highlights of the 2008 WR250R

[B-rent]

In my insanely popular thread,  , "Any reasons not to buy a WR250R from those who own one?" http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,29454.0.html, I expressed some apprehension that the WR250R may not have enough power. Since I've already put over 200 miles on it, I thought I'd share some highlights of the bike so far, with some pictures to boot. For those that want to know, I'm 6' tall 205 lbs with an inseam of 30.

I got it home Saturday evening about 4pm.



On the ride down from Altoona, PA to MD, I had a chance to open it up on route 220/99. Once I hit 90mph I backed off. The bike is pretty darn smooth at highway speed. The mirrors on it, which vibrate a lot on the Sprint at higher speeds due to wind blast, were virtually still at 90mph. I thought this was pretty impressive for a modified dirtbike with mirrors. The tires, while not perfectly quiet, were quiet enough that I had to think about them to notice their sound. The engine has a raspy quality that's reminiscent of Yamaha's dirt bikes. I laughed in my helmet a couple times because of the aggressive growl it makes when throttling on hard. It's bark is louder than it's bite!   It's a pretty quiet bike though, especially at idle when the only indication you have that it's running is a low end rumble.

Here's the 25hp stock powerplant. (good details here for those that want to know http://motoaus.com/dirt/dirt-news-and-features/2008-yamaha-wr250r-and-wr250x.html)



It's been a long time since I've ridden a dirtbike. I grew up riding a Yamaha MX80 in the 80s. On the Sprint, I barely ever go past half throttle. On the WR250R, I found its sweet spot is at least half throttle to full throttle. This is why I thought the power on the WRR was anemic. I was throttling it like I was on the Sprint. Once I opened the throttle up and got used to a larger range of motion, as opposed to subtle differences in throttle, the bike took on a new light. I found I was easily able to keep up with traffic (one concern), and also pass them. (another concern) Furthermore, later that weekend I'd ride into town with my girl (she's 110lbs) on the back and I found it even had plenty of power to pass cars two up. She said she felt safer on the WRR then the Sprint, because I couldn't go as fast.    

The looks on some peoples faces when a dirtbike (to them it looks like a dirtbike) passed them on the highway going 80 was priceless. I had one guy in particular who took it personally. Once I passed him in his Ford 250 truck, he sped up and passed me 10 seconds later staring me down as he passed. And, I never got a thumbs up from any old timers on my Sprint. Not only did this occur, but a big overweight construction worker gave me a fist pump in the air.  

Some more pics:







The little black box in the pic above is a toolbox.

Another concern of the bike was comfort. The biggest drawback of this bike right now is the seat. My ass HURT riding home 150 miles. I stopped 3 times to get some relief. My girlfriend said it felt like getting screwed by a really skinny guy.    Hopefully, some aftermarket providers will step forward and offer an alternative. If not, I'll spend the money on a custom modification of the current one.

The bike's not even 300 lbs, so I was also concerned about wind buffeting and stability of the bike at highway speeds. I'm happy to say that the wind buffeting was totally doable, unless you're behind a big vehicle. I've never ridden a motorcycle where this isn't the case. The lightness of the steering never gets scary nor do the bars shake unless you're in a situation like that above. Even then, the bike seems to cut through the air in such a way that stability's always maintained. I passed numerous tractor trailers on the PA turnpike and it was fine. Another plus was the lack of helmet buffeting caused by a fairing. My Shoei X-11 felt great riding it as it just seemed to slice through the air. (I laughed to myself sometimes too thinking of how much of a badass I was wearing a Shoei X-11 with a silver mirror shield on the WRR.  )

Yet another concern was night riding. How effective are the headlight and lights after hours? I was very pleased with these. In fact the two orange signals on either side of the headlight remain lit even when you're not using the turn signals. The extra light projected to the sides of the bike provide excellent sideways visibilty at night. I feel safer riding this at night than the Sprint.







The digital odometer/speedometer (above) is easily readable. There's two trip computers. There's also a stopwatch which I haven't used yet. The backlighting is a light blue which makes the black numbers/letters easily readable in the dark. I'd imagine the plastic and smallness of the unit helped to decrease weight while still providing functionality, as well as make it easily replaceable in the event of some off-road, or on-road, damage.

The only other drawback I can think of the bike right now is heat. I really don't see this as a drawback but others might. Dirtbikes, at least the 80s/125s/250s I've ridden, have always put out heat. The heat output is pretty equal to the Sprint, which some say is excessive. That's why I mention it. The only time I noticed the fan running is when the bike was off.



The best I saved for last. I love this bike off road. Everywhere I've taken it, which isn't much right now but it's enough to know, is really where this bike shines. The suspension is fantastic, as are the brakes. The reinforced tail end is capable of 400 lb loads. I've already ordered DirtBagz for it.

I think Yamaha's got a winner here. I found myself outpacing the roads I go on with my Sprint with this thing. It's just so light and flickable that turns feel like nothing. When I get home from riding my Sprint after 2 hours, I feel like it's enough for a bit. On this thing, I'm ready to go back out. The lightness of it seems to translate emotionally as well.

On my ride home from the dealer I rode past this small park close to home. It has railroad tracks which protrude on the way up this large hill. On my Sprint, I have to slow way down and crawl over them. While I was ascending the hill I thought fuck it, I'm taking this thing at a different pace. I caught sight of some kids off to the side and they turned as I got closer. I caught some nice air over those tracks, turned and saw the kids clapping and waving.   When I rode onto my girl's property, I drove up on the grass, flew around back over some tree trunks, down the hill into this large grass field, tossed it around some bumps, through the gravel of this church parking lot, drove off the curb, back up to my girl's place through the grass, threw my leg over the side, pulled off my helmet and had a smile from ear to ear. I think I got the right bike.  

You owe it to yourself to check this bike out if you're in the market for a bike entirely capable on road, and even more so off road, with an emphasis on being light. The 71mpg isn't too bad either.

[Scratch33]

  Nice pics; much too clean though.  Please dirty it up and post back.

[JReazor]

The 71mpg isn't too bad either.

Congrats on the bike and thanks for the write up!

Have you actually done the math on a tank of gas? I'd like to know what kind of real world mileage you're getting.

[SWriverstone]

Great write-up!  

I'd like to take credit for introducing B-rent to the WRR and tipping him off to a dealer who actually had one! (The '08s are not easy to find right now.)

...but of course now---after I decided *not* to buy a WRR---I'm finding my resolve weakened by all of B-rent's rants and raves.  

Like JReazor said Brent, I'm also really curious to know what kind of real-world mileage you're getting? (If you actually get 70+mpg, that could be an excellent reason for me to justify buying one! Then again, the KLR's not bad at 52+mpg..._

Scott

[Yamadog]

 :thumbsup:Sweet! Sounds like the interweb reports were pretty accurate (for a change). I had read about 80mph top end and was a bit skeptical but 90mph!

[B-rent]

  Nice pics; much too clean though.  Please dirty it up and post back.

Will do Scratch33, thanks! 

Congrats on the bike and thanks for the write up!

Have you actually done the math on a tank of gas? I'd like to know what kind of real world mileage you're getting.

Thanks JReazor. I'd read on ADVRider a guy who was seeing real world of 73mpg on his WRR. I didn't save the link but if you do a google on ADVRider and WR250R, you'll get a number of hits. It's one of these. I plan on calculating this more for myself, and my riding style, in the near future. I'll post with the results.

Yeah, I do owe a bit of gratitude to Scott for hooking me up with Keystone Motosports. Thanks Scott!  I'm going to forward this thread to Keystone Motosports too and thank them for the great deal. You guys should consider them for your next Yamaha or Kawasaki bike.  

 :thumbsup:Sweet! Sounds like the interweb reports were pretty accurate (for a change). I had read about 80mph top end and was a bit skeptical but 90mph!

Thanks Yamadog.  Yeah I could've gone faster too, but not much I suppose. It was throttled all the way on and was only slowly accelerating. Also on a thread on ADVRider, I read a top speed of 93mph for it, with GPS verification.

[1moreroad]

D**n, you!  I was all set to decide that 26 hp wasn't enough.  Now... f**k, I got to re-think things.

(nice write up)

I've read enough on Supermotojunkies that the power is fine on the freeway.  How is power pulling away from a stop light?  Are you slipping the clutch riding two up?  How is power at 30 mph or 40 mph?  Do you have to rev the snot out of it to get it to accelerate?

[R Doug]

Nice write up and pictures.  I really want to test ride the WRR.  I've read that Yamaha has put all of its top shelf components on this bike when it comes to chassis, engine, brakes, and suspension.  I'm just not 100% convinced it would do everything I would want it to.  

The other bike I'm considering is much more in cost, about the same weight, and can do everything I want.  But, at nearly $9,000 (!) the KTM 690 Enduro may end up being too much of a reach.  

[1moreroad]

The other bike I'm considering is much more in cost, about the same weight, and can do everything I want.  But, at nearly $9,000 (!) the KTM 690 Enduro may end up being too much of a reach.  

Then really, really, REALLY don't compare service intervals to the WR-Rs.

[R Doug]

Then really, really, REALLY don't compare service intervals to the WR-Rs.

That's so true.  I still can't believe how far you can go between service intervals w/ the WRRs.  

[bubba2much]

scott I got one left.  lol.  Brent I'm glad you like the bike.

[B-rent]

D**n, you!  I was all set to decide that 26 hp wasn't enough.  Now... f**k, I got to re-think things.

(nice write up)

I've read enough on Supermotojunkies that the power is fine on the freeway.  How is power pulling away from a stop light?  Are you slipping the clutch riding two up?  How is power at 30 mph or 40 mph?  Do you have to rev the snot out of it to get it to accelerate?

  Thanks man.

Power pulling away from a stop light is ok. 1st gear's almost useless.   It's good for parking it, that's about it. You'll read this everywhere.

Once you get the rpms up though, it flows nicely into 2nd, then 3rd, then 4th. The strongest gears are 2nd and 3rd by far. They pull nicely, especially when applying more throttle, which is the key to getting this bike to perform. I wouldn't say that you have to rev the snot out of it to accelerate, just that it takes getting it into at least the mid-rpm levels to start the greater torque. One way to put it is that I feel I use the entire engine, almost all the way up to redline, in riding the WRR. I only use half or less of the Sprint's on average.

I didn't experience any clutch slippage riding two up no.

Power at 30 to 40 is it's sweet spot. I'm sure it was designed this way, since you'll spend a lot of time at these speeds off road. Once again, you'll be in the two best gears 2nd and 3rd doing 30 to 40, so I'd say it's the WRR's strongest zone. This comes in handy accelerating from stoplights too where you'll find you can easily out accelerate vehicles around you to get out front.

Nice write up and pictures.  I really want to test ride the WRR.  I've read that Yamaha has put all of its top shelf components on this bike when it comes to chassis, engine, brakes, and suspension.  I'm just not 100% convinced it would do everything I would want it to.  

The other bike I'm considering is much more in cost, about the same weight, and can do everything I want.  But, at nearly $9,000 (!) the KTM 690 Enduro may end up being too much of a reach.  

Thanks R Doug. I'm thinking about doing your October outing as well as the Shen. 500. You're free to take it for a ride if I'm available to take part.

Yeah the service intervals on the WRR were a selling point too.

scott I got one left.  lol.  Brent I'm glad you like the bike.

Uh oh. It looks like we've got a rep from the dealer onboard.   Welcome! Thanks bubba2much.

[SuperHans]

I've been thinking about the WRR's brother, the WRX.

[1moreroad]

Test rode the X at lunch at the local dealer.
































I should be picking it up this afternoon.

[B-rent]

I've been thinking about the WRR's brother, the WRX.

I didn't get to ride that ejworthen. Please give us a review if you, you and 1moreroad, with the X.

I replied to a pm from 1moreroad that I was surprised for the quick purchase. But, he may have been looking quietly for some time.  

[1moreroad]

I'll keep a running list of good, bad, and ugly.

More comments -- the blinkers are straight from the 8 year old R1 two or three generations ago.  The blinker mounts are skimpy and the blinkers shake at idle.  Annoying to see at the bottom of your vision.

Mirrors shake at freeway speeds, but you can see behind you.

So far the seat is comfortable.  I find myself sitting about 2/3rds of the way back in the thickest part when I'm just commuting.  Weight shift from the front to the rear of the seat does amazing things to the handling.  Choke up a bit on the gas tank to get weight on the front wheel and the thing rails.

The bar height is comfortable enough so that I can stand straight on the pegs and hold the handlebars.  I'm 5'10" with a 31" inseam.

You definitely sit on and not in this bike.  Initial fit and finish are Honda/Yamaha quality and not Suzuki/Kawasaki quality.

[R Doug]

I'll keep a running list of good, bad, and ugly.

Congrats on the new X!

[1moreroad]

EDITED TO ADD -- Ordered a rear rack from SR8Dirt on Ebay this week.  Should be here next week sometime.  It attaches at the helmet lock, so you have to take that off.  $105 shipped.  Rated to 10+ lbs.  Originally he offered to create a custom rack for me with a sissy bar, but later apologized because he is worried about liability if something should happen to the passenger.  Can't argue with him, but dang that's disappointing.  The guy is clearly worried about getting sued since his weight limit is something to the effect of "10 pounds and probably more but do NOT put a passenger on it."  Probably some idiot tried to put a passenger on the rack, it bent, passenger fell off, and he got sued.

Couple of more observations --
The rear pre-load was pretty much pre-set for my weight (175 + gear).  I got 1.25" of sag from the weight of the bike and 3.5" of sag while sitting on the bike wearing most of my gear.  Recommended is 1.5" and 4".  It's right in the middle of the adjustment AND at least one 225 lb rider set his sag right suggesting a 50 pound range.  Haven't checked fronts yet to see if I need different springs (no preload up front like Suzuki and Husq).

From 50 miles of riding (it's raining all this week :angry: ), I'd guess the rear needs a little less compression damping and the forks a little more.  Haven't made up my mind about the fork damping. It's more than I like, but that might just be the 10" of travel.  The brakes absolutely have more power than my 6R -- I chattered the back wheel then stoppied when I had to make an aggressive stop (short yellow on a 55 mph road that I decided not to blow through) on the brakes.

A little comment on Yamaha v. Kawasaki out of the box.  Coming straight out of the dealer the fork suspension settings were at factory recommended settings, both legs, and the rear were 1 click off.  Compare that to my ZX6R where the left and right were set completely differently causing a head shake in bumpy corners.

Also: there are rubber boots covering the fork compression damping screw, the brake and clutch cables at the lever, and the throttle and clutch cable adjusters.  Nice little touches.

The throttle play is just about right, but I want to tighten the clutch cable to reduce play.  Levers are non-adjustable but short.

The Yamaha has an easy to check coolant reservoir and a standard oil sight glass like most street bikes.  That I can tell, it's almost impossible to check the coolant level in the DRZ (it has an overflow bottle, not a reservoir), and awkward to check oil since it's in the frame.

My 5'4" wife who took the MSF course 7 years ago, can throw a leg over the bike and tippy toe it in the garage.  She wants me to take it to a parking lot so she can try it out.  She's talked about getting a little Vino scooter or something, and this has got her interested in a real motorcycle in the next couple of years.  I can not tell you how awesome that would be.

Monday I'm calling a buddy to sign up for the ERC next month on this bike and ordering my rear rack.

The black plastic above the rear wheel shows mud easily.  The 91 octane and always wear your helmet stickers were tenacious to pull off.  The rear plastic already shows some scratches from a slightly dirty rag and some Honda cleaner knock off.

The bad -- on/off throttle is abrupt

A friend who just sold his KLR rode my WRX.  Up to probably 40 mph the WRX had about the same acceleration as the KLR, but over 60 mph he though the KLR would pull away from the WRX.

The WRX does fine in deep, big rock gravel at my slow speeds, but do not try to climb a curb.  On my buddy's old KLR with Mifo DOT knobbies and full soft suspension, you could just roll up and over curbs.  Not this bike with stiffer suspension and street wheels/tires.  Rolling off curbs is easy, though.

[1moreroad]

A couple of photos from a short ride today.  I geared up, it started raining.  I took all my gear off, it stopped raining.  I geared up again, and got a great, if short ride in.  You can see a few more curves just under the front fender.



The reason I got a motard.  I like riding local paved roads.  And there are some great gravel roads connecting them.



Here is the intersection of county road 210 and county road 239.  These are signed roads.  They have traffic signs.  They just aren't paved.  The ZX was a handful on these roads, but the little WR just zips along.

[1moreroad]

Added a rear rack from SR8Dirt.  < $110 shipped.  Fast shipping (ordered to installed in ~ 3 days).  Easy install.  Appears to be durable.  Doesn't touch bodywork.





(installed torx screw back in its place after I took photo)



Fits a small Nelson Rigg tailpack perfectly.



(rerouted the straps to attach only to the rack and not near the exhaust)

SECOND TANK -- With mix of riding, none of it cruising at a steady speed, I got 60 mpg -- 69.5 miles out of 1.16 gallons.