2001 WR426f *Or 2006 YZ250F?*

[BigGreenMachine]

Anyone have any info about these bikes? Looking at a very clean 01. Has a pipe and new tires on it. I'd ride it the rest of the winter and let my g/f get her motorcycle lisense with it the spring then rob the motor for a 250r or 400ex hybrid.

Just thinking here...when the sled sells I might just buy it.

*EDIT*

There is also an 06 YZ250F anniversary edition that just became available on the local market. Its $300 more at $4200 but I feel the newer lighter chassis would benefit me in the tight trails. Also I am only a small built frame, 5'10" and 130lbs so lighter bike would be easier to flick around for me.

Either way I'm getting a bike..

[dgpilot15]

I have a 2000. These bikes are mean. The 2001 is the last of the bulletproof Yamahas. Back in 1998 when the YZ400F was introduced, they were supercross killers known to have close to 50hp and revv to the moon thanks to the Yamaha 5 valve head. They were also known to have clutch basket and water pump issues. In 2000, the cylinder was bumped to 426cc, the clutch and water issues were addressed and what was born was the baddest dirtbike on the planet. 2001 was the introduction of titanium valves instead of the tried and true stainless steel units of previous years but were welcomed due to the even higher rpms and quicker revving due to lighter valves and softer valve springs. In my opinion, the 2001's and 2002's were the best of the best. 2003 was the introduction of the new 450's. Lauded as the next giant leap in technology, the motors were ground up different than the previous 426 platform. This was a step back in my opinion. Sure you got a cc bump to 450cc but the trannies were reduced to 4 speeds and the motor was significantly lighter than the previous model. Where was the weight taken from? The 450 motors were later found out to have far less longevity than the 400's and 426's. This is, in my opinion, due to the nature of building the 450 motor lighter, faster and more for supercross than more reliable for the mere mortals such as us. An analogy comes to mind, compare a stock chevy 350 powered truck to a NASCAR 355 powered car. Do you want the reliable 250K miles your gonna get outta the chevy or the short lived, high strung NASCAR motor? The power difference in the Yamahas aren't that different. Maybe 5+ hp and a much more peaky power delivery. The WR426F is a perfect balance of a tank and a fighter jet. You wont find a better project motor to build off of.

[BigGreenMachine]

Wee! Man, talk about a great writeup! Thanks for that dgpilot. Its very welcome info.

I've heard great things about the YZ426f. The WR with the wide ratio, heavier flywheel and lighting setup will be perfect.

[Tri-Z 250]

I have made the conversion to HotCams on my 01' YZf 426...makes starting much better. I would say eaiser but you still need to give it a full kick. If you make the conversion look to www.ThumperTalk.com for the complete background on original mod along with opinions on stock vs HotCam. Lowering links are around as well as Ty Davis's ZipTy link...which I have. Yes it makes a difference in braking bumps and down hill chop...but I'm not sure thats a direction for you. If the girlfriend smaller I'd look to lower the saddle a bit. As for carb issues well I've done most of them...QuickShot2 with a JD jet kit, and a Zipty(any ajustable one will work) mixture screw. I highly recomend Rad Braces very cheap insurance Works Connection ones cost 65-85 and GYTR has a BASHER bottom skidplate I have as well...It's big( I've yet to see anything close) and welcomes all logs,rocks and roost! Nice bike

[tecat-z]

Excellent choice and 426's were great bikes. Here's my 04 WR450 that is my only choice for long rides. It's an absolute cruise missile, that has been very solid thus far. Yamaha has made big strides in engine development since the 98 intro of the 400cc engine. And there are many reasons for the increase in displacement. Longevity being just one of many. But.. the 426 engine is a good one, though short lived from a production standpoint. Git that bike and enjoy it! I guarantee you won't cut it up. You will however fall in love once you learn all of the place's you can git on a bike, and the speed in which you can do it.

[cr480r]

Be sure that the previous owner took great care of the bike.. a used 4-stroke can be a ticking time bomb..and an expensive one at that... My buddy found out the hard way back in late '03 when his supposedly "barely ridden" '02 yz426 dropped a valve... He was quoted $2200 for repairs and his bike was probably only worth 3k... He loved the 426 while it ran, but ended up parting it out and buying an RM...

[BigGreenMachine]

Nice Tecat-z! Thats one thing that interests me about bikes is the ability to go where ever the handlebars will fit between. Makes it super easy for me to cut trails in my area for a bike.

Not cutting it up, I want the engine to put in a TRX250R chassis down the road. If I still want a bike after that I'll go looking for something newer.

[BigGreenMachine]

Anyone have anything to say about an 06 YZ250F? Looks clean and is said to be. I would imagine the newer tech 250f hauls pretty good and the lighter weight and nimble chassis would do well in the woods? Needs a bigger tank, skid and bark busters. Tax return comes out soon!

[tecat-z]

Really, nothing but good things to say. Other than a tank, leave it stock. The bikes are not choked up like the quads, and to a lesser degree the WR's, and run amazing as delivered. This may be the best pick of them all for your size.

[BigGreenMachine]

It has a pipe already. The motor will be left alone for sure. Oversize tank is a must, especially this time of year when you can cover so much ground in a short time. C'mon taxes!

[hondawasaki]

No question I would buy the '06. suspension alone is lightyears beyond the '01. 250f's flat out rip. If you are riding tight woods trails, Hands down the 250f is a better bike. I have a few buddies that have '07 250f's they fly. I've ridden plenty of yz wr426's, and the new chassis is so far superior, ride and believe. The 250 would be 300 well spent.

[BigGreenMachine]

Cool. The reviews on the 250f are great. I'm amazed that the 250 smokers are being classed with them. The 450 must haul some serious butt.

[BigGreenMachine]

Well they look great in the pics but they are both lacking. The 250F is beat. Got my eye on a nice stockish 06 CRF450R.

C'mon taxes!

[Jason Hall]

Put stainless valve's & have the seats cut by someone who know what they are doing In the crf, or you will want to SMASH IT with a giant !!

Other than that the CRF makes wicked power everywhere

[BigGreenMachine]

How necessary is that? The bike has had an easy life by an inexperienced rider and the maintenence was kept up. I was hoping to get some good ride time out of it and go with fresh internals mid summer/spring.

I'm seeing 50hp at the wheels on these? Thats nuts. lol I might be pushing low 40's on my quad, might!