It blew me away that those 2 bikes were even mentioned in the same video. "The 690 has way more power!" THANK YOU CAPTAIN OBVIOUS! That would be like comparing a ktm 690 to a kawasaki H2R. Has triple the horsepower, and is STILL more reliable than a ktm. The only good engine from ktm has 2 strokes, not 4.
The WR250R is a perfect bike for my needs. Wishing a 250cc bike had more power doesn’t make sense to me. I just picked up a TW200 and I love it; I could say it’s underpowered, but that just sounds stupid when I say it out loud.
Same here. Did the bigger thing, did the KTM thing... and to be honest, while I miss the power and the suspension. I realize I'd much rather be riding (at a somewhat slower pace) and not spend as much time wrenching on the bike. Slowing down will also reduce the number of injuries, which is kind of nice as you get "older"
Hmmm.... last time I rode with you on my 690 my bike blew smoke for half the ride. Come on, you have to admit its not fun on the road. That's why you have the 790!
You need to be making video`s Tom, not commenting on them! How the hell are we suppose to make it through this Covid shit ...without the epic adventures? Just wheelie through the blockades!
@Michael Pullins Oh it`s not that, I`m only 5'7 and 158lbs. I`ve got a KTM EXC-F250 (but its a every 30hr maintenance hog) and a BMW R1200 GS Adventure) perfect for hard-pack dirt, and obviously the highway. It`s just that I wish Yamaha would come out with a 450 that has the maintenance intervals and dependability of the WR250R ...which I`ve always heard is legendary. Plus ...I`m a guy, and we always need ANOTHER bike. Cheers!
Michael Pullins I’ve ridden single tracks with my wife on the back of my WR250R and it’s been fine, I weigh like 75-80kg but I couldn’t see it being an issue unless you like 150kg
@Michael Pullins The YZ450F isn`t street legal ...here in the US anyway. KTM`s two strokes I can`t really speak to (it`s always been YZ125&250`s for me) but I`d assume not, a two-stroke is a two-stroke mechanically speaking. Even that`s changed now though, they`re (KTM & Husky`s) are oil injected now ...no more mixing. I`ve heard though, and maybe this is when they just came out, that the pump that enables that had instances of failure, and a two-stroke with no oil, well that`s a problem? So again, the YZ250R and all the good that`s associated with it ...just in a 450 package. Like Honda`s done with their CRF450L.
All great points on this bike, well reviewed. For me, the key for increasing power is to open the air box and enrichen the fuel properly. (more air in, proper air/fuel mix, more exhaust out) This was one of the most dramatic changes I have experienced working on the 20+ dirt bikes I've owned. The FMF is a waste of money, but sounds pretty cool, and it's quite a bit lighter. And a re-gearing is a must. Stock gearing was terrible. Never the less, it will never be my FE350, my EXC450 or my big 990, but it still does a decent job. And I totally agree, suspension is FIRST.
As somebody who is getting back into dirt riding after many years on road only, the WR250 has been perfect for me: light weight, enough power to get me anywhere I care to go, and as reliable as an anvil. Does it make an ideal adventure bike? No, that’s not what it’s for. But as a trail bike carrying only me and some tools, it’s perfect.
i own a wr250r and was getting a little defensive at first... but after listening to the whole video, i think you're spot on. i changed the gearing on mine, because i wanted more torque off road... but now the on-road riding really sucks. but i love it anyway, i know what it's good at and what it's bad at, and i am ok with it.
Just curious, what size sprockets did you go with. I still have the stock gearing but I’m thinking of changing to a 47 in the rear for better dirt performance. I think it should still be okay gearing on the road.
@@toprankin1973 i went with a 14/50 combo. i didn't like the factory 13 up front because i felt like it was causing the chain to rub too much. so my ratio is 3.57 which is pretty close to your 3.61. i feel like your gearing will be a bit worse than mine on the road... unless you have some really tall tires. :)
I am at 14/49 right now, but I will try 14/51 next just to see what its like in bush. I feel like it might rev to high for highway stints with 51 rear.
The WR is one of those bikes where if you can get over that main hurdle (or rather learn to love that hurdle in my case), the lack of low end torque, it truly is the best dual-sport ever. Because the suspension can be made amazing and the geometry/frame is incredible for its intended purposes. It truly is better on road and off-road than a load of bikes out there, and that’s what makes it special. But you’ve gotta gear it down and ring that little motor’s neck all the time to get the most out of it. If you’re fine doing that it’s the perfect bike imo. You and I have completely different uses for our bikes though. Mine was basically a dedicated dirtbike and yours’ is more of a light ADV bike.
Thanks for the comment, definitely agree. I have recently changed to a 14 - 51 sprocket setup, and that makes all the difference, front wheel comes up nicely now. Also I thought the ringing the motors neck is so true. Its very happy in the upper revs, and pulls hard there. I found you really have to work the gear changes to keep it in that happy zone.
@@DriveOnLeft I have had two WR's, and I love them. I ahve raced 6-00's and YZ 250's. The WR is like VTEC Honda, happy at 4-5k rpm, but when we get to the gravel roads it will light up at12K !! I have checked out on the 450's, they don't like that !!
I Purchased a brand new 2011 WR 250X, then I purchased a KTM 690 in enduro thinking I would probably sell the WR but I sold the KTM 690 ! The WR is a keeper forever! wonderful machines and I also run it hard on the highways with no problems whatsoever. I know a bike mechanic in South Florida that had over 45,000 miles running it hard at 85 mph every day to work.
I went the other way, I had a 690 and bought the 250, then ended up selling the 690 :) They seem to be able to go forever with punishment. I need to put mine on a diet though. I put her on the scales and was very suprised.
what is your gearing? I run 13/46 (wr250x) and 13/48 (wr250r). Only place i possibly want more power now is highway running to rip past cagers. (that gearing also makes the 5th and 6th gear far more useable, but even still you won't be flying past people when you are above 50mph, it's still a 250 and has to chew its way to top speed [75-80mph?]). Would like to try out 14/50 gearing next. Larger rear sprocket really transforms the Wr's! Now i suppose if you are really pushing trails and off road to the limit and you are a big brass ball rider who really blasts everything out of the water. Then yeah, a plated dirt bike that is lighter, more power and fully focused for dirt riding is better, at the cost of short service intervals and potentially reliability/durability. But if you are doing that kind of riding you wouldn't put a huge desert tank on the bike, nor be riding a husky 701 or ktm 790, weight is king! (i love the large tank, got the 4.6 on my wr250x, but it adds bulk and weight). now all that said, i am looking at picking up a T7, but holding onto my wr250x (13/46 and shinko 700 tires) unless someone doles out top dollar for it. And that is from an honest evaluation that most of the time i'm more of a 70road/30dirt rider, even though i got the itch to do way more dirt, it just isn't happening right now. good review!
Im running 14/49 normally or if a dirt only trip, 14/51. I just sold my fuel programmer as the sprocket change made a larger difference. Only issue with a large rear sprocket is, when you then get on the highway the bike is reving its tits off. I just bought a 950 super enduro to even it out. Best of both worlds now haha
Dead right about the picking up the bike solo. I bought a DRZ400 instead ( cheaper, 30L fuel tank, power adequate for my 77 kg + gear) but suspension needed work and gear box needed new internals for a decent cruising speeds ( or change sprockets and abuse the clutch a lot in the hard stuff) . I bought a Tiger 800XCx 2015 for a long distance dirt road cruiser. It is not dirt bike, but it eats good dirt roads ( rough Oodnadatta Track for example) . BTW I can't even lift the DRZ fully ladened solo. I have to unload it first.
I have just invested in a large ADV bike too, but keeping the wr250r. Yeah the wr having a 6th gear is bloody great! One big advantage. Oodnadatta is great isn't it! Awesome scenery out there.
Looking for that 3rd bike..try a Ducati Desert Sled. I am absolutely in love with mine, a bit heavy at 390lbs but 75hp and 50lbs of torque moves it right along. On rails on pavement and very capable on dirt. Good Luck!
Where did you get the $8000 price tag from. Used? They're listed at $14,899 ride away on the Yamaha site. Have they become astronomically more expensive in the past year?
It's a nice bike, the positive points you raise would outweigh the lower output for quite a lot of riders , i.e. those of us who don't go far or fast but value light weight and reliability . Entertaining video, just subscribed .
Agreed, that extra power is missing but in my case I only get out occasionally and so am not always ready to use the extra power. I like the security of having a small bike in technical terrain.
Thanks David! Couldn't come to sell this bike now, there is no unicorn, but this is very close. I recently went to a 14 - 51 sprocket setup, and its made quite some difference in low end.
Obviously knew it would have less power, I thought I'd be ok with it. I thought having my 300exc would make me not miss the lack of power as much, but I was wrong. Its only on the open stuff that I miss the power really, in the mud and technical stuff its got more than enough.
I love my WR but agree that it's underpowered other than that it's a great bike and I'll always keep it yet Yamaha missed the mark by not making it a 450 from the start.
My WR had all of the usual exhaust / fueling mods when I purchased it, but I put it back to stock and found that there was very little difference. Other than a little bit of weight savings, the mods are not worth it. You are definitely correct concerning the suspension, especially the rear shock. I really like my WR and it's a keeper.
Good to hear someone agreeing! I've just sent my suspension off to be worked on, and bought a 51 tooth rear sprocket to see if I can get just a little more bottom end torque from her.
@@TheMrMikeo In what country do you live? That'll make a huge difference in shipping costs of your suspension. If you live in the U.S a company called Go Race would be a good option based on word of mouth (I haven't used them as of yet.) If you are in Australia, I'm sure that the author of this video can guide you in the right direction.
Curious if the air box was properly modified... doing the exhaust and fuel, without pairing with proper air intake is futile. If anyone is on the west coast and rides Hollister Hills, take my bike for a spin as comparison.
As a former wr owner ( I will own another one in the future) it does need more power for the road but it does make its power in a satisfying way- you really feel like you are wringing all the juice out of the engine.
