Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Time to change the rear tire to the paddle tire

I hate this more than anything else on the motorcycle maintenance schedule, swapping a tire for a new or different tire. Yuck, my knuckles are starting to bleed just thinking about it. But the Sand Dunes are not the same without a paddle, I want to tackle Sand Mountain and see if I can pull it in 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th gear. My Cr500 will climb it in 4th when it has a new engine top end. As it was running it will only pull it in third and that is with a dirt tire and not a paddle. Good thing I was forced to tear it down last weekend a get a new piston, rings, reeds, and gaskets.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Little Sahara Sand Dunes here we come.

We are headed to the Sand Dunes in Southern Utah this next weekend. I am debating putting the Paddle tire on the WR 450. I want two wheels, one that has a paddle and one that has a dirt tire on it. I guess I will have to find a wheel at a bone yard or find out what years are the same as the 2006. I don't really know if they have changed over the past years.

Well anyway in the sand dunes, should I paddle the WR450 or leave it stock. I am thinking add the paddle, If I add a paddle I can't ride the trails and will be limited to the sand. I am very curious how this bike compares to the CR500R I have been popping wheelies on at the sand dunes for the past 20+ years.

For more cool info about Jericho Little Sahara Sand Dunes check out this write up, and these links

Little Sahara Sand Dunes in Delta Utah

Jericho Sand Dunes in Southern Utah

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Track Night, Tuesday at Jorday River Racway.



I am not a big race track motocross rider, but this new bike is changing that. I was talking to my neighbor and he wants to go to the Jordan River Parkway track in North Salt Lake city again on Tuesday night. I think I could get used to running out there a couple times a week and mastering the "Big" track. With a few(maybe 20+) more serious sessionS I may be able to even jump a double, or not case the triple. I am not the greatest Jumper on a Motocross bike, My motto is if I start jumping I start crashing, and crashing hurts.

I will check the swamp conditions during the week and report back on it. I can't figure out why the medium level track must be a mud bog swamp. Check out these pictures of the WR450F covered in mud. I had an easy time getting the goop off, but I was sad to see my brand new riding boots only stay clean for about 30 seconds.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

WR 450 Oil Change, When and What?

I haven't changed the oil on my fancy new WR 450 Yamaha yet. It looked good so I just went for a ride. I have been researching the ever debated oil change issues. I read that with a brand new bike 35 miles is plenty for a break-in oil change. I guess I can agree with this, but the intervals seem really, really small for an oil change. A car goes 5,000 miles and my Dodge truck goes 10,000-15,000 miles. I guess the difference is the amount of oil in the tank.

Most people mentioned that after every 10 hours of "normal" riding It's a good time to change the oil. The recommendations are to get an hour meter which aren't expensive ($40), so then I guess you take the guess work out of how long/far you ride. I have the electronics on the bike, but I am not sure how it really works and if it has an hour meter.

Do I use Motul 5100 10W40, Amsoil 10w40 motorcycle oil, 10W40 normal oil, or mobile One 20w50 for the hot summer? I have been a fan of Pennzoil over the years, but I do like Amsoil. I am not sure what to get, or how to change it.

Another good maintenance tip is to clean the air filter often. I will agree that the most important things to these bikes is clean air and fresh oil.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Yamaha WR 450 First Ride Impressions. This 450 goes

I really liked Riding my new 200 Yamaha WR 450 Motorcycle. I put it to the test at the track putting 35 miles on it in various conditions. Mud, dust, dirt, rocks, silt, and jumps. I was a bit let down with the top heavy feeling of the WR 450. They still have not figured out how to get a bike that feels and rides like a 250 two stroke. I guess I am complaining about the weight I knew I was getting when I opted for an electric start WR 450 with lights, and a battery. The front felt heavy when I first got on the motorcycle and tried to put the front wheel hard into a corner. I felt the bike want to wash out and not turn for me. I was immediately let down. My previous Suzuki DR 350 was squirrely and I wanted to get away from that with this new bike. I can't blame the bike completely the front tire has the stock tire and is pretty worn out. I will investigate a new tire. As the day progressed and I got better and riding and understanding the feel of the bike I didn't notice the front end as much. The overall feel of the bike is a bit heavy, or I am well let's say I am not 20 years old anymore.

The Power was great, low end torque and thump, and higher immediate revs which jump up and make the machine go. I was very impressed with the grunt and zoom of the engine. It will lift the wheel in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. I didn't spend a lot of time trying to wheelie, but the power is definitely available if you want it.

