Anticipation...NEW WR250R!

[Lawn Dart]

The Farkle Box.  

In my garage it's the cardboard box that sits on the work bench gathering nuts, bolts, spare parts and a beer can or two as I wait.  Wait in anticipation for a new challenge.

The Farkle Box is getting pretty full this time.  There's a reason for this madness though:







The GS is a fine machine.  Strap some knobbies on it and it will take you places you've never thought possible.  Unfortunately, it demands a certain amount of respect.  550# of motorcycle don't take too kindly to larger rocks, heavy throttle hands and imprecise tire positioning.

[DangerMoney]

For off-road that 's why I switched from this




to this:

[Lawn Dart]

Those three pictures above represent a very expensive ride.  I managed to destroy not one, but BOTH rims on the bike.  Taco'ed, cracked the spine, air leaks, hub damage.  Yep, FUBAR.  Made it out ok in the end with the help of the GS Riders group I was with - good people them.  Very good people.  

See the GS on it's side?  My first official crash during a ride (defined as losing control) in 47,000 miles.  9" deep sand at 5 mph.    Yes, yes.  Pigs CAN indeed fly.  Kept in 2nd gear and at 25-30 mph the GS handles sandy loose stuff just fine.  Keep an open throttle, keep the eyes up, don't worry about ruts and just keep on keeping on.  

But it's not the perfect tool.  No, not by a long shot.  

I started looking around.  I wanted a dirt bike to learn...but I needed a dual-sport to go the places I wanted to go.  Death Valley, Joshua Tree, National Parks.  Here in Cali those places are Plate-Only.  None of this "red-Sticker Green Sticker" stuff.  It's either street legal, or it's not being ridden in the parks.

I am anal retentive by nature.  I don't like making avoidable mistakes.  When I buy something, I reason everything out.  Bike design, future intent, life span, etc.  The list goes on.  

I'm also a cheap bastard.  Proud of it too.  Gonna buy a new (*or used) bike and I'm gonna get it at the best price I possibly can.

And then I'm going to make sure the bike is protected appropriately so I can enjoy it for a long, long time.

Hence, the farkle box.



It's full of all sorts of goodness...waiting, patiently, for the day the new bike arrives.

[Lawn Dart]

DM, you are absolutely correct you know.  

But I just don't ride for Team Orange.    

[Lawn Dart]

The Farkle List (to Date):

1. Flatlands Racing Skidplate, Radiator Guard and tail rack.
2. HDB handguards w/ foldaway mirrors
3. Pivot Pegz - Wide Edition
4. Rotopax 1-gal w/ mount
5. Garmin Nuvi hardwired mc GPS mount
6. Powerlett Socket.  Cuz, well, yeah.  
7. USB 5-volt hardwired charger.  Cuz you need to recharge the IPhone on the road...

Already have usable tank panniers and a tailbag.  

I think next weekend:  Death Valley.  

[DNA]

That stuff is gonna look awesome on the Trip!

Can't wait to see the pics!

[Lawn Dart]

And then, there is this!  

[Rincewind]

Nice 250!  Good move - Congrats!  

[DogBoy]

Congratulations. Suggested new screenname: Yamaha-R!

[Lawn Dart]

Initial thoughts based on a 10 mile break-in ride.  

1. Suspension:  not bad at all on the street.  Fork dive seems very controlled.  Not dialed in at all so improvements will be very real.  

2. Seat Height:  Ok, I can get both tip-toes down at a stop.  No need to worry about seat height.  Heck, I spent 80,000 miles without ever being able to flatfoot a bike...it's not like this is all that different.

3. Power:  Not bad at all.  First gear runs out fast...Second and Third have a nice, broad range.  Bike won't top out in 4th, 5th or 6th.  Saw 87 indicated on the freeway - figure high 70's in real terms?  I wasn't passing anyone but I didn't feel like a target either.  Throttle is light and fueling is a bit snatchy on the bottom.  No cush drive I suppose.  

4. Handling:  all due respect to new, semi-knobbly tires, I didn't push it.  The bike is light and steering seems quick enough.  Very light bars - I can see the need for a steering damper for fast dirt riding.  