@@DriveOnLeft Not for me. What kind of road riding? Highway, yeah. Easy country back roads with some twisties, no, it's just fine! Plenty of grins per mile. :)
Yup. It does not have much power. But it is a 250 dual sport. Really, what did you expect? On the road it is severely lacking. But the 690 is a pig in the dirt. I do understand what you’re saying. The WR250r is in my opinion the best bike made if you want just one bike to be adequate in all situations. If you can afford more than one bike then perfection is attainable, just not in all situations, on any one bike.
Having owned the ktm 690 before, I was actually quite shocked at how under powered it felt. It has 1/3 the power of the 690 sure, but is also lighter. Putting on a 14 51 sprocket on the wr, gave it a little more up and go. The wr lacks low down torque, so I find having to keep it in the high rpms all the time a bit annoying, but it is what it is. The reliability and light weight out ways the lack of power. My new bike has more than enough power to put a smile on my face.
I went from a Tenere XTZ 660 and R1100GS to a WR....the WR is way more forgiving in the dirt and so easy to ride. Great ADV bike when the suspension is done and a big tand with a Seat Concepts seat. Underpowered in headwinds...yes...and overtaking trucks...yes.....but in the dirt....fantastic even for a moderate rider carrying all the camping gear...
Ive gone from DR650 to KTM690 to the WR250R, and it is most definitely the most fun in the dirt and very forgiving! I find in the deep sand, is where it really struggles, id agree that in the dirt its adequate.
Got an R1200GS (2011) and also own an 08 WR250R. Good mix. I do my long distance trips on the GS and short hops and off-road on the WR. You have a list of mods you’ve done to your WR?
I also have the same motorcycle properly equipped for long distances. I agree with your every word, your remarks are very honest. This little adventure bike has some features that you will not find anywhere else and I think they are not worth missing, especially when the maintenance costs are so low. I am convinced after five years with her that there is more to lose than to gain. I'm afraid we often flirt with the beauty of fireworks, forgetting the value of a steady flight. A good solution is to buy an extra motorcycle (if you can) rather than sell the WR250R. If you can not buy an extra motorcycle better stay with it, sooner or later you will appreciate it.
Hey Mate! Awesome comment, very true! And yes, I have just bought another bike, with a lot more power. Keeping the WR250R for a while yet :) Hope to have some videos of the new bike soon!
Love my WRR also, great for trail riding and a little commuting. As you say, always wish it had a little more power. 48T rear sprocket helped a lot, as did a custom seat and heavier springs for me. Totally reliable and low maintenence. Not a hard core enduro setup and not a long haul adv bike. Its a dual sport compromise.
@@DriveOnLeft valving too... and the shock is a pogo stick. Rebound cranked all the way up still kicks you out od the seat. Teknik suspension. Suggestion: Get a set of supermoto wheels, and beat the piss out if it on the street
@@supermotardrider Try cranking up the compression to max too...it will trim the pogo effect cause there will be less energy stored in the spring on return.
@@williamjordan4693 I've got both maxed out. Im only 169lbs, and try and travel light. Its still terrible. Its a great little do-it-all bike. I don't mind throwing a bit of money at the suspension.
I have an 05 WR250 I hated the power until it was worn out and I put the 290 kit in turned it into a pretty good woods bike, but i ride tight midwest trails in the USA.
Yeah I have heard of the 290 kit for the 250r. I have heard that the bigger piston adds a bit more vibration. Wouldnt matter as much in tight single though.
My adventure bike is a KLR650 for the long rides on pavement and limited forest road riding, but it's too heavy for a true off-road bike. It carries a ton of fuel and super reliable, and it's still old-school (carb, no digital electronics) so anyone can work on it anywhere in the world. But for offroad riding and a little on-road riding I'm getting the new Honda CT125. I have owned half a dozen of the old CT90/110 bikes and they were great, but the engines were too small to do 55 mph on the road.
Thats awesome! I had a CT110 for about 6 months, what a fun little bike. They are super easy to work on as well. Slap the xr fuel tank on it, and you had huge amount of range!
On paper, the KTM690 should be the best dual sport to buy and I want one soooo bad, BUT....even 2020 models suffer from slave cylinder and counter sprocket seal failures amongst other issues that have been reported to KTM for a number of years. So I will stick with my DRZ400E until there is a better all rounder.
@@DriveOnLeft Actually, look up some of the YT videos on two bikes on the same path - it is fascinating to watch. In most cases the times will be identical as the strengths and weaknesses cancel each other out!
I went from Tiger 800 > KLX250 > WR250F > CRF450X for my plated offroad rides. I WISH i kept the KLX after i had it decked out. So got a WR250R and its perfect for exploring i do. The last 2 had around 45hp and it was too much, it spun or stood up. Have way more fun pinning it on the KLX and WRR and having the tire hook up while not worrying bout blowing the motor
I tell you what, when its winter and muddy to all hell, especially on clay surfaces, I love the fact that it has minimal power! With my 690 I would always land on my arse from the rear stepping out.
did install the athena 290 kit, X3 silencer, pc fc plus suspension revalve , now it is a lot more fun to ride- if you want keep it the extra grunt is very nice to have but all my expenses added up I could have bought a new SWM RS 500R... I wish the WRR would be/feel even lighter. In deep sand it feels very heavy and other bikes especially 2 strokes seem to be more driftable (maybe I am too heavy)
Yeah, thats the issue isnt it. If I add all the pure power and suspension mods, I could have almost just bought a second hand KTM 500 haha In the sand, a little more torque would really help the little bike. I think that would make it feel lighter IMO.
Would you consider an AJP PR7 roadworthy enough? I have a WR too but wonder if different enough. T700 is an obvious choice but pretty darn heavy. Can’t wait to see where you head
The PR7 I think lacks the manufacturing support here in Aus from what I read on their Facebook group. The 700 is a contender. Decent in the dirt for its weight and will much up highway kms. Just the 74hp seems lacking when compared to the 790 ktm. Heck the 690 puts out the same hp as the 700 tenere. In the end, the reliability of the 700 would trump both those ktms!
I have a KTM too and it’s not easy to not worry. Just a little RC. I have a replacement fan ready to go lol. Annoying to always have in mind. Watching for leaks too. Maybe Suzuki will save the day soon? 🤞Or I get comfortable on a big arse T700 😀 I expect the AJP will replace the KTM for me soon - similar to DR weight but much better equipment. Risk for certain. Wish they had more dealers etc
This is spot on. I Still love my WRR After 14,000 km, but am thinking about another more powerful bike too. Can’t decide between KTM 690 or a 350 EXC. First world problem.
Soo, I own a Hayabusa and want this wr250r as a 2nd fun bike to play with. I live more urban, with sparce small forest preserves so most of riding would be streets. Would I have fun on this to just explore? Would it feel like a child's toy? 🤔 or would it be fun to be able to actually twist the throttle without making a flight plan with nasa. I want something different u know?
If you aren't planning on doing off road a lot, then I wouldn't bother with the wr250r. You will be bored with this bike if your other is a Hayabusa. Maybe look at a CRF450L
Been riding for 40 year and no, for me power is minimal in the fun equation. Had a lot of fun for 3 season with a 21 hp cbr250r going everywhere 1000 miles plus trips.
Thats great! I suppose having a 300 two-stroke makes me really feel the lack of power, when switching between the two. I agree though, while being a learner, and being restricted to low power bikes, I had great times, definitely not all about the power.
@@DriveOnLeft The most fun I had with a bike was on a Duke 690 and also the 390. And ... also the duke 890 8) Light, nimble, incredible road handling. Too bad the reliability sucks with KTM's... :(
Im slightly kicking myself for not getting a ktm500 off the hop. I got the wr, upgrades suspension, some tuning and parts, and i could have gotten a ktm500exc instead. My friend has a ktm500 ive ridden it back to back and its phenomenal. If a wr250r is a survival pocket knife then ktm is like a katana. Power is unbelievable. A wr250 with some good mods is around 4500-5000 here, and a ktm500exc is creeping into sub 6000 dollar territory here. Maybe next year or something if i can find a trade or a buyer I will get upto the ktm. Not because the wr is bad but because the ktm is just more refined. The wr will teach you to be a better rider though.
Hey mate, I am in the same situation. A friend who I ride with all the time has a 500exc. It feels great, and should, its a full Enduro bike I guess. I found it to have a little to much vibration though, and of course the service intervals are very different. I think a WR250R is a great bike if you can only have one bike. Its a bit more road orientated than the 500. In saying that, one day I will have a 500 EXC :)
Just watched this one again and now a year into owning mine I totally agree BUT thinking of selling it and getting the Beta399rr, have you considered it?
Standard throttle stop, all the enviro crap removed and the fuel controller was a ejk I believe, with standard Yamaha ecu. You can spend 3k extra to get 5 more horsepower. Or just buy a more powerful bike with the 3k and get 40hp is my opinion.
@@DriveOnLeft Thanks for the reponse. Wouldn't a WR250F been as reliable and still have more power? There are enduro kits to make the F street legal, and it weighs a lot less than the R. I rode a stock 2020 WR250R and it was diving hard in the front forks under front breaking..., my Tenere 700 is twice the weight and doesn't dive like the WR did.
Not sure if the F would be as reliable. The F needs a lot more maintenance than the R. The lower power of the R is what gives it its longevity. The 6th gear helps on the road too. Not sure if a 250 pure enduro bike would be good doing 500km days on the high way. How long have you had the T7 for?
@@DriveOnLeft 4 months... SUPER heavy, but drives beautiful, just can't get stupid on it like a low power low weight bike. Rode a wr450F and it was a monster but very controllable..Elements of the Tenere on a lighter more nimble frame. I think the 250F and 450F share the same frame size.
@@DriveOnLeft Sounds funny to ask this, but what riding pants do you have on in this video. Nice 👍 My wr is getting done in shop now. It will suite my needs, as I’m not getting any younger. Lol
Did the fuel controller fix the jerky throttle responce? I am about ready to sell it because it is so jerky. It's just dangerous and uncomfortable to ride. You cannot give it just a little, without it lurching forward.
