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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ค. 2024
- A summary of why I sold my Yamaha WR250R.
It's a good, reliable bike, but it struggles to be a dual sport. It's great off road and at speeds below about 45 mph, but it has a hard time getting between trails on 55 mph roads. You can downshift or re-gear the bike and rev it higher and turn the oil black faster, but it just can't push through the wind at higher speeds between the dirt trails.
To be clear, this bike spent about 30 miles out of 5,000 on divided highways with a speed limit 65 mph or higher. My complaints of highway capability are relating to 55 mph highways.
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It's a good, reliable bike, but it struggles to be a dual sport. It's great off road and at speeds below about 45 mph, but it has a hard time getting between trails on 55 mph roads. You can downshift or re-gear the bike and rev it higher and turn the oil black faster, but it just can't push through the wind at higher speeds between the dirt trails.
I do show this bike on a divided highway in the video, but that was just to show how it maxes out a little over 70 mph and I spent very few miles on roads such as those. I mostly rode this on country roads, gravel, singletrack, and the occasional off road park.
I gave up on finding a WRR and now am looking to get a CRF300L Rally brand new.I like to buy my bikes new anyway.
@@patmansadventures.3312 I want the crf300l rally it's so hard to get I can't wait til I get one good luck on your adventures with it
@@patmansadventures.3312 That's what I'll be looking at next for a dual sport. Much better value than the WRR.
Not the bike for U...
@@MtbEngrHow is the CRF300 rally going to be a better bike than the wr? Just curious. I don't see it solving any of the issues you had with the WR. Perhaps a larger ADV would better suit your needs and riding style. Cheers.
I agree with all of your points, but it does sound like you just bought the wrong bike for the riding you do. It's not just the WR that has these issues. It's all 250, and probably 300cc dual sport bikes. They are meant to be inexpensive, reliable, and versatile bikes. You shouldn't expect electronic safety aids, and 50cc power in a $5-7K dual sport. I understand this video is just meant to be reasons that you are selling it, but you're kind of knocking the bike for being something that it isn't. However, you do at least acknowledge that it is great at it's intended purpose. If you compare it to the other bikes in its class, it's one of the better options if not the best.
Although for a lower sticker price, a CRF300L Rally ABS improves upon many weak points of the Wr250R presented in this review. What we really need is 400-500cc dual sport with long service intervals so we can truly ride it off road and on 55 mph highways to get to the trails.
He’s not knocking the bike at all, he’s just sharing his experience with the bike. You clearly own / like these bikes so you’ve taken offence to his video and that’s very insecure of you, not everyone is gonna agree with you in life and that’s part of growing up. My 2023 klx300r with a dynotuner and upgraded exhaust smokes the boots off my wr250r in a straight away and is cheaper even with mods then the wr250R, being a yammie fan I hate to say it but yamaha really don’t dominate the trail bike industry as much as some of the other brands do.
There is no reason to go 80 mph on this lmao
Yeah, WR is a hard off-roader to and through. It’s not really meant for long highway jaunts or road riding in general, but rather just using the road to connect trails. As a 90/10 dirt/road rider myself, I find it to be the best bike I’ve ever owned. But I totally get it, it’s not for everyone.
Although, as an off-roader, ABS is a hindrance. I can brake harder and faster off-road without ABS. Another thing, safety and motorcycles are 2 words that don’t go together at all lol.
I would arge the opposite. Its really 80-20 on road off road. Its a dirtbike aimed at road riding with a miminum level of ability at off road riding. Its not made for ofof road but will handle the odd back road and mud track. This is aimed at people who want a crosser but doesnt do dirt or tracks
Ogre , "through and through".
Great, great review. I kind of knew right away what your criticism would be based on when I saw your riding jacket (high visibility / adventure bike riding jacket). Obviously, with the 250cc displacement, with an upright position, you're not going to cruise comfortably down the highway. However, the overstated highway speeds and fuel economy and smaller tank, etc. is what made your review a real eye opener. Your best point was that you have to appreciate this machine for what it is. It has a dirt bike chassis and better suspension than most dual sports, while having an engine that has longer service intervals. That is sort of the Holy Grail, to get that long service interval with the suspension and offroad capability. The adventure bikes are useless on single track due to their weight, and the KTM 500's aren't as nimble in the woods as a 2-stroke lightweight bike (which needs more maintenance). The Honda CRF450RL is close, but needs to lose a bit more weight and a newer engine that can tractor at low rpm without flameouts without needing an aftermarket ECU. The Beta 390 and 500 seem to be a bit closer to the Holy Grail and most dirt oriented dual sporters love the KTM's 350's and 500's. They are expensive and have questionable service intervals. When guys want to do the Hare Scrambles or anything to do with racing, they need a race performance based platform which puts a lot of strain on a small lightweight motor. I really, really liked your review and will look for more of your content. I do suggest all reviewers start off with their weight, inseam, level of experience and type of preferred riding and what the type of riding available is. Lastly, your review really hits the nail on the head, without you really saying it, in that a "Dual Sport" isn't really a dual sport. Sports are games or competitions that typically have rules associated like a race. This would mean a dual sport is used in a sporting capacity for dirt and road. The WR250R seems like it could get you a long way at a moderate speed in an environment where you could access a gas station fairly easily. I am sure that there are plenty of places like this. I don't see a 250 in any "sport" capacity on the road, yet it is clearly more than just a dirtbike with a plate on it because of the long maintenance intervals. I agree, that the upright riding position and the location of the high gas tank would make it more unstable at speed along with the ultra high reving at high speed. I do think that the newer Yamaha's 250's WR's have the lower tank, but still use a motocross motor that is slightly calmed for more trail oriented riding vs motocross. It still sells itself as a race machine, however. I think if Yamaha got the right type of motor (lightweight and with long service intervals) into like a Beta / KTM platform and weight range, they would absolutely dominate. Honestly, although most people who can afford these activities are older, most have to go to work on Monday and racing through the woods where you could slam at speed against a tree isn't really something we want to. I feel like we are within 5 years of the mid level displacement Holy Grail i.e. around 250lbs, with long service intervals with a long travel suspension and a 35-36 inch seat height and tires that can really work in the dirt and mud. Thanks again for the great review.
