice light bike and then slinging a big tank and 25kg of fuel in there!! Wink

To be fair Silky, I don't think the 50mile radius is a great problem from a running out of fuel point of view as there is generally a fuel/lunch stop along the way. But it does mean you have to carry a 2t bottle with you (which is a fag and another upto 1kg strapped on your back all day) and you will smoke out anyone following you ... which as a follower gets pretty 'heady' after a full day ... Confused
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G
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PostPosted: 21:23 - 25 Mar 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

I haven't got any decent evidence, but that seems a bit short for a 12 litre tank. Wonder if your fueling is off?
Might be worth asking on ktmtalk and seeing if that's about right or not.

And Rolling Eyes - just find somewhere to store a small bottle for 2 stroke on the bike, it's not hard Wink.
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Blue_SV650S
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PostPosted: 21:30 - 25 Mar 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

G wrote:
I haven't got any decent evidence, but that seems a bit short for a 12 litre tank.


My wallet and I were gutted too!! Laughing

The plug looks a nice colour, so I am not going to faff with the jetting ...
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boundy
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PostPosted: 21:45 - 25 Mar 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

How many miles from were we live to the top of the local run?
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Blue_SV650S
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PostPosted: 22:05 - 25 Mar 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

boundy wrote:
How many miles from were we live to the top of the local run?


According to my mapping software ~42

I used a full tank (looking at specs 12L) +5L topup, so 17L on a ~84mile trip ...

So 17L=3.74 gallons, that is an AVERAGE of 22.5mpg - and we did a fair bit of light roadwork ... to/from the start/end point Confused

Anyway, 12L tank probably gives me 11.5L of usable fuel as there is a bit slopping about in there when it conks out (yes I did find out the hard way Embarassed) so lets say 11.5L is essentially BONE DRY.

So that is 57 miles from the brim to BONE dry ... hence not really giving a desirable working radius of >50 miles ... Confused

The MPG might improve with running in, but with the others in tow, we were not at an exceptionally fast pace on the road or down the lanes were we ...
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G
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PostPosted: 22:11 - 25 Mar 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Have you definitely got a 12l tank - as you say 'looking at specs' - I think they come with either 8l or 12l or something.
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Blue_SV650S
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PostPosted: 22:13 - 25 Mar 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

G wrote:
Have you definitely got a 12l tank - as you say 'looking at specs' - I think they come with either 8l or 12l or something.


It is 9.5L or 12L IIRC

I think the 9.5 is the SX stock tank ....
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boundy
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PostPosted: 22:19 - 25 Mar 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

I used less than that, about 14 liters I think.


Tank holds 9.5 and was brimmed when we set off.

Put 7 liters in at the petrol station, with room for a little bit more.

Theres about 1.5-2 liters left in it now.

Turn your phone on, I've been sorting out your hand guards
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Blue_SV650S
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PostPosted: 13:10 - 27 Mar 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Right, filled up the bike today and it is evidently a 9.5L tank, not the 12L as I assumed (it being the EXC, not the SX I expected the larger tank).


So whilst that does mean it is doing 26.3mpg, not 22.5mpg .... and very slightly lighter on my wallet, it doesn't alter the fact that to a full tank I have a range of ~50miles does it ... it actually exacerbates the problem Shocked (see below)!! Wink

Right, with a 9.5L tank, that is just under 2.1 gallons, call it 2 gallons of usable fuel (there is a little bit of slop at the bottom that is clearly under the tap orifice ..... so even at 2 gal and 26.3mpg, that still only gives me a total radius of 53 miles until DRY Shocked

Or if you like ... a 12L tankful at its 22.5mpg would get me 59miles until dry ... the 9.5L at 26.3mpg will only get me 55miles until dry ... so you see, although I am getting better MPG than I thought, it actually means range is less not more!!! Sad

Which, if reserve is 1.5L??, I have a 8L main ... so ... ~46 miles until reserve ... not great is it!! Confused

My WR will do the same full trip on 1 tank {click click click} looks like it has a 9.8L capacity. It is on reserve, but NOT dry when I get home; so assuming there is still at least ~0.5L slopping about in the bottom, that works out at ~45mpg Thumbs Up

To be honest, the fact it is more juicy isn't the important factor here ... it is the far less flexible range of the KTM that is the PITA ... basically you NEED to be sure there will be a place to fill up at ~40 mile intervals ... and that is a pain!!! Thumbs Down

That coupled with the fact it is x-kilos lighter, but that is lost if you need to have extra fuel in the tank ... i.e. at 50% of the way through the ride my WR will be ~5kg lighter, the KTM will not be (as I have just had to fill it right up again to make it home), so if the KTM is say 5kg lighter on the tin it is not in reality if you get my logic!! Confused

Oh and I need to carry ~1/4kg (250ml) of oil for the top up ... and lets face it, I will just take the bottle and whatever is in it, so up to 1kg.
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silky666
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PostPosted: 16:02 - 27 Mar 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Blue_SV650S wrote:
................. maths and stuff ...............

Blimey ! who thought this off-roading malarkey could get so complicated. Eh?
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Blue_SV650S
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PostPosted: 18:06 - 27 Mar 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

silky666 wrote:

Blimey ! who thought this off-roading malarkey could get so complicated. Eh?


I may have waffled on a bit, but at the end of the day it is only mpg calculations!! Rolling Eyes

Anyhoo, have you released the ghey and decided on getting a stroker yet?!?!!? Thumbs Up Which one are you going to get!?!? Smile
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G
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PostPosted: 01:32 - 28 Mar 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Blue_SV650S wrote:
scary stuff

Erm, first off... get a bigger tank. Yours is effectively the 'race' tank, for shorter races of course.
Even without, I don't really see the big problem about stopping for some fuel when you're near an appropriate petrol station. Don't think I've ever been out 'laning when it'd have caused a problem having that sort of stops. Sure, maybe if you went out for a day on some epic US trails, but even then they seem to manage Smile.

As I say, still worth checking what others are getting on ktmtalk. Also remember you're comparing your 250cc 2 stroke to a bike that would race against 125cc 2 stroke. I suspect my 200 may be a bit more fuel efficient than yours - the 300 may also be if it means you're using lower gears more of the time.
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silky666
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PostPosted: 09:33 - 28 Mar 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Blue_SV650S wrote:

I may have waffled on a bit, but at the end of the day it is only mpg calculations!! Rolling Eyes

I use this equation to calculate my weekend rides.
It may not apply to everyone, but I find it works.
x / y
------ x a = bt
a + t

where: x = ask wife for permission to ride, y = enjoyment of riding , a = fill bike with a fivers worth of petrol , t = spend time on bike , b = grin from ear to ear.

To the common man it may appear complex and confusing .... but like all good scientists I will simplify it into easy steps:
1) Tell missus you are riding at weekend
2) Fill bike with petrol
3) Have fun
edit: it can be further simplified by removing the unnecessary step 1 Smile
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Blue_SV650S
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PostPosted: 18:29 - 28 Mar 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

silky666 wrote:
... fill bike with a fivers worth of petrol ....


Alright, no need to show off!!! Razz


Very Happy
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CRF_Rider
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PostPosted: 23:18 - 28 Mar 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

lol no showing off here mine only holds like £8 to full from drip dry lol.
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