Watch this before buying a 2012 WR450F! - Hard starting fixed, fuel pump rebuild, common problems

For entertainment purposes. Don't do what I do.
I bought a 2012 WR450F in the Fall of 2023. It immediately had hard starting issues while cold. I also ride around Reno, NV which is just under 5,000 ft elevation. These are the common problems and things to watch out for when buying a 2012 Yamaha WR450F. I also show what I believe to be the easiest way to rebuild your fuel pump. Yamaha didn't do us any favors here and you're supposed to buy a $300 fuel pump assembly. The way I show you can be done for under $100.

[@jasonschott8250]

Awesome video. Thank you for sharing. Went to buy a bike this week and the guy was honest about the hard start so I pushed away. After watching your video I am more confident I can resolve or at least significantly improve it. Thank you again

[@renedelafuente123]

I also have a 2012 wr450f and wanted it street legal so took it to this old man that said he's been working on motorcycles his whole life. Big mistake I made. Wanted it street legal now I have a wire shortage that's frying the starter and relay or solenoid somewhere. Took it back to him and says he's too old can't work. Mechanic shops for motorcycles charge too much an hour just to troubleshoot problem. He used very cheap wire with any abrasion or cut on it it'll touch ground and cause a shortage which I think it did already. Friend of mine is recommending this other guy but will see what happens. Thanks for the video

[@Moturd]

Aw man what a bummer. If you can get it figured out it should be an excellent bike but trying to figure out someone else's wiring is the inner most circle of hell I think. Good luck to you friend.

[@wadegail2344]

Thanks for this VID! Not many out there like this and it is super appreciated!

[@Moturd]

Hey thank you very much! I'll have more WR450 vids coming soon. I appreciate the comment!

[@strangerandprimogang5859]

great video this will save me so much time when people ask in the fb groups how to fix their bike i have yet to swap my pump out i only have slight issues starting specifically with the e start without the plug being pulled out but other then that i have my c1 mixture at 15 compared to your 6 i have a full exhaust though smells a little gassy but not nearly as bad as my friends carbed wr

[@strangerandprimogang5859]

update put the quantum fuel pump in and it will not run correctly will be switching back to stock

[@leofazzi]

Very useful video thank you. Question: what is the function of the 'switch' cable attached to the clutch lever please? I couldn't see you mentioning it on the video Many thanks

[@Moturd]

Hey there. I believe you're talking about the clutch killswitch that is in the bike normally but there are a lot of wires right there as my blinkers, light switch and blinker switch, and kill button wires all run through there. I could make a short video of the exact wire layout if it would help you.

[@leofazzi]

@@Moturd don't have the bike with me now to take a pic.. but is the only cable that goes to the clutch lever .. so it must be it.. it came off and I'd love to know what is for.. so yes please .. it would help . Thank you

[@Moturd]

@leofazzi ok so I just looked in the service manual and it's just called "clutch switch". It will allow you to start the bike in gear if the clutch is pulled in rather than having to change into neutral to start the bike. I can email you the service manual if you comment send me your email address.

[@Adam_FPV_]

My 2015 WR450F often stalls at idle. I installed a Yoshimura muffler and it became hard to start and failed to idle at all. These bikes are fussy and need lots of fine tuning.

[@Moturd]

Yes, you are right. I forget if I mentioned in the video but I took out the baffle tube at the end of the stock muffler and it instantly became very hard to start. They are picky indeed.

[@juanbullares]

Hello brother, do you know that yesterday my motorcycle started to fail when hot as if it ran out of gas, it is a 2015 wr 450, when cold it starts excellent but after 5 minutes of riding in 4th or 5th gear it is as if you turned off the gas and it goes off, could the fault be the fuel pump?

[@Moturd]

Hi Juan. Hmm, I have not had this exact problem but in my many hours of looking into this bike, I've seen others mention similar things. I would look over on Thumpertalk to see if you can find some posts with similar issues. Could be valves, fuel pump/fuel pump filter, or a few other things. If I come across those posts again, I will try to post links for you.

[@juanbullares]

@@Moturd i'll search it. Thanks for your help!

[@juanbullares]

Hello friend, I'll tell you again, the spark plug is very rusty, I bought a new original one and apparently the problem with my motorcycle is the fuel pump orings, do you have any tutorial or link on how to change them? They are the gummies,@@Moturd

[@Moturd]

@@juanbullares @juanbullares ah interesting so it's a common problem of water getting into the spark plug area. I actually just reapplied some dielectric grease yesterday. Which Orings specifically? Darn i just had my pump out yesterday while swapping to a bigger tank. I really don't want to take it all apart again. Skip to the section where I show how to disassemble the fuel pump. You should be able to access all orings there. It sounds like you have a clog somewhere more than bad orings, I could be wrong though.

[@juanbullares]

Excellent material and information, if possible, send me the link to disarm the bomb, to remove the orings that are supposedly dry@@Moturd