WR450F **Uncorked** Live Review

Live review - meaning feel what I feel in the moment - as I take my 2022 WR450F on its first ride after uncorking it. This was a new GYTR ECU, opened the intake and exhaust up. You might notice that my riding style was a little "overdramatic" on the throttle, only because I kept trying to see what the bike would offer me if I asked for a handful.. Well the bike delivers just that... a handful...

[@billsharko3007]

I am riding a 2017 DRZ now with the 3x3 air box mod, JD jet kit , lowered the gear ratio and put good offroad tires on it and its a good motorcycle but I an 71 years old about 165# and have been riding motorcycles for over 60 years. Been looking at a new 2023 WR450F would uncork it and put the new ECU and map switch. I am looking for a bike that is a quite a bit lighter than the DRZ and handles better and more capable offroad. My riding is at least 90% off road. I think the WR450F would be a good bike for my needs. Just worried about how quick the bike would have to be rebuilt I put about 1700 miles a year of offroad miles on my DRZ. My onroad bike is a Suzuki Hayabusa which I love. Good video Thanks

[@evanwilliams6352]

I know that the DRZ has been well known for its reliability, but I’ve heard great things about these Yamaha’s as well. They only hold 650ml of oil on an oil change, so you’d want to change the oil more often. This bike does all those things better than the DRZ does. With the wide ratio transmission I’d say 1st is similar to my DRZ right now, but I’d almost argue that 4th is similar to the DRZ 5th, and then 5th on the WR is way taller than 4th, so cruising on the road would feel much better on the WR. Otherwise DRZ is more “comfy” though. With softer suspension and a thicker seat, but that could be remedied I’m sure. I think you’d love how much more capable this bike is, and the fuel injection is sooo nice, it’s playful and easy to maneuver, but you can also slow right down and be lazy on it too. In the end it isn’t really fair to compare this to a DRZ at all, as it’s closely related to a track bike than a dual sport/ trail bike.

[@robr4596]

Add an FMF Q4 exhaust pipe and you'll be amazed. My YZ 450 gained power at bottom and pulls like crazy. well worth the price.

[@evanwilliams6352]

I was looking into it, however not sure if I need the extra power, I hardly tap all of the power it has as it is, even on some of the big hill climbs.. but I love the way the fmf looks compared to the stock WR pipe

[@motorbikediaries]

I’ve been doing a ton of trail riding on my T7 and posting videos regularly. I’ve wanted to add a WR to the garage alongside it though for a few months now just for the more ‘knarly’ days and also just so I have the confidence to try more technical stuff. This video has not helped that itch one bit 😂😂 Hopefully this year I can pick one up 🙏🏼 Fair play and enjoy

[@evanwilliams6352]

I would love to have a T7! you'll love the WR if you decide to get one. They're quite capable machines, I take mine on all the rides when everyone has their 300 2t out, not an issue for me. Check out my other video "can a WR450F single track?" I talk a bit more about how the bike performs 😁

[@motorbikediaries]

@@evanwilliams6352 Nice one, I will check that out. What I’m ideally looking for is something that handles single track a bit better. If you watch any of my own videos you’ll know what I mean 😂. The T7 is such a fantastic machine though, for what it is it handles so much so bloody well. But the WR will hopefully be obtained this year 🤞🏼

[@evanwilliams6352]

@@motorbikediaries I'll take a look at your videos!

[@oldtownscouts3712]

What a champ for leaving in dumping it and not editing it out haha

[@evanwilliams6352]

I thought it was funny 😆

[@oldtownscouts3712]

@@evanwilliams6352 I enjoyed it haha. Might buy a used 2013 WR450F in a few weeks and idk if I even need to uncork it after watching this vid lol your reaction was priceless

[@evanwilliams6352]

@@oldtownscouts3712 I'm not as familiar with the older bikes, and how "corked" they are in comparison to being uncorked, but I'm sure it's still plenty of power for most people. ( it was hard to tell in the video where I crashed and why, but there was a little stump about 4" round and 6" out of the ground that would have thrown my front tire way off course if I had hit it. so when I swerved, I threw my line off and my balance to avoid hitting the tree😅)

[@pete8149]

When the blue light is on, you are in Map 2 which is detuned a percentage (not sure how much). When light is off you are in Map 1 which is more power at least on my FX and I am sure it works the same. Nice bike, wish I had that place to ride, don't have no hill climbs in my area I ride, well any that are very big, all pretty much singletrack.

