highlights of the 2008 WR250R

[ctbandit]

Hey B-Rent and other WRR owners. Just wondering if you guys tried out the Kawi KLX250s or other similar bikes when purchasing these? Looking at the price it seems the Kawi is about 1k cheaper and I wonder how they stack up.

Side note, I can't believe how expensive these bikes are..  but I'm super poor so everything looks expensive to me..

[1moreroad]

Hey B-Rent and other WRR owners. Just wondering if you guys tried out the Kawi KLX250s or other similar bikes when purchasing these? Looking at the price it seems the Kawi is about 1k cheaper and I wonder how they stack up.

Side note, I can't believe how expensive these bikes are..  but I'm super poor so everything looks expensive to me..

I rode a few DRZ400s.  The bikes are more similar than different.  Of the two get the cheaper or more available one.  Never mind the MSRP, I bought the cheaper bike.  I also bought locally although I did talk to a few dealers 200 miles away.

I wanted a supermoto-ish bike (the WR-X is NOT a race bike, though) and the KLX-SF only came out a few months ago.  SWRiverstone has written a review on STN about both bikes.  Most folks regard The WRR/X is the better bike overall, so it's up to you whether the price justifies it or not.

[SWriverstone]

Hey B-Rent and other WRR owners. Just wondering if you guys tried out the Kawi KLX250s or other similar bikes when purchasing these? Looking at the price it seems the Kawi is about 1k cheaper and I wonder how they stack up.

Side note, I can't believe how expensive these bikes are..  but I'm super poor so everything looks expensive to me..

Hi ctbandit—I gave both the WR250R and the KLX250 good long, back-to-back test rides on the same day. In terms of handling, I liked the KLX250—it felt just as light and well-suspended as the WRR (even if it's not, technically). It felt like it would be awesome on technical trails, because it felt as small and light as a mountain bike!

But in terms of power and acceleration, there's no comparison. One is carbureted, one is fuel-injected. When I got on the WRR after the KLX, I was blown away at how much more powerful the WRR was.

On the street, I was seriously worried about how long it took to get up to a safe speed on the KLX (e.g. pulling out in traffic). I'd pin it in 1st...wait for the revs to come up...shift, then pin it in 2nd...wait for the revs to come up...shift, then pin it in 3rd...and I'd still only be going 25mph!   I mean, the KLX took a LONG time to get going on pavement.

The WRR, on the other hand, had tons more pep. Pin it in 1st, and it MOVES! I felt far safer in traffic on the WRR, as its acceleration was more like a bigger bike's.

So if all you (or anyone) planned to do with the KLX was ride offroad (maybe with a short bit of empty pavement between two trails), I'd say go for it and save some money! I think the KLX would be great offroad.

But as a true dual-sport, 50/50 street/dirt bike, the KLX is a failure in my opinion...whereas the WRR shines in this way. I wouldn't hesitate to take the WRR on an extended pavement tour with luggage!

(And by the way, I weigh about 220lbs.)

Scott

PS - I know plenty of KLX fans would say you can change the gearing and pump up the engine for more power...but to me, the KLX felt SO underpowered next to the WRR that I think all the KLX mods in the world would barely get it up to the WRR...maybe...

[1moreroad]

Just swapped the stock 13T front sprocket for a JT 12T for the '08 WR250F.

DO IT!  The bike pulls better everywhere.  I went out to a deserted parking lot.  The bike will pull throttle wheelies in first.  I can bounce it up in 2nd an inch, and I suck at wheelies.

It is in the 20s right now, and I was MOTG but not dressed for the weather.  Boots, jeans, summer gloves, perf'd leather jacket, helmet.  I don't have heated grips, and it was COLD!  All this is my way of saying I only rode 5 miles tonight.  Weather permitting, I'll get out on New Year's Eve for a few hours.

