Anyone adventure riding on an early WR450F? I could use some advice

[Needs Must]

HI guys, just wondering if anyone out there is adventure riding on anew early WR450F?
I have not long bought an 04 model and just got it registered and back on the road but are having issues that are driving me bonkers and are almost ready to put a for sale sign on it and cut my losses!
I never noticed it in the dirt but on the road as soon as it gets warm it misses like crazy at a constant throttle, I have been through the carb and confident it's not a fuel problem, I have replaced the battery and checked the stator and rectifier both cold and hot and all good and cleaned all the plugs and checked the wiring.
I have narrowed it down to either the TPS, CDI or ignition coil, if I unplug the TPS the problem is almost gone but is a little flat at light throttle. Some of the forums I have read say that on the road at light throttle the WR's jump back and forth between two different ignition timing maps in the cdi, the consensus seems to be just unplug the TPS while on the road throwing the CDI into the ignition map for wide open throttle (hence the flat feeling at light throttle ) and plug it back in when they get into the dirt.
I am not that fussed on this idea, constantly unplugging and plugging in the plug are going to wear out the plug and break the wires (and no doubt when I am miles from anywhere), I also think this is probably a bit of a cop-out.
So what I am asking is...... dose anyone else have this problem or had this problem as I understand that there are quite a few of these bikes adventure ridden here in NZ?
Otherwise anyone interested in an 04 WR450F registered but more suited for the dirt? Hahaha
Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[pete-blen]

Flashg will be along soon...

[Racing Dave]

At the risk of saying 'They all do it', I'm afraid that it seems that they all do it.

I found the exact problem with my 04, and because at times it appeared to be a rich condition, I tried many different combinations of jets and float levels in the carb, but to no avail, eventually settling on the standard set up. I hadn't heard that there might be more than one ignition map, and without further info, I'd doubt that's the reason.

I found that for me, the best work-around was to ride with the hot-start lever pulled (effectively slightly leaning out the mixture). It makes it rev a bit at idle!

At the time I was involved with guiding and sweeping multi-day trail rides, and (NZ Adventures) was sponsored by Yamaha. Each year the new 450s behaved the same, and the 250s ran perfectly on the road sections, until (can't remember the year) the aluminium-framed models came out, and they were considerably smoother running. Once fuel injection arrived, the 450s were great.

Good luck, and I'd be interested to hear if anyone has found a solution.

[Muzz67]

from the TPS to a switch on the bars?
wont fix the prob. but would make it easier to manage......

[pete-blen]

There was a world wide TPS recall by Yamaha on some 02 - 05 models
can't remember if the WR450F was one of them..
I know the R1 R6 & XT660 were in there... may only be injected motors..

Do the google thing the info is out there... where I read it...




...

[flashg]

Flashg will be along soon...


Haha Pete, I'm here but afraid I can't help, I do use mine adventure riding but it's injected 2012 and runs perfectly.
"Mattsdakar" on here has an early carburetor model which goes everywhere. I've never heard him speak of a problem.
He may be able to help though.
Best of luck.

[Needs Must]

At the risk of saying 'They all do it', I'm afraid that it seems that they all do it.

I found the exact problem with my 04, and because at times it appeared to be a rich condition, I tried many different combinations of jets and float levels in the carb, but to no avail, eventually settling on the standard set up. I hadn't heard that there might be more than one ignition map, and without further info, I'd doubt that's the reason.

I found that for me, the best work-around was to ride with the hot-start lever pulled (effectively slightly leaning out the mixture). It makes it rev a bit at idle!

At the time I was involved with guiding and sweeping multi-day trail rides, and (NZ Adventures) was sponsored by Yamaha. Each year the new 450s behaved the same, and the 250s ran perfectly on the road sections, until (can't remember the year) the aluminium-framed models came out, and they were considerably smoother running. Once fuel injection arrived, the 450s were great.

