Any reasons not to buy a WR250R from those who own one?

[B-rent]

Getting ready to bite the bullet on a WR250R. I took it for a ride at a local dealer and found it to be the compromise of dirt/road that I was looking for. (70% dirt, 30% road) I'd rather get a WR250F or WR450F, but I'm not able to tow so I'd have to get something that I can ride to and from places, thus the WR250R. Other than the lack of power, I still found it to be doable on the road and a lot of fun in the dirt.

Any other reasons I shouldn't get the WR250R from those who own one? (or reasons I should,  )

Thanks.

[B-rent]

Ok, I thought someone might have some input here. I guess no one else here has a WR250R or has anything bad to say about it.  

[photomd]

Are you talkin' single track woods, fire roads or motocross type off road?

[B-rent]

Hey photomd. Single track and fire roads. I might ride some dirt tracks too, although I'm not expecting much from this bike in the way of acceleration.

[Yamadog]

I don't know a thing about them except what I have found on the interweb in another recent thread. Tons of info available on http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/archive/index.php/f-384-p-4.html. Also a ride review on http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=6094&Page=1 migh be helpful. Good luck!

[B-rent]

Thanks Yamadog. I found reviews like your links listed here too doing a google search. Was just hoping to get the personal touch here on STN, from anyone who owns one.

My main concern is the power. This will be my 2nd Yamaha dirtbike so I know I'm getting a great bike quality wise. I guess I'm just seeking that fuzzy feeling that will tell me even though the bike lacks in power when I buy it, that it can always lose a tooth or have it's EFI reconfigured. I just checked and changes for the '09s is nada engine wise.

I'm just going to get it. I can't wait to get off road again, even though I may be getting lapped by geezers on YZ or WR250Fs.  

____ added _____

Also I'm looking forward to driving to work getting 71mpg!  

[Dutch]

It's pretty easy to make the "F" street legal here in Michigan.

[photomd]

I think that would be a great bike for woods/street riding. My only concern would be top "comfortable" speed. I've always wanted an XR400 to make street legal. The reason I haven't is it's top speed is something like 70. I ride rural two lanes to work everyday and regularly hit 65 to keep up with traffic. I don't wanna burn up an engine commuting to work.

We see lots of WR's on the single track offroad courses around here: sounds like fun.  

[1moreroad]

I'm kicking around an X v. DRZ400SM so this is a timely post.

It's pretty easy to make the "F" street legal here in Michigan.

F is a completely different bike.  The R/X have street bike maintenance intervals (4000 mile oil change and 26000 mile valve adjust).

The X will do 90 mph wide open.  I think the R will do the same (the X is overgeared and can go +2 without losing any top speed).  With its 6 speed, it actually cruises at 60 mph at a lower rpm than the DRZs, which partly explains its gas mileage.

Supermotojunkie has running threads about mods (as does Thumpertalk).  It seems like 33 hp is realistic (up from stock 26), but that's an airbox mod, full exhaust, and PCIII for $1000 or so.

I have a decent relationship with my local dealer, so they might let me test ride an X.  If I do, I'll let you know.

[B-rent]

It's pretty easy to make the "F" street legal here in Michigan.

I've heard that to Dutch. The problem is, at least I read this and confirmed it with the dealer, that the 250Fs aren't built from the ground up to be street bikes going 70mph continuously for hours. They're built for the dirt, have maintenance intervals of dirt bikes, and riding one like a street bike will burn it up after a certain unspecified amount of time. This is a quote from an article about the difference in the WR250R/X engine and the WR250F/YZ250(F) dirtbikes.

"Citing that the demographic doesn’t desire a tightly wound motor with cramped service intervals, but rather an effective engine requiring minimal maintenance, Yamaha endowed both models with a purpose-built powerplant to meet the latter criteria, while also gracing them with modern technology such as titanium intake valves, a ceramic composite plated cylinder, high lift cams, a newly designed 4-valve cylinder head and a short skirt aluminum piston. The engine also has an oil jet located beneath the piston to minimize piston temperatures."

I think that would be a great bike for woods/street riding. My only concern would be top "comfortable" speed. I've always wanted an XR400 to make street legal. The reason I haven't is it's top speed is something like 70. I ride rural two lanes to work everyday and regularly hit 65 to keep up with traffic. I don't wanna burn up an engine commuting to work.

We see lots of WR's on the single track offroad courses around here: sounds like fun.  

I'm with you here photomd. I've read reviews on ADVRider and the Thumper forum of guys having no problems doing 85mph on these. I took the demo to 65 and it was fine. The top speed of the WRR is like 90 something I think. (http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-623312.html) I'll let you know after I ride it home Saturday.  

I'm kicking around an X v. DRZ400SM so this is a timely post.

F is a completely different bike.  The R/X have street bike maintenance intervals (4000 mile oil change and 26000 mile valve adjust).

The X will do 90 mph wide open.  I think the R will do the same (the X is overgeared and can go +2 without losing any top speed).  With its 6 speed, it actually cruises at 60 mph at a lower rpm than the DRZs, which partly explains its gas mileage.

Supermotojunkie has running threads about mods (as does Thumpertalk).  It seems like 33 hp is realistic (up from stock 26), but that's an airbox mod, full exhaust, and PCIII for $1000 or so.

I have a decent relationship with my local dealer, so they might let me test ride an X.  If I do, I'll let you know.

It sounds like you've done your homework.   No really, I've been reading about an airbox mod and exhaust upgrade. Yeah the Thumper forum has on a PC reconfig too.  