To be honest, I've never had that issue, even before the fuel programmer. What other mods have you done? Have you removed all the environmental shit on it?
@@DriveOnLeft No it is completely factory as far as I know. I got it used, but is only a year old and 3000miles. I don't see any signs of modifications to the engine, just the removal of the huge back fender. It is like it has no coast setting. It is either supplying fuel to accelerate or engine braking. Not much of a middle ground between like the gradual transition a carborator has. At slow speeds standing, it tends to throw you over the bars. Not too violently, but enough that it isn't comfortable standing, and a bit of a safety hazard.
Court 13/48 gearing and a g2 throttle. Also some bar risers helped my positioning standing. The first 2 mods made all of the difference at speeds under 10mph.
@@whoscook4481 Not familiar with the g2 throttle, but plan to add risers as I am quite tall and change the rear sprocket. I was leaning toward 50 though as I'd rather have torque than high speed. That or 14 : 54 Which is the same ratio. I have wondered about the fuel controllers, some say they help, and others not so much. I am skeptical because they still feed the data thru the factory software. It appears they are just tricking the bike by altering the sensor inputs. They are pretty pricey to fix that issue. Yamaha just needs to provide less crappy control software.
Court I opened air box, removed catalyst from factory exhaust, no toil air filter, removed the exup valve and ais system. I didn’t do a tuner I went into the co settings and moved it to 60 from 0 stock (this gives you fuel on the bottom 15% after opening the bike up). No tuner and over 1500 miles since these mods. These mods done by yourself cost very little if you weld for the exhaust mod. Don’t change the factory header at all. Totally different bike now. I also modded a better exhaust tip. I love my bike just riding trails or up to 70 mph now. Great bike. I didn’t feel this way when I first got it though.
@@DriveOnLeft Agreed. Designed with the longevity and maintenance intervals the same as the 250. Would be less power than the YZ, but most think you don't that much anyway.
I've heard it adds a lot more vibration to the bike due to the heavier piston. Not sure of the power gain, doubt it would be 15hp more :) Something to look into none the less.
I looked at the rally too, but if I remember correctly the CRF suspension was a smaller diameter and the bike a bit heavier. In saying that, the rally has a larger tank and a screen, all things I added to my WR :)
I bought mine earlier this rear, its nice to see the same opinions. for the price you get so much bike. closest you can get here stateside is the 450 from honda... with with more maintenance. hopefully yamaha brings out the tenere 350-400 that i’ve heard about in the rumor mill.
The 450L here in Australia, you get the detuned version. You still have to pay another 1k for the tuned ecu and exhaust. I find that crazy! I hope so too, there seems to be a lot of want for something like that from the community. Lets see if they listen.
That bike in a 450, like Honda`s done, and it would sell like hotcakes! AS LONG AS THEY KEEP THE MAINTENANCE INTERVALES WITHIN REASON ...and similar to the 250`s.
Yeah thats it, I was so happy when I heard about Hondas 450, then service intervals were announced, and I thought, great........... Might as well just buy a 500exc. 450 with 40hp and 10,000km service intervals would be sweet!
It’s a 250. What did you expect when you bought it? My old corolla is slow but I don’t expect it to be fast. I’m so sick of people complaining about 250s.
DriveOnLeft I own a CRF250L that has less power according to everyone on the internet. The WR isn’t slow compared to other 250s. Now if you compare it to a 690 or whatever is close to that CC then it will be. Don’t expect a fish to climb a tree lol. The WR is a fantastic bike I’m sure!
I knew it was going to be much slower than the 690, I just don't agree with people who say a bigger sprocket and exhaust will make it fun. It will always be underpowered. Just got to enjoy it for what it is :)
Last bike I had for any kind of off road was a Yammie DT125 back in the 90s when I was in my 20s. I've always been a road bike man. Now I live in Oz I want an off road bike and the WR is on the list, yet everything about the power makes me want a bigger cc bike so I can ride it to the "off road" ...........Ahh the ever elusive Unicorn
Yeah, going full Enduro is one option. Why not the Beta 500 though? If you havent heard of Aaron Steinmann, he went around the world on a 500exc, did over 100,00kms, so it is possible for these smaller Enduros to do it. I am just weary of the lack of 6th gear and increased vibrations from these Enduro motors. Something nice about the WR being able to sit on tarmac relatively comfortable for short periods of time.
@@DriveOnLeft totally. I will mostly shoet ADV and single track the 390 and that's a magic number for us in BC Canada, insirance goes up substantially at 400cc displacement. ;)
I bought a new 2020 WR and have had it for just over a month. I'm not a new rider. I rode for many years offroad when I was younger, and then on-road as well, and have had many bikes, some smaller than the WR and some larger. I'm getting back into biking at age 57 and decided that the WR would meet my needs. To say that the WR is "slow and underpowered" is, IMO, unfair. You should qualify that statement. Slow and underpowered compared to what? An XT250? (no) A Honda 250 dual-sport? (no) A KTM390 or 690? (probably yes) It may very well be slow and underpowered compared to the other bikes you've ridden or owned, but let's be clear - it's a 250. From the stats I've seen, the WR has good power "for its size," and has hp that is even on par with the new Kawi 300 and possibly the Honda as well. You know what I've noticed on youtube? That the WR is often compared to MUCH larger bikes, whether a KTM690, or DRZ400, etc. That should tell you something about just how good the WR is. I can't even fully comment on the WR's power yet, as I'm still breaking mine in and taking it easy on the engine. (for the most part) Even now, I think it pulls strongly in gears 1-3 with stock gearing, and I'm 265 lbs! I am happy that it likes to rev, for a 4-stroke, and look forward to being able to blast around WFO most of the time after break-in. I do know that it will have enough power for MY type of riding, which will be mostly country back roads, and possibly some easy offroad trails. (offroad riding is very limited in my area) I'm glad you did acknowledge the bike's many good points. My biggest complaint so far is the seat. Any ride of 45 mins. or longer becomes painful. I ordered a Seat Concepts seat and hope it's much better! haha Also, glad you are keeping this very capable dual-sport!!
I’m a weak 170lb male with health problems and can pick up a gsa. If I can pick it up anyone can. Would I want to pick it up multiple times a hour? no. But the occasional spill every hour or so is no big deal. I don’t take it where I take my WR by a long shot but the hyperbole is not necessary. Your possibly steering someone away from buying a gsa with fears that they can’t pick it up. But!!!! I do Love your vids and I have been a long time subscriber
Hey mate, thanks for the great comment! Many mates with loaded GS1200's cant pick them back up. Which is scary, but then again, I wouldnt go doing hard riding on my own with a packed up GS1200. They are great bikes, just a different tool compared to the little WR :)
Great vid! I’m in the same boat now I’m looking at 500exc or Wr450f. I’ve done so crazy long kms on my wr and it’s been super reliable in the outback but now I want wheelie power lol
Yes, I think this is every wr owners niggling issue. Ive watched some of your vids, and ridden on many of the same roads you did on the wr. Its on those long straight roads, or deep sand that I can only wish for a bit more power to make it slightly more interesting. I honestly think, you have to have two bikes to cover all types of adventure riding. The 700 tenere is looking like a good stable mate.
wr250r yoshi pipe, dynojet, kenda trackmaster2s 36k miles. worked great for me as first real bike. alot of aggressive trail riding keeping up with ktm 450s, drz 400 and worked banshee. be careful,... my stator was replaced first year due to recall and the second one blew in about a year. only warning was the lights got a little blinky at idle. when it died it did it with absolutely no warning so be careful if you are far from help. Im ready for a tenere 700 or ktm 690. if yamaha made a street legal version of that wr450 that would be an option. No joke i have taken plenty of hill climbs or sets of woops at 70 mph on that thing. Long island, ny, usa. sandy/sandy clay soil.
Hey mate, sounds like you have really used that thing! Fingers crossed my Stator has not died yet. Probably worth me taking a spare one, on any long trips just incase. Im ready for the WR450R too!
Yep summed it up well imo. Great all rounder trail bike that’s a bit fat generally and underpowered on the road but with Teknik suspension it can do almost anything in the Bush. Cheap reliable fun. Top bike.
I have ridden with those guys a few times, that was just absolute bad luck. If that was a ktm people would be saying, of course its a ktm. Reason people are shocked is because it's a wr250r.
@@DriveOnLeft I know, I own an exc500 and bought it after a huge amount of research. I have seen examples of the mighty DR650 blowing up so no bike is beyond the odd failure. The only modern bike with genuine reliability issues was the ktm 690 in the years up to 2013 thereabouts. Scores of failures including Toms
My 690 was a 2012 so I know exactly what you were talk about haha luckily I never had as bad as Tom's issues. I've seen posts in the 790 group that they are having issues and loads of recalls. 500 exc is built proof though, I was considering it after reading up on the New Zealander that put over 100,000km on his.
DriveOnLeft Spot on, you are talking about Kiwi Aaron who did 140,000 km of trouble free riding. 1st work at 60,000 km with a new head and 1st motor pull down at 100,000 km. That is what convinced me of the reliability of the 500 motors.
Btw, I gotta add that it amuses me with all the hype (in general) about large cc "adventure bikes" today. Great for road riding? Sure! Offroad - not so much. Easy offroading, okay, maybe. Anything more than that - and I laugh. Weight is the enemy of offroad riding. Try dropping a VStrom 650 or a BMW 1200 2 or 3 times on hill climbs, and picking them up again. Then tell me what a great offroad bike it is! lol
Good review and pretty spot on IMO after owning one for almost a year now. Personally I think the problem with these bikes is that most people try to make them adventure bikes. After owning half a dozen ADVs ranging in the 500 to 1150 size range, I would argue that if you by a WR250R and try to make it an ADV bike, you will eventually be disappointed. That being said, they make great light weight, short range ADV bikes. I use mine as such but truck it out to the adventure location.
