wr450 questions

[Cary]

I used a Rekluse clutch for about 2 years on 2 YZ250F's & found it excellent in all conditions from MX track to GNCC. MUST be set up right and would highly recommend the manual clutch adjuster.

For about a year i ran it without a clutch lever at all but found the manual a help on starts. Correctly set up they are fantastic.

Saying that I don't run one on current WR as I have gained a lot of experence over last few years and couldn't warrant the expence.

Everyone stalls now and again........

Still I think my 6'1" 110kg...(ok 115!) helps

Didn't see anyone suggest if you had idle too low? worth checking & although i find flywheel weight good you can get aftermarket or GYTR heavy ones.

Good luck.

[marks]

well I spent 3 - 4 hours today up in the mangatooks practicing and it helped.

and yes takitimu I upped the idle on the wr a bit a while ago and it made quite a difference.

If you asked nicely Damned1 I would swap my 450 for your 300 - you would gain 150 so that must be good and my stalling problems would be over....

What really helped though was swapping bikes (temporarily..) with my son. We had one of those magic 'catch me if you can' rides with him ahead on the wr and me on the kdx - that little zinger is an absolute rocket when you wind it up and just keep stomping on the gear lever . He had the wr all locked up sliding into corners then roosting rocks all over me as he exited while I sat about 3-6 metres behind him - we were both really pumped when we got back to the car. A truly magic ride. That poor kdx has shit suspension - my arms must be 50mm shorter from all the bottoming of the front forks (I'm 90kg).

Thanks again everyone for the feedback.

[Motu]

I upped the idle on the wr a bit a while ago and it made quite a difference.

Learn to keep the throttle open with your right hand and regain the lost engine braking.

[marks]

Saying that I don't run one on current WR as I have gained a lot of experence over last few years and couldn't warrant the expence.

You've most probably hit the nail on the head (along with Damned1's no so subtle hints ). Having only ridden for a bit over a year (maybe 120-140 hours trail riding - most of it on cheap 200 Chinese trail bikes who's clutch slipped automatically..) I simply haven't developed the clutch/throttle skills yet.

Over the holidays I'll hopefully put another 20 hours or so up in the Mungatooks and really make an effort to develop my clutch/throttle co-ordination. If I'm still struggling after that I'll order a rekluse z-start pro

cheers

Mark

[warewolf]

Keep at it, riding is definitely a skill. 20 hours may not be enough.

The WR450F is not really a learner bike. I'd second the notion of the 250 being a better choice. Myself I went from a 900 "big trailie" adventure bike to 650-200-250-200, the latter being a 2T weapon that although being more capable, it made me feel like a learner again, it was so different. Each one was less road-oriented and more enduro capable.

One of the first things Greg Power teaches is what road-riders would decry as "clutch abuse". First gear, figure eights as slow and tight as you can do them, lots of revs on board, slip the clutch like mad to keep the speed at nearly standstill. Then progress to the same thing in the rough. You need to be able to control the balance of the bike with clutch/throttle control swiftly and SMOOTHLY. Think about it: why fuss about preserving your clutch plates while smacking $20 indicators into the ground regularly?! False economy, that.

If you go to a rekluse you'll never learn this basic skill, which would be fine if every bike you ride for the rest of your life has a rekluse auto-clutch.

As for the higher gearing, the idea is that you can load the bike up more with heavy throttle and it won't explode into the higher rpms so easily. By reducing the throttle response it smooths out the power delivery. I find with the 640 Adventure it will not stall if the throttle is open, doesn't matter how hideously hard you load it up, it won't stall. The 200-2T won't stall either, but it will lose revs because it hasn't got the grunt - yeah, I know, I should keep it in 'band...

The more off-road riding I've done, the more I slip the clutch on-road.

[dammad1]

If you asked nicely Dammad1 I would swap my 450 for your 300 - you would gain 150 so that must be good and my stalling problems would be over....

LOL Then you really would have problems.

The 450 is a big bike and although alot of guys rush out to buy them because of the extra power it will take some time before you can really use it.

Theres no substitute for time in the saddle so just keep practising.

[jimmy 2006]

LOL Then you really would have problems.

The 450 is a big bike and although alot of guys rush out to buy them because of the extra power it will take some time before you can really use it.

Theres no substitute for time in the saddle so just keep practising.

I can't wait to ride with you at desert storm to see how fast you've got with all your practicing ;-)

[dammad1]

I can't wait to ride with you at desert storm to see how fast you've got with all your practicing ;-)

LOL...... Yep that little thumper of yours will have its work cutout..... But don't worry i'll wait up for you.

[jimmy 2006]

LOL...... Yep that little thumper of yours will have its work cutout..... But don't worry i'll wait up for you.

depends how cunning i can be brains over braun anyday lol

[dammad1]

Quote: depends how cunning i can be brains over braun anyday lol

Damn I guess your screwed on both fronts then... oh well you could always cheat?

[Shells]

Hi

About 4 months ago I brought a road legal wr450 and have since clocked up about 50hrs of mainly trail riding.

I love the power and handling but am struggling a bit in the real tight stuff.

Basically there are 2 issues - I find I have to be very accurate/gentle with the throttle in the tight stuff as it can be a bit "energetic" if you give it a fraction too much. After a couple hours of this I get quite a tired hand from trying to be so precise. I read somewhere of an after market throttle that has different "cambers?" too allow for slower response at small throttle openings with a big hit in the last part of the throttle travel. Anyone used something like this or know where I could get something.

The other problem is the light flywheel and high compression causing it to stall when hitting roots and other knarly bits while tricking along a low speed. The jerk when I stall is often enough to throw me off balance and down I go....

I was thinking of getting a Rekcluse auto clutch to help with this - anyone used one.

Any other (polite) suggestions appreciated....


cheers

Mark

Hi Mark

I have a Rekluse on my WR450 and haven't looked back since. It now makes doing enduros feel like I'm out for a Sunday drive but with the speed factor. On the mx circuit I cruise past people who get bogged down in the thick sludge such is the genious of the auto clutch but that's just one advantage to em. My riding is smooth and controlled and this makes for a happy day laning or riding the track. They also work well when the WR is in motard trim.

Only problem I find with this product is that I sometimes forget to use the clutch on the GSXR750

[marks]

thanks again everyone for the feedback.

I can buy a rekcluse zstart pro from Aussie for about $880 NZ including delivery. I gather I will get stuck for import duty and gst? Is there a way around this?

cheers


Mark

[Danger]

Buy it in New Zealand?

[orangeback]

thanks again everyone for the feedback.

I can buy a rekcluse zstart pro from Aussie for about $880 NZ including delivery. I gather I will get stuck for import duty and gst? Is there a way around this?

cheers

Mark

buy out of the states as the dollars nearly 80c /100
and ask them to write it down as a gift or $50 dollar value ,

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/yfz45...QQcmdZViewItem

[marks]

Buy it in New Zealand?

No NZ dealers otherwise I would - Rekluse wont let american dealers sell outside of US. If I want to buy new I have to buy from the Aus/NZ dealer - Sutto's in Melbourne.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/yfz45...QQcmdZViewItem

thanks for that orangeback - that one will work on mine. I will see if I can sign up and place a bid.

cheers


Mark