So I purchased a steel shifter replacement and decided to go with the Moose shifter as recommended by Bert Fox (The Thumpertalk Part# 1602-0015 for WR250/450). Upon receiving it I decided not install it for a couple reasons:
1) The shifter sticks out about 1" further than stock, hence increasing the likely hood of it hitting the ground and potentially breaking the shaft.
2) The shifter is uber thick steel and in my opinion wouldn't easily bend in the event of a touchdown.
So back to the drawing board for me. I'll be trying one of the others soon.
Here's a pic of my experience:
