highlights of the 2008 WR250R

[ZED]

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?

I'm 6'2" and maybe 210lbs in gear.  For the style of bike, the WRX fits me quite well.  I feel it's a better fit than the DRZ or the KLX.
As for Slabbing, I have had mine up to 130km/hr.  You and I are taller than most and therefore take more wind than most.  I expect to take it on some highway trips this summer in order to ride some particular areas, but I don't expect to enjoy the highway parts and I won't be passing anyone.  These trips will be mostly on 90-100km stretches of highway to get to the good stuff.  Any bike of this style has terrible aerodynamics (makes a KLR seem streamlined).

However, for commuting, it's by far the most fun of the stable to ride.  I took it out on the road track one day just to see what it could do and was literally giggling in my helmet.  It's not a speed demon, but it's a blast at lower speeds with quite decent suspension out of the box. 

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

The throttle on this bike is quite "snatchy" at the bottom.  My Ducati suffered from this also, but a new computer (on warranty) fixed it.  Many claim that a new exhaust and programmer (PCIII or FMF) smooth things out on the WR.  I expect they would but haven't decided to spend the cash as yet. 

Coming from an automation and controls background I think it's a control loop tuning issue.  I don't think it changes much with milage.  I rode a demo model with about 600km.  My WRX had about 5k when I got it and it now has about 6700km (it's winter up here) and all three stages felt similar.

[evilted]

The Power Commander smoothed the throttle response out on mine quite a bit.  It can still be a little abrupt feeling, what with the pliant suspension and extended travel, but the PC III was a big improvement.

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

[Jeff]

The Power Commander smoothed the throttle response out on mine quite a bit.  It can still be a little abrupt feeling, what with the pliant suspension and extended travel, but the PC III was a big improvement.

Do you have a pipe on it too, or just the PCIII with the stock exhaust?

[evilted]

Stock exhaust with the airbox door removed.

Do you have a pipe on it too, or just the PCIII with the stock exhaust?

[reppans]

The Power Commander smoothed the throttle response out on mine quite a bit.  It can still be a little abrupt feeling, what with the pliant suspension and extended travel, but the PC III was a big improvement.

Same experience here.... bone stock other than the PCIII.  

This is my third FI bike, 1 and 3 "surged/hunted/snatched" annoyingly at the on/off throttle line.  #2, a BMW boxer, had a dual spark plug to eliminate the problem and it worked well.  I believe it largely due to lean fuel mixtures for emissions purposes.  

[atadaskew]

It seems that some mfgs try harder to get the FI "right" than others. Some leave it to the owners to be essentially the beta testers who will fix it with an aftermarket system.
My experience with FI bikes:
Suzi TL1000 - terrible
KTM 990 - bad surging
VFR Interceptor - snatchy throttle response
Kawi ZX12R - snatchy
Wing 1800 - perfect
BMW R1200 - perfect
BMW R1200st - perfect
Wing 1800 - perfect
Duc 800ss - perfect
Duc St4s - perfect
Harley Dyna - perfect

[1moreroad]

It seems that some mfgs try harder to get the FI "right" than others. Some leave it to the owners to be essentially the beta testers who will fix it with an aftermarket system.

The funny thing is that I thought the FI on a 2002 R1 was perfect.  Might be harder to get rid of snatchiness with a lighter crankshaft and less intertia.

...Duc St4s - perfect

The ST4 is geared so high, I wouldn't think you could tell if the FI is snatchy or not.

[atadaskew]

The ST4 is geared so high, I wouldn't think you could tell if the FI is snatchy or not.

I shortened my gearing with 14/40 sprockets.  Stock is crazy tall at 15/38.

[1moreroad]

With the help of a friend, I installed Distaniza SM tires and lubed all the bushings in the rear suspension.

My recommendation on the rear suspension is to check yours out.  It took 2 of us taking our time 2 - 3 hours to do it.  I have never done this before.  My friend has, but not on the WR.  Definitely have a service manual because the torque on every bolt is different.  The WR has some nice touches -- all of the bolts have cuts and ledges on the suspension so they will not spin freely while you're torquing them down.  Lube application was completely inconsistent.  Most of the bearings had some small amount of grease.  The right side of the swing arm was nicely lubed while the left side was almost dry.

