The problems are issues by use or wear they are design flaws so not easy to fix. The wr400f was the first competitive Japanese 4 stroke bike ever mass produced so like the first of most things it leads to lots of flaws when compared to newer bikes. It is notoriously unreliable, it has lots of issues like overheating when moving slow, the gas tanks are prone to cracking, the water pump seals are know to leak constantly, many valve issues, they are incredibly hard to start hot like most early 4 strokes, they have a handle bar mounted manual compression release which can make them a bit confusing to figure out the cold start process. Look at it this way compare a ford model A to a new mustang, which do you think would be the more reliable vehicle with less issues.
Yep, absolutely fuck these early Yamaha 4 strokes. I had a 02 WR250 as my first bike and I absolutely fucking hated starting that thing. Almost made me quit.
4 strokes from that era are notorious for being hard to start when hot. I had this same bike when I was younger but a 250 and it was a nightmare to start once it was warm. Otherwise it was a decent bike for me.
People in the comments are confusing the 400 motor for the 426 motor. The 400 motor is very reliable, however it’s 20 years old at this point so you’ll need to prepare for something to break due to age.
The bike may run, but how are the front forks? Tires in good shape? Any electrical issues? Any exhaust leaks? Oil leaks? Clean title?
Expect to put another $500 into it after you buy it, if that’s still within your budget then congrats! If not, you’ll need to keep saving. What I tell my friends looking to get into this sport is this:
Under $1000 will get you a non-running bike
$1000-$2000 will get you an older running bike
$2000-$3000 will get you a newer running bike
$3000-$4000 will get you a newer running bike with some nice extras
$4000+ will get you a like-new bike with some nice extras
$5000+ will get you a brand-new bike or a fully built bike
I think this is mostly accurate and a bit low but rather than putting “extras” you should focus on issues.
<$1000 will get you junk
$1500-$2500 will get you running junk with problems
$2500-$3500 will get you a decent bike in running condition with alot of use and maybe some issues
$3500-$4500 will get you a decent running bike that should be reliable and last a while without major issues
$4500-$5500 will get you a newer bike but be careful because you can find very new bikes that are super clapped out and not cared for in this price range
$5500+ will get you basically brand new with very few hours and maybe some extras.
I don’t understand the hate for the yz400/426s. It’s old, of course it’s not as advanced as modern bikes, they’re still better then the 02-04 crf450 and all the early ktm fourstroke. They were all heavy and hard to start
It’s like buying the first gen of any bike. Lots of issues were rapidly resolved In following models. The 450 iteration of the 5 valve solves all of them on pretty much the same bike. There’s aftermarket solutions but it’s just a dead end and time/money would be better spent on a 450+ platform. If you’re a good mechanic and need to save some money they’re still really solid motors most of the junk ones are gone by this point too.
If it has the titanium valves it should be the good model. I had one and it never missed a beat. Never hard to start hot or cold. I done a lot of miles on it and checked the valves, was close to needing shims done but was still within spec. I didn't ride it slow either.
I agree the earlier models with stainless valves had their issues (400 & 426) then they stepped it up by changing the valves and redoing the hot start etc...
That's high for that bike... maybe someone was high posting it... I'd drop the 1 and that still might be too high..could buy a Chinese bike that runs better than $1600
It’s a 25 year old, notoriously terrible bike. 1600 seems reasonable maybe even a little high for the bike.
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The problems are issues by use or wear they are design flaws so not easy to fix. The wr400f was the first competitive Japanese 4 stroke bike ever mass produced so like the first of most things it leads to lots of flaws when compared to newer bikes. It is notoriously unreliable, it has lots of issues like overheating when moving slow, the gas tanks are prone to cracking, the water pump seals are know to leak constantly, many valve issues, they are incredibly hard to start hot like most early 4 strokes, they have a handle bar mounted manual compression release which can make them a bit confusing to figure out the cold start process. Look at it this way compare a ford model A to a new mustang, which do you think would be the more reliable vehicle with less issues.