I think it's great that there are a lot of bikes out there each with good qualities for the right people, and we're all able to discuss them and add our opinions. Thanks your feedback and suggestions. Hoping my experiences can help others know what to expect if they get this bike.
Funnest bike I've ever owned!! Everything you need to know is in the name. 250 says it's obviously going to suck on the hwy, dualsport tells you that you won't be hitting triples or doing whip its. It's compromise on all fronts. But you still get to enjoy a bit of Everything!
Man I’ve whipped the fuck outta mine, it’s a wicked bike just adjust the suspension and tune mine is a 22 and it it’s the best bike wver
Your shamelessly spinning the facts to dump on a bike that's biased to off road not highway use. I've done big road biased dual sports and I learned to hate those overweight pig's.
The beauty of this bike is simplicity, reliability, light weight, excellent suspension with a bit of modding, and much safer off road.
If you prefer the road get a road biased bike but at least be honest about it instead of trying to shoe horn the WR in to irrelevance unfairly.
I've taken my WR places you wouldn't dare take a GS or some other big wank poseur bike. It's got enough power to get you through any crazy backwoods or rugged rocky terrain without risking breaking your bones if it falls on top of you. Less is more. I want to survive the ride not boast about highway speed and engine size.
It's not a perfect bike but in terms of spec, value for money and performance it's a classic. The engine is superbly reliable and tractable off road in stock condition. I used to take my daughter for out back rides and that extra weight over the back wheel was a real plus going uphill. I was amazed at how well that engine pulls.
To say it struggles to be a dual sport ? Bullshit . Get a road bike if you can't handle real dual sport.
I have a 2017 wr250r and love it. I haul it to the mountains and ride out of of base camp or Airbnb rentals for all-day fun. I love being able to ride to the trails and then adventure through the hills. I mostly ride forest service roads and and atv trails but have done a fair amount of single track too. I once even climbed the expert level Alder Ridge single track trail (WA State) on this bike, although I would never do it again because I was legit scared. But the bike did it. Mostly I go for over a hundred miles in no-man’s land to do rock hounding, foraging for mushrooms, enjoying scenic views and even grouse hunting. I’ve done a lot of modifications on the bike to make it more comfortable, lighter, powerful, capable, and smoother. In all I have probably spent another $5k. But absolutely worth the fun it’s giving me in return. I even commute with my bike in the summer months. Very happy with my purchase.
I live in w.a. state what trail is alder ridge and where is it
Ha, I used to grouse hunt in WI without a dog, it was a challenge.
I have had a '13 WR250R since early 2014, but because of having multiple bikes and some now corrected health issues, I really didn't ride it a whole lot until late 2020. At that point I started riding it more and more and I began to really appreciate what a great bike it actually is. I get a consistent 64-65 miles per gallon average on pavement even with spirited riding. I corrected the speedometer issue with a 12 O'clock Labs speedo calibrator. I like the WR/R so much that last week I purchased a very low mileage '10 Yamaha WR250X as a present to myself for my 59th birthday. Because of where I live I have a tremendous amount of dirt riding at my disposal as well as a decent amount of twisty mountain roads available. Now I have fun bikes for both types of riding. Its a shame that Yamaha discontinued the models, but I plan on keeping both until I am no longer able to ride.
Maverick. Thank you. Good to hear something about this bike from a older rider. As I'm 62 and I have a V-Star 1100, Great bike. But I don't do a lot of long rides anymore. Mostly just commute to work & back (20 miles round trip) on two lane black top roads. But if I go west of my house I have miles & miles of gravel roads to ride on if I just want to have fun & see the country side. I been looking at Honda's CRF300L's. But they sound like they need a lot of upgrades that I don't want to do. And the dealers can't keep them in their stores because they sell out to fast. So now I'm looking at used WR's because they seem to be more suitable for me. Thank you again. Donnie.
@@user-cf4vr4js8c
Donnie, One bike that you may want to consider is a 2022+ Kawasaki KLR650. Earlier this year, I sold my Yamaha Super Tenere and puchased a new KLR and I couldn't be too much happier. For the price, it's an outstanding bike. If you shop around, you can probably land a very good deal, especially at this time of the year. Having sold the Tenere because of the nearly 600 lb weight, I was a bit skepticle initially with the KLR because it still weighs in at 456 lbs. However, it seems that the center of gravity is very low and the bike does very well on questionable dirt roads and in sand. I bought the KLR for intermediate on/off-road travel throughout the Southwest, where I live, and it does very well for my intended purpose. I still have my WR250R and WR/X for closer to home riding.
yamaha, please give us a 350-400 cc D/S bike
That bike does everything that machine designed to do, the only weak link was your inability to recognize it for what it was when you bought it.