5. Gearbox:  very nice, very light.  Shifts very well and neutral is easy to find.

6. Ergo's and Seat:  honestly, the seat's not that bad for being such a narrow shelf.  I can see having a wider seat or a sheepskin for a long trip, but for anything within 100 miles I don't think there is any reason to modify it.  

7. Controls:  the footbrake is, what?  How small is it???  I promptly locked up the rear and slid out the back.  The rest of the levers and buttons work fine.  The front brake is very controllable for being a single disc.

8. Lighting:  The turnsignals are HUUUUUGGGGEEEE!!!!!  The headlight is quite decent.  The forkleg reflector mounts would work ok for some lightweight fog lights.  I'm really quite happy with initial headlight.  Definitely going to change out them turnsignals.

My current changes:
Footpegs:  the oem's are lousy.  Swapped them for PivotPegz right on the spot.  LOVE my pivotpegz!


Current mileage count:  38.  Next ride?  April 16...grrrrr...on the road for 4 weeks.  

[Cablebandit]

Sweet.  Congrats on the new ride.  I've been looking at the same bike to replace the Weestrom in my garage for the exact same reasons.  Too much work off pavement.  Can it travel forest service roads, sure it can. However, it's a lot of work and something 200 pounds lighter has got to be better right?

[Lawn Dart]

...and something 200 pounds lighter has got to be better right?

Exactly.  And picking up a big bike is hard!    I'd much rather pick up a 300# WR than a 600# GS!  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Exactly.  And picking up a big bike is hard!    I'd much rather pick up a 300# WR than a 600# GS!  

So which one are  you going to bring over this summer?  

[KLRchickie]

Welcome to the asylum!

Initial thoughts based on a 10 mile break-in ride.  

1. Suspension:  not bad at all on the street.  Fork dive seems very controlled.  Not dialed in at all so improvements will be very real.  

Replacing the stock oil with Öhlins 5 wt does wonders for the front suspension.  I would (and did ) do that before trying to get the settings dialed in.

3. Power:  Not bad at all.  First gear runs out fast...Second and Third have a nice, broad range.  Bike won't top out in 4th, 5th or 6th.  Saw 87 indicated on the freeway - figure high 70's in real terms?  I wasn't passing anyone but I didn't feel like a target either.  Throttle is light and fueling is a bit snatchy on the bottom.  No cush drive I suppose.  

Change the sprockets!  With lower gearing you can actually *use* those top gears, in all likelihood you'll increase your top speed.  Also, Yamaha tried to do a pseudo cush drive with rubber bits on the stock sprockets.  Snatchiness improves with regular sprockets & a properly adjusted chain.


Have you found the WR forum yet?  Quite the cult following for the little bike.  Have fun!

[kurtw]

Very cool!!! I'm looking forward to updates!  

[1moreroad]

IMS has the 3.1 gallon tank and is developing a 5 gallon tank.  You WILL need one of these.  The 5 gallon would give a 250 - 300 mile range depending on gearing, farkles, and how hard you're riding.

[KLRchickie]

IMS has the 3.1 gallon tank and is developing a 5 gallon tank.  You WILL need one of these.  The 5 gallon would give a 250 - 300 mile range depending on gearing, farkles, and how hard you're riding.

We should have a good review of a pair of 3.1's in about a week's time.

[R Doug]

Congrats on the new bike, I can't wait to see some ride reports with it.

Now, call Heather (Jimmy's wife) and sign up for the April class with me in Pahrumph, NV!


http://www.jimmylewisoffroad.com/


Let's learn how to ride our light weight toys.  

[1000lbs]

Nice choice  .  I keep looking at the WR's everytime I'm done replacing the bars on my DR after my most recent failure to stay vertical.  Let me know when you want to ride Joshua Tree NP, its my closest and first choice offroading area when riding from home.

[County Tar]

My butt hurts just looking at that seat...

[1moreroad]

We should have a good review of a pair of 3.1's in about a week's time.

Ordered mine from JustGasTanks after the false rumor about no 5 gallon tanks on the WR forum.  JGT first e-mailed me to say I should receive it late last week.  A follow up e-mail said updated availability to "extended back order."  

My butt hurts just looking at that seat...

  No problem.  Good support without too much pressure.

[KLRchickie]

I pulled the covers off of our seats last weekend & drilled holes in the foam to soften them up a bit.  Old dirt biking trick, from what I've been told.  We'll see how well that worked after next week too .  We can say for sure at this point that the foam does flex more than the stock board-like seat.