I took it out on the highway briefly (just 1 exit).  The engine tone sounds slightly different (maybe deeper?), but maybe it was my imagination?  It definitely pulls stronger in 6th gear.  I think I felt a little bit more vibes in the footpegs.  I'm sure I didn't feel any more vibes at the handlebars.  In fact, the mirrors vibrated less so I must have moved some resonance frequency.

Front sprocket costs under $20 and there is no reason not to do it with this bike except that it will throw the speedo even more off (but I use a GPS when it matters).

The whole job took me a little over an hour including pulling a bunch of little plastic pieces off and cleaning them and the rear wheel and running the chain through kerosene to get it cleaned off.

One thing to know -- not all '08 WR250F sprockets will fit.  I found out the hard way, although I later found it documented on TT or SMJ.  The JT and Sunstar sprockets definitely fit.  The Moose Racing definitely does not.  And lots of folks like Renthal don't even make a 12T, so stick with JT or Sunstar IMO.  My dealer confirmed it -- he thought I was nuts when I returned the Moose Racing and requested the JT, but he lined up the teeth for the splines and they don't line up.

[ZED]

Thanks for the report on the sprocket.   I look forward to your further review.  There are rumours that the 12t increases the vibrations, but no-one has given a first hand account.  I've been considering a 47 or 47t rear, but that costs significantly more due to the addition of a longer chain to go with it.  

[B-rent]

Chinks in the mighty armor of the WRR.
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,34332.new.html#new

[ZED]

Definitely a bummer.  Still, shit does happen though.  Still seems like a good bike overall.
I'll definitely be following your thread to see what happens.

[1moreroad]

B-rent -- sorry to hear.  Head over to thumpertalk and ask over there.  A couple of guys claim to have double the mileage you do.

[Jeff]

And the WR250X gets some press love. Now, I only have a few hundred miles on my 08, but based on my experience I'd say it's a pretty accurate article.

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/yamaha/2009-yamaha-wr250x-review-87755.html

[1moreroad]

Well, the way I've been riding the X, it had to happen sooner or later.


All I can say is that I am very impressed with this little bike.  We were the only 4 strokes on the trails yesterday, never mind my tires (or my buddy's shagged Trailwings).

We were going down a moderately steep, slightly bumpy, but not rooty downhill.  My front tire washed out.  I managed to catch the bike about 6" off the ground (did I mention how impressive a lightweight bike can be), but it was just easier to lay it down and reorient myself to pick it back up.

EDITED TO ADD:  We had to come back the same way, and with a little momentum it went up the hill with no problem.

I did a little over 100 miles with the 12T front sprocket over pavement, gravel, and some trails.  There is a little more vibration at freeway speeds at the pegs and the seat, but not much.  No more vibes at the handlebars.  It pulls better all the way to 70 (the fastest we went).  No change in gas mileage (mid-50s on fun rides).

Compared to a sportbike, 45 degrees is COLD!!!  Heated vest, but no heated grips.  You don't get the air whistling down the front of the jacket at the neck, but you get hit with a lot more of it.

[DogBoy]

 

[Jeff]

Well, the way I've been riding the X, it had to happen sooner or later.


All I can say is that I am very impressed with this little bike.  We were the only 4 strokes on the trails yesterday, never mind my tires (or my buddy's shagged Trailwings).

We were going down a moderately steep, slightly bumpy, but not rooty downhill.  My front tire washed out.  I managed to catch the bike about 6" off the ground (did I mention how impressive a lightweight bike can be), but it was just easier to lay it down and reorient myself to pick it back up.

EDITED TO ADD:  We had to come back the same way, and with a little momentum it went up the hill with no problem.

I did a little over 100 miles with the 12T front sprocket over pavement, gravel, and some trails.  There is a little more vibration at freeway speeds at the pegs and the seat, but not much.  No more vibes at the handlebars.  It pulls better all the way to 70 (the fastest we went).  No change in gas mileage (mid-50s on fun rides).

Compared to a sportbike, 45 degrees is COLD!!!  Heated vest, but no heated grips.  You don't get the air whistling down the front of the jacket at the neck, but you get hit with a lot more of it.