[1moreroad]

A quick bike review

Good points: Light.  Good brakes.  Handles extremely well.  Very smooth -- no vibes at all on the pegs.  Minimal vibes through the very thin grips.  Initial impression on the seat is a good one -- firmness between a DRZ and a KLR.  Sounds like a quiet KLR.  Reasonably bright headlight from what I could see.  Full adjustable suspension including ride height.  A 220 lb rider on SMJ could set up the right sag on the rear with just pre-load.  No problem getting up to 65 by 3rd gear and you've got 3 more to go.  I know what all the numbers say, but by my butt dyno, acceleration is similar to a KLR or DRZ.  350W total DC electrical power so it should power heated grips and a heated vest no problem.  Payload capacity is within 10 pounds of a Goldwing, although I have no idea where you would put it.

Bad points: No front pre-load.  Apparently you're supposed to swap springs to adjust pre-load.  2 gallon tank.  The fuel pump is inside the tank so if/when a larger tank comes out, it will be very expensive.  Unlike the DRZ-S/SM, wheels do not have a direct swap between the WR-R and X.  NO TACH!  This on a bike that revs to 11,000!  Very limited selection of very expensive rear racks available right now.  SR8Dirt on Ebay is supposed to be working on one this week.  With the FI, you will spend a lot more $$ getting a little more power out of the engine since you have to start with the PCIII for $250.  It's too new for Dynojet to have anything other than a standard map.  Skid plates are available, but not radiator guards on the R that I have found.  Clearance between the rear wheel/tire and swingarm is very tight so you won't have the selection of tires of a DRZ.  The only known replacement tire right now is a Distanzia (which will be fine for my riding).

[B-rent]

Good points: Light.  Good brakes.  Handles extremely well.  Very smooth -- no vibes at all on the pegs.  Minimal vibes through the very thin grips.  Initial impression on the seat is a good one -- firmness between a DRZ and a KLR.  Sounds like a quiet KLR.  Reasonably bright headlight from what I could see.  Full adjustable suspension including ride height.  A 220 lb rider on SMJ could set up the right sag on the rear with just pre-load.  No problem getting up to 65 by 4th gear and you've got 2 more to go.  I know what all the numbers say, but by my butt dyno, acceleration is similar to a KLR or DRZ.  350W total DC electrical power so it should power heated grips and a heated vest no problem.

Bad points: No front pre-load.  Apparently you're supposed to swap springs to adjust pre-load.  2 gallon tank.  The fuel pump is inside the tank so if/when a larger tank comes out, it will be very expensive.  Unlike the DRZ-S/SM, wheels do not have a direct swap between the WR-R and X.  NO TACH!  This on a bike that revs to 11,000!  Very limited selection of very expensive rear racks available right now.  SR8Dirt on Ebay is supposed to be working on one this week.  With the FI, you will spend a lot more $$ getting a little more power out of the engine since you have to start with the PCIII for $250.  It's too new for Dynojet to have anything other than a standard map.  Skid plates are available, but not radiator guards on the R that I have found.  Clearance between the rear wheel/tire and swingarm is very tight so you won't have the selection of tires of a DRZ.  The only known replacement tire right now is a Distanzia (which will be fine for my riding).

Good info 1moreroad. I didn't know that about the fuel pump. Yeah the aftermarket offerings right now are limited. But, I'd expect this from a new model of bike.

[bpg]

I have one - really like it.    

It's actually (surprisingly!) a really good streetbike - smooooooth on the interstate, plenty of pep and can even roll on in 6th at, say, 70+MPH.  Also, it's an absolute riot in twisties or on a dirt road

I did drop a tooth on the front sprocket (13T to 12T), this helped a lot in both top-end speed and especially in the dirt.  Before, the bike did seem gutless at very low RPM's, and weak in 6th at speed.  No longer, I wonder why Yamaha didn't gear it this way from the get-go?

In the dirt, for a dual-sport this thing rocks.  Yeah, it's a tad porky for a 250, but it really carries the weight down low.  Also, you can drop a lot of pounds with a lighter muffler, pulling off pass. pegs along w/ a LOT of EPA stuff, EXUP motor, etc.  The suspension is light years ahead of any dual sport I've ridden - eats up nearly anything and really offers a lot of control.  This thing is just plain FUN off or on road, riders usually come back w/ a huge grin on their faces!

Anyway, highly recommended machine - I wanted a true adventure bike that actually had some real off-road capabilities.  I was worried that a 250 coudn't hack it on the highway - after re-gearing, I'm very glad to report it's actually pretty nice for long street cruises.

 

   

[bpg]

just a quick bump - loving this bike more and more as time goes by.  It's very liberating to be able to ride insane, steep rocky singletrack or cruise several hundred miles a day down the interstate - all on the same bike!

Maintenance has been a breeze - I clean the air filter after dusty rides & change the oil every 1K (instead of the recommended 3K) miles since I do a lot of dirt/dusty conditions, and do admit to loving to flog the ol' girl from time to time!

Lowering the gearing and putting on real knobbies made this thing even better off-road (DOT Kenda Trak-masterII's in the rear, not-so-DOT   Dunlop D952's up front)

If you are wanting a true DUAL-sport bike, the WRR is hard to beat.

[1moreroad]

D'oh!  Didn't realize BPG was here and on the WR forum.

I just rolled all of... 3100 miles on mine.  Starting to pull stuff together for an overnight trip later this month.  Looks like everything will fit with just a number plate bag and a large tailbag.

[kevin_stevens]

Whom else would one buy one from?  

KeS

[Jeff]

WR forum? Link please.

[evilted]

Here ya' go:

http://wr250rforum.forumotion.com/

WR forum? Link please.