For '04, it returns in an even more civilized guise: revised settings and an all-new anti-stiction coating in the inverted 46mm Kayaba fork better absorb whatever the trail dishes out. New, aluminum-piston brake calipers shave a little weight.

The amazing five-titanium-valved four-stroke, good for 11,000 rpm, working through a wide-ratio five-speed gearbox is fully prepared to climb any mountain at the touch of its electric-start button, while full enduro lighting, a standard USFS-approved spark arrestor and 2.6-gallon fuel capacity continue to make the WR450F the most feared predator out there.

A new gripper-style seat achieves just what the name implies while maintaining WR maneuverability, and a new kickstand better avoids unintentional entanglements thanks to 20 degrees more angle in the upright and locked position.