The Speedometer and trip odometer is cool, but I didn't really look at it much while riding. I was not in the habit of looking at my speed while dirt riding.

I went jumping at the Jordan River Parkway Motocross Track

So I was so revved up when I got this bike, I had to plan a trip to ride within the first few days. So I check the Yamaha WR450 over and loaded the trailer and off we went first thing Saturday morning to the Jordan River Parkway Motocross Track.

The Jordan River State Park in North Salt Lake City Utah is a multi purpose Motorcycle and ATV area. It has three motocross tracks, as well as a three mile grand prix course. The grand prix track as they describe it is like a woods trail, long narrow and rocky, dusty, and silty. The 3 mile loop winds around the northern area of the park. We had a good time riding this loop and had it all to our selves, which was nice.

The dirt is hard packed, rocky and also mixed with wood chips. They are trying to control the rocks and the dust. The three tracks vary in difficulty, size and layout. The beginner track is designed for little bikes and kids on small bikes. It was kinda fun to zip around on and zing over the bumps and small jumps. The medium level track would be lot of fun for a beginner and intermediate rider and ATVs. The problems we had were the sprinklers and the mud bogs. They we trying to water the track and keep the dust down but we creating an unsafe wet slimy bug bog on different parts of the track.. So the track was dust, then just right, then I fell on my head landing in a big slimy mud hole. this was very unfortunate because this put a big downer on our trip. I would have like to really ride this track and build up some speed and confidence on it, before hitting the "Advanced Track".

The advanced track is an attempt at making a full size Motocross Track. I have read a number of reviews and complaints about the track, but for a government track that only cost 10 bucks to ride all day, I thought it was ok. I am no track expert but I was challenged by it. It has a nice double to start out, a number of doubles where the launch ramp is smaller than the landing side so if you don't make it all the way over the top, you just land going up hill and over top then down the long landing ramp. The whoops are deep and tight, and really put my skills at holding on to the new WR450 to the test. The track also has a couple of nice table tops which I got pretty good at. The "Finish line" is a big tall double jump that you can really fly over. I got some good air on it but never really was able to fly with the young guys.

The place is open for daily riding, and if you want to buy a state park pass you can use it unlimited for 70 bucks a year.

http://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/jordan-river/

Saturday, September 20, 2008

WR450F Pre Flight Oil Check




I am ready to roll the bike is on the trailer, my gear is mostly packed, look at race track here we come. I wanted to make a list of things to check and maintain on the new WR. I checked the oil, it looked clean and good. I heard that it's a good idea to change the oil after about 5 hours of riding, or after every other trip. This seems really extreme, but when It was explained to me it makes sense. The engine is tuned to run at high compression and high RPMs. This puts a lot of use on the oil, plus this is a Dirt Bike, meaning the condition for riding the bike are dirty dusty, and hot. So if the oil doesn't break down the chances of it getting contaminated are good. One other thing to realize is the bike has a very small oil tank and capacity. 1.3 quarts or less. So like I said the oil gets a lot of use in a short time.

So how do you check and change the oil? I did not know, so I had to do a search, I found that the oil level check dip stick is on the frame up by the gas tank. I am guessing that filling it to the top of the dip stick is the correct thing to do. That is how this bike is filled so I will assume that is correct.

What kind of oil and what weight oil should I use when changing it? I will find that out and update this post.

2006 Yamaha WR 450F, In the beginning



I just got a used Yamaha 2006 WR-450F 4 stoke, 2 wheel, racing desert machine. I am very excited to see the nice blue bike out in the garage. I have been riding Motorcycles for a long time and I traded, and sold two other machines,and then begged, borrowed, and stole, all I could to get into a new (to me) WR 450. I can't wait to take it out to the track and see what it will do. I am not a big track rider, I prefer the desert and the mountain trails, but the track is close and this bike should feel at home on a Motocross track. I am thinking I can get used to the power and feel of the machine very quickly. We are headed to the track this morning so wish me luck. I have ridden a lot of big bore 2 strokes, and so I know the true punch of a machine roaring to life. I think this bike offers some of the same power. Hopefully the power of this engine is smoother and easier to control and enjoy. This bike has also been modified to run better and use all the power. I know the air box restriction is gone. The throttle stop is removed, and the carburetor pollution pump has been changed. I am sure the gray wire has been cut but I didn't get a chance to check it yet to make sure. I have many things to learn about the bike so I guess the first thing I need to do is find a shop manual, figure our how to change the oil, check all the fluids, etc.