Even the situation with the deer comes down to general awareness, and the added wet or slick conditions is inconsequential....who would expect an emergency stop on a dual sport with d.o.t. knobbies, on slick pavement to be anything other than a hairy situation?
A.B.S. would have raised the cost and moved the bike away from its simple design.
Your video is nothing more than a justification to bag on a competent machine you didn't fully comprehend before purchase. The design and maintenance schedule should have been your first clue as to the full performance potential.
A Jeep Liberty is not a Jeep Wrangler.
Wrr is a perfect second bike. I enjoyed your video, insightful and well made!
Excellent observations ! 👍🏼
I have a 2013 WR. I agree with the lack of passing power. A quick change of the rear sprocket made it more capable for passing. With stock gearing 6th gear is just for cruising. New gearing really wakes these bikes up. Sorry to hear you’re disappointed with the bike. Good luck on your next bike!
Yup got a 48tooth on my 2019 WR in the rear and it really livens it up!
LOL, Dude, the real reason you're selling the bike is that you bought the wrong bike. If you think the CRF300L is better, you haven't given much consideration to the suspension needs for most trails.
Great Video! Thanks!
They love these out in Australia. Fitted with long range tanks, they'll happily go on 1000+ mile trips.
It's the best dual sport in trails (compared with drz, crf, and klx).
I can’t agree with this review. The slightly larger 3 gallon tank takes care of fuel range weights less than the stock steel one and only slightly more once you have the added fuel in there. I have found the stock one to be fine and push the limits regularly and have never run out of gas. But if I was doing a BDR or something, I would get the 3 gal plastic tank.
Power wise I don’t find it lacking. Sure, more would be better and maybe the intake mod and the enrichening tuner I have on it makes a difference, but I put the stock exhaust back on it from the FMF pipe that the previous owner installed and I find the power adequate. This is not a bike meant for long rides on multi lane highways at 60 and over. Yet with a tall comfort Seat Concepts seat, I have spent a whole day riding all over the place in comfort. And on the single track trails it was good enough that I spent a bit of money to revalve it with GORace bits and I sold my KTM200EXC for the woods riding. I am 6’3” and 185lbs and while it is more work riding trails with a 300lb bike than a 250lb bike; I was shocked at how good it is.
ABS…. Really? The limiting braking performance is purely the tires. ABS or not, you have to be mindful of speed and ride the conditions because in a panic stop, if the bike is set up for dual sport riding with knobby tires, you have to ride within their limits on the road.
So all that being said. Get this bike only if you plan to use it as a dirt bike, back roads traveller, and urban assault vehicle. If you are not riding single track with it or on very rough atv trails; then get a middleweight adventure bike with semi knobbies that will do the trick on all paved and dirt roads.
I bought a cheap used WR250R so I could convince the wife to let me get back to riding on the road. I didn’t expect to keep it after I finished the restoration of my BMWF650. But I fell in love with this bike as many people do. It really is an amazing all around we when you use it a significant time in the dirt. Nothing beats it in my opinion due to its diet capability, low maintenance, reliability, and highway capability. Why I have 3 bikes in the garage now. Won’t ever sell my WR.
Been riding a wr for 5years, love it but completely agree with all these points. For me it's perfect cause I don't ride freeways. Well said my man 👍
Thanks! It sure is a great bike, just want to help people know what it is and isn't. I saw reviews before buying saying it's fine at higher speed, definitely not so imo, but it's perfect off road and on lower speed roads.
i blame yamaha for not offering a 300-450 cc dual sport. Why sell both XT250 and WR250R at the same time? Then they discontinue the WR250R without offering new eqivalent product(s)
Incredibly frustrating
Your main reason for selling no abs: Id say do a few courses and work on your skills as no race riders use abs and its a big pain in the butt on abs bikes trying to keep abs turned off on the dirt. Bike is designed for short stints on road and for the price of this and the likes of crf300 you get a lot for a very little price usually half cost of what adv bike your comparing it too. WR sits on 100kmh 60mph all day easy but max out around 135km or 80mph but where I live most roads are 100kmh max only freeways are 110kmh 70mph so yes it lacks in high speed and overtaking but its not a road bike y any means. What off road capable dual sport are you going to replace it with for the same price??
had this bike also, for around 17000 miles in 1 and half year. so rode it quite a lot. and it is a good street bike expect for highway oder faster roads considering it´s a true capable dual sport. but it was a bit to weak as you said and the short wheel base: to flickery. i have an old husky te410 and that´s a nightmare comparing the smothness of the motor but it is stable. very stable, has that ummph you want sometimes butt i have to admit it is uncomfortable as it gets. would be nice to have the capabilites of the husky combined with the comfort of the wr250r.
My understanding is that Yamaha took one cylinder from a 1000cc street bike to make the wr250 powerplant, if they would use one cylinder from the T7 it would be a 344.5cc engine. If they can sandwich a engine like that into a package like the wr250, that would put Yamaha back in the game.
