Trying to get a Yamaha WR250F or simply need to be taught extra about it? It’s a fantastic path bike, however it’s not for everybody, which is why I put collectively this evaluation.
It covers the sensible information and mannequin historical past it’s essential assist you determine if that is one of the best grime bike for you. Selecting the best bike is step one to changing into a higher & safer rider in much less time.
What’s the Yamaha WR250F?
It’s a 250cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke off-road enduro motorbike, however let’s break down what that really means. A 250 is a full-size grime bike, and the liquid-cooled engine is high-performance in comparison with an air-cooled 4-stroke.
It’s an off street enduro bike, constructed for driving within the grime, reminiscent of single-track trails, the desert, or mountain trails. It additionally has a headlight and tail gentle. Nonetheless, the WR250F will not be a avenue authorized grime bike as a result of it’s registered for off-road use solely by the manufacturing unit.
What’s the distinction between WR250F and WR250R?
The principle distinction is that the WR250F is a high-performance path bike for off-road solely driving, whereas the WR250R is a street-legal grime bike for dual-sport and journey driving. Whereas they’re each 250cc 4 stroke grime bikes, they don’t share any of the identical elements.
Who’s the Yamaha WR250F for?
This can be a good bike if you need a light-weight obligation enduro bike or excessive efficiency 4-stroke path bike.
What do I imply extra particularly? In case you’ve already discovered the primary strategies to driving off-road and have constructed up your confidence from driving a newbie bike, reminiscent of the TTR230, then the WR250F is an efficient improve.
It’s taller than newbie bikes, however is an efficient dimension for older teenagers and adults in case you are 5’8″ or taller.
Engine – what to anticipate
The 250cc liquid-cooled 4 stroke engine is primarily based off of the YZ250F MX bike, however it’s tuned higher for path driving. It has higher low-end torque and a smoother energy curve due to the completely different cams, gas tune, and exhaust. This makes it simpler to experience within the woods as a result of it’s extra predictable and controllable.
The WR250F doesn’t get the identical updates because the YZ till at the very least a 12 months later as a result of it’s not the premier 250 mannequin from Yamaha. Since 2001, it’s gotten a number of main adjustments that embrace utterly completely different frames, engines, exhaust, and fueling techniques.
Horsepower
The primary technology WR250F, which is from 2001-2014, has about 30 horsepower in inventory kind. You’ll be able to improve that with some easy mods, reminiscent of consumption and exhaust uncorking.
2015+ WR250F has about 35 horsepower in inventory kind. The rise in energy is from the brand new reverse-style engine taken from the YZ250F. It’s been barely detuned to have smoother and broader energy for path driving, however it nonetheless has that race bike “snap” while you twist the throttle at excessive RPM.
Is it highly effective sufficient?
How a lot energy do you really want? Most riders can’t take full benefit of a WR250F with 35 horsepower whereas path driving.
So, even when you weigh over 200 lbs, it has loads of energy to do most any form of driving. With that mentioned, the 250 four-stroke lacks low-end torque proper off idle. If it’s essential lug it and brief shift, then you may want a 350 or 450.
Does it have gas injection?
The WR250F had a carbureted engine from 2001 till 2015 when Yamaha modified to the YZ-style reverse engine with EFI.
This was a giant change in efficiency, in addition to with the ability to experience at completely different elevations without having to alter jets – the gas injection auto tunes for air temp and elevation (not exhaust or engine mods although).
Updating to a 6-speed transmission over the 5-speed within the 2014 and older fashions helps if you need that additional gear for top velocity driving.
Prime velocity
You’ll be able to attain a high velocity of about 80 mph on a inventory WR250F, however why do it’s essential go that quick? In case you’re desert racing or drag racing, the max velocity is necessary, in any other case it’s ineffective for path driving – you may all the time make it quicker with one low-cost half.
Need to have a better high velocity? Simply change the rear sprocket with one that’s smaller/has much less tooth. Or, if you need a decrease first gear for onerous enduro driving and higher acceleration, a much bigger rear sprocket will immediately assist.
Can it cruise on the freeway?
Initially, a WR250F will not be avenue authorized until you get it registered and plated, so you may’t legally experience on the freeway. With that mentioned, possibly you probably did convert it to be avenue authorized otherwise you need to cruise on gravel/fireplace roads to make it again to camp faster.
Nicely, a inventory WR 250F gained’t be very comfy driving on the freeway at 60-70 mph since you’ll need to hold the engine revved at a excessive RPM. You’ll be able to change the gearing to cruise at these speeds extra comfortably, however you’ll need to sacrifice a taller first gear and slower acceleration total.
Suspension
Whereas the WR250F could also be primarily based on the 250F MX bike, the suspension is far softer, particularly on excessive velocity hits, reminiscent of rocks, roots and path chop.
It acquired up to date in 2003 from its unique as a result of it was a bit of too plush for aggressive path driving. No main adjustments till 2015 when Yamaha modified the spring charges and valving for a greater performing however plush experience.
Entrance forks
Whenever you go from a cheap path bike, such because the TTR230, and improve to a WR250F enduro bike, one of many huge enhancements is the entrance forks and rear shock. You get a totally adjustable set of forks which you could tune to your weight, however there are easy steps to make the inventory suspension work very properly for you.
Yamaha has slowly made the WR250F forks stiffer through the years to compensate for how briskly the bike is, however it’s nonetheless made to have plush suspension in comparison with the cross-country enduro bikes and particularly the motocross bikes. The burden vary is 160-180 lbs, however relying in your velocity and sort of driving, that vary is a bit of larger.
In case you’re heavier or lighter, you’ll need to change the fork springs so you will get the correct sag and forestall fork bottoming. Then, you can begin adjusting the compression and rebound clickers. These modify the velocity of damping, basically providing you with a “stiffer” or “softer” feeling. Tuning these could make you’re feeling extra comfy and experience quicker.
Rear shock
The inventory rear shock is properly balanced with the forks, however you additionally must have the fitting shock spring fee to match the entrance forks in your weight. Then, it’s essential get the shock sag adjusted so that you can get the correct experience peak – when your suspension isn’t balanced, you’re lacking out on a greater dealing with grime bike that offers you extra confidence and management.
Then you will have the rebound damping clicker, in addition to the excessive velocity and low velocity clicker changes. By studying how your suspension works and spending time tuning it, you will get your inventory WR250F to work nice on the paths with out spending hundreds of {dollars} at a suspension tuner.
Dealing with
In case you’re coming from an older type path bike, the WR250F goes to deal with a bit of bit in another way. Because the chassis is much like the motocross bike, it’s longer and due to this fact might be extra steady at larger speeds and on rougher terrain.
On the flip aspect, tight turