Ok this is my dillema i have sold my DRZ400E and am now in the market for a newer bike looking at 2007/8 around £3000, But do i go for a ktm or wr450f. Love the look of the WR but hear they arn't that reliable in the wet,Then theres the KTM which isn't as pretty but Albion is only down the road for parts do i go 400 or 450 exc!!! Would like a few neutrals to help. Are there any service/reliability issues with either. If its a dead heat then i think looks win and i will go for the WR. HELP!!!!
-- Edited by tricky on Saturday 26th of March 2011 08:08:00 AM
Never had any water related issues with my wr. And it tends to get quite wet
The reliability has been excellent. I had my first faliure two weeks ago when the rear brake went. Needed a new master cylinder seal kit. If you go for a wr try to find one without all the "free mods" done as i find them much harder to ride.
If i was going orange i would personally choose the 400. As i find if easier to ride.
having ridden both colours and owned both colours but not the ccs you are looking at i have to say its horses for courses if you want outright stonking power its the unleashed yam if you want full road legallity its the ktm i agree with the hamster they are more useable in standard trim and i would probably go for the 400 ktm over the 450 as they seem the best allround package for the lanes .......
Totally agree with the Hampster his wr has done some very serious work trouble free, and is more than water proven, the build quality on both bikes is very good, but you really do want to look for unmolested models that have been well maintained, if you struggle to find a good 400 exc the 2008 onwards 450excr is quite mellow if handled with respect and isn't much heavier, you only have to ask if you want to try mine.
Get what ever you want, Ive had both 450exc and wr450. Dont really have a bad word to say about either. Although im always wanting that 6th speed of the KTM box on road sections....
Well I'm on my 3rd WR right now and love 'em and they are renoun for their reliability. KTMs have picked up reputation for falling to bits or being unreliable, but from what I've seen this isnt true (but I'll joke about it as good as the next guy).
I'd still pick the WR for reliability and longer service intervals/work, but I do wish the WR had a 6th gear (just for the longer road stuff...........but to be honest she cruises at 70).
I think at the end of the day there's very little to choose from. So if your wise personal choice is the WR, well you cant really go wrong.
With 3000 you'll get an ally frame model, I much prefer my ally frame over the older steel one -- just seems to handle and feel so much better -- as well as looking a lot tastier.
well im a ktm so to be fair i would stay this way i have a 450 exc and find it lovely to ride it nice with that extra grunt but if handled well can be like a baby deer... i have never had an problem with the ktm and belive if you look after your bike it will look after you ......................go orange its the bright choice
mmmmmmmmm lol trust me to come in when there is a few peeps had there say opps sorrys chaps seems this debate goes on and on ? pluses and minuses for both ktm hydro clutch very light ? that is real nice ? and six speed clutch bikes a little sharper out of the box ? yam seems bomb proof only five speeder soft sus as standard alot of bike the alloy framed model [dont buy the steel frame models bit heavy ?] nil hydro clutch i nearly bought one
same old same old what type of rider are you? how tall are you what do you intend to do with your new steed if your taller than me 5^8 the the husqvarna 310 alot of bike or 450 they have six speed and hydro clutch worth a look ? do you need a 450 ???? the 250 yam is as powerful as your old bike but alot lighter and more agile less effort reqd ? the 400 /390 ktm.husaberg are good kit also there was a very nice converted 250/350 ktm for sale on here ?
so rule of thumb compitition half way round the track you wish you had a 250/300 T2 lanes with miles of road work 450/530
short road work anythink in between now here is the best bit window shopping have fun lost
here we go lol im still of the idear that that a prept 250 will out gun a old dr400e ive had both ? the sus on the suzuki will let it down ? as speed increases the power to weight of the lighter bike is me thinks a advantage so yam wins so there lol
Yeh, no argument that the WR250 is a more race worthy bike but I just wanted to correct the statement you made. The WR250 does not make as much power as DRZ400E, certainly not in standard spec or even after minor tuning. You'd have to make it a full on YZ and then it wouldn't be a user friendly. Also it does not make the power as early in the rev range which is what makes an engine feel more powerful and is more useful - it's the torque.
I think tricky is spot on to be looking at a 400 or 450.
now here is the best bit window shopping have fun lost