No doubt those wr250 are the most reliable small bike out maybe apart from a drz400 but I brought the Honda 450L wanted a KTM 450 but the service intervals on the Honda flogged the KTM on that the only good thing about the KTM is the weight plus KTM are not reliable what so ever and they need rebuilds every 5000 km 😂 but I’m defiantly thinking of getting one of those WR250s they are little weapons and never die
Got a WRR for trail and slow touring and a 650 Vstrom for getting somewhere on roads. Neither will break, both were pretty cheap. I find the WRR has enough power if you ring it's neck. I'm overall trying to go smooth and not so much fast. Good Review though. I want to get my suspension sorted too.
Was thinking of maybe a second hand 990 KTM for some touring and gravel roads, lets see what happens. I just got the suspension done, and wow. I don't clench when I see a pot hole any more, it just glides over haha
Bought a WRR. Learned to ride on it. Put a MT21 front/D606 back, ASV levers and 14/51 gearing on it. Ride it through desert, mountains, rivers, singletrack, sand/mud/snow/ice - no problem. Couldn't be happier. Started my own RUclips channel (Temple of Dirt) dedicated to WR250R adventures.
Hey Mate, I made it myself. I have a link in my channel to a how to, so everyone can make one for there wr250r. ruclips.net/video/58QVzv7iJEg/видео.html
yea, hard to beat a 250 for trail riding, medium enduro and fun! But yea not really and adventure bike, if you convert it to that then it looses it's advantages.
With some upgraded suspension, I am sure it could do the light weight adv a bit better. I've added about 5kg in parts to make it more ADV ready, so still quite a light little bike, which can still handle the trails. Use my 300exc for proper enduro though!
A street legal WR450R should be the next bike Yamaha makes. MSRP at or below the Honda CRF450L with the tuner app included and they'd sell alot of them. That being said...the KTM500EXC is currently the best dual sport hand's down. Powerful and crazy light weight. KTM needs to shave at least 15 kilos off the 690.
Agree the 500exc is the best. Vibrates a bit to much for me compared to the wr250r. Nearly bought my mates ktm. If I was going be to on dirt 90 percent, I'd buy the 500.
It's a little light on power but that was the appeal for me. I have a Honda 450r for power but the wr is a great little adventure bike that I don't have to feather the throttle In single track trails or nasty stuff. Love the little guy. That being said after paying it off in a year or two I'll be picking up the t7.
I think you should go with the Honda 450L or the Ktm 690 that’s seems to be the type of bike you need overall the 690 would suit you better it’s only 146kg ish has plenty of power and pretty decent service intervals or maybe the husky 701 ?
I think the 690 is actually more around 160kg wet, vs the WR at 135kg wet. I have had a 690 prior to the wr250r, and it would definitely be a contender again for a weekender. I just don't have much trust in it with its many issues from the past. I have heard the new ones are better these days and have less issues.
Dr650 that has been worked is the best compromise. I don't trust the 690 nore the 450L. T7 and 790 too much $$. I've been down every road, a DR650 with $3000 in mods is the shit
DR650 was my first adventure bike. I loved it. Moved to other bikes to try something different. I agree with you though, its a great bike with a few mods.
@@DriveOnLeft Good idea to pick one up in the next few years as they are going to be cut from production 2024 and will become sort after. They are cut from New Zealand next year due to no ABS
Yes, I have thought about it. Ive heard that they induce a lot more vibrations to the bike due to the heavier piston though. The one thing I love about the WR is how smooth it is. Do you know how much power you gain?
@@DriveOnLeft Not sure, I have a DRZ400E and lots of guys in the FB groups are happy with the extra torque from 440cc kits in their DRZs. I suspect it'd be a great addition to your WR in particular, as you already have the fuel tuner and pipe. You would gain torque right across the board, especially a great thing for the low and mid-range on the 250.
Service intervals just a bit to high for my liking. Already have the 300EXC, not sure I want to be servicing two Enduro Bikes. The CRF450L is another option, slightly longer service intervals, but still Enduro service intervals in the end. Lack of 6 gear and vibrations also put me off.
Why would you compare a WR to a KTM 690?? Two totally different animals. And why would you compare it to a old out dated pig the DRZ. You might just be happy with the WR250F not the R model. Or just by a KTM 350 exc f dual sport bike. Perfect all around bike! Great motor, suspension, light weight, great handling. I purchased my 2020 350 exc f out the door for 10,200.00 US dollars. A couple grand more than a WR250 but you get so much more for the dollar. You spent 1000.00 on motor and suspension upgrades and still isn’t as good as a Ktm 350 exc f.
@@DriveOnLeft Versys is tailored to more street riding. Has some trail capability, obviously no where near the wr. Best in class fuel capacity. 40 hp. Affordable. Relatively light. But yeah im in the same boat as you. Im torn between the wr and the versys myself. Im planning on doing the Baja 1000 and cant make a decision lol
Every new dual sport has more power than it other than the crf250l I believe. Do I miss power yes. Can you get more power out of it. Not really. Like I said in the video though, 90 percent of the time I dont care, its only when the roads open up that I wish it had a bit more.
Really mate you should have researched the 250 specifications before you bought it...sure you wanted to build an adv bike but really slapping a tank and a set of hand guards on and forgetting about the suspension is not building a bike. Cry all you like about a manufacturer but you chose it.
@@DriveOnLeft yeah mate I listened to the end. For carrying stuff you need cubes and stability. Sure it a good bike even with a bigger tank. But you want a n roads tourer then it hasn't got the platform. And suspension is far more important than outright power
If you buy the WR250R looking for loads of power, you’re buying it for the wrong reason lol. It’s not even worth comparing to the 690 because they’re bikes built for entirely different purposes.
This is the perfect bike to own for someone who loves riding but doesn't get out as much as they would like. My review after owning one for 2 years is that I really like it. It's forgiving, light, adventurous, good for learning new skills and gives thrills on rough tracks. If you want to take a passenger or load up for a long trip then it's not the best bike as it gets overwhelmed with the weight. I weigh 75 and go camping with 12kg of luggage and it works beautifully.
Hey mate, yeah its a great little bike for sure, I think your weight is perfect. I am 85kg and often take 20kg of weight, which would include 5l fuel and 5l of water. This just over loads the suspension completely! Luckily for me, I have finally upgraded this :)
Goes from a 690 to a 250 and wonders where all the power is.
And then back to a 690 and wonders where the reliability has gone haha
It blew me away that those 2 bikes were even mentioned in the same video. "The 690 has way more power!" THANK YOU CAPTAIN OBVIOUS! That would be like comparing a ktm 690 to a kawasaki H2R. Has triple the horsepower, and is STILL more reliable than a ktm. The only good engine from ktm has 2 strokes, not 4.
I just want a modern-ish, lightweight XT500
The WR250R is a perfect bike for my needs. Wishing a 250cc bike had more power doesn’t make sense to me. I just picked up a TW200 and I love it; I could say it’s underpowered, but that just sounds stupid when I say it out loud.
Im wishing they make a 450r with maybe 40hp. Something with a little bit of up and go.
Same here. Did the bigger thing, did the KTM thing... and to be honest, while I miss the power and the suspension. I realize I'd much rather be riding (at a somewhat slower pace) and not spend as much time wrenching on the bike.
Slowing down will also reduce the number of injuries, which is kind of nice as you get "older"
When you get another 690 lets go into the bush and race me on my WR and see if you need power or nottttttttttttttt
Hmmm.... last time I rode with you on my 690 my bike blew smoke for half the ride. Come on, you have to admit its not fun on the road. That's why you have the 790!
You need to be making video`s Tom, not commenting on them! How the hell are we suppose to make it through this Covid shit ...without the epic adventures? Just wheelie through the blockades!
@Michael Pullins Oh it`s not that, I`m only 5'7 and 158lbs. I`ve got a KTM EXC-F250 (but its a every 30hr maintenance hog) and a BMW R1200 GS Adventure) perfect for hard-pack dirt, and obviously the highway. It`s just that I wish Yamaha would come out with a 450 that has the maintenance intervals and dependability of the WR250R ...which I`ve always heard is legendary. Plus ...I`m a guy, and we always need ANOTHER bike. Cheers!
Michael Pullins I’ve ridden single tracks with my wife on the back of my WR250R and it’s been fine, I weigh like 75-80kg but I couldn’t see it being an issue unless you like 150kg
@Michael Pullins The YZ450F isn`t street legal ...here in the US anyway. KTM`s two strokes I can`t really speak to (it`s always been YZ125&250`s for me) but I`d assume not, a two-stroke is a two-stroke mechanically speaking. Even that`s changed now though, they`re (KTM & Husky`s) are oil injected now ...no more mixing. I`ve heard though, and maybe this is when they just came out, that the pump that enables that had instances of failure, and a two-stroke with no oil, well that`s a problem? So again, the YZ250R and all the good that`s associated with it ...just in a 450 package. Like Honda`s done with their CRF450L.
Great review. I also had a modded WRR, sold it due to the reasons you list. Wish they did a 400 version.
What did you end up buying?
@@DriveOnLeft It looks like he's running a KTM 500 EXC-F (Six Days) for the dirt rides
All great points on this bike, well reviewed.
For me, the key for increasing power is to open the air box and enrichen the fuel properly. (more air in, proper air/fuel mix, more exhaust out) This was one of the most dramatic changes I have experienced working on the 20+ dirt bikes I've owned. The FMF is a waste of money, but sounds pretty cool, and it's quite a bit lighter. And a re-gearing is a must. Stock gearing was terrible. Never the less, it will never be my FE350, my EXC450 or my big 990, but it still does a decent job. And I totally agree, suspension is FIRST.
As somebody who is getting back into dirt riding after many years on road only, the WR250 has been perfect for me: light weight, enough power to get me anywhere I care to go, and as reliable as an anvil. Does it make an ideal adventure bike? No, that’s not what it’s for. But as a trail bike carrying only me and some tools, it’s perfect.
Yeah, its a very versatile bike for sure. I have moved on to the 501 Husky now.
i own a wr250r and was getting a little defensive at first... but after listening to the whole video, i think you're spot on. i changed the gearing on mine, because i wanted more torque off road... but now the on-road riding really sucks. but i love it anyway, i know what it's good at and what it's bad at, and i am ok with it.
