2016 Yamaha WR450F: 10 Best Mods

Having now lived with Yamaha’s 2016 WR450F for six months, Transmoto’s Andy Wigan reckons he’s got a pretty good handle on the new-generation machine and how it can be improved. In no particular order, here are Wigan’s 10 best bang-for-buck mods for the bike:

1. PERFORMANCE MUFFLER – RRP: $579.70
Aside from looking and sounding better than the big, old-school standard muffler, the GYTR/FMF PowerCore 4 muffler I fitted saves more than 1kg. And even without a mapping change to complement it, this bolt-on adds noticeably to throttle response and short-shiftability. In slick conditions, I dial that extra punch out of the power via installing a more tractable EFI map (or even by switching back to the standard muffler, which creates a much more linear curve and better traction). The GYTR/FMF unit does produce a louder note than the OEM exhaust, but isn’t too obnoxious with the reverse cone mesh insert in place.

2. POWER TUNER – RRP: $398.00
Of all the manufacturers’ EFI tuning tools, Yamaha’s Power Tuner is definitely the easiest to get your head around – mainly because it’s so intuitive. Just plug it in and follow the prompts, and refer to its owners manual for more complex customised mapping. At $398, it’s one of the cheapest tuning tools on the market, and can transform the character of the bike’s power in one 20-second upload. Here’s a video insight into how to use the Power Tuner and details for a few maps we’ve found work well.

3. RADIATOR INSURANCE – RRP: $217.38
After warping a radiator in only a small low-side crash on my first ride, radiator reinforcement was the top priority on my shopping list for the bike. But as the 2016 WR450F runs slightly different-sized radiators to the WR250F, a traditional, older-style GYTR Radiator Cage was all that was initially available. This easily accommodates the thermo fan and offers good side protection against crush damage, but offers little resistance against a frontal impact. The guys from Yamaha’s Genuine Parts and Accessories have since sourced locally made radiator cages with added bracing at the rear (almost identical to the units available for the 2015 and 2016 WR250F), so I plan to upgrade to these shortly.

4. ALLOY BASHPLATE – RRP: $189.94
The plastic bashplate that comes as standard equipment on the WR450F offers decent protection, but can be prone to ripping off on really big hits. So to beef up the bike’s underside protection, I fitted this GYTR Compact Enduro Sump Guard. The beautifully made alloy guard bolts on to the existing mounts with two 8mm hex-head bolts, and offers much-improved protection for frame rails and engines cases and, in particular, the coolant drain bolt and oil filler cap that the OEM bashplate leaves vulnerable. The GYTR unit also uses an arched shape between the mounts to prevent mud build-up between the frame’s cradle rails.

5. FRESH TYRES – RRP: $109.95/$139.95 (front/rear)
The standard Metzeler tyres aren’t bad, but Michelin’s new range of Starcross 5 hoops offers another level of performance altogether. The taller-profile 90/100-21 front makes it more forgiving on square-edged bumps, while the larger contact patch improves grip levels for cornering and braking. The Starcross 5 rears are similarly versatile, offering excellent feel and predictability across a variety of terrain. Because the two-ply carcass construction of these all-new Michelins is specifically designed to flex more, it’s critical you run higher pressures (14-17psi) in them – because at conventional pressures, traction is compromised and you run the risk of accelerated wear and/or throwing knobs. 

6. ON THE BARS – RRP: $124.95 (Cycra Guards), $19.95 (Zeta Bar-ends)
To reduce the weight on the bike’s handlebars for grasstrack, MX or sprint-style enduro outings, I remove the standard full-wrap handguards and fit a set of Cycra Rebound Shield hand guards and Zeta bar-ends to plug the holes. This set-up then allows me to re-fit the full-wrap guards for trail and adventure-style riding (as I like the added protection they offer) without replacing (or cutting the ends off) another set of grips.

7. REAR BRAKE – RRP: $190.20 (Solid Disc), $89.94 (Disc Guard)
You seldom hear riders complaining that their rear brake is lacking in power, but most admit they’d prefer more feel. And that’s exactly why I fitted GYTR solid rear brake disc. It retains the OEM disc’s 245mm diameter, but allows me to apply more pressure through the pedal before it’ll lock the rear wheel. The solid disc also reduces brake pad wear, especially in muddy conditions. I also gave the rear disc some alloy protection in the form of this super-tough GTYR Rear Brake Disc Guard – whose visible damage suggests it has already saved me from having to replace a bent disc.

8. CHAIN GUIDE – RRP: $147.05
I fitted GYTR’s Plastic Chain Guide because, unlike the standard metal guide, the plastic unit flexes and returns – and is therefore less likely to derail the chain after a big hit. The bike’s standard X-Ring chain has stood the test of time well, but because the rear alloy sprocket has begun to show signs of wear, I plan to replace it with a more durable steel unit before long.

9. CASE SAVER – RRP: $52.89
The GYTR Case Saver is a billet alloy, blue-anodised unit that bolts straight on in place of the less sturdy standard part that comes with the bike. Apart from a good-looking bit of bling, it also offers extra protection for the bike’s engines cases from the potential damage caused by a rock flung out of the chain at high speed.

10. GYTR BITS – $26.08 (Fork Bleeders), $78.93 (Brake Clevis), $46.97 (Fuel Line Cover), $52.58 (Magnetic Drain Plug)
I fitted a set of GYTR’s fork bleeders to ensure the fork’s action is never unnecessarily harsh; a GYTR brake clevis to help take the play out of that joint; a GYTR fuel line cover to guard against stick damage; and then replaced the drain plug with a red magnetic GYTR specimen so any metal contaminants in the oil don’t end up where they shouldn’t.