2009 Yamaha WR450F review preview

Introduction

Although the bike didn’t suffer that much of refinement as next year’s model, it does stand out thanks to the amazingly strong-pulling motor having five titanium valves and a lot of appetite for the roughest off-road incursions. Backed up by its aluminum frame, the WR promises to remain the same adventurous machine on the trails in weekends and the dearest commuting friend for the first five days of the week.

Early cold mornings are no inconvenient for this bike’s future owners as they will be push-starting it and then keep an eye on the digital enduro race computer with speedometer, clock and tripmeter.

History

2003 Yamaha WR450F

Inspired on the Yamaha YZ450F motocross bike, the WR450F had come to life in 2003 after the motorcycle press had anticipated most of its one-off features.

The engine was a slightly retuned version of the 449cc, liquid-cooled, 5-valve, DOHC, 4-stroke that equipped (and still does) the YZ model so the two have evolved in parallel. The 39mm Keihin FCR flat-slide carb’ with throttle position sensor was there from the first place, as well as the five-speed gearbox.

Electrically started and technically advanced, you can definitely say the bike was a blast from the very first year. Having pulled it through exceptionally from the start, the all-new for the time WR 450F has followed an ascendant line that promises to go even higher in 2010.

Competition

2008 Honda CRF450X

Honda hasn’t come up with the 2009 CRF450X, but the comparasion is justified if we refer to the 2008 model year as the Yamaha doesn’t bring up new features on the scene. Powered by the 449cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder Unicam four-stroke engine fed through a 40mm Keihin flat-slide, it has the bang to go up against the YZ and with the Honda Progressive Steering Damper it also covers up excellently the handling chapter. For an MSRP of $7,399, it is a great alternative.

2009 Kawasaki KLX450R

The 2009 Kawasaki KLX450R is heavily refined and also inspires on the motocross version, the KX450F. It so offers great power, no matter the engine revvs, and sharp handling. Push-start the 449cc four-stroke, DOHC, four-valve single and you’re in for a tough decision between the blue, red or green dirt-spreader. If the last blinks an eye you can have it for $7,499.

2009 Suzuki DR-Z400S

But these bikes are practically racing versions with headlights so if you’re looking for a more docile off-road motorcycle, the 2009 Suzuki DR-Z400S is the sweetest alternative. Its four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine won’t have you powered over bumps and through rivers like a Yamaha, Honda or Kawasaki engine will, but remember that your option was to go nice and steady on the motorway without suffering from severe back pain when finally arriving at your farm. Great for old McDonald! Priced at $5,699, not many cows will be sold in order to purchase the thing.

Exterior

2009 Yamaha WR450F

But the WR hasn’t inspired only on the YZ’s mechanics, but on its design features too so this is why you’ll easily confuse it with a racing bike and consider it no stranger to the motocross track. What would slightly betray it are the lower ground clearance and the headlight. Apart from that, you’re hooked up with a racing bike.

With aggressive fenders and panels, two-tone seat and new decals, all perfectly blended in together and combining blue with white, there’s nothing to keep you away from it, like on the Suzuki for example.

Even though the front number plate was replaced with a headlight, the bike still retains the side number plates which give it a stylish note. The mudguards have the same role, but I’ll better stop before you start thinking I’m fooling you about this being an off-road bike. It really is!

Price

Also to be appreciated at Yamaha is their talent of keeping the MSRP as low as possible even thought production requirements increase. In this case, the price tag will indicate a sum of $7,499, 300 bucks more than for the 2008 model year. This way the bike is remains close to the competition in the price chapter, but way ahead when it comes to its off-road capabilities. And I believe that that is the most significant difference.

Conclusion

Reviewing the bike’s qualities and missing defects we’ll simply prefer saying that it performs a magical attraction from the first time you lay your eyes on it and it has the engine and chassis capabilities backing it up in any situation that the trails might reserve for you. Keeping it low on the price is also a great advantage.

So what could you want more? Share your impressions or doubts with us and we’ll be glad to help you clear everything out.

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