Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128130
SPENO AN It's not that the tank is too tall or wide, but it does come back too far toward the rider, preventing him or her from shifting body weight to the front when zig-zagging through the twisties. Contributing to this problem is the fact that the WR is already naturally tall, boasting a 39.3-inch seat height and a high center of gravity. Some aftermarket companies (Clarke and IMS come to mind) offer tank/seat combos for the WR to help alleviate this problem. A YZ426F tank and seat will work, too, but the aftermarket route is less expensive (and allows greater fuel capacity). The WR performs many other duties well, too. The bike has a good transmission and changes gears effortlessly, has strong, controllable brakes, a relatively light clutch pull, and - if it's anything like our '01 WR is very reliable. We have, however, already made one modification to our '02 WR. On our '01 test bike, we replaced the stock muffler with an FMF Q-Series muffler/spark arrester and were so pleased with it that we actually swapped it over to our '02 WR at the press introduction. The FMF silencer is actually quieter than stock and takes away just a tad of the engine's abruptness at lower rpm, making the WR a little better suited on slowgoing, technical trails. Overall, the WR is a great off-road bike, and we're glad to have it around, but it simply works best on trails where you can open it up and let its mighty motor do its thing. It's for this reason that the WR makes for a better desert bike than a woods bike, where you want something a little more nimble and forgiving. Either way, though, the WR would be far more appealing if it had an electric start, a quieter pipe and a better tank/seat combo. Otherwise, the WR is fine just the way it is. CN EVENING WITH THL..!.-~ Attend the 2C01 AMA National Champions Awards Banquet Friday, December 7, 2C01 at the Desert Springs Marriott Resort and Spa In Palm Springs, California. This will be the evening that honors DESERT SPRINGS America's best. See the 2OJ1 ~arrlott. RESORT & SPA of the Year as well as champions of PALM DESERT Road Racing, Supercross, Palm Springs California Motocross, Flat Track, Speedway, Hillclimb, Drag Racing and more. Registration at 4:3J p.m., Cocktails begin at 5:CXJ p.m. Order your tickets early. Limited space available. To make reservations, send $100 per ticket to: ANA National Champions Awards Banquet, 13515 Yarmouth Or., PidlerinQton, Ohio, 43147, or fax with your cred~ card payment to (614) 856'1924 no later than November 23, 2001. For additional banquet information call Dee White at (614) 856·1900 ext. 1232. TIckets will not be sold at the door. Formal attire requested. For spedal room rates at the Oesert SpnnQs Marriott call 1-877-804-4060 and tell them you are with the Amencan Motorcyclist Association Banquet. Hotel reservations are required by Wednesday, November 7, 2001 to secure the "special rate". ALL RATES ARE PER PERSON ANO SU8JECT TO AVAlLA8Il1TY. FOR INFORMATlON ON THE ROAD 2 RECOVERY GOLF TOURNAMENT, SATURDAY, DECEMBER B, 2aJ1 PLEASE CALL 1-l3S6-68-MOTOX. I WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THE AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS AWARDS BANGlUETTO BE HELD FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2aJ1 Name _ Company name. Address, _ _ City!State!Zip, _ Enclosed is my check in the amount of $, {11 of tickets@$100) Please charQe $ Accountll to MasterCard, Visa or Oiscover Exp. _ Cardholder's name Cardholder's siQnature, Oay PhoneL-.) _ _ @~(JfJ@~ fd@@fd }J@WiJ@OD@ \!l![fJcfJfd@{?' DISPLACEMENT: .426cc ENGINE TYPE: ..DOHC, titanium fivevalve, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke BORE x STROKE: .....95x60.1mm COMPRESSION RAno: 12.5:1 CARBORETlON: ...39mm Keihin FCR flat-slide wi throttle-position sensor E1ectronic COl IGNmON: TRANSMISSION: WIde-ratio, five-speed FOEL CAPACITY: .3.2 gal. WHEELBASE: 58.7 in, RAKE(TRAIL: N/A SEAT HEIGHT: 39.3 in. 80/100-21 Dunlop FRONT TIRE: 130/90- 18 Dunlop REAR TIRE: FRONT·WHEEL TRAVEL: ., .. 11.8 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL: 12.4 in. FRONT BRAKE: Disc REAR BRAKE: Disc 240 Ibs. CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT: LIST PRICE: $6199 (# 1 (4) Welcome to the wonderful world ofTrials! Join top trials riders such as Mike Radford, Ryan Young, David Chaves and Ray Peters for an informative and entertaining look at the sport of motorcycle trials. 'Rock Hard Trials' is a combination of competition, trials free-riding, and a look at the grass roots youth trials efforts. The viewer is treated to an incredible display of motorcycle balancing acts, handling skills, and two-wheeled rock dancing. Featuring fender-scraping wheelies, bicycle trials, one-handed burnouts, and contest coverage, this is a well·balanced production. 'Rock Hard Trials' also takes an in-depth look at rider development, and the efforts being made by Ryan Young and Mick Andrews to introduce this sport to a new generation of riders. With a few street nose wheelies thrown in, and a sound track courtesy of 'Drain the Lobster', this video is a must have for the two-wheeled junkie, 30 minutes from Impact video. To OrderVideos,Call 714/751-7433 - Charge to C::S ~ ~ This release $29.95, Order Videos On-Line at _.cyclene_s.com/product:lvideo.asp cue I e n e .... includes shipping. 50 • NOVEMBER 14, 2001 45