Just curious, what size sprockets did you go with. I still have the stock gearing but I’m thinking of changing to a 47 in the rear for better dirt performance. I think it should still be okay gearing on the road.
@@toprankin1973 i went with a 14/50 combo. i didn't like the factory 13 up front because i felt like it was causing the chain to rub too much. so my ratio is 3.57 which is pretty close to your 3.61. i feel like your gearing will be a bit worse than mine on the road... unless you have some really tall tires. :)
I am at 14/49 right now, but I will try 14/51 next just to see what its like in bush. I feel like it might rev to high for highway stints with 51 rear.
The WR is one of those bikes where if you can get over that main hurdle (or rather learn to love that hurdle in my case), the lack of low end torque, it truly is the best dual-sport ever. Because the suspension can be made amazing and the geometry/frame is incredible for its intended purposes.
It truly is better on road and off-road than a load of bikes out there, and that’s what makes it special. But you’ve gotta gear it down and ring that little motor’s neck all the time to get the most out of it. If you’re fine doing that it’s the perfect bike imo.
You and I have completely different uses for our bikes though. Mine was basically a dedicated dirtbike and yours’ is more of a light ADV bike.
Thanks for the comment, definitely agree. I have recently changed to a 14 - 51 sprocket setup, and that makes all the difference, front wheel comes up nicely now. Also I thought the ringing the motors neck is so true. Its very happy in the upper revs, and pulls hard there. I found you really have to work the gear changes to keep it in that happy zone.
@@DriveOnLeft I have had two WR's, and I love them. I ahve raced 6-00's and YZ 250's. The WR is like VTEC Honda, happy at 4-5k rpm, but when we get to the gravel roads it will light up at12K !! I have checked out on the 450's, they don't like that !!
I Purchased a brand new 2011 WR 250X, then I purchased a KTM 690 in enduro thinking I would probably sell the WR but I sold the KTM 690 ! The WR is a keeper forever! wonderful machines and I also run it hard on the highways with no problems whatsoever. I know a bike mechanic in South Florida that had over 45,000 miles running it hard at 85 mph every day to work.
I went the other way, I had a 690 and bought the 250, then ended up selling the 690 :) They seem to be able to go forever with punishment. I need to put mine on a diet though. I put her on the scales and was very suprised.
Great to hear you're keeping the WR, it's an awesome bike.
I love it, and hope to do many more trips on it, until they make a WR450R :)
Had a wr250r , now have a 701...still miss the wr250r as soon as I hit the dirt.
God yamaha need to make a WR500R
Maybe with it being discontinued they might make the unicorn bike. I'd be happy with even a 400.
what is your gearing? I run 13/46 (wr250x) and 13/48 (wr250r). Only place i possibly want more power now is highway running to rip past cagers. (that gearing also makes the 5th and 6th gear far more useable, but even still you won't be flying past people when you are above 50mph, it's still a 250 and has to chew its way to top speed [75-80mph?]). Would like to try out 14/50 gearing next. Larger rear sprocket really transforms the Wr's!
Now i suppose if you are really pushing trails and off road to the limit and you are a big brass ball rider who really blasts everything out of the water. Then yeah, a plated dirt bike that is lighter, more power and fully focused for dirt riding is better, at the cost of short service intervals and potentially reliability/durability.
But if you are doing that kind of riding you wouldn't put a huge desert tank on the bike, nor be riding a husky 701 or ktm 790, weight is king! (i love the large tank, got the 4.6 on my wr250x, but it adds bulk and weight).
now all that said, i am looking at picking up a T7, but holding onto my wr250x (13/46 and shinko 700 tires) unless someone doles out top dollar for it. And that is from an honest evaluation that most of the time i'm more of a 70road/30dirt rider, even though i got the itch to do way more dirt, it just isn't happening right now.
good review!
Im running 14/49 normally or if a dirt only trip, 14/51. I just sold my fuel programmer as the sprocket change made a larger difference. Only issue with a large rear sprocket is, when you then get on the highway the bike is reving its tits off. I just bought a 950 super enduro to even it out. Best of both worlds now haha
Dead right about the picking up the bike solo. I bought a DRZ400 instead ( cheaper, 30L fuel tank, power adequate for my 77 kg + gear) but suspension needed work and gear box needed new internals for a decent cruising speeds ( or change sprockets and abuse the clutch a lot in the hard stuff) .
I bought a Tiger 800XCx 2015 for a long distance dirt road cruiser. It is not dirt bike, but it eats good dirt roads ( rough Oodnadatta Track for example) . BTW I can't even lift the DRZ fully ladened solo. I have to unload it first.
I have just invested in a large ADV bike too, but keeping the wr250r. Yeah the wr having a 6th gear is bloody great! One big advantage. Oodnadatta is great isn't it! Awesome scenery out there.
Looking for that 3rd bike..try a Ducati Desert Sled. I am absolutely in love with mine, a bit heavy at 390lbs but 75hp and 50lbs of torque moves it right along. On rails on pavement and very capable on dirt. Good Luck!
Thanks! Been looking at those. A decent rack on the back would make it good for overnighters too!
Where did you get the $8000 price tag from. Used? They're listed at $14,899 ride away on the Yamaha site. Have they become astronomically more expensive in the past year?
It's a nice bike, the positive points you raise would outweigh the lower output for quite a lot of riders , i.e. those of us who don't go far or fast but value light weight and reliability . Entertaining video, just subscribed .
Agreed, that extra power is missing but in my case I only get out occasionally and so am not always ready to use the extra power. I like the security of having a small bike in technical terrain.
Thanks David! Couldn't come to sell this bike now, there is no unicorn, but this is very close. I recently went to a 14 - 51 sprocket setup, and its made quite some difference in low end.
i dont get the comparison, you're talking about a KTM 690 and wanting more power from a wr250r , its a 250cc what did you exspect
Obviously knew it would have less power, I thought I'd be ok with it. I thought having my 300exc would make me not miss the lack of power as much, but I was wrong. Its only on the open stuff that I miss the power really, in the mud and technical stuff its got more than enough.
More power.
I love my WR but agree that it's underpowered other than that it's a great bike and I'll always keep it yet Yamaha missed the mark by not making it a 450 from the start.
My WR had all of the usual exhaust / fueling mods when I purchased it, but I put it back to stock and found that there was very little difference. Other than a little bit of weight savings, the mods are not worth it. You are definitely correct concerning the suspension, especially the rear shock. I really like my WR and it's a keeper.
Good to hear someone agreeing! I've just sent my suspension off to be worked on, and bought a 51 tooth rear sprocket to see if I can get just a little more bottom end torque from her.
I have a stock bike, glad i dont have to worry about the mods. Where can I find the right information about getting the suspension done correctly?
@@TheMrMikeo
In what country do you live? That'll make a huge difference in shipping costs of your suspension. If you live in the U.S a company called Go Race would be a good option based on word of mouth (I haven't used them as of yet.) If you are in Australia, I'm sure that the author of this video can guide you in the right direction.
Curious if the air box was properly modified... doing the exhaust and fuel, without pairing with proper air intake is futile. If anyone is on the west coast and rides Hollister Hills, take my bike for a spin as comparison.
hows the shock worked out? I might do mine if its worth it@@DriveOnLeft
If they made a WR450R I'd definitely buy it, it's the lack of power that puts me off. Great review brutha.
As a former wr owner ( I will own another one in the future) it does need more power for the road but it does make its power in a satisfying way- you really feel like you are wringing all the juice out of the engine.
Agree 100%, its the power on road that is lacking to put a smile on your face.
@@DriveOnLeft Not for me. What kind of road riding? Highway, yeah. Easy country back roads with some twisties, no, it's just fine! Plenty of grins per mile. :)
Yup. It does not have much power. But it is a 250 dual sport. Really, what did you expect? On the road it is severely lacking. But the 690 is a pig in the dirt. I do understand what you’re saying. The WR250r is in my opinion the best bike made if you want just one bike to be adequate in all situations. If you can afford more than one bike then perfection is attainable, just not in all situations, on any one bike.
Having owned the ktm 690 before, I was actually quite shocked at how under powered it felt. It has 1/3 the power of the 690 sure, but is also lighter. Putting on a 14 51 sprocket on the wr, gave it a little more up and go. The wr lacks low down torque, so I find having to keep it in the high rpms all the time a bit annoying, but it is what it is. The reliability and light weight out ways the lack of power. My new bike has more than enough power to put a smile on my face.
I went from a Tenere XTZ 660 and R1100GS to a WR....the WR is way more forgiving in the dirt and so easy to ride. Great ADV bike when the suspension is done and a big tand with a Seat Concepts seat. Underpowered in headwinds...yes...and overtaking trucks...yes.....but in the dirt....fantastic even for a moderate rider carrying all the camping gear...
Ive gone from DR650 to KTM690 to the WR250R, and it is most definitely the most fun in the dirt and very forgiving! I find in the deep sand, is where it really struggles, id agree that in the dirt its adequate.
I have a wr450r and I absolutely love it, it has no shortage of power at 60hp and the suspension is amazing. I highly recommend them
more like 44
Yeah 44 is a lot closer to the truth, but this is the inter web, never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
Service intervals are a bit short for me though. That's one of the great things about the wr250r.
Got an R1200GS (2011) and also own an 08 WR250R. Good mix. I do my long distance trips on the GS and short hops and off-road on the WR. You have a list of mods you’ve done to your WR?
Hey mate thanks for the comment. Yes, if you search on RUclips adventure modified wr250r my video should come up of it.
690 is more powerful, it's true. But if we talking about reliability - yamaha is the best choice. For long trips, reliability is more important.
I also have the same motorcycle properly equipped for long distances. I agree with your every word, your remarks are very honest. This little adventure bike has some features that you will not find anywhere else and I think they are not worth missing, especially when the maintenance costs are so low. I am convinced after five years with her that there is more to lose than to gain. I'm afraid we often flirt with the beauty of fireworks, forgetting the value of a steady flight. A good solution is to buy an extra motorcycle (if you can) rather than sell the WR250R. If you can not buy an extra motorcycle better stay with it, sooner or later you will appreciate it.