[@evanwilliams6352]

So what is kinda funny about the switch, and making this video last night… is that I actually had them backwards… 😅 the light on is actually the aggressive map… but I think why I didn’t realize that is because the aggressive map has a smoother transition from bottom all the way through to the top, where the mild map (light off) is smoother and less aggressive in the bottom/ mid, but then has a hard hit in the high/mid and pulls hard in the top. So I think I was feeling that aggressive power curve and thinking it was the aggressive map… when I rode it on this day I was grabbing handfuls of throttle to feel what the bike had to offer, which I don’t really ride like that on a regular. After riding the bike more (I have about 50 hours on it now, this video was filmed with about 10 hours on it) I can really tell the difference. I’ll leave it in the mild map all day until I’m doing climbs. While the wild map is really aggressive and pulls super hard, it’s also smoother through the rev range.

[@fynn8252]

Hey Pete, when I received my competition ECU for a 2020 WR250F, it said “This map is standard on the GYTR Competition ECU for maps 1 and 2.” It was referring to the graph where all numbers were zero. I also have the map button installed. According to the paper, I guess map 1 and 2 are all zeros?? I couldn’t really notice a difference between when the blue light was on or off based on a short street ride.

[@evanwilliams6352]

@@fynn8252 I do notice a difference between map 1 and 2 now, but it took a bit of riding to feel the difference. Map 1 (light off) is a milder map, and smoothed the bottom to mid range throttle. Map 2 (Light on) is a more aggressive map, snappier everywhere, especially in the bottom.

[@fynn8252]

@@evanwilliams6352 Thanks Evan! Yeah I probably have to do an actual trail ride to notice. But what a difference compared to the stock ECU!

[@pete8149]

@@fynn8252 Evan might be better to ask the question to. He has the WR and would have your similar set up also. Map 1 & 2 are all "0" in the stock map. On the stock map I don't know if you will feel that much of a difference. I will have to try mine out and see. I run different maps on 1 and 2, so I never ran the same map on 1 and 2 to see if there is any difference. I don't know the power % difference, your manual might state it in it. Maybe Evan can give you feedback since he has the WR, he might have tried both 1 and 2 on stock map. Might have to have a Torquey or More Power Map in to notice the difference between the two, not sure. I use Map 1 for a power/torque map and my Map 2 has a singletrack/detuned map in it on my bike.

[@fynn8252]

I like the reports you make about this bike. I'm on a 20' WR250F and debating whether I should make the exact changes you did. Say, how would you describe this bike at 65-75 mph? Coming off a DRZ400, do you think the WR450 has the option of becoming a performance dual-sport with a few mods?

[@evanwilliams6352]

Thanks! (1) I would like to try a 250f as a comparison, I know they changed a few things just after your year. And yes, I think you should do the exact same things, you’ll love the bike even more. If you’re a newer rider maybe wait till you’re good and ready for the performance gains. But definitely do it before you sell the bike thinking you need more power. (2) The WR450F has a taller 5th gear than the DRZ, and quite a lot more power, so it would cruise really well. I think the WR would make an awesome dual sport bike, it’s not near as “comfy” though. Stiffer suspension, almost no seat. And the oil capacity is 650ml vs 1700ml on oil changes, so you’ll have to change the oil more often. If you were doing lots of trails in your dual sporting it would make an awesome bike. (I’m actually selling my DRZ as I think I can make this bike much better than a DRZ in pretty much every way) if you can legalize a WR450F in your state or country I think it’s a great idea. I can’t Legalize it here in Oregon unless I jump through some loopholes.

[@damien12309]

Woo! This thing has way more power! Ad I don’t know if I’m in mild or wild 🤣🤣

[@evanwilliams6352]

It’s not a plugged up bike anymore 😊

[@markalan4026]

I have a uncorked drz400. How would you say the power is in comparison? It has a full yoshimura w/3x3 and jet kit.. I do also have a Keihin FCR 39MX carburetor, but haven't installed it yet. The WR450 is the bike I would like to get eventually.