A follow up e-mail said updated availability to "extended back order."  

We chose to order on the initial WR250 forum "discount" list.  It would have been nice to get reviews of the tank before committing, but we knew we'd want the bigger tanks for our annual Moab trip, and with how long it took for them to release the initial set of tanks we knew we might as well order then to have them for next week.

[Mookie]

Cool bike  

When are you riding it up to Alaska?  

[Ack535]

Very cool! I am picking up a slightly used KLX300 to do the same thing

Pete

[Lawn Dart]

The seat actually isn't that bad.  It's narrow but the foam is firm and the seat material is vey sticky (which I like). The more important thing for me about comfort are knee positions and seat to bar distance.

From the later perspective the bike is very comfortable.  

I give the seat about a 100 mile range before it really gets uncomfortable.    

[servicerifle]

I have one too, but the x model. I have a long list of things I'll be buying this summer to get it ready for dirt.  I'm the same on the height, I'm 5'8" on a big hair day and can still live with it.  There's 1" of adjustment in the suspension so I might drop it the 1" and that will be it.

The bike is so light I was putting on a rear stand and needed to shuffle it to the side of my garage...instead of taking it off the stand and rolling it over there, I just lifted the rear of the bike and rotated it on the front tire.  Try that on my GS!  ha ha!

[Lawn Dart]

So which one are  you going to bring over this summer?  

Which one do I need to leave with you for 6 months?    

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Which one do I need to leave with you for 6 months?    

Oh goodness - you know the answer to that one!  


hehehe

[KLRchickie]

I give the seat about a 100 mile range before it really gets uncomfortable.    

 

You'd have to ride trails WAY faster than I do AND stand up an awful lot more than I do whilst trail riding to survive 100 miles at a stretch on that seat without permanent, crippling damage.

Now, it is not *hard* to ride trails faster or stand up more than I do, if there is a list of world's slowest dirtbikers, I really should be listed on it.  However, even knowing that, I think you'd need to speed like a demon on the trails AND stand up a LOT, or (or is that another AND ) have no nerve endings in your sit bone region to survive 100 miles at a stretch on that seat without being in severe pain.

Yesterday, in 2 hours of riding, we went 87km.  Today, in 2.5 hours, we rode about 75km.  I have padded shorts & a drilled seat & very sore sit bones!!!!

Zed's WR has 16,000+km on it & the seat foam hasn't softened up at all (my bike has 3000+km on it). 

[servicerifle]

You must have a VERY sensitive ass.  (ahem)

While the seat does suck, I've done far more than that without being in true pain.  I do stand up, a lot though.  Sometimes for 10 miles at a time.  On road too.

[swingset]

Congrats, great bike should treat you very well!

[KLRchickie]

You must have a VERY sensitive ass.  (ahem)

Shapely too!!!

[Lawn Dart]

Shapely too!!!

LOL!  Nicely played.  

[miles]

Shapely too!!!

 

[servicerifle]

You can all thank me for setting her up like that.

Now, where are the pics?

[ZED]

I would be the keeper of those pics.  Now why wasn't I invited to this little party.  
Oh, yeah.  I was out riding my WRX.  

Here's one for you from a track day.  KLRChickie on the ZED

Dianese does know how to make girl shaped leathers.  


BTW - Good choice BMW-K  It's amazing what these little WRs can do!

[servicerifle]

I would be the keeper of those pics.  Now why wasn't I invited to this little party.  
Oh, yeah.  I was out riding my WRX.  

Here's one for you from a track day.  KLRChickie on the ZED

Dianese does know how to make girl shaped leathers.  


BTW - Good choice BMW-K  It's amazing what these little WRs can do!

You.  Keep posting pics or go back to riding your WR.  LOL  

[Lawn Dart]

Woooooo!  It's FARKLE TIME!  

And here's it is, in all it's farkled glory!

[Lawn Dart]

It will never be that clean ever again!

[bungie4]

So lets talk about that mount for the Roto-pak. Custom piece?

[Lawn Dart]

So lets talk about that mount for the Roto-pak. Custom piece?

Nope.  Standard RotoPax 1 gal on a standard mount, mounted to a Flatland Racing tail rack.