Hey Mate! Awesome comment, very true! And yes, I have just bought another bike, with a lot more power. Keeping the WR250R for a while yet :) Hope to have some videos of the new bike soon!
Love my WRR also, great for trail riding and a little commuting. As you say, always wish it had a little more power. 48T rear sprocket helped a lot, as did a custom seat and heavier springs for me. Totally reliable and low maintenence. Not a hard core enduro setup and not a long haul adv bike. Its a dual sport compromise.
Totally agree. It can do a bit of everything really. Heavier springs are next for me! Ive heard it really changes the bike, makes it much better.
@@DriveOnLeft valving too... and the shock is a pogo stick. Rebound cranked all the way up still kicks you out od the seat.
Teknik suspension.
Suggestion:
Get a set of supermoto wheels, and beat the piss out if it on the street
2nd the sprocket change. changes the bike completely more usable power across the board.
@@supermotardrider Try cranking up the compression to max too...it will trim the pogo effect cause there will be less energy stored in the spring on return.
@@williamjordan4693 I've got both maxed out. Im only 169lbs, and try and travel light. Its still terrible. Its a great little do-it-all bike. I don't mind throwing a bit of money at the suspension.
I have an 05 WR250 I hated the power until it was worn out and I put the 290 kit in turned it into a pretty good woods bike, but i ride tight midwest trails in the USA.
Yeah I have heard of the 290 kit for the 250r. I have heard that the bigger piston adds a bit more vibration. Wouldnt matter as much in tight single though.
05 That is a completely different WR than the 250R
My adventure bike is a KLR650 for the long rides on pavement and limited forest road riding, but it's too heavy for a true off-road bike. It carries a ton of fuel and super reliable, and it's still old-school (carb, no digital electronics) so anyone can work on it anywhere in the world. But for offroad riding and a little on-road riding I'm getting the new Honda CT125. I have owned half a dozen of the old CT90/110 bikes and they were great, but the engines were too small to do 55 mph on the road.
Thats awesome! I had a CT110 for about 6 months, what a fun little bike. They are super easy to work on as well. Slap the xr fuel tank on it, and you had huge amount of range!
On paper, the KTM690 should be the best dual sport to buy and I want one soooo bad, BUT....even 2020 models suffer from slave cylinder and counter sprocket seal failures amongst other issues that have been reported to KTM for a number of years. So I will stick with my DRZ400E until there is a better all rounder.
Yeah agree. 790 hasnt got off to a good start either. That has been riddled with recalls.
The crazy thing is, if you took the 690 and the WR250R from point A to B there'd be no difference - except the weight of the 690.
Would you get there quicker on the 690?
@@DriveOnLeft Actually, look up some of the YT videos on two bikes on the same path - it is fascinating to watch. In most cases the times will be identical as the strengths and weaknesses cancel each other out!
I went from Tiger 800 > KLX250 > WR250F > CRF450X for my plated offroad rides. I WISH i kept the KLX after i had it decked out. So got a WR250R and its perfect for exploring i do. The last 2 had around 45hp and it was too much, it spun or stood up. Have way more fun pinning it on the KLX and WRR and having the tire hook up while not worrying bout blowing the motor
I tell you what, when its winter and muddy to all hell, especially on clay surfaces, I love the fact that it has minimal power! With my 690 I would always land on my arse from the rear stepping out.
i thing you did a great breakdown of it .. all facts no bs or spin
Thanks mate! Really appreciate the comment :)
did install the athena 290 kit, X3 silencer, pc fc plus suspension revalve , now it is a lot more fun to ride- if you want keep it the extra grunt is very nice to have but all my expenses added up I could have bought a new SWM RS 500R... I wish the WRR would be/feel even lighter. In deep sand it feels very heavy and other bikes especially 2 strokes seem to be more driftable (maybe I am too heavy)
Yeah, thats the issue isnt it. If I add all the pure power and suspension mods, I could have almost just bought a second hand KTM 500 haha In the sand, a little more torque would really help the little bike. I think that would make it feel lighter IMO.
Would you consider an AJP PR7 roadworthy enough? I have a WR too but wonder if different enough. T700 is an obvious choice but pretty darn heavy. Can’t wait to see where you head
The PR7 I think lacks the manufacturing support here in Aus from what I read on their Facebook group. The 700 is a contender. Decent in the dirt for its weight and will much up highway kms. Just the 74hp seems lacking when compared to the 790 ktm. Heck the 690 puts out the same hp as the 700 tenere. In the end, the reliability of the 700 would trump both those ktms!
I have a KTM too and it’s not easy to not worry. Just a little RC. I have a replacement fan ready to go lol. Annoying to always have in mind. Watching for leaks too. Maybe Suzuki will save the day soon? 🤞Or I get comfortable on a big arse T700 😀 I expect the AJP will replace the KTM for me soon - similar to DR weight but much better equipment. Risk for certain. Wish they had more dealers etc
This is spot on. I Still love my WRR After 14,000 km, but am thinking about another more powerful bike too. Can’t decide between KTM 690 or a 350 EXC. First world problem.
Haha tell me about it! It never ends. I have a 300EXC as well, and I still want a third bike. More powerful road bike.
Soo, I own a Hayabusa and want this wr250r as a 2nd fun bike to play with. I live more urban, with sparce small forest preserves so most of riding would be streets. Would I have fun on this to just explore? Would it feel like a child's toy? 🤔 or would it be fun to be able to actually twist the throttle without making a flight plan with nasa. I want something different u know?
If you aren't planning on doing off road a lot, then I wouldn't bother with the wr250r. You will be bored with this bike if your other is a Hayabusa. Maybe look at a CRF450L
Been riding for 40 year and no, for me power is minimal in the fun equation. Had a lot of fun for 3 season with a 21 hp cbr250r going everywhere 1000 miles plus trips.
Thats great! I suppose having a 300 two-stroke makes me really feel the lack of power, when switching between the two. I agree though, while being a learner, and being restricted to low power bikes, I had great times, definitely not all about the power.
@@DriveOnLeft The most fun I had with a bike was on a Duke 690 and also the 390. And ... also the duke 890 8) Light, nimble, incredible road handling. Too bad the reliability sucks with KTM's... :(
Reliable and fun and light. It’s my best friend never lets me down. Around Bend Oregon out !
Curious to see what your third bike will be :) thanks for saying how it is!
Thanks! Im trying to make a decision on the third, but its so hard to make that final decision. To much to choose from :)
Great no bull review. Maybe the big bore kit might give it the ponies you want.
Im slightly kicking myself for not getting a ktm500 off the hop. I got the wr, upgrades suspension, some tuning and parts, and i could have gotten a ktm500exc instead. My friend has a ktm500 ive ridden it back to back and its phenomenal. If a wr250r is a survival pocket knife then ktm is like a katana. Power is unbelievable.
A wr250 with some good mods is around 4500-5000 here, and a ktm500exc is creeping into sub 6000 dollar territory here. Maybe next year or something if i can find a trade or a buyer I will get upto the ktm. Not because the wr is bad but because the ktm is just more refined. The wr will teach you to be a better rider though.
Hey mate, I am in the same situation. A friend who I ride with all the time has a 500exc. It feels great, and should, its a full Enduro bike I guess. I found it to have a little to much vibration though, and of course the service intervals are very different. I think a WR250R is a great bike if you can only have one bike. Its a bit more road orientated than the 500. In saying that, one day I will have a 500 EXC :)
@@DriveOnLeft i agree on the vibration it makes you go numb lol
Just watched this one again and now a year into owning mine I totally agree BUT thinking of selling it and getting the Beta399rr, have you considered it?
Just replied to your other comment Russ, sorry I took so long to reply.
@@DriveOnLeft yup, never worry about slow replies, just keep the vids coming ! I did put a deposit in the Beta, reviews to come. Cheers.
Did you remove the throttle stop and snorkel? Was your upgraded ecu a yamaha? Thanks for the review.
Standard throttle stop, all the enviro crap removed and the fuel controller was a ejk I believe, with standard Yamaha ecu. You can spend 3k extra to get 5 more horsepower. Or just buy a more powerful bike with the 3k and get 40hp is my opinion.
@@DriveOnLeft Thanks for the reponse. Wouldn't a WR250F been as reliable and still have more power? There are enduro kits to make the F street legal, and it weighs a lot less than the R. I rode a stock 2020 WR250R and it was diving hard in the front forks under front breaking..., my Tenere 700 is twice the weight and doesn't dive like the WR did.
Not sure if the F would be as reliable. The F needs a lot more maintenance than the R. The lower power of the R is what gives it its longevity. The 6th gear helps on the road too. Not sure if a 250 pure enduro bike would be good doing 500km days on the high way. How long have you had the T7 for?
@@DriveOnLeft 4 months... SUPER heavy, but drives beautiful, just can't get stupid on it like a low power low weight bike. Rode a wr450F and it was a monster but very controllable..Elements of the Tenere on a lighter more nimble frame. I think the 250F and 450F share the same frame size.
@@DriveOnLeft Sounds funny to ask this, but what riding pants do you have on in this video. Nice 👍
My wr is getting done in shop now. It will suite my needs, as I’m not getting any younger. Lol
Great reviews mate. Sounds like your next bike is a wr450f with a 48tooth sprocket on the back?
Maybe a 500exc ;)
Did the fuel controller fix the jerky throttle responce? I am about ready to sell it because it is so jerky. It's just dangerous and uncomfortable to ride. You cannot give it just a little, without it lurching forward.
To be honest, I've never had that issue, even before the fuel programmer. What other mods have you done? Have you removed all the environmental shit on it?
@@DriveOnLeft No it is completely factory as far as I know. I got it used, but is only a year old and 3000miles. I don't see any signs of modifications to the engine, just the removal of the huge back fender.
It is like it has no coast setting. It is either supplying fuel to accelerate or engine braking. Not much of a middle ground between like the gradual transition a carborator has. At slow speeds standing, it tends to throw you over the bars. Not too violently, but enough that it isn't comfortable standing, and a bit of a safety hazard.