Expecting a 250cc dual sport to be great at highway speeds is just stupid. The WR250R is an off-road focused bike that can go on the street. Everyone knows that (well, except for this poster). If you wanted a highway focused dual-sport, you should have gotten a larger displacement, street focused bike.
I just sold my Tenere 700 to buy a WR250R.Now on the Tenere I always turned the ABS off.Just don't need it.
FYI: While the speedometer is indeed optimistic from the factory it’s well documented that the odometer is fairly accurate.
Also both the R and X models need to be re-geared even if you do nothing else to them.
I did the research like you and ended up with the VStrom 650. It's comfortable, has abs, and it's more than powerful enough for highway.
6 months later, I got rid of it and picked up the wr250x. Coming from the VStrom, the wr is a vibrator on wheels. But I can tip it over 15 degrees at stop without worrying about dropping it, I can walk the bike without getting off the seat, but most importantly I feel confident learning to wheelie, drift, and maybe do some light trails without changing the tires.
If you're always riding more than 1 hour on the highway, I would not recommend the wr250. But on the other hand, I wouldn't recommend the VStrom unless you're always riding more than 1 hour on the highway. But that's geared around my idea of fun on a bike. You do you.
Honestly below 75 it’s fine on the road speed wise. The bigger issue it you will get absolutely beat up by wind. Coming through blewett pass today with the winds gusting 35 I was getting blown all over the place.
Well that would be the case on any lightweight bike with an upright riding position. You can't knock the WR for that.
I've never had a problem on road with it, in fact I rode mine 90% of the time on road. Even 50 miles out on the expressway it wasn't a problem, in fact I was pleased with how smooth it was. The only prob was getting too close to a semi at highway speeds or riding on a very gusty day. I had a FMF and airbox mod and it made the bike much stronger. My top speed was 93 indicated but actual 88. Mileage was great, mid 70s most of the time, but I'm only 140#. To each his own, IMO there wasn't snything else even close quality, performance and reliability wise for the money spent. The only weak point was off road with factory rubber but I'm tainted because I own a KDX200 with decent tires.
Id love to know what he is going to replace it with for the price
@@glennboy66Exactly! I saw in an earlier comment he mentioned the crf300 rally and I'm thinking: how is that gonna be better?
I appreciate your insight. I'm picking up my WR250R next weekend.
I've already planned on a larger tank, putting a 49 tooth rear sprocket on it, hand guards, skid plate.... Obviously the only time it will see the road is on the way to the trails.
I have a 900 tiger rally Pro that I use for Adventure rides when I know I'm not going to spend most of my time on really tough terrain. The WR is one of the best bikes for the purpose I have.
Unfortunately there is no unicorn bike.
I have been looking at all dual sport bikes from Huskys to the Honda crf 300l and am dizzy and snow blinded by everything I have seen. Then, your comment "there is no unicorn bike" hit me. That sums it up, wrapped like a package, thank you.
@@markkotishion2379that's why the best solution is two bikes.
Or three. Or, well... you know.
@@toddsmith8608 Hey, I went to a Honda dealership in Glen Burnie, Md. They have ONE CRF300l on the floor, the only one in Maryland! , the whole state! It's up for sale due to the fact that the guy who had dibs on it, his bank turned him down. It's up for grabs. I sat on it and checked it out, what a beast! Now if I only had money........
@@markkotishion2379 curious how much you weigh and your planned riding conditions. So much chatter in all the reviews about how soft/ bad the suspension is on the crf300. I'm actually looking at used WR250R myself.
@@toddsmith8608 I am 5'9" 215 lbs. I found the rear shock very soft. I am losing weight for this purpose. I just wanted a second vehicle, my car now has 195,000 miles on it. With a mileage estimate of 65 mpg it looks good. You might say why would I want a dual sport instead of a hog? Hogs are low to the ground, no off road capabilities. I want this bike to go to work with or go down to the ocean (Eastern Shore). This is a unicorn bike, it's weight kinda shocked me between my legs but the height is good for me.
Turns out my dirt bike isnt good on the highway
I agree that it’s fairly low on power however I’ve found that it can cruise at 55-60 easily. It’s definitely not a highway bike as you said, especially on 70 mph highways, but it’s not that bad.
Also I’ve found that the fuel efficiency is much better than the 50mpg you said.
ABS is really only necessary if you'll be riding in a lot of wet weather. Otherwise, panic stops should always be a last resort. There is almost always an evasive maneuver which is safer. BTW, you said you researched this bike... you didn't know it lacked ABS?
This is all really well said. Thank you for the thoughts.
Though I appreciate your video, I'm surprised that you were surprised with the bike :) If the top speed is 85 mph, its best to use that as a baseline, and cruise at say around 80% of that to optimise economy and longevity of the drivetrain, thus say 70 miles per hour.
On my XT250 (18HP vs 28), I can cruise all day long at 112 km/h (100 on GPS) and pass at 120+. But following my own advice, I cruise at 100km/h and get the same fuel consumption as on my T700. I have to cruise my XT at 80km/h to find the optimal fuel consumption. When I'm not in a hurry, I don't mind it.