The Distanzias fit no problem.  Breaking the bead was a bear.  The original tubes have < 2000 miles so I ended up re-using them.  They looked as good as the new pair I bought unnecessarily.  First impression (~ 10 miles) of the Distanzias was mixed.  They feel squirmy compared to the stock tires on pavement.  I don't know if that's because they're not scrubbed in or because the tread blocks are much taller than the BT090s ever were and move around a little.  The BT090s gripped better than any sport tire on my ZX6R (when it was warm) and the Distanzias have that slimy feel of brand spankin' new tires.

On the little bit of gravel I rode, the bike did not pinball sideways back and forth on the Distanzias like it did on the 090s.  It rode straighter.

EDITED TO ADD: Distanzias are 98% of the tire of the BT090 on the road (and I really liked the 090) and +10 Brazilian times better on dirt.  The suck about 98% as bad as the 090s on the mud because they become slicks.  You definitely need to be careful.  The 090s slid around everywhere, dry or wet.  The Distanzias grab pretty well in the dry but pack up unbelievably fast (Mississippi mud has a reputation for being sticky) and turn into slicks.

And 300 pounds is a LOT of bike in the woods.

[Jaynen]

Hey guys I am a STN lurker but didn't think to look for WRR stuff here.

I am the aforementioned ADV forum member with the windscreen on his bike. I have 4,800 miles on mine so far. Never experienced the issue B-rent is having with his regarding traction.

I have a PC3, Renthal 46T rear sprocket, K&N filter on mine performance wise however.

Anyone actually tried the corbin seat? Thats whats killing me on the bike right now

[1moreroad]

One negative on the WR that deserves to be mentioned: the front sprocket cover hoovers up mud badly.  I removed POUNDS of mud from behind the front sprocket cover from a 10 mile ride (in infamous Mississippi mud).  Wheeling Cycle Supply sells an open cage for the front sprocket that you should budget for if you ride in mud.

[JamesG]

[ZED]

Since the official STN WR250 thread has once again resurfaced...

I haven't done it yet, but I plan on fabricating my own aluminium cover.  It should be fairly easy, and I actually weighed the stock one once and couldn't believe how heavy it was.  I think there's lead or chunks of dwarf star in it.

My WR250X currently weighs in at 290lbs wet and I'm still looking at reducing that.

[birdrunner]

Since the official STN WR250 thread has once again resurfaced...

I haven't done it yet, but I plan on fabricating my own aluminium cover.  It should be fairly easy, and I actually weighed the stock one once and couldn't believe how heavy it was.  I think there's lead or chunks of dwarf star in it.

My WR250X currently weighs in at 290lbs wet and I'm still looking at reducing that.

I'm still trying to greatly reduce some major weight off my ride,  but Mrs. Birdrunner still insists on riding on the back.

[ZED]

  Can I quote that to Mrs. Birdrunner at the KBB this year?  

Fortunately I don't have that problem.  KLRChickie is rather insistent on her own ride.

[1moreroad]

Added driving lights and heated hand grips for the winter commute.



Write-up is here: http://wr250rforum.forumotion.com/oh-those-sweet-mods-f5/driving-lights-for-x-t2945.htm

Unfortunately my ideas for a few weekend trips are fast diminishing.  At least my commute will be safer and more comfortable.

[DogBoy]

Someone put knobbies on your bike.

[KLRchickie]

So the real question is - how much would you pay for a new on the floor 2008 like the original post?

I bought a brand spanking new leftover 2008 in June (of 2010).  MSRP in Canada for 2008 was $7699 & I paid $4599+ a silly amount of $ for fees & crap.  Less than people were asking for used ones & I got a warranty & the chance to break it in right

[Jeff]

The second that bike gets off the showroom floor it's now three years old. Without looking up nada or kbb, I'd say $4200 or so would be pretty decent.

Jeff

[KLRchickie]

  What does it matter that it is now three years old It is still a zero mileage bike.

I suppose if you wanted to turn around & sell i right away the "age" might matter - but why would you do that?