Court 13/48 gearing and a g2 throttle. Also some bar risers helped my positioning standing. The first 2 mods made all of the difference at speeds under 10mph.
@@whoscook4481 Not familiar with the g2 throttle, but plan to add risers as I am quite tall and change the rear sprocket. I was leaning toward 50 though as I'd rather have torque than high speed. That or 14 : 54 Which is the same ratio.
I have wondered about the fuel controllers, some say they help, and others not so much. I am skeptical because they still feed the data thru the factory software. It appears they are just tricking the bike by altering the sensor inputs. They are pretty pricey to fix that issue.
Yamaha just needs to provide less crappy control software.
Court I opened air box, removed catalyst from factory exhaust, no toil air filter, removed the exup valve and ais system. I didn’t do a tuner I went into the co settings and moved it to 60 from 0 stock (this gives you fuel on the bottom 15% after opening the bike up). No tuner and over 1500 miles since these mods. These mods done by yourself cost very little if you weld for the exhaust mod. Don’t change the factory header at all. Totally different bike now. I also modded a better exhaust tip. I love my bike just riding trails or up to 70 mph now. Great bike. I didn’t feel this way when I first got it though.
Well said! From one WR owner to another.
Thanks mate! There is no unicorn, but this comes close!
I love my wrr. If they just slapped a 400 or 450 in that frame it would be unstoppable.
Mate! A WR450R would then be perfect! Doesnt need 50hp, but about 40 would be welcomed.
@@MtnPeakEnduro the 450L seems like an awesome bike but it's just sooooo expensive and they're new so you can't find one for a reasonable price
@@DriveOnLeft Agreed. Designed with the longevity and maintenance intervals the same as the 250. Would be less power than the YZ, but most think you don't that much anyway.
Oil changes every 600 miles!!!! On the 450L
I was under the impression that everyone put a big bore kit in these. Especially for more muscular riders. (heavier)
I've heard it adds a lot more vibration to the bike due to the heavier piston. Not sure of the power gain, doubt it would be 15hp more :) Something to look into none the less.
Good review I reckon. If I was to buy another bike that's what I would get for exactly the reasons you give. For now my CRF250 Rally is perfect.
I looked at the rally too, but if I remember correctly the CRF suspension was a smaller diameter and the bike a bit heavier. In saying that, the rally has a larger tank and a screen, all things I added to my WR :)
I bought mine earlier this rear, its nice to see the same opinions. for the price you get so much bike. closest you can get here stateside is the 450 from honda... with with more maintenance.
hopefully yamaha brings out the tenere 350-400 that i’ve heard about in the rumor mill.
The 450L here in Australia, you get the detuned version. You still have to pay another 1k for the tuned ecu and exhaust. I find that crazy! I hope so too, there seems to be a lot of want for something like that from the community. Lets see if they listen.
Get a 51 or 52 tooth rear sprocket makes a world of difference
Just put a 14 - 51 on it, and can agree 100% This made more of a difference than the FMF fuel programmer.
That bike in a 450, like Honda`s done, and it would sell like hotcakes! AS LONG AS THEY KEEP THE MAINTENANCE INTERVALES WITHIN REASON ...and similar to the 250`s.
Yeah thats it, I was so happy when I heard about Hondas 450, then service intervals were announced, and I thought, great........... Might as well just buy a 500exc. 450 with 40hp and 10,000km service intervals would be sweet!
It’s a 250. What did you expect when you bought it? My old corolla is slow but I don’t expect it to be fast. I’m so sick of people complaining about 250s.
Have you ridden a wr250f before? Would you say that is slow?
DriveOnLeft I own a CRF250L that has less power according to everyone on the internet. The WR isn’t slow compared to other 250s. Now if you compare it to a 690 or whatever is close to that CC then it will be. Don’t expect a fish to climb a tree lol. The WR is a fantastic bike I’m sure!
I knew it was going to be much slower than the 690, I just don't agree with people who say a bigger sprocket and exhaust will make it fun. It will always be underpowered. Just got to enjoy it for what it is :)
Awesome review! Helped so much!
No worries, glad it did!
Last bike I had for any kind of off road was a Yammie DT125 back in the 90s when I was in my 20s. I've always been a road bike man.
Now I live in Oz I want an off road bike and the WR is on the list, yet everything about the power makes me want a bigger cc bike so I can ride it to the "off road"
...........Ahh the ever elusive Unicorn
Maybe the KTM 690 is for you if you are ok with the reliability reputation of KTM. Or maybe even a Suzuki DR650, for a bit more power and reliability.
Great review. Completely agree. Thinking about a Beta 390rr, what ya think
Yeah, going full Enduro is one option. Why not the Beta 500 though? If you havent heard of Aaron Steinmann, he went around the world on a 500exc, did over 100,00kms, so it is possible for these smaller Enduros to do it. I am just weary of the lack of 6th gear and increased vibrations from these Enduro motors. Something nice about the WR being able to sit on tarmac relatively comfortable for short periods of time.
@@DriveOnLeft totally. I will mostly shoet ADV and single track the 390 and that's a magic number for us in BC Canada, insirance goes up substantially at 400cc displacement. ;)
I bought a new 2020 WR and have had it for just over a month. I'm not a new rider. I rode for many years offroad when I was younger, and then on-road as well, and have had many bikes, some smaller than the WR and some larger. I'm getting back into biking at age 57 and decided that the WR would meet my needs.
To say that the WR is "slow and underpowered" is, IMO, unfair. You should qualify that statement. Slow and underpowered compared to what? An XT250? (no) A Honda 250 dual-sport? (no) A KTM390 or 690? (probably yes) It may very well be slow and underpowered compared to the other bikes you've ridden or owned, but let's be clear - it's a 250. From the stats I've seen, the WR has good power "for its size," and has hp that is even on par with the new Kawi 300 and possibly the Honda as well. You know what I've noticed on youtube? That the WR is often compared to MUCH larger bikes, whether a KTM690, or DRZ400, etc. That should tell you something about just how good the WR is.
I can't even fully comment on the WR's power yet, as I'm still breaking mine in and taking it easy on the engine. (for the most part) Even now, I think it pulls strongly in gears 1-3 with stock gearing, and I'm 265 lbs! I am happy that it likes to rev, for a 4-stroke, and look forward to being able to blast around WFO most of the time after break-in. I do know that it will have enough power for MY type of riding, which will be mostly country back roads, and possibly some easy offroad trails. (offroad riding is very limited in my area)
I'm glad you did acknowledge the bike's many good points. My biggest complaint so far is the seat. Any ride of 45 mins. or longer becomes painful. I ordered a Seat Concepts seat and hope it's much better! haha Also, glad you are keeping this very capable dual-sport!!
U have done a great job , Mate .
Cheers, appreciate the comment mate.
I’m a weak 170lb male with health problems and can pick up a gsa. If I can pick it up anyone can. Would I want to pick it up multiple times a hour? no. But the occasional spill every hour or so is no big deal. I don’t take it where I take my WR by a long shot but the hyperbole is not necessary. Your possibly steering someone away from buying a gsa with fears that they can’t pick it up. But!!!! I do Love your vids and I have been a long time subscriber
Hey mate, thanks for the great comment! Many mates with loaded GS1200's cant pick them back up. Which is scary, but then again, I wouldnt go doing hard riding on my own with a packed up GS1200. They are great bikes, just a different tool compared to the little WR :)
Great vid! I’m in the same boat now I’m looking at 500exc or Wr450f. I’ve done so crazy long kms on my wr and it’s been super reliable in the outback but now I want wheelie power lol
Yes, I think this is every wr owners niggling issue. Ive watched some of your vids, and ridden on many of the same roads you did on the wr. Its on those long straight roads, or deep sand that I can only wish for a bit more power to make it slightly more interesting. I honestly think, you have to have two bikes to cover all types of adventure riding. The 700 tenere is looking like a good stable mate.
450L
If you want power and light weight, get a yz250 2t. All the power you ever want and good suspension. Change a piston once a year and be a hero.
Try the wr250f instead and do the free mods. The 250r has 29hp stock, the 250f has 37hp stock and much better shocks
wr250r yoshi pipe, dynojet, kenda trackmaster2s 36k miles. worked great for me as first real bike. alot of aggressive trail riding keeping up with ktm 450s, drz 400 and worked banshee. be careful,... my stator was replaced first year due to recall and the second one blew in about a year. only warning was the lights got a little blinky at idle. when it died it did it with absolutely no warning so be careful if you are far from help. Im ready for a tenere 700 or ktm 690. if yamaha made a street legal version of that wr450 that would be an option. No joke i have taken plenty of hill climbs or sets of woops at 70 mph on that thing. Long island, ny, usa. sandy/sandy clay soil.
Hey mate, sounds like you have really used that thing! Fingers crossed my Stator has not died yet. Probably worth me taking a spare one, on any long trips just incase. Im ready for the WR450R too!
Looks at the CRF450L or a drz400e cape york edition
I looked at the 450, but I'd honestly just get the 500exc if I went enduro.
Yep summed it up well imo. Great all rounder trail bike that’s a bit fat generally and underpowered on the road but with Teknik suspension it can do almost anything in the Bush. Cheap reliable fun. Top bike.
Yep, next mod will definitely be suspension work. I think at that point I would start removing mods to get the weight back down haha
Reliability? Have a look at Riding with Toms’s latest vid. His mates WR250R blew its engine and had to be rescued.
I have ridden with those guys a few times, that was just absolute bad luck. If that was a ktm people would be saying, of course its a ktm. Reason people are shocked is because it's a wr250r.
@@DriveOnLeft I know, I own an exc500 and bought it after a huge amount of research. I have seen examples of the mighty DR650 blowing up so no bike is beyond the odd failure. The only modern bike with genuine reliability issues was the ktm 690 in the years up to 2013 thereabouts. Scores of failures including Toms
My 690 was a 2012 so I know exactly what you were talk about haha luckily I never had as bad as Tom's issues. I've seen posts in the 790 group that they are having issues and loads of recalls. 500 exc is built proof though, I was considering it after reading up on the New Zealander that put over 100,000km on his.