Point is, adjusting our expectations may be much more fruitful than changing our bikes, or upgrading the sparkplug or whatever. On your next ride, travel 65miles/hour for 50 miles and your internal clock will have adjusted. You will experience how much faster it is than anything Alexander the Great was impressed with, better than the donkey Jesus rode, or king Solomon's money could buy. Its relative. Also... what did you buy in stead? The CRF300 may be a bit better, the CRF450 is a lot better, if you like changing oil a lot. Every bike has pro's & cons. Like women ... just love what you have!
I'm surprised you can maintain speeds over 100 kph/62mph with the lower horsepower XT250. My WR250 could not. It would have been at about 75% throttle in 6th or 5th gear, and still unable to pass. It couldn't really get to 120kph/75mph. Makes me wonder if my WR was weak.
@@MtbEngr My impression is that the WR250R is quite a bit faster than the XT and has 6 gears.
The WR250F has more power, but only 5 gears. Not sure which one you have? Perhaps the gearing reduce top speed?
I will post a video on my XT250. Maybe it has a secret... Or maybe, your WR had Covid 250?
It is the best 250 dual sport in the world. You clearly weren't looking for a 250 because what you had was simply the best. It is true that the relation that comes from the factory is very long (13/43). That's why everyone changes it (13/47 or 14/49, etc) and the bike wakes up remarkably even achieving good autonomy and much better cruising speed. You can travel at 115km/h (71miles) quietly. He even has a good rest left for overtaking. In my case, traveling through sand at about 100km/h, it gave me a range of 180km. The speedometer error is corrected with the 8 o clock corrector and that's it, it's exact. Finally, as it comes from the factory it is much better than any other 250, and if you improve some aspects on top of that, you end up correcting all those "cons" you mention. Greetings from Argentina.
I regeared mine and it handles the highway a bit better, I max out at GPS confirmed speed of 85. It will do 65 all day, though the wind will beat you up pretty good.
I talked to a Honda salesman about the crf 300l and its capability, he said the same thing. I wanted the bike for two lane roads and off road, local commuting. He said don't take it on the highway for anything other than a short period, it revs too high.
No one bike does it all. I like mine a lot but I have zero interest in any longer higher speed roads. She is very good at simpler trails and lower speed back roads, etc. She is soft and comfortable at soaking up hits. I bit heavy, especially for the power... Power is not exciting but she will wake up when rung out. She crawls tight trails pretty well, she surprised me in some pretty sketchy gullies at Croom in Fl. She is still one of the best in terms of reliable and versatile. Don't be afraid to get one. The mods? I am not sure what is worth it. I am in the midst of deciding which way to go. Mine has a Powercore 4 with Quiet Insert with no other engine mods. She pops slightly and has some issues with initial throttle being hesitant. I was told by George at EJK to start with a new plug and I think he is dead on. I think my plug was original on a 2010 with 4K. After this I am debating back to stock exhaust or go with AIS block, airbox flap mod, EJK tuner? I hear folks say it makes things better but I’m not sure if they are just justifying their expense or not? It seems like a lot of money for 1 or 2 hp?? TBD. Plus, I got my 2010 about 5 years ago with 1800 miles and hundreds in upgrades for $3K, it was too good a deal to pass up, she owes me nothing. Enjoy!
Honestly I wouldn’t bother with power mods, especially before you upgrade other things on the bike. They won’t increase capability by much, it’ll still be fairly bad on fast highways, but you’ll lose reliability and cash.
By the time you spend thousands on power mods you could have just bought a bigger bike and retained reliability and warranty, and will probably make more power anyway.
@@Chevsilverado yes, i agree, it is what it is and she does a great job for what it is. I lost it in the hurricane but got a Tenere 700, enjoying it but obviously a different beast. Thx for comments.
Critical feedback. Hard to find these days. Good job.
At the start of the video you state you did your homework before purchasing the WR. Later, you state "The lack of ABS brakes is the true reason I'm really selling this bike". Surely during your homework you were aware the WR doesn't have ABS? In regard to the speedo, yes it is inaccurate, as are all speedos in bikes/cars. You are wrong about the odometer being incorrect though. Again, doesn't really seem like you actually did your homework on this bike.
dumb question maybe..can you put analog speedometers on bike that came with digital ones?
It's been right for me for 4 years and 20K miles, but then I wasn't afraid to mod it and I bought it as a dual sport not an adventure bike. I love the service intervals and I consistently get 60 plus mpg with hard riding. I personally don't want ABS on this type of bike unless it can be turned off because the bike is more dirt oriented. It's a personal choice, but even the CRF 300l or Rally and Kawasaki klx300 haven't convinced me to ditch this bike.
I had a wr, waited nearly a year for my 300l and in under a week I wanted my wr back. My crf can't even hit 75. The suspension is ridiculously weak. Looking at another wr or ktm now.
@@noyzizi I'm looking at both and i appreciate you sharing your experience. Looking at a 2016 WR250R, guy wants $6k but it already has all the mods i would do plus a set of SM wheels & tires to boot. I think I'm gonna pull the trigger.
My only fear is that once i buy it Yamaha will announce the 2024 WR330R, lol.
