WR vs. EXC

[mitch.ww]

Looking for a new 4T enudro bike for trail duties and possibly setting it up for some SuperMotard as well.. Narrowed my options/preferences down to either the Yamaha WR450 or the KTM EXC450.. Just after opinions as to which one you'd recommend backed up by previous ownership or experiences with either bike and any info on reliability and maintenance along with any other info you wanna chuck in

[barty5]

Yami will be easyer/ cheaper to get parts for and more after market bits for them in nz
oh a foot note friend had exc set up for suppermotard with slipper clutch the big end didnt like it at all was rebuilding it every 10-15 hrs

[carver]

both are absolute shit. What you need to look out for is a zongshein. the one you want is the one with USD's

[cheese]

Wow carver, the line up looks amazing from Zongshein

http://intl.zongshen.cc/Product/Prod...&CategoryID=11

So when are you riding one over a bridge?

[tommorth]

yeah ge t a zongshit with frame held together by couple of bolts

are you looking a t a new one used?

[cooneyr]

Keen on reading some sensible responses to this thread. Contemplating selling my KTM 950 Adv S and XR250R for a reged WR450 or a 450EXC cause my recently arrived son is going to put a big dampner on the time I have to go Adv riding. Would use it for trail riding and a couple of thousand kms of adv riding a year so an EXC with its 6th gear and an oil cooler/reservoir is appealing.

[courts]

In ADB magazine the wr 450 gets rave reviews every year , and the type of riding you are doing is probably similar to Aussie conditions in that you want duel purpose.
however if you want the coffee table , beer cooler and matching beanie I'd go for the KTM.....

[motorbyclist]

Yami will be easyer/ cheaper to get parts for and more after market bits for them in nz

+1

the WR is a very reliable machine with an abundance of bits - fairly cheaper than the KTM too

[cheese]

I think that I'd lean towards the WR too. If you want a cheaper option, maybe a DRZ with motard tyres? Then another set for off road use?

[carver]

yeah ge t a zongshit with frame held together by couple of bolts

are you looking a t a new one used?

best bikes you can get for off road use period

[DEATH_INC.]

Haven't ridden a modern KTM, but for what it's worth I've ridden a WR450 on a rough as MX track with quite a few big jumps and it coped really well considering it isn't really made for that...

[oldguy]

I'd go with the WR

[davem_nz]

I have the ’07 WR with road kit (removed) and it has served me very well. I have used mainly for trail rides, but have also ridden it at club day MX and XC’s, etc. I’ve put the road kit back on for a couple of Adv rides as well (never used in full road trim though i.e. Motard).

I’ve had no mechanical issues whatsoever … just change the engine oil and keep the air filter clean. Mine has now done about 7500K’s all up, and still going strong.

My 2c worth

[Jonny450]

I have a WR and it is a good bike. Don't beleive everything about the price of parts the chain guide and swing arm buffer were far cheaper for my friends KTM. My Wr is more stable but the KTM turns alot better. Both of my friends KTMs (EXCs) will overheat in really slow going while my WR has never overheated. I think it is very much personal preference and which dealer will give you better backup.

[mitch.ww]

Thanks for all (most) of the replies! It is interesting reading really cos most people will say go for the WR for reliability and cost etc however whenever talking to someone who has ridden a KTM (which yes they are often biased) they reckon the jap bikes are harder to maintain and prices (for used bikes and parts) are usually the same or maybe a minimal 5% more with the euro bikes. I've done some research myself and all the expensive parts eg rebuild kits etc are pretty much the same price for WR and EXC. Exc's can also be stripped extremely easily! Big toss up I think is the difference in rake between the two, WR would be more solid and stable so slight advantage in motard possibly due to less head shake but EXC has a much tighter turn so is advantageous in the bush