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RENO
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Subject: Yamaha Wolverine 450 Rock Crawler | 2008-05-25 13:42:33 |
Posts: 9251
Grand Junction, Colorado , USA
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Without a low gear in this bike, I would like to get some feedback from owners that have used this bike in Moab or other highly technical stuff. The rider will be 110 pounds with light gear. Do you think it is low geared enough for really steep and slow going stuff and that it won't be burning up belts and wet clutches?
Just for your information size and weight is what is taking me in this direction.
Anyone have thoughts on clutch kits to improve the bottom end crawl?
Thanks
Reno
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Reno's Pic's “The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. Travel too fast and you miss all you are traveling for.”"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty."—Thomas Jefferson
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William
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Subject: Yamaha Wolverine 450 Rock Crawler | 2008-05-26 13:30:25 |
Posts: 403
Bradley Junction, Florida , USA
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I've had mine in the mountains of eastern Kentucky on some real technical rocky, slick, and muddy uphill trails. With the stock tires, it did just fine. At no time did I need lower gearing. As long as the tires are no larger than stock, it should be fine with it's gearing.
I've got well over 1200 miles on mine, with absolutely no issues and no burned belt. The belt is the original, with no clutch kit.
The lack of a front locker will hinder it at times, (so will the swingarm rear suspension) but using rider weight properly, and a little front brake plus throttle when one front wheel is spinning (to help transfer torque to the wheel with traction) helps alot. At no time have I had it where I couldn't get it off a rock obstacle I got hung up on, even when riding by myself, although I have had to dismount a time or two to help it off the obstacle.
One thing I do when riding in Kentucky that I normally won't do in Florida is I leave it in 4wd. This assures that engine braking and wheel braking is applied to all 4 wheels. On steep downhills, the rear end may try to change places with the front if in 2wd. In 4wd, this doesn't happen and it's easier to control my downhill speed. In a place like Moab, where there is little slick ground, this may not be much of an issue. In Kentucky mountains, all of the soil is damp and has slick clay in it, so leaving it in 4wd is a definate advantage there.
One thing that has helped mine was adding a Hebco long travel suspension kit. This raised mine about an inch, plus with the front suspension being more compliant and having about an inch more travel, it also helps the front wheels to conform to uneven ground. I noticed a big difference in Kentucky versus before I added the Hebco kit.
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'07 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 SOLD on 6-4-09. '06 Yamaha Wolverine 450 with a Hebco long travel kit, EBC pads, and a modified exhaust end cap.
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RENO
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Subject: Yamaha Wolverine 450 Rock Crawler | 2008-05-26 13:59:41 |
Posts: 9251
Grand Junction, Colorado , USA
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William
Thank you so much for the great report on your past experience with this wheeler, I'm not really concerned about no Locker with this light weight bike, I've learned with good power and a little more speed with a light weight bike it can do what most lockers can do.
What is you thoughts on heat coming off the engine and exhaust during hot summer riding? Regarding rider comfort on legs and ankles?
What average mileage or hours can you get out of a tank of fuel?
Reno
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Reno's Pic's “The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. Travel too fast and you miss all you are traveling for.”"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty."—Thomas Jefferson
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William
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Subject: Yamaha Wolverine 450 Rock Crawler | 2008-05-26 14:22:54 |
Posts: 403
Bradley Junction, Florida , USA
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I haven't really noticed a problem with engine heat, even while riding in Florida heat. However, in Florida I do tend to ride faster (more airflow) than while riding in Kentucky. I'm not sure how it would do while slow speed rockcrawling in Utah's summer heat, but I wouldn't think it would be much of an issue.
I've never really been able to measure fuel consumption in Kentucky, but in Florida I tend to get at least 50 miles before switching to reserve. I have been pretty far away (10+ miles) from my Family's place in the Ocala National Forest before switching to reserve, and was still able to make it back to my family's place there. This is with a mix of both fast and slow riding.
I've been to Moab twice with my 4wd SUV, and one day I hope to be able to take both of my ATVs there to ride with my daughter. She would be on my Wolverine and I would be on the Brute. Moab is awesome.
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'07 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 SOLD on 6-4-09. '06 Yamaha Wolverine 450 with a Hebco long travel kit, EBC pads, and a modified exhaust end cap.
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William
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Subject: Yamaha Wolverine 450 Rock Crawler | 2008-08-01 12:47:12 |
Posts: 403
Bradley Junction, Florida , USA
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Here's some pics of my daughter on my Wolverine in Kentucky. Despite being only 12, she handled it just fine.
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'07 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 SOLD on 6-4-09. '06 Yamaha Wolverine 450 with a Hebco long travel kit, EBC pads, and a modified exhaust end cap.
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William
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Subject: Yamaha Wolverine 450 Rock Crawler | 2008-08-01 12:53:41 |
Posts: 403
Bradley Junction, Florida , USA
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Another:
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'07 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 SOLD on 6-4-09. '06 Yamaha Wolverine 450 with a Hebco long travel kit, EBC pads, and a modified exhaust end cap.