@@toddsmith8608 dude that was my fear for the longest time lol I so badly want a wr300+R. As of today man, I am selling my crf because I rode a KTM 690. It's crazy how much fun it is. almost like the crf is a car, and the ktm is the first bike you ever rode. Anyways, good luck to you sir and when Yamaha finally gets off their ass we'll be there.
@@noyzizi i prefer tight woods and singletrack with as little on road as possible so the 690 is bigger than i want to go, but glad to hear you're enjoying it! And yes, if they come out with a WR300-350R then I'll be all over it.
72k kms and iam happy . Sold my 690 enduro to buy wr250r and was really great i like to use it in sand dunes alot . Another great bike is drz400e . 2 war engines
The 100 mile fuel range and the 91 octane thing changed my mind. Decided on the CRF300 Rally. 250 miles on 87 octane sounds much better for what I'm looking for.
Let me know how you like it. I think you made a good choice and that's what I would consider for a replacement.
@@MtbEngr Yeah, good gas mileage is half the reason for getting another bike. I just wish the CRF300 had better suspension like the WR.. I can add suspension though. I can't make the WR run on 87 octane.
@@moemuggy4971I'm curious how you are liking the crf300. Any updates?
So which one is better? Let me know please.
what's a better more suitable 50/50 road/dirt dual sport bike then?
Don't listen to this guy, he literally has no idea what he's talking about. He has said so many untrue things I can't even begin.
You're teasing us, let's have some examples.
Love My 2020 WR250R to moon and back. I use it to get to work, hit the trails, everything. It's my daily and I absolutely love it. Have a bonneville for longer freeway rides. Don't know why your mileage is so bad I'm averaging 78 mpg
Did you buy another bike? And if yes, what did you go with?
Well, you seem to want it all without the weight penalty, cost penalty, etc. Quick points....overbuilt engines can handle modifications without any reliability compromise. In fact to meet emissions many are less reliable from factory due to seriously lean(hot) conditions to pass emissions. Yamama would not offer their GYTR exhaust if reliability was a concern. ABS....most dual sporters, especially coming from offroad/enduro background do not want ABS or any drivers aids. Thats why your serious mid-cc KTM do not offer it. Changing the weight with a tank? The best enduro riders in the world benefit from larger IMS/ACERBIS/CLARKE tank. This makes very little change to the bike and its handling to even the most experienced riders...i would venture to guess moderately experienced riders would not notice. I think when you compare it the current crop of dual sports, it's pretty darn good if not the best. Especially when you consider reliability, price, technology, aftermarket support and build quality. CRF300L made in china as a budget bike, steel frame, less HP, no replaceable subframe or engine cradle. KLX300 steel frame, subframe is all one piece with the frame. Less HP. DRZ400S very nice power, Steel Frame with replaceable aluminum subframe....but no 6th gear, no fuel injection, no abs option. Not sure what your experience with Dual sports are but if you are coming from adventure/street oriented bikes, jumping on a dual sport can be a little bit bland unless you are doing some nice singletrack or even lively doubletrack.
The wr is a great bike, but its not a great "only bike".
I'd rather have a dedicated street bike, and the wr... or failing that, a proper single track capable dirtbike.
It all depends on your intended purpose. For me, the wr ticks alot of boxes.
A gearing change really wakes it up.
Drd speedo healer.
Power commander.
Bar risers and fat bars.
Suspension mods (rebound on the rear shock is a pogo stick.)
IMS 3 gallon, or the 4.7
The list goes on...
Better off road capable tires, and a set of 17" supermoto rims for carving tight roads in the mountains.
If it gained 10 hp and lost 30 lbs, it'd be my unicorn.
That being said, my wr250r/x isn't leaving my shed anytime soon, but its not my only bike.
Wr250r and another bike best set up imo
I have wr250x with Pirelli STR-s and my consumption is 3.7L city rides and that is if i ring the shit out of it, with stock tires i had mostly 3.2L/3.5L how are you getting that consumption only god knows...
Rest is pretty right but if you went for 250cc for state cruising that goes on you...
I wonder if your WRR was running as it should. While the performance on freeways and highways is definitely lacking, I apparently have much more capability on tap with my stock bike than your experience. (I did add a tooth or two to the rear sprocket) I also get better fuel mileage. Fuel economy drops significantly at freeway, or highway, speeds. But, I can confidently push to 100 miles between fuel stops, even when maintaining higher revs. Speaking of revs, you may not have been pushing the motor hard enough in certain situations. It does not behave - at all - like most thumpers. It runs very well high into the rev range. I can quickly go from 55mph (real speed, not indicated) to 70 using an initial drop into third gear. For freeways, 6th is overdrive, 5th is used a lot, 4th is used quite a bit, and 3rd is often accessed on 2-lane highways.
Are these not criticisms of all dual sports? They have to compromise between a race bike like and EXCF and an adventure bike like a KLR650 somewhere, right?
So it’s an inexpensive cheap reliable dirt bike/toy sounds exactly like what I want with low maintenance.
Great video, which bike did you replace it with?
Crickets!
Excellent video. If I had a magic wand, I'd put ABS on all my bikes, but I don't have any with it. The top two and a half reasons I passed on this bike are 1. Power delivery, I like tractor factor power bands on a dual purpose bike, this bike has a peaky power band. No thanks. 2. I'm a short rider, need I say more? 2.5 it's expensive compared to other arguably great DP bikes.