Good luck, and I'd be interested to hear if anyone has found a solution.

Let's see if I can get this attachment to work. .......... page from the manual .......
Doing more Google searches I have come across these Dynatek programmable ignitions and wonder if they could be worth a shot (Thumper talk link below), best part of $500. though has anyone on here heard of them?

321955

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/606704-dynatek-ignitoncdi-report/

[mattsdakar]

Haha Pete, I'm here but afraid I can't help, I do use mine adventure riding but it's injected 2012 and runs perfectly.
"Mattsdakar" on here has an early carburetor model which goes everywhere. I've never heard him speak of a problem.
He may be able to help though.
Best of luck.

Unfortunately I have to report that my 03 WR450F also suffered same issue.
It is a TPS fault and I couldn,t solve it so I left mine permanently unplugged n taped up. Didnt do the bike any harm and I didnt really notice any flat spot...just give it more jandel!

[Askor]

If you were to sell your bike send me a PM how much, I'm on the hunt for one (once I sell some other toys that is :lol: )

[Tazz]

Stink buzz! Hope you get it sorted man! I'm at withdrawal stage after 2 weeks away from mine, sitting alone in the garage :'( switch on dash makes sense

[flashg]

Stink buzz! Hope you get it sorted man! I'm at withdrawal stage after 2 weeks away from mine, sitting alone in the garage :'( switch on dash makes sense
322461322462
A great day out on Saturday, went up to Lake Coleridge with a couple of others. 380 km's and my arse was feeling it.......WR seat not the greatest for long distance. Done two dusty butt's on a WR should be used to it.

[Tazz]

322461322462
A great day out on Saturday, went up to Lake Coleridge with a couple of others. 380 km's and my arse was feeling it.......WR seat not the greatest for long distance. Done two dusty butt's on a WR should be used to it.

Haha you just need to ride a few times a week and your arse gets used to it.
I have a seat concepts seat but would rather stock most the time as it is very square and difficult to move around on. It is great for long rides on the tarmac though.

[Addo007]

322461322462
A great day out on Saturday, went up to Lake Coleridge with a couple of others. 380 km's and my arse was feeling it.......WR seat not the greatest for long distance. Done two dusty butt's on a WR should be used to it.

https://trademe.co.nz/110790015
Im selling these, $50 and your problem is solved, removable, and small enough that while riding sitting down you sit on it but when u stand up on the pegs your legs aren't touching it cos it's far enough back. I never take mine off my drz.

[Night Falcon]

https://trademe.co.nz/110790015
Im selling these, $50 and your problem is solved, removable, and small enough that while riding sitting down you sit on it but when u stand up on the pegs your legs aren't touching it cos it's far enough back. I never take mine off my drz.

Great to see CD player's still have some use.

[Addo007]

Great to see CD player's still have some use.

Oops, guess who is an amateur on computers. Try listing number 1107900151. I can't do the link thing obviously.

[Night Falcon]

Oops, guess who is an amateur on computers. Try listing number 1107900151. I can't do the link thing obviously.

We're all learners at something.....fix it for ya :niceone: SWEET CHEEKS (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1107900151)

[flashg]

Thanks for fixing that Night Falcon (cd player looked harder than my seat)
The sweet cheeks cover looks good but concrete pills are cheaper. Cheers Addo007 for the link.

[flashg]

Haha you just need to ride a few times a week and your arse gets used to it.
I have a seat concepts seat but would rather stock most the time as it is very square and difficult to move around on. It is great for long rides on the tarmac though.
Most interesting rides are a few km's away. Don't really have the time mid week. Just need to harden up. The seat is good just narrow

[Tazz]

Most interesting rides are a few km's away. Don't really have the time mid week. Just need to harden up. The seat is good just narrow

My seat concepts one is too wide :laugh:
I'll go with one of those airhawk cushions or the type linked above in the future instead me thinks, bonus being you can just swap them between bikes.