Nice!  

Oh, and 45 is cold? W-I-M-P  

Jeff

[1moreroad]

Nice!  

Oh, and 45 is cold? W-I-M-P  

Jeff

 

That's what I'm saying.  The little bike is MUCH colder.  I might have to get in on the heated gear group buy.  I rode through this for 3 days on the ZX6R at the end of 2007 with no problems.

[evilted]

Did the same mod to my WR-X.  On the dyno, with the air filter door removed, w/stock exhaust and appropriate map, my bike posted 3 more peak HP and 2 lbs/ft torque over a stock/unmodified WR-X run on the same dyno right after mine.

Like you said, I really got the PCIII to reduce the abruptness of the throttle on/off transition, but the extra power is definitely noticeable.

Incidentally, the bike pulled to an actual 90 mph on the dyno, showing an indicated 95 mph.

I put a PCIII on, my only "performance" mod, not so much for extra power/speed, but to smooth the FI out.  My bike had an annoying on/off throttle snatch that was bugging me - really made difference in rideability and feels like power delivery is more linear through the entire rev range.  Don't think I want an exhaust.... silence is very important where I ride.

[1moreroad]

1200 miles and my back tire is on the wear bars in the middle and about 1/16" off the wear bars on the edges.  I can't believe how fast I destroyed the OEM tire.  The front tire is maybe 1/8" off the wear bars.

There was a LOT of gravel road riding on this bike -- probably 20% of it's life.  Probably less than 10% what I would consider smooth asphalt.  Mostly patched chip seal.

I hope to get a few hundred miles in this weekend, and by then the rear will be toast and possibly the front.  Distanzias are readily available now, so I'll be trying to spoon my own tires for the first time.

Incidentally, the bike pulled to an actual 90 mph on the dyno, showing an indicated 95 mph.

But that's with no wind resistance, right?  Or does the braking on the drums compensate for wind resistance?

[evilted]

But that's with no wind resistance, right?  Or does the braking on the drums compensate for wind resistance?

It's a garden variety Dynojet.  I'd guess it only accounts for rolling resistance.

[1moreroad]

B-rent ~ what's the word on the bike?

EDITED TO ADD:  With about 1500 miles on the tires, I have...
0.05" on the center of the rear tire (just getting into the wear bar)
0.10" on the edge of the rear tire next to the wear bar

0.10" on the center of the front tire
0.08" on the edge of the front tire

I'll keep doing short, local rides and get some Distanzias once the weather warms up a bit.

[Chowdown]

for those that have it, how would the bike handle a bigger guy, im 6ft3 and 240pounds, figure 250ish with gear. 80% of the riding would be commuting on 45mph roads for 20 miles each way, and then dirt parks on the weekend. i would like the ability to slab it to places like moab, which means it would need to do 70mph all day for a couple of days there and back.

am i too big for it? will i be able to keep up (ahead) of traffic?

[Jeff]

I think it would do 70mph for a couple days alright - but I don't think you'd want to do that. The bike was not built for slab. Your commuting duties would be fine probably. FWIW, I'm 5'9, 190lbs. Probably 200lbs or so with gear.

Have you sat on one yet? If so, how'd you feel on it? It's definitely not for the short of inseam, unless they're committed to it. Mine is 32" and I can get one foot down flat or both on the balls.

All that said, the bike is a blast. I've been riding to work most of the last week. Today's morning temp was 20 F.

Jeff

[Jeff]

Oh, a few other thoughts/comments/what-have-you...

My biggest complaint so far is the fuel injection. It's really hard, for me anyway, to roll on the throttle smoothly. It seems very twitchy at low speeds, like it's either off or on. I'm wondering if that will mellow out with break-in and warmer temps. I'm at about 350 miles on her so far. Are all FI bikes like this? This is my first injected bike, all others have been carbed, with my most recent being a 32 year old Honda. Talk about a difference between bikes!

Jeff