I used to go 80mph on the freeway on mine, have to almost redline it though and passing with cars going by is scary. Not a big deal if there's no traffic. For me it's perfect for going 55mph and can still get from 45mph to 55mph reasonably fast, not sure what the problem is. Hills? Running rich at elevation? Having to run premium fuel is annoying, but I've ran regular when premium wasn't available. Not as big a deal at higher elevations. The fuel tank is a joke, I put a 4.7 gallon IMS one in which also gets rid of the annoying side fairings that always break off. If you practice braking regularly, you don't need ABS.
Good to know. I keep yearing for a 250 instead of my XR400 DS which supposedly is around 275lb wet. Just want something to throw around and learn on, but maybe a 2 stroke would do it lighter
I would keep the XR400. More power and lighter than a WR250. Air cooled so no radiator to puncture. A great woods bike with enough power to ride the roads between the trails.
Weird mine is 100% stock everywhere but mine will get up to 101 mph on speedo without headwind on flat, so actually doing 91 mph. Must be an engine lottery.
mine too. stock
He must have a lemon
Itchy Boots is running her Honda CRF300L all over Africa. Think she just turned 63000k on that bike. That says a lot on just what one really needs.
Great review. I just bought a WR250R and I also watched a ton of reviews on TH-cam. I have had the big bore dirt bikes XR650Rand a KTM520. This bike at my age will keep me out of trouble and back safe. I bought this bike to place on my Mercedes sprinter and do some exploring while camping and traveling. Now I don’t need a bike that will over take a deer. If your zipping along at 85+ your not even going to see them. Iv’e put thousand of miles on my BMW R1200RT and Harley Street Glide 4 trips to Sturgis 1200 miles one way . This is my old man 60 bike for the backroads. I also will be carrying a 1 gal can for extended rides. But I don’t see myself needing to ride 200 miles on the pavement. But then it’s going to be backroads. Thanks for sharing your views. Around Bend Oregon out!
Hello there. Maybe you can help me. I don't know what bike i want to buy. My options are drz400s or e. Xr650r or the wr250r.
I owned a similar like the crf300.
Usually i make trips of 3000 miles. And between trails i must travel 150 miles (combined of gravel and highways).
I would choose the xr650r, but i don't know if it's good for the bike to be at 70 mph for 2 o 3 hours Strait
It is freaking 250cc 4 stroke bike! Not meant to be an endurance racer! Not a motocross super star! it is a dual sport motorcycle! In case you forgot, it means it can go on a highway and also do fun things on trails! I'm disappointed with your review!
I got rid of my wr250 for a crf450x , and its night and day better in every way.
Your pretty good on screen buddy
Mine hits 98 and does great
Great bike it’s not perfect like the rear shock lol I’ve seen one with70,000miles on the clock with motor never apart still running well
I don’t use mine on the highway at all it’s a perfect around town bike
"It struggles to be a dual sport". It's a 250, that's why! What do people expect from a 250, for crying out loud? Same for a CRF250. That's why they make CRF300's and KLX 300's, yet they are still not quite dual sports. I see lots of comments in similar videos, calling for a WR300 to 350, and CRF350's , KLX350's, but the manufacturers are not listening, I guess. For that matter, a WR450R would be nice, also.
This bike desperately needs mods - smaller front sprocket, new exhaust pipe and map computer, also removal of blockades in the exhaust system. I has such bike and it was ok, no problems at all with reliability.
I sold it because it was still to much behind my ktm exc200 in terms of riding pleasure.
But without this mods, the bike is way, way to weak on power. After the mods, it is nice, quite light tourer, for tourism with some harder off-road
The fact that everyone feels the need to compare this bike with others twice the horsepower and price tag should tell you all you need to know about this motorcycle. I have no trouble keeping up with traffic on mine. Tops out at 90mph(97 on the speedo). The only mod is a fuel programmer and gearing change. Fast enough for a duel sport in my opinion. If I want speed I’ll get a crotch rocket. They handle better anyways.
have you been on a 300l?
What about an xr250r?
It’s not built to go down the freeway go get a Harley if that’s what u want it’s a dirtbike with a mirror and a plate on it it’s not designed for the steet at all
How do you explain the WR250X then. Only difference is tires and 50mm bigger front rotor.
Good honest review. I ride mostly dirt and can deal with these shortcomings because it's SUCH a great street-legal "dirtbike", but if you're not going to take it on trails much I'd look for something else.
Honda crf 300l 2023 New $6,000 OTD
Or
Yamaha wr250r 2020 used $5600 2,200 miles
I just been seeing shit about the suspension on the crf and that’s why the dealer maybe has such a huge sale rn but it’s brand new and honda so reliable af I just am wondering if I’m Gona hate it after a lil while I wish Yamaha made a current dual sport street legal 2020 was the last year and this is the best deal I can find around for it
That is what a trailer is for.
Nobody in their right mind would want to ride far on the highway on a WR250. Basic!!!
True story bro, but what you buy?
I think you are more street biker than trails rider . For all the concerns you have I can see you need an adventure bike n avoid any trails that have difficult parts . I have a wr with bigger sprockets in the back n in the front . I sacrificed the speed in the highway I’m good to go 65 mph until I get to the trails once I’m in the trail is when I need the bike do the job n it does it . Gas stations are everywhere if any situation a xtra gas in a container won’t hurt . But I won’t take a bigger adventure bike to difficult trail just because the capacity on the highway .
