Author Topic: Yamaha WR450 or BMW G450X?? (Read 18355 times)

KarooKid · « **on:** August 31, 2016, 12:58:08 pm »

Calling all the experts out there.

Which of these would you choose if the price and condition was similar?

Dux · « **Reply #1 on:** August 31, 2016, 12:59:30 pm »

WR

The_Crow · « **Reply #2 on:** August 31, 2016, 01:07:07 pm »

Would be keen to know as well. With some pros and cons from those in the know.

KarooKid · « **Reply #3 on:** August 31, 2016, 01:09:39 pm »

Forgot to add. Not as a racing machine. To be used to play around with and maybe do the odd funduro.

Dux · « **Reply #4 on:** August 31, 2016, 01:36:04 pm »

The BMW was only made for a couple years , that alone kills resale value .
The WR is guaranteed to sell and will hold its value much better , reliability is not an issue with them and spares available is plentiful and being Yamaha very cost effective as well .

bud500 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 31, 2016, 02:15:18 pm »

WR for sure.

But the question is theoretical, as the BMW would always be cheaper if everything else was the same.

JMG · « **Reply #6 on:** August 31, 2016, 02:37:52 pm »

I'd take the WR, I stand to be corrected but the bm has a kymco engine in, not bmw

2StrokeDan · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2016, 02:49:38 pm »

This is a kak question.

ETS · « **Reply #8 on:** August 31, 2016, 03:01:35 pm »

If the price is similar the Yammie would be much older

Clockwork Orange · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2016, 04:19:50 pm »

Quote from: 2StrokeDan on August 31, 2016, 02:49:38 pm

This is a kak question.

melvman · « **Reply #10 on:** August 31, 2016, 04:23:02 pm »

KTM450....
oops, not on your list...

KarooKid · « **Reply #11 on:** August 31, 2016, 05:54:10 pm »

I should have qualified that I meant all the experts except Dan (knew his answer before asking)

I can elaborate more on the reason for my question (which I knew was kak)

I had a WR previously and had a bad experience. So wanting to get back in the game I was thinking of alternatives to meet my needs.

1. Fun, not too expensive bike to play around with (around R40k - if you tell me this is where my problems lie I'll accept it)
2. Reliable (I know the answer Dan)
3. Roadworthy if possible (therefore did not consider the KTM)

So hence I am asking the experts.

If you tell me to drop the idea of a roadworthy bike and can give me viable alternatives I am open to all.

Sláinte Mhaith · « **Reply #12 on:** August 31, 2016, 06:29:54 pm »

Rough Rider · « **Reply #13 on:** August 31, 2016, 06:45:51 pm »

WR250F

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2hV5OZPle4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss65ljjFupA

The_Crow · « **Reply #14 on:** August 31, 2016, 07:03:20 pm »

Quote from: Rough Rider on August 31, 2016, 06:45:51 pm

WR250F

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2hV5OZPle4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss65ljjFupA

I would love a on the road WR250F

masehare · « **Reply #15 on:** August 31, 2016, 07:16:46 pm »

Quote from: Rough Rider on August 31, 2016, 06:45:51 pm

WR250F

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2hV5OZPle4

This guy is making sense, but I feel only for someone who's going to do technical trail riding for a couple of hours or taking part in a funduro. If I read between the lines about KarooKid's requirements, he'll be travelling some distance on tar to get to trail with some technical sections that will be difficult with a 1190/1200 class bike. I was in the same situation and did the postal route with a roadworthy CRF230. The bike handles great in sand and slow technical sections, but just lacks that 170cc worth of power to lift the front wheel over a pothole when you're in the wrong gear. So you constantly need to play with the gears to keep the motor on the boil just in case. I now have a roadworthy 400 which will do 100km of tar (at 110km/h) with ease and handle quite well (with my limited skill) in technical sections. It has plenty of power to lift the front wheel over potholes, even if you're in the wrong gear - which I feel makes for a more comfortable ride. That being said, I also feel that a 650 would be too much bike for me in these types of conditions. The 400 is the sweet spot for me.

JustBendIt · « **Reply #16 on:** August 31, 2016, 07:31:15 pm »

I don't like the WR ... and I don't like the BMW either

Both have got a 5 speed gearbox - a 6th gear is really lekker to have

WR has a very light flywheel and revs like mad - also means it stalls easily and does not like to lug low down

I would suggest a 2006 - 2007 KTM 450 or 525 with RFS engine - my 525 has done 27 000 km and 415 hours with only one set of valves replaced at 360 hours.

The 525 may be a true 510 cc but it has a lot more low down torque than the 450 and feels less stressed hopefully meaning it will last longer - you don't have to wring its neck all the time like a 450

You can also get a lekker big 25 litre Acerbis tank which will give a 450 km plus range

It has 6 gears and can klap 160 kph - the last stage on last year's Amageza was just short of a 1000 km - that is kak far to ride on a plastic

It has a super low idle speed - when I'm tired in the back of Atlantis endure loop I can leave it in 3rd gear and it will go anywhere

Scribble · « **Reply #17 on:** August 31, 2016, 07:51:43 pm »

I have a Drz and a Wr both 5 speed boxes two very different bikes
The lack of 6th gear is very noticeable on the tar I've ridden a smaller cc bike
With 6 gears and I can't for the life of me understand why the hell
All bikes don't have 6
when the time comes I will look into a good condition 525 or 450
That said with the long range tanks on the bike feels big

KarooKid · « **Reply #18 on:** August 31, 2016, 08:26:07 pm »

I do have a 1200 adv and do all longish rides with that. Did the Postal Route twice and the size is really not an issue.

What I am looking for is a bike I can ride 20km tar to go play with in the sand and bush. Or load it on the back of the bakkie and take it with for the weekend.

The 525 sounds great. As long as it is reliable. I had a 690 once and having to rely on KTM Cape Town is not on my wish list.

How is the availablility of good 525's and would they fit the budget?

I've found a really nice bmw with 2900km and a WR with 5900km.

This sixth gear thing got me thinking now.

Speaking of milage. If well maintained what sort of milage can one expect from a small capacity engine like this?

2StrokeDan · « **Reply #19 on:** August 31, 2016, 08:56:12 pm »

If you buy any KTM will you not be back in the hands of KTM Cape Town?