…first hopped on the WR, I had some preconceived ideas that proved immediately to be incorrect. First, the electric start was a feature that I was looking forward to having at my disposal. Our previous tests of the WR450F starter received much acclaim, but when I tried to fire up the 450, instead of a rewarding…

…electric starting systems available. The catch tank for engine coolant is nice as well, especially considering how quickly the WR tends to overheat. Compared to other Japanese 450 machines as well as 250F enduros, the big Yamaha is relatively quick to spew the fluid despite large-capacity radiators. Wave…

…rider's hands and arms physically draining, but additional mental focus is necessary to avoid a mishap. The Honda wore us out faster than either the WR or KLX. The 450X just barely lost the handling and chassis category to the Yamaha. That's ok, though, since Honda turned the tables and snuck a one-point…

…the range, but it’s more than adequate for a stock 450 enduro. Throttle response is excellent everywhere; not once did I experience a hiccup or flameout. For the second day of testing, we lined up for the 2-hour morning race. Overnight the WR was outfitted with parts from Yamaha’s GYTR catalog.…

…along with the Honda (1.9 gallons). Beta holds 2.1 gallons as well, but the carbureted 450 is likely the most efficient. They scored the same for fuel capacity, but the Yamaha will run out a bit earlier. The WR is the first to give a fuel warning light, but our longest leg was just over 75 miles and…

…lots of climbs, which the 450 mill dispatches with ease and lots of descents which put a premium on having a good front end, plus rocks, rocks and more rocks, followed by sand washes, rocks then some fields of cacti with single track cut through them. All the while the WR held its own, no flat tires…

…wide-ratio (WR, doncha know) transmission and a U.S. Forest Service-approved spark arrestor. The family resemblance continues, as both WRs share much DNA. Suspension, wheels, frame, chassis geometry, bodywork, seat and brakes are virtually identical between the 250 and 450. But the big WR news for '03…

…weights during the off season, got pissed off and came out busting heads again in '06. Rollin' on Dubs There is very little to complain about on the WR in 2006. The Yamaha wins our enduro shootout for the second consecutive year thanks to such a strong overall package for such little cost. Of course…

…and shortened shock (by 3mm). The 450 lost an additional 10mm with a slight repositioning of the head tube on the frame, resulting in a 20mm reduction in seat height. Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area near Gorman, California, played host to the 2005 WR press introduction, offering an array…

" Glenn Kearney will contest the GNCC series aboard the 2009 Husqvarna WR 300. Australia's Glenn Kearney has signed a contract with Husqvarna Motorcycles North America to compete in the 2009 GNCC Series. The 28-year-old Picton, Australia native is a GNCC veteran having first joined the series back in…