Wow an adventure bike rider reviewing a 250 that can’t go 100 on highway huummmm just stick to 1000cc adventure bike it will suit you better
Probably the worst commentary on one of the most legendary motorcycles ever built. Somebody get this guy a BMW.
Seems you were looking for an adventure bike from a dual sport not gonna happen. Everything you have said is a big problem for the 250r but can all be fixed for small amounts except the hp issue maybe with a power commander. A safari tank better gear ratio would help and abs eeehhhh riders choice. Sounds like you needed a 450f.
He might like a WR450R which are not sold in the U.S. Or a WR400R if there was such a thing, and so would I. But Yamaha does not seem to care.
Thx for your video....But this bike was not for you if you entended to take it in the highway.... Thought about the Dr650?(Kind of 40%offroad,60%road----Drz400 is 60% offroad...)
I thought the DRZ400 was bad on the highway due to vibration per reviews...leading me to the WR. The WR kind of acts like a moped though. The DRZ400 is likely a better bike for riding the trails and getting between them, too, the intent of a dual sport.
@@MtbEngr and it’s a 5 speed the DR
Exactly, well said. Too many people saying even the new 300cc bikes can do it all. My ideal Dual sport would be a WR500 Tenere based on a stroked 450 with lower compression and a much heavier flywheel. Every dual sport should also be sold with a 15+L tank and a 2+ hour comfortable seat. So tired of buying brand new bikes and then spending a couple thousand more fixing all the shortcomings. You'd think the manufacturers would look at what their customers do immediately after purchase and maybe consider offering some of those features?
Sell’s because it doesn’t have abs…
So have you decided what bike is going to replace it?
What do you think of CRF300L Rally? Similar weight, more hp, bigger fuel tank, ABS, and a cheaper sticker price than the WR250R, yet it still has long service intervals unlike the 450 class of dual sports.
@@MtbEngr seems like a good choice, makes me wanna watch another 300l vs rally video
@@MtbEngr according to dyno charts, the WR makes slightly more peak horsepower than the 300L. If you’re looking for more passing power and better highway performance, you should go bigger on displacement yet.
You gotta rev the piss out of the WR to get the most out of it and it’s best suited to off-road terrain.
@@MtbEngr That cheaper sticker price is negated by the cost of uprgrading its pogo stick budget suspension. If you're content to just putt along on dirt roads and then wring its neck at 80mph on a highway you might last another 10 months before you realise its not doing what you want either. Unicorn hunting is an expensive past time.
The speedometer is 7 km off compared to GPS
NO no no no no! That is NOT your correct MPG. The speedometer being off has nothing to do with the mileage recorded unless it has been screwed with! If it takes speed off the drive sprocket, and those sprockets were changed, then yes, the same amount of offset to the indicated speed applies to the mileage as well. Same thing for changing tire sizes. The heinous decision to lie by a considerable margin on the speedometer does not affect the odometer or trip meter. They are going off of different values for what a mile is.
I plugged an OBD 2 reader into a mazda miata and took it on the highway. At a GPS speed of 55 mph, the speedometer showed 62 mph, while the car's computer said 56 mph, which is within margin of error. If you want to properly calibrate actual vs indicated mileage, get on a highway with mile markers, then reset a trip meter as you cross a mile marker. Don't make any lane changes, and go at least 10 miles, longer for more accuracy. If you went 50 miles, and the bike showed 56.5 miles, then yes, your correction would be correct, but I have never seen a vehicle that lied on the actual mileage by any considerable amount. A few percent here or there can be expected from tire height differences, but not by that much.
You bought the wrong bike my friend. Stop dissing a guitar that you can’t play like a piano. It is what it is. Not a highway bike, but it will do it. Not a true off-road bike, but will do it. Who wants abs off-road? No one I know of. A $12 front sprocket would’ve improved your overall experience. Sounds like you need to come out of the BMW GS marshmallow men closet and let someone else ride the Japanese gem you’ve got.🙄
dude idk what you are talkin' bout....2 time Route 66 travel on one and it's still knockin' like tha cops!
Pony up the bucks and get a KTM 350 EXC-F. It will probably meet your expectations but cost double and take a lot more maintenance.
Yes. 250 isn't exactly a highway sized bike.
Seems like it's still a tossup between the old DR 650 and the ktm 690. 😂
Excellent review,great to see honesty prevail
Good lord..
Great bike and better review. It’s a breath of fresh air to listen to people tell the truth about the toys they buy.
why not just remap the engine ?
I have have a WR250R 2015
I have a 15 WR250R since new and have 10k miles on it.
Yes, it is not road bike but can run 60+ all day long, if need. DRC Speedo correction. Have re-geared and bike is so much better. I do get 60-70 mpg. Can run 87 octane fuel, no biggie, but run higher when can. Come on 2 gals. Won't break the bank. Absolutely Love the bike and I also have rode for years. Raced Moto-X on 450's. Yes it is a 250 on power, but stronger than others. It will make someone else a Great bike!!
Me too.
The wr250 is awesome, but those are the same reasons I sold mine. Now I'm looking for a crf300l abs