We finally got to see one of the 2007 Yamaha WRs. We've been more anxious than usual since this is a major update year for these popular models. The most obvious change is the one to an aluminum frame, naturally much like that found on the '06 and '07 YZ four-strokes. The aluminum chassis gave the YZs a solid, planted feel that carries over to the WR line. As a result of the frame change an necessary body work updates, the WR has a very slim and seamless feel, and perhaps the most svelte feeling Japanese off-road bike. It seems like Japan just can't figure out where to put extra fuel when they convert a motocross model to off-road. Yamaha decided that a smallish tank is fine with a four-stroke, and our experience says 50-mile loops should be easy.
Another change is suspension that feels like it will be welcomed more openly on the East coast. WR has always felt like they were developed in the California desert, and were stiff for woods use. The new setting is more plush, lively and active.
This bike is fully equipped with good lights, instrumentation, a tucked in aluminum kickstand and a quiet muffler. Our bike was modified for use in Costa Rica, so it was unrestricted considerably from a stock bike. The bike is 50-state legal, but to get quiet and clean enough for all 50 states, the stock bike has pretty weak performance. Riders interested in closed course competition can uncork the bike, and the performance is much better. Our bike was still pleasantly quiet, but pulled well down low. Yamaha made the final gearing taller, then lowered the final three gears to get a five-speed box that is a much closer ratio trans than before. As a result the top speed is a little less, but the bike pulls gear-to-gear with a grin on its face. There are no wide-ratio-feeling gaps that the engine doesn't want to pull.
The bike has a compact feel, and the seat is firm, especially at the rear, but right where you sit while hammering tight trails, there is more and better padding. The little Yammies have been very long-lived for small-bore four-strokes, too.
With these changes, the WR is one sweet ride. We'll see how sweet when we ring it and its classmates through our 24-hour ringer, so stay tuned!