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William
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Subject: Yamaha Wolverine 450 Rock Crawler | 2008-08-01 12:55:05 |
Posts: 403
Bradley Junction, Florida , USA
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Notice how well the front suspension conforms to uneven ground. The Hebco long travel kit helps alot with this.
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'07 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 SOLD on 6-4-09. '06 Yamaha Wolverine 450 with a Hebco long travel kit, EBC pads, and a modified exhaust end cap.
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William
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Subject: Yamaha Wolverine 450 Rock Crawler | 2008-08-01 12:58:05 |
Posts: 403
Bradley Junction, Florida , USA
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Oooooops...
The Wolverine handled this just fine...
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'07 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 SOLD on 6-4-09. '06 Yamaha Wolverine 450 with a Hebco long travel kit, EBC pads, and a modified exhaust end cap.
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William
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Subject: Yamaha Wolverine 450 Rock Crawler | 2008-08-01 13:02:11 |
Posts: 403
Bradley Junction, Florida , USA
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Full throttle...
Could go back and forth in the hole, but couldn't pull or back out. A reverse throttle limiter override and/or a front locker would have helped here.
I ended up pushing the Wolverine backward out of the hole with the Brute.
SHOWCASE PHOTO
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'07 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 SOLD on 6-4-09. '06 Yamaha Wolverine 450 with a Hebco long travel kit, EBC pads, and a modified exhaust end cap.
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William
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Subject: Yamaha Wolverine 450 Rock Crawler | 2008-08-01 13:03:16 |
Posts: 403
Bradley Junction, Florida , USA
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For the Toyota fans on the site:
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'07 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 SOLD on 6-4-09. '06 Yamaha Wolverine 450 with a Hebco long travel kit, EBC pads, and a modified exhaust end cap.
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RENO
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Subject: Yamaha Wolverine 450 Rock Crawler | 2008-08-01 15:41:21 |
Posts: 9251
Grand Junction, Colorado , USA
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William
Thanks for all the really nice photos. You have one that made it's way into the Nyroc Showcase Photos.
Congratulation on this outstanding photo. The way the sun light hits the mist of the back tires at full throttle is very impressive.
Thanks for sharing your adventure.
All showcase photos can be seen on the Home Page
Reno
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Reno's Pic's “The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. Travel too fast and you miss all you are traveling for.”"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty."—Thomas Jefferson
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wolverine450
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Subject: Yamaha Wolverine 450 Rock Crawler | 2008-09-04 19:11:36 |
Posts: 32
Monroe, North Carolina , USA
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This is an all round great wheeler I have put mine through alot, Mud, Rocks, trails, hill climbs that most won't try. I never had any issues with the heat coming off the wheeler while bogging in the mud or on rock climbs like at Uwharrie national forest real nasty rock climbs. I also just bought a Perfex Long travel Suspension kit. I can see what a difference it made on the pictures of your front end.
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2007 Yamaha Wolverine 450 ---26" Maxxis Zillas, UNI filter, Perfex long travel suspension kit, Hauck Machined Sheave, GYTR Skid Plate, Snorkeled Rear Belt Drive Case, Custon intake box snorkeled
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William
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Subject: Yamaha Wolverine 450 Rock Crawler | 2008-09-05 13:03:06 |
Posts: 403
Bradley Junction, Florida , USA
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How much difference in power did your K&N filter make, and did you have to rejet?
I already modified my exhaust end cap and drilled several 1/2" holes in the airbox before the filter for a slight gain without having to rejet and was wondering about the K&N or other brands.
Yes, the Hebco/Perfex kit definately helped. I could tell a difference between before and after when I went to Kentucky. I did have to set the front preload all the way up to keep it from being too soft, but the rear was just right at the softest setting.
Have you had problems with the tires losing air pressure, especially the rear? I have found no leaks, have sealed the beads with silicone sealant, and they still lose air by a visibly noticable amount within 2 weeks or so.
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'07 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 SOLD on 6-4-09. '06 Yamaha Wolverine 450 with a Hebco long travel kit, EBC pads, and a modified exhaust end cap.
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wolverine450
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Subject: Yamaha Wolverine 450 Rock Crawler | 2008-09-05 14:32:34 |
Posts: 32
Monroe, North Carolina , USA
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I installed the K&N filter no rejetting required. I am not sure of the gains but you can hear the difference and feel it.
Rear tires constantly loosing air this is a big pain. Mine takes about 2 weeks to loose the air to.
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2007 Yamaha Wolverine 450 ---26" Maxxis Zillas, UNI filter, Perfex long travel suspension kit, Hauck Machined Sheave, GYTR Skid Plate, Snorkeled Rear Belt Drive Case, Custon intake box snorkeled
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William
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Subject: Yamaha Wolverine 450 Rock Crawler | 2008-09-05 18:35:31 |
Posts: 403
Bradley Junction, Florida , USA
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One day soon I'm going to remember to install Slime in all 4 tires. I hope it helps.
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'07 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 SOLD on 6-4-09. '06 Yamaha Wolverine 450 with a Hebco long travel kit, EBC pads, and a modified exhaust end cap.
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