I bought the Flatland Racing WR kit.  It consisted of the Skidplate, Radiator Guard and the Tail rack from Dualsportarmory.com

Then I bought the RotoPax from RotoPax itself, with the ADVRider 10% discount.  It all mounted up very easy.  I figure that puts my range at around 180 or so, with the can.  I'll add a 3.1 IMS tank in the future and keep the Rotopax as a backup for really, really long trips.

[Lawn Dart]

Well, that didn't take long!  




Mini ride report in, well, dirt ride reports!  

[bpg]

Great choice!  

I've had mine for 2 years/9K miles - always a thrill to ride it on or off road.  Love the maintenance schedule as well...

[servicerifle]

Well, that didn't take long!  




Mini ride report in, well, dirt ride reports!  

Why did you try to go out of the rut?  HA HA (my buddies ask me the same question)  Well, I wasn't really trying!  

[R Doug]

What did it do? Did it rollover so you can scratch its belly?  

[phoenix]

in the garage pic, those handlebars look super wide.

But  

[Lawn Dart]

in the garage pic, those handlebars look super wide.

But  

Thanks!

Truth be told, they are nowhere near as wide as the GS bars.  It's small and light and quite nice.

[Lawn Dart]

Things I've learned so far:

1.  Reserve on the WR is 1/2 a gallon.  ONLY 1/2 a gallon.  
2.  The CA gas tank is exactly 1.9 gallons - as advertised.
3.  The WR is very easy to push...

In other news, I decided to slap on a 12 tooth front sprocket and swap out the OEM Bridgestones for some Michelin AC10's for maximum dirt orientation.

1.  The added height of the AC10's (110/100/18) has completely negated the lower gearing of the 12 tooth sprocket.  /sigh.
2.  The AC10's have reasonable grip - the rear tire at 24 psi resists lock up on tarmac better than the OEM Bridgestones.  The front grips well enough to pick the back tire up if you weight transfer/load the front correctly.
3.  The Front AC10 is very aggressive knobby.  It picks up a rather entertaining speed wobble at 65mph plus.
4.  On the other hand, that means I might just achieve 65+ mpg on the bike.  

Planning on Carizzo Plains this weekend for a bit of fun with the pups and wifey...danged if the WR isn't going to follow along!

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Planning on Carizzo Plains this weekend for a bit of fun with the pups and wifey...danged if the WR isn't going to follow along!

Sounds like you're getting to know (and love) the little WR just fine    If you see any spring flowers in Carizo, take some pics for me!!!

[Viffer Vern]

Well, that didn't take long!  




Mini ride report in, well, dirt ride reports!  

You are only just beginning to scratch the surface of FUN!!

[JamesG]

Yeah, not that you've gotten the first drop out of the way you can get on with it.

[servicerifle]

Hey man, I've read several reports saying going to a smaller front sprocket can cause/accelerate swingarm wear by the chain (on the underside).  Better to go to a bigger sprocket in the rear.  Worth noting and watching for, at the least.

I think BigDog's (google that with WR250r) site can show you all about it.

[Lawn Dart]

Hey man, I've read several reports saying going to a smaller front sprocket can cause/accelerate swingarm wear by the chain (on the underside).  Better to go to a bigger sprocket in the rear.  Worth noting and watching for, at the least.

I think BigDog's (google that with WR250r) site can show you all about it.

Yep, saw that.  Some seem to think it's all about getting the chain tension right.  For me and my money though, an $8 front sprocket was a whole lot cheaper than a $70 experiment for a new chain and rear.  On the other hand, I'm pretty much convinced that the 13/48-50 combo is going to be perfect.

Speedo's off by more than a bit now.  

[miles]

Speedo's off by more than a bit now.  

And before anyone demands it, here's the pic:




The speedo is just a little bit off.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

And before anyone demands it, here's the pic:




The speedo is just a little bit off.

 

(quoted for my own enjoyment   )

[JamesG]

 

[servicerifle]

Yep, saw that.  Some seem to think it's all about getting the chain tension right.  For me and my money though, an $8 front sprocket was a whole lot cheaper than a $70 experiment for a new chain and rear.  On the other hand, I'm pretty much convinced that the 13/48-50 combo is going to be perfect.

Speedo's off by more than a bit now.  