[@evanwilliams6352]

I have an older DRZ400e which to my understanding didn't need to be "uncorked" as my air box is already opened and I have a different carb than the newer ones, which people claim the older ones were better carbs. In comparison in power, there is no comparison... the WR450F was* a little more torquey and a bit snappier than my DRZ400... but then you uncork the WR450F and it'll blow the doors off of the DRZ400... the WR450F uncorked is honestly a missile when you twist the throttle too hard.. WR's used to be a detuned engine with lower compression and different cams etc.. from their motocross versions, but now they're the same engine. so you're basically trying to compare a DRZ400 to a YZ450F. The DRZ400 is a good engine, but not in the same class as a motocross engine.

[@markalan4026]

@@evanwilliams6352 Right, I understand the Drz400 isn't necessarily a race engine, seems it's more designed to be a smooth semi-sporty engine with reliability and long service intervals in mind. I too have owned several bikes over the years, never a 450 4 stroke though. If you have the Drz 400E model, then you likely have the first generation Keihin FCR 39 "slant" carburetor. That's a good carburetor when it's set up properly. The carburetor I mentioned I have, but haven't yet installed, is the new generation Keihin FCR 39 "MX". Same carburetor that came on all the newest 250/450 MX bikes before they switched to fuel injection. Anyways, the reason I asked regarding the power comparison, is because you were comparing the corked WR450 to a 250 MX bike. I use to own an RMZ250, and to be honest, I think my Drz400 as it sits would beat that bike. I also currently have a ktm 125sx, which is also comparable to the 250 4 stroke mx bikes.

[@markalan4026]

@@evanwilliams6352 The WR450 sounds like such an awesome bike though, and perfect for the kind of riding I do.

[@garethjohnstone8662]

I want one. It's either a WR450 or a Renault Sport Clio 200 (European hot hatch, UK) I'm single, no kids. Rural area. I'm leaning towards this (WR)

[@evanwilliams6352]

I guess it depends if you already have a car to drive. Cars are fun too, but bikes are a different kind of fun for sure.

[@garethjohnstone8662]

@@evanwilliams6352 They are. Plus with a bike like a WR, you can go almost anywhere and at high velocity>

[@seatime674]

I've got the '05 WR450F carbureted and totally opened up with all the free mods and street legal its a beautiful beast but am thinking about a '23 and just adding the Tusk kit adding a few lights making that street legal to.. Im in Nevada and afraid the '23 would be to goverened down and restricted.. Can you tell me specifically real quick what I would need to do to totally uncork it to 100%...👍👍

[@evanwilliams6352]

To uncork a current WR - you need to remove the air restricter in the air box (it uses soft plastic rivets so it breaks off with your bear hands) you need to remove the dB reducer in the tailpipe (drill out two rivets) and you need to buy the GYTR ECU $200 which comes with a shorter throttle stop screw so you maximize throttle movement (or you can just cut the factory screw shorter which is what I did, because I rode the bike for 10hours "corked" while I waited for the ECU to arrive, but I wanted full throttle motion) the ECU is located under the gas tank and mounted to the backside of the air box (as the air box is now on the top/front of the bike), it's a pretty simple procedure.

[@seatime674]

@@evanwilliams6352 Okay much appreciated those things are pretty much the consensus I'm seeing. Doing those things could make things lean, will the Gytr ECM balance the gas/air mixture because there is no carb or jets to adjust on Fuel injected now especially if you do a pipe also etc,,,

[@evanwilliams6352]

@@seatime674 I didn't uncork the bike until I got he GYTR ECU as I was worried about the same things, the stock ECU is already a bit lean as it is. opening up the air box will only make it leaner, so I waited. the only thing that I did was shorten the throttle screw when it was still corked and factory ECU. I uncorked everything the day I put the GYTR ECU in it.

[@seatime674]

@@evanwilliams6352 Did the Gytr Ecu come with beginner/advanced map button for the handle bars I was wondering how that worked to tell what map you're in by pushing a button...

[@evanwilliams6352]

@@seatime674 I paid an extra $100 for the MAP switch, it simply plugs into the wiring harness (there's a plug that's located on the left side of the head stem where you can plug it in) the GYTR ECU is preloaded with 2 maps, I call them "Mild" and "Wild" the switch will glow blue or be off - these are your two map options. I haven't gotten the WiFi module yet to actually tune the two maps, but I will get it one day.

