WR450R?

One thing that may have helped Yamaha decide is that KTM dealers in my area and several parts of CA have been selling 500 EXC models quickly and at high prices. So that might have suggested to Yamaha that there are buyers willing to spend decent coin on a more powerful dualsport.

Dave

Well my hope is they mess with the motor a bit to get it out to 450cc's but keep everything else on the bike the way it is setup on the WR250R. This means I can install my Go-Race Suspension, IMS Tank, Renzaco Seat, and rear rack on the 450.

Wishful thinking on my part.

Well called my Dealer yesterday and asked what the scoop was and he said the Yamaha meeting is next week.

rsteiger wrote:

Well called my Dealer yesterday and asked what the scoop was and he said the Yamaha meeting is next week.

AARRRRHHHHH.......

I believe the date is October 16.

Yamaha has now updated their website with the new 2015 models.

I don't see a WR450R in the US or Canada

http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/products/modeloverview/cat/2015/58/model_overview.aspx?_ga=1.140471671.552892657.1413488543

https://www.yamaha-motor.ca/products/list.php?group=MC&catId=13

mudmojo wrote:

Yamaha has now updated their website with the new 2015 models.

I don't see a WR450R in the US or Canada

http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/products/modeloverview/cat/2015/58/model_overview.aspx?_ga=1.140471671.552892657.1413488543

https://www.yamaha-motor.ca/products/list.php?group=MC&catId=13

From the information at the Australian launch it looks like all the hype is over the new fuel injected 2015 WR250F. As a 2014 WR250R owner I am a little glad and  sad at the same time. Glad I don't have to tell the wife I'm selling my new less than 6 month old bike and going to take a loss. Lol but sad I don't get to see this bike we have all dreamed of.

Such a disappointment !!!!

Didn't Yamaha stop manufacturing the X model, or was that just something in Norway?

There's a X-model up on Yamaha-motor.eu, but I don't know if it's coming back, or if it's been available the entire time, and I just haven't been paying attention.

Cutthroat Bill wrote:

Didn't Yamaha stop manufacturing the X model, or was that just something in Norway?

There's a X-model up on Yamaha-motor.eu, but I don't know if it's coming back, or if it's been available the entire time, and I just haven't been paying attention.

I am not sure about which countries gets what models but the X has not been imported for sale by Yamaha in Australia since I believe 2011 but I could be wrong. I know it was not available when I got my 2014 WR250R. I have seen there is a Euro WR125R and WR125X models but none of those have ever made it to Australia and the WR250X has not been available for some time. I am not sure if there are plans to bring it back here.

http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/products/modelhome/66/0/home.aspx

http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/products/modelhome/719/0/home.aspx


REALLY???? they made a 6 speed WR250F and a 6 speed YZ250F.. but cant even touch the 450's??? wtf!

Yamaha is stupid. Plain and simple. They could offer some real competition to KTM's 500 EXC by making the WR450F into a street legal version, but no, they give the world more versions of a 250. WAKE UP !!!

Looks like that Yamaha guy with whom I spoke was dead wrong. I'll keep my WR but I'm also going to look at KTM 500 models.

Dave

The WR250F and the YZ250FX do seem pretty close together. Can't see why anyone would buy the F now? First thing everyone does is uncork it and try and turn it into a YZ250F with wide ratio gears, e-start, 18 inch rear tire and kick stand. Now you can just buy it that way.

gatorfan wrote:

The WR250F and the YZ250FX do seem pretty close together. Can't see why anyone would buy the F now? First thing everyone does is uncork it and try and turn it into a YZ250F with wide ratio gears, e-start, 18 inch rear tire and kick stand. Now you can just buy it that way.

The reason they still push the WR250F is that in some countries such as Australia it is street legal straight from the dealer. For me the maintenance for my mainly road riding was too high for the F although it would be a real different ride. I did get to go for a quick lap on a mates KTM 350 which is also street legal. I don't know how that thing would be lethal on the road. The bloody thing doesn't even have a key to stop people from taking it. It's a road legal race bike.

They still see a need for a bike that rolls off the dealer's showroom that meets off-road EPA (green sticker) regulations.
That's the WR-250F, which means it still comes with the performance restrictions to meet those regulations.
There are already a list of accessories for the 2015 WR-250F that do the typical uncorking if you plan on ridding the bike of the restrictions.
Also, they say the suspension is tuned for tighter trail conditions (softer).

The big difference with the YZ-250FX is that it's not green sticker legal and is for closed course racing, like a cross-country or hare scrambles race on private property.
It is also supposed have a suspension tuned for faster off-road riding (stiffer).
Also does not come with lights or a radiator fan (although a fan is offered as an accessory).

The YZ-250FX is aimed at the spot that the KTM XC models occupy - between a trail machine and motocross machine.
Sure, these two Yamaha dirt bikes are close in appearance and specifications, but the EPA off-road compliance of the WR-250F is a biggie.

I just find it a shame that Yamaha doesn't feel they want to compete with KTM's 350 EXC-F, 500 EXC, & Enduro 690 R....All of which are street legal.

Evol wrote:

I just find it a shame that Yamaha doesn't feel they want to compete with KTM's 350 EXC-F, 500 EXC, & Enduro 690 R....All of which are street legal.

I sold my WR250 this week, and I'll replace it with a KTM 690.

If Yamaha made a WR450 or WR500 with ~50 HP I'd likely buy it instead.

Greg.

Same here. Looks like my next ride will be a KTM too.

Yes, the current WR250R is fine for what it is---but I'm also buying some heavy artillery from KTM or Husqvarna. Yamaha's failure to even take a shot at this market is a major disappointment. I first started riding Yamahas in the '60s and would have been favorably disposed toward a WR450R.

Dave

The guy I talked to at my dealership has always said that it's an emissions issue. Something about the 450 motor doesn't meet CA emissions and Yamaha isn't ready to create a whole new motor. But I am bummed, I would have been the first in line to buy a WR450R.

GusinCA wrote:

The guy I talked to at my dealership has always said that it's an emissions issue. Something about the 450 motor doesn't meet CA emissions and Yamaha isn't ready to create a whole new motor. But I am bummed, I would have been the first in line to buy a WR450R.

Same here...

GusinCA wrote:

The guy I talked to at my dealership has always said that it's an emissions issue. Something about the 450 motor doesn't meet CA emissions and Yamaha isn't ready to create a whole new motor. But I am bummed, I would have been the first in line to buy a WR450R.

Your dealer may well be right, but the smog argument doesn't sound correct to me.  KTM builds high-output race engines.  Nonetheless, they qualified the 500exc as 50-state smog legal.  With Yamaha's tremendous technical expertise, I find it hard to believe that they can't  make the 450 emissions legal.

Dave

DWK wrote:

GusinCA wrote:

The guy I talked to at my dealership has always said that it's an emissions issue. Something about the 450 motor doesn't meet CA emissions and Yamaha isn't ready to create a whole new motor. But I am bummed, I would have been the first in line to buy a WR450R.

Your dealer may well be right, but the smog argument doesn't sound correct to me.  KTM builds high-output race engines.  Nonetheless, they qualified the 500exc as 50-state smog legal.  With Yamaha's tremendous technical expertise, I find it hard to believe that they can't  make the 450 emissions legal.

Dave

Agreed. They already have it street legal (lights, etc) in "kangaroo land", and we know it's already corked, just cork it up a bit more (like a lot of bikes out there) and let the community uncork it.

I agree, it doesn't make sense, not for a company as big and proficient as Yamaha.

Well, here's hoping they bring one to the US.