DriveOnLeft Spot on, you are talking about Kiwi Aaron who did 140,000 km of trouble free riding. 1st work at 60,000 km with a new head and 1st motor pull down at 100,000 km. That is what convinced me of the reliability of the 500 motors.
What a Brilliant no Bullshit Review 👍🍻 keep up the great Work 👍
Thanks Matthew, appreciate the comment mate!
What suspension do you recommend?
And more questions just message me on FB :)
Btw, I gotta add that it amuses me with all the hype (in general) about large cc "adventure bikes" today. Great for road riding? Sure! Offroad - not so much. Easy offroading, okay, maybe. Anything more than that - and I laugh. Weight is the enemy of offroad riding. Try dropping a VStrom 650 or a BMW 1200 2 or 3 times on hill climbs, and picking them up again. Then tell me what a great offroad bike it is! lol
Good review and pretty spot on IMO after owning one for almost a year now. Personally I think the problem with these bikes is that most people try to make them adventure bikes. After owning half a dozen ADVs ranging in the 500 to 1150 size range, I would argue that if you by a WR250R and try to make it an ADV bike, you will eventually be disappointed. That being said, they make great light weight, short range ADV bikes. I use mine as such but truck it out to the adventure location.
Just saw this comment now Mike, sorry! Agree 100%, as you know, I am on a quest for "Less is more".
No doubt those wr250 are the most reliable small bike out maybe apart from a drz400 but I brought the Honda 450L wanted a KTM 450 but the service intervals on the Honda flogged the KTM on that the only good thing about the KTM is the weight plus KTM are not reliable what so ever and they need rebuilds every 5000 km 😂 but I’m defiantly thinking of getting one of those WR250s they are little weapons and never die
Agree, DRZ400 and the WR250R are the most reliable. WR is just that little more modern.
Got a WRR for trail and slow touring and a 650 Vstrom for getting somewhere on roads. Neither will break, both were pretty cheap. I find the WRR has enough power if you ring it's neck. I'm overall trying to go smooth and not so much fast. Good Review though. I want to get my suspension sorted too.
Was thinking of maybe a second hand 990 KTM for some touring and gravel roads, lets see what happens. I just got the suspension done, and wow. I don't clench when I see a pot hole any more, it just glides over haha
why do they not just put turn signals on a Wr450 and let us roll.
In Aus the wr450fs are road legal.
Bought a WRR. Learned to ride on it. Put a MT21 front/D606 back, ASV levers and 14/51 gearing on it. Ride it through desert, mountains, rivers, singletrack, sand/mud/snow/ice - no problem.
Couldn't be happier. Started my own RUclips channel (Temple of Dirt) dedicated to WR250R adventures.
Yeah the WRR is amazing! Got a 950 KTM Enduro now for the power factor. Only bike I would swap the WR for would be the KTM 500 EXC.
What brand is that screen/gps tower you have on there?
Hey Mate, I made it myself. I have a link in my channel to a how to, so everyone can make one for there wr250r. ruclips.net/video/58QVzv7iJEg/видео.html
Sounds like you need a Tenere 700 for the longer trips
That sounds like a plan. Issue is, I then think to myself well a 1090 with 125 hp is even better!
@@DriveOnLeft In a perfect world, we'd all have a 2nd/3rd/4th bike in our garage!
yea, hard to beat a 250 for trail riding, medium enduro and fun!
But yea not really and adventure bike, if you convert it to that then it looses it's advantages.
With some upgraded suspension, I am sure it could do the light weight adv a bit better. I've added about 5kg in parts to make it more ADV ready, so still quite a light little bike, which can still handle the trails. Use my 300exc for proper enduro though!
A street legal WR450R should be the next bike Yamaha makes. MSRP at or below the Honda CRF450L with the tuner app included and they'd sell alot of them. That being said...the KTM500EXC is currently the best dual sport hand's down. Powerful and crazy light weight. KTM needs to shave at least 15 kilos off the 690.
Agree the 500exc is the best. Vibrates a bit to much for me compared to the wr250r. Nearly bought my mates ktm. If I was going be to on dirt 90 percent, I'd buy the 500.
It's a little light on power but that was the appeal for me. I have a Honda 450r for power but the wr is a great little adventure bike that I don't have to feather the throttle In single track trails or nasty stuff. Love the little guy. That being said after paying it off in a year or two I'll be picking up the t7.
Why the jump to the T7? More comfortable? I now own a 950 KTM too, but kept the wr as well.
I think you should go with the Honda 450L or the Ktm 690 that’s seems to be the type of bike you need overall the 690 would suit you better it’s only 146kg ish has plenty of power and pretty decent service intervals or maybe the husky 701 ?
I think the 690 is actually more around 160kg wet, vs the WR at 135kg wet. I have had a 690 prior to the wr250r, and it would definitely be a contender again for a weekender. I just don't have much trust in it with its many issues from the past. I have heard the new ones are better these days and have less issues.
Dr650 that has been worked is the best compromise. I don't trust the 690 nore the 450L. T7 and 790 too much $$. I've been down every road, a DR650 with $3000 in mods is the shit
DR650 was my first adventure bike. I loved it. Moved to other bikes to try something different. I agree with you though, its a great bike with a few mods.
@@DriveOnLeft Good idea to pick one up in the next few years as they are going to be cut from production 2024 and will become sort after. They are cut from New Zealand next year due to no ABS
A dr650 with a tm40 pumper carb and some upgrades to the suspension and it's very hard to beat if the weight isn't a major problem
Not sure this is a fair comparison, 250 v 690cc.
I also compared it to a DRZ400 and DR650 and CRF250L. Not just a 690 :)
Have you looked into a big bore kit? It's fairly DIY-able for a competent home mechanic.
Yes, I have thought about it. Ive heard that they induce a lot more vibrations to the bike due to the heavier piston though. The one thing I love about the WR is how smooth it is. Do you know how much power you gain?
@@DriveOnLeft Not sure, I have a DRZ400E and lots of guys in the FB groups are happy with the extra torque from 440cc kits in their DRZs. I suspect it'd be a great addition to your WR in particular, as you already have the fuel tuner and pipe. You would gain torque right across the board, especially a great thing for the low and mid-range on the 250.
KLX 450 for me, they are a beast!
How do you go for maintenance on that machine?
Would be the same as a wr450f I guess.
You did a great job
WR450?
Service intervals just a bit to high for my liking. Already have the 300EXC, not sure I want to be servicing two Enduro Bikes. The CRF450L is another option, slightly longer service intervals, but still Enduro service intervals in the end. Lack of 6 gear and vibrations also put me off.
DriveOnLeft good to know, 🍻
It’s a great bike it’s got plenty o power for me.
What sprockets you running? I just changed to a 14 - 51, game changer.
Why would you compare a WR to a KTM 690??
Two totally different animals.
And why would you compare it to a old out dated pig the DRZ.
You might just be happy with the WR250F not the R model. Or just by a KTM 350 exc f dual sport bike. Perfect all around bike! Great motor, suspension, light weight, great handling.
I purchased my 2020 350 exc f out the door for 10,200.00 US dollars. A couple grand more than a WR250 but you get so much more for the dollar. You spent 1000.00 on motor and suspension upgrades and still isn’t as good as a Ktm 350 exc f.
What would you compare the wr250r too? And I already have a 300exc :)
sounds like you want a versys x-300
Sounds like a want a unicorn that doesn't exist :p
@@DriveOnLeft Versys is tailored to more street riding. Has some trail capability, obviously no where near the wr. Best in class fuel capacity. 40 hp. Affordable. Relatively light. But yeah im in the same boat as you. Im torn between the wr and the versys myself. Im planning on doing the Baja 1000 and cant make a decision lol
Your voice is too low in the mix
Well it is a 250cc not a 690cc. So it's obvious that its not gonna have the same power you are used too
Every new dual sport has more power than it other than the crf250l I believe. Do I miss power yes. Can you get more power out of it. Not really. Like I said in the video though, 90 percent of the time I dont care, its only when the roads open up that I wish it had a bit more.
Nice review
Cheers mate!
Really mate you should have researched the 250 specifications before you bought it...sure you wanted to build an adv bike but really slapping a tank and a set of hand guards on and forgetting about the suspension is not building a bike. Cry all you like about a manufacturer but you chose it.
Not sure if you watched till the end. I said I wasn't going to sell it, the bike is what it is and the benefits out way the negatives.
@@DriveOnLeft yeah mate I listened to the end. For carrying stuff you need cubes and stability. Sure it a good bike even with a bigger tank. But you want a n roads tourer then it hasn't got the platform. And suspension is far more important than outright power
Not a 690! Go for the Honda 450RL!
Give it a month, and all will be revealed! The new bike is in my shed now, getting a little bit of love.
You gonna make the WR250 anoraks excited about the 14.5 horsepower 😝😝
I thought I might piss off some faith full wr250r owners! Getting ready for back lash.
If you need more power, I'd recommend a CRF450R
I bought a 950 super enduro, but I think I will go with a 500 EXC if I sell the WR250R.
@@DriveOnLeft if you can sell the wr250r?! You will have people fighting over it!
If you buy the WR250R looking for loads of power, you’re buying it for the wrong reason lol. It’s not even worth comparing to the 690 because they’re bikes built for entirely different purposes.
Both dual sports bikes, seem like something comparable there.
@@DriveOnLeft guess I more so meant different intentions, not purposes
This is the perfect bike to own for someone who loves riding but doesn't get out as much as they would like. My review after owning one for 2 years is that I really like it. It's forgiving, light, adventurous, good for learning new skills and gives thrills on rough tracks. If you want to take a passenger or load up for a long trip then it's not the best bike as it gets overwhelmed with the weight. I weigh 75 and go camping with 12kg of luggage and it works beautifully.
Hey mate, yeah its a great little bike for sure, I think your weight is perfect. I am 85kg and often take 20kg of weight, which would include 5l fuel and 5l of water. This just over loads the suspension completely! Luckily for me, I have finally upgraded this :)
Hello A KTM is three times the price