I need a rear R wheel and sprocket, you like the 48-50 huh?  I'll have to find one of those calculators to find out how long of a chain that needs with a stock front sprocket (13).

[Lawn Dart]

I need a rear R wheel and sprocket, you like the 48-50 huh?  I'll have to find one of those calculators to find out how long of a chain that needs with a stock front sprocket (13).

48 tooth requires a 112 link chain.  

My reasoning on the sprockets:   The AC10 (*and likely D606) are significantly taller tires than the OEM's.  With the change to the AC10's even the 12/43 gearing (equivalent of 13/46) gearing is still a bit tall. The bike won't pull redline in 5th or 6th which means I'm not maximizing the total value of all the gears.

I'm thinking 13/48 might be about right.  Or at least I hope I'm right.  

[Lawn Dart]

 

Miles...they wrote a book about him.  "These were the BEST of Friends, these were the WORST of Friends".  Or something like that.  

[KLRchickie]

I'm thinking 13/48 might be about right.  Or at least I hope I'm right.  

That's a pretty good combo, that actually allows redline in 5th *and* 6th, but allows the bike to go highway speeds.  It also allows one to still have the choice to swap out the front to a 12 & have really good low gearing if you know you're going to do a serious amount of riding in nasty stuff.  Yes, a smaller front sprocket is harder on chains, but it is still an option.

[Lawn Dart]

Well, I caved and went to the 13/48 combo with the Mich. AC10's.  GREAT setup - the bike pulls 70 comfortably on the freeway and can do 80 in the flats.  I saw a top of 87...downhill...on a really long stretch.  Very happy with the 13/48 combo.

Ran 150 miles today.  Averaged 44 mpg.    I had a bit of a headwind for 20 miles that sure didn't help.  Really gonna need to get that bigger gas tank I'm afraid.

[Lon]

IMS 3.1 tank swap takes about an hour; it's dead simple - the only thing I caution is that if you have a Corbin seat, it will take significantly longer, as you will have to grind at part of the seat pan.

Also, Tusk makes a great set of panniers available from Rocky Mountain for like $16 or something absurd.  Very nice little panniers, they are, and the left one has a water bottle holder.

[Lon]

Oh also -- There's a guy on eBay who sells racks for various dual-sports.

His rack for the XT225 will outlast humanity.    It's so beefy that after I crashed the R1100S, I fabbed a mounting bar for a Givi plate and bolted the plate to the XT... and stuck a blimpy E52 Maxia on the back.    It wobbles less on the XT with that rack than on the purpose-built Givi setup on the R1100S  

Unfortunately, his rack for the WR250R is weaker than I'd like due to the mounting points.    I just have a Cortech Super Mini strapped to it and a beefier rack on order.  The beefier racks require drilling out your fender, though.

At any rate, let me know if you want a light-duty tail rack at some point; once my beefier one comes in, I won't be needing it.

[KLRchickie]

IMS 3.1 tank swap takes about an hour; it's dead simple - the only thing I caution is that if you have a Corbin seat, it will take significantly longer, as you will have to grind at part of the seat pan.

I would say there is a bit of variability in the fitment of the IMS 3.1 USGal tanks.  Ours took a while & each needed different things "trimmed" on the bikes.  Mine needed a fair bit of the rubber "gasket" between the tank & the frame modified, & in the end both of our tanks are shimmed up just a smidge at the front to make everything sit right.

Worth it for the extra range though

[Lon]

I would say there is a bit of variability in the fitment of the IMS 3.1 USGal tanks.

I've heard.  To be fair, there's some variability with the Corbin seats, too.

Worth it for the extra range though

I agree.  

I put a 4.1 gallon on the XT225.  I don't know why, but I think it's funny that my tiniest bike ever has a 300+/- mile tank range.

[servicerifle]

Guys, fyi there's an ADV group buy of Scott's steering dampers for WR250r/x's going on right now.  I'm ordering one.

Here's the link:  http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=679446

[Lawn Dart]

Guys, fyi there's an ADV group buy of Scott's steering dampers for WR250r/x's going on right now.  I'm ordering one.

Here's the link:  http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=679446

I'd like to thank you for helping me spend my next paycheck.  

[servicerifle]

Anytime!  I went shopping on that site before I pulled the trigger, wound up with over $700 in stuff!  That was their plan, methinks!  

