It's already being touted by Dirt Bike magazine as the "Bike of the Century". That's quite a statement to make. The WR 400's design is nearly identical to the YZ 400F. And considering the YZ 400F has been receiving such mixed reactions, it's interesting to note that the WR's reception seems to be more favorable!

Here's what we discovered that gives credence to these rather loosely perceived reactions.

Climbing aboard the WR 400, one finds themselves perched on a machine that's feels slightly wider in the mid-section than a 250 motocross bike. Looking down from the pilot compartment, one feel engine cases forcing their legs somewhat apart, like the Honda XR 400. The WR 400 has a very slim mid-section that many 4-strokes of yesteryear seemed to lack. In fact, the seat and tank from the YZ 400 are interchangeable. This can give the WR the super slim feeling of the YZ 400.

Starting the bike is criminally easy. Pull the choke on, give the throttle a very slight tweak, close the throttle and keep it closed. Push the kickstarter until it gets really hard to push. Stop at this point and pull in the compression release lever and push the kickstarter just a teeny bit more. Got that? Ok, let go of the compression release lever and allow the kickstarter to come ALL the way back. Now boot the kickstart firmly through its entire arc. If it doesn't start perform the aforementioned exercise one or two more times. Voila! The WR 400 is alive. If this doesn't work for you, you must take the time to learn the other infinite number of options to start the WR 400. It will take time for you to find the one that works.

...and that's all I have to say about that.

What Type of Ride Do You Want Today? The WR 400 comes with a gloriously effective throttle and exhaust restricter, which gives the WR 400 its obligatory political correctness. You'll need these restricters if you want to do some mellow trailing or ride with a hangover.

Removing the restrictors allows the WR to perform. And perform it does!

Like its sibling YZ 400, the WR 400 creates MONSTER power, yet, it's a little different type of power. The WR's heavier flywheel, combined with engine timing that's less than that of the YZ 400, allows its power to come on a little slower. It doesn't generate the massive horsepower surge of the YZ, but it's just as strong. Naturally, this is the type of power one will want in Enduro competition. Lest we forget, the WR has more low-end chug than the YZ, but not by leaps and bounds. The bike becomes very easily manageable in ugly situations thanks to the smooth and predictable power delivery.

The Off-Road.com Dirt Bike staff whined about the YZ 400's somewhat unpredictable cornering habits. The staff member crying the most about this was Kirk. Hence, when we tell you Kirk never bawled once over the WR's cornering and overall handling habits, you can bank that this machine is very forgiving, predictable and comfortable to ride.

At speed, the WR is stable. Cornering the WR is a joy compared to the YZ 400. Nothing strange or unpredictable happens. We suspect that due to the WR's additional weight, its front end can stick in corners better. It's not a ultra-sharp cornering machine, but it's turning capability is very good.

Speaking of weight, the WR is not particularly light. At 270 pounds ( with all necessary fluids filling their appropriate containers), the machine isn't what one would call flickable. However, it's a tad lighter that its competition, the Honda XR 400. Where does the extra weight come from? After installing a heavier flywheel, lighting coil, lights, larger tank, thicker seat, side stand etc; the weight adds quickly. Despite the weight, the 4-stroke Yamaha feels rather light thanks to the powerful engine that gives XR 600's fits!

As per all previous WR's, the WR 400's larger fuel tank tends to push the rider back in the saddle easier. This makes it a little harder to get forward on the bike.

Yamaha gave the all new WR model an excellent suspension! Lighter riders will tell you it feels stiff. Heavier riders thought it was fine. The spring rates on the WR are heavier than that of the YZ! But, the WR's compression and rebound damping are much different (i.e. lighter) than the YZ's. Overall, the WR's suspension handles just about every terrain type imaginable thrown its way! Adjusting the suspension clicker will get the suspension right on for nearly every riding situation, except Supercross.

With these glowing comments behind, is there anything bad we can say about the '98 WR 400?

No. In fact, Off-Road.com Chief Dirt Bike Editor, Kirk Overby, plans to purchase one, someday.

The really incredible thing about the WR 400 is its unusual versatility and ease of maintenance. This is a machine that can be raced on a National Enduro level, motocrossed, and play/trail ridden with rather minimal modifications - in stock form! This capability, combined with the machines almost goof-proof microchip ignition/throttle position sensor, makes the already lower maintenance (in theory only) 4-stroke Yamaha more of a "do-it-all" dirt bike for the masses.

The best part about this fact is that Yamaha has, for the most part, has succeeded in making this "do-it-all" dirt bike for the masses.

This fact makes the Yamaha WR 400 truly, in our collective opinion, a very big contender for "Bike of the Year", at the very minimum!