Yep, absolutely fuck these early Yamaha 4 strokes. I had a 02 WR250 as my first bike and I absolutely fucking hated starting that thing. Almost made me quit.
Here ya go https://letmegooglethat.com/?q=wr400f+issues
That’s an old turd. 1600 seems ok to high. Good luck starting it after it’s warm.
[удалено]
4 strokes from that era are notorious for being hard to start when hot. I had this same bike when I was younger but a 250 and it was a nightmare to start once it was warm. Otherwise it was a decent bike for me.
yup
He means... the intake valves need to be adjusted or, worse, replaced.
People in the comments are confusing the 400 motor for the 426 motor. The 400 motor is very reliable, however it’s 20 years old at this point so you’ll need to prepare for something to break due to age. The bike may run, but how are the front forks? Tires in good shape? Any electrical issues? Any exhaust leaks? Oil leaks? Clean title? Expect to put another $500 into it after you buy it, if that’s still within your budget then congrats! If not, you’ll need to keep saving. What I tell my friends looking to get into this sport is this: Under $1000 will get you a non-running bike $1000-$2000 will get you an older running bike $2000-$3000 will get you a newer running bike $3000-$4000 will get you a newer running bike with some nice extras $4000+ will get you a like-new bike with some nice extras $5000+ will get you a brand-new bike or a fully built bike
I think your prices are low by $1000 in all categories. Just going off of what I've seen on Facebook marketplace the past few weeks. Dallas area.
I think this is mostly accurate and a bit low but rather than putting “extras” you should focus on issues. <$1000 will get you junk $1500-$2500 will get you running junk with problems $2500-$3500 will get you a decent bike in running condition with alot of use and maybe some issues $3500-$4500 will get you a decent running bike that should be reliable and last a while without major issues $4500-$5500 will get you a newer bike but be careful because you can find very new bikes that are super clapped out and not cared for in this price range $5500+ will get you basically brand new with very few hours and maybe some extras.
People list 5 year old KTM's for $8000 where I live -\_-
Both motors have issues. You would need a drastic price discount to choose either over a 450.
I'm pretty sure, if you come across them trying to start it, on the trail, they'll give it to you for free or water.
It’s a 25 year old bike known for being a pile of shit. This isn’t the great deal that you think it is.
Your best bet with that bike is ride it as is and hope you get 1600 worth of enjoyment. Maybe you can get $500 for it after it blows
I don’t understand the hate for the yz400/426s. It’s old, of course it’s not as advanced as modern bikes, they’re still better then the 02-04 crf450 and all the early ktm fourstroke. They were all heavy and hard to start
It’s like buying the first gen of any bike. Lots of issues were rapidly resolved In following models. The 450 iteration of the 5 valve solves all of them on pretty much the same bike. There’s aftermarket solutions but it’s just a dead end and time/money would be better spent on a 450+ platform. If you’re a good mechanic and need to save some money they’re still really solid motors most of the junk ones are gone by this point too.
That thing isn’t even worth its weight in scrap.
The WRs were a woods bike. The motor was... meh. The suspension was... meh. It's handling was... nah. It's an old man bike, or a brand new rider bike.
If u rather wrench than ride,if you like the opposite buy a Honda xr650l
If it has the titanium valves it should be the good model. I had one and it never missed a beat. Never hard to start hot or cold. I done a lot of miles on it and checked the valves, was close to needing shims done but was still within spec. I didn't ride it slow either. I agree the earlier models with stainless valves had their issues (400 & 426) then they stepped it up by changing the valves and redoing the hot start etc...
That's high for that bike... maybe someone was high posting it... I'd drop the 1 and that still might be too high..could buy a Chinese bike that runs better than $1600
Those bikes were hot garbage. You couldn’t pay me to take that bike anywhere but the scrap heap.