[hobie1dog]

what does the seat height measure?  looks like 35 or 37"

[919]

I've been thinking about getting in to dirt again, and this WR has given me a serious case of the wants......  

I grew up riding dirt but stopped in 2005 when I started riding street.  Now that I am more established I can see having multiple mounts in my garage.  Very seriously looking at this bike and then maybe stepping up to a larger adventure bike in the future.

Basically I was wondering if you could tell me how the bike is on the road, all my available (legal) dirt riding is a considerable distance (2 hours would be the closest I've found).  How does this bike do on extended pavement stretches?  Would I be better off buying a bigger bike or is this thing doable?  I sport tour on a 919 so I could care less about wind protection, the ergos on the WR are probably about the same just scaled a little smaller.  I'm mainly worried about the power on the road and the suspension on pavement.  

This bike is definitely on my short list.

[servicerifle]

I think if you have 2 hours one-way to your riding, that's 4 hours interstate both ways...and I think that sounds frustrating and painful on the WR.  At a minimum you'll be looking for a new seat, or a set of "Sweetcheeks" for the seat.

[sammyseaman]

I think if you have 2 hours one-way to your riding, that's 4 hours interstate both ways...and I think that sounds frustrating and painful on the WR.  At a minimum you'll be looking for a new seat, or a set of "Sweetcheeks" for the seat.

  Sounds brutal  

[919]

I think if you have 2 hours one-way to your riding, that's 4 hours interstate both ways...and I think that sounds frustrating and painful on the WR.  At a minimum you'll be looking for a new seat, or a set of "Sweetcheeks" for the seat.

No interstate, just back roads, and twisty ones at that.  I figured I would be asking too much of the bike to get me there but at the same time I don't want to go too big because it's been 8 years since I last rode on dirt.  I don't want to start off with a 650 or bigger; the type of technical riding I liked doing back then would be too difficult with a bigger machine.  

Maybe a 400 thumper would be a happy medium?  It's gotta be street legal because I don't want to buy a truck.  (I average 2k-3k miles per month for work)  

Sorry for the the thread-jack;  carry on

[Lawn Dart]

Just commenting on comfort and range - as noted, I did get an IMS 3.1 and the Scotts.  Of course, the moment I get them mounted work gets busy again and I haven't been out on the road since.

At least I was able to have a few friends over and we were able to reset the sag on the bike to something other than "dead soft".  Went from 4" of Sag to 3.5" and its made a HUGE difference on the street.  Tried playing with the compression & rebound - those settings were pretty much worthless.  WR shocks aren't known (at least per ADV) to have the best valving and that's certainly the case.

Regardless, a sag adjustment has made a huge difference.

Seat Height:  I'd say somewhere around 35" is about right.  It was around 33" before the sag adjustment.

As to freeway distances - I have no problems with a two hour dead straight freeway sprint on the bike.  True, it's not the Mayer saddle I have on the GS but I don't find the WR saddle bad at all.  I wouldn't want to do an SS1k on it, but for 300 mile days it's fine.  

Of all the mods on the bike I've thought about, the seat was actually the lowest priority.  For me, knee angle is far more important and the WR is nigh on perfect for me to spend a lot of time in the saddle.

I've installed the IMS tank - absolutely no problems with the setup.  Bolted right up with no issues.

I have a GS riders Memorial Day ride planned - about 150 miles with two 50 mile slab stretches.  Gonna be fun.  

[servicerifle]

IMHO not enough between a 400 and the WR250 to make much difference.  Since you say you'll be on twisty roads, you might be just fine.  

I didn't get the chance to ride my WR enough, but I've put many miles on the same sized bike.  I know I'm better off moving around (twisties) rather than sitting in one place like on a highway.

Steve

No interstate, just back roads, and twisty ones at that.  I figured I would be asking too much of the bike to get me there but at the same time I don't want to go too big because it's been 8 years since I last rode on dirt.  I don't want to start off with a 650 or bigger; the type of technical riding I liked doing back then would be too difficult with a bigger machine.  

Maybe a 400 thumper would be a happy medium?  It's gotta be street legal because I don't want to buy a truck.  (I average 2k-3k miles per month for work)  

Sorry for the the thread-jack;  carry on