[@andrewmcshane7224]

What is the part number for the GYTR ECU? Thanks!

[@andrewmcshane7224]

#BDB-E9500-V0-00

[@evanwilliams6352]

@@andrewmcshane7224 its a good question! I'll have to find the paperwork or take the tank off to read the ECU.

[@evanwilliams6352]

@@andrewmcshane7224 that part number seems correct when searching the internet.

[@sethw1230]

Can I ask where you are riding? These trails look really fun.

[@evanwilliams6352]

I'm in Southern Oregon 👍

[@sethw1230]

@@evanwilliams6352 Awesome! I'm just in Portland. Is that an actual ohv riding area or private property? Would love to check it out! You've got my brother interested in a Wr450 now and that's after he just bought a '23 KTM 350 lol. I've got a '08 wr250f that I'm almost done rebuilding and going to need to break it in.

[@evanwilliams6352]

@@sethw1230 its BLM, but you kinda need to know how it get in. the spot I get in I have to park at my bosses place and ride up the hill, but I have to be careful not to make tracks otherwise others might see it and come down into his property. honestly I don't know where other people are getting in, as there isn't really a "parking lot" to start from. you kinda need to know a guy. Honestly I'd love to have a 350 size, as a 450 is a lot of bike at times, I keep it on "mild" most of the day. I love my WR though, it does everything so well. it's a very well rounded bike.

[@loganbrowne8483]

Where did you get the new ECU from?

[@evanwilliams6352]

I called the dealer that I purchased the bike from, they ordered it for me, took about 2 weeks. Keep in mind this was 2 years ago. Powermotorsports.com

[@_WebersWorld]

I added a yz450f muffler and it sounds way better

[@evanwilliams6352]

I don't mind the quieter sound that the WR puts out, but I do like the looks of the factory YZ pipe or other aftermarket pipes on the market, I like how they tuck into the bike really nicely 👍

[@matthewzotov4269]

How much did the ecu run you?

[@evanwilliams6352]

the ECU was $200 and the map switch was another $100

[@awalker8084]

Use your gears bro, click up 3rd and down 2nd when she's bogging down

[@evanwilliams6352]

Definitely sounds like I lug it sometimes, but you'd be surprised how much torque it'll hold down low. Finger on the clutch 👍

[@awalker8084]

@@evanwilliams6352 bud, I own the 2022 wr 450f, and own 2021 yz 450,

[@evanwilliams6352]

​@@awalker8084 Happy for you 👍

[@rezkidgamingyt4725]

The same goes for the 2023 250f totally changes the bike

[@evanwilliams6352]

I bet It does, I wonder how much it affects the 450f compared to the 250f

[@rezkidgamingyt4725]

@@evanwilliams6352 a lot I’d say I drove mine when it was it had all the restrictions still on the bike and it was like a tt 250 gutless

[@evanwilliams6352]

@@rezkidgamingyt4725 I bet, the 450 wasn't necessary "Gutless" but for a modern 450 it was. the 450 has more headroom than a 250f though, so I could imagine a 250 being pretty docile.

[@rezkidgamingyt4725]

@@evanwilliams6352 it’s is but when you are at 12000 rpm the bike rips the 2023 revs to 16000 rpm I really need the fmf exaust plus I’m just a small guy 160 lbs soaking wet lol

[@evanwilliams6352]

@@rezkidgamingyt4725 I'd like to get the FMF as well, but mostly only for the looks, I wouldn't need it for the power. The stock pipe is a bit bulky, I like how the FMF tucks in nicely.

[@mountainridgeadventures4664]

As if you need more power! You're already to fast to keep up with!! 😁

[@evanwilliams6352]

Okay I’ll put it all back in 😆

[@mountainridgeadventures4664]

@@evanwilliams6352 🙌😁

[@damien12309]

You should

[@garypobuda557]

I agree

[@user-yf2sp6yx4s]

Яйца у тебя железные 😂

[@lindellparker3659]

450s are nasty ! ! Be careful .

[@evanwilliams6352]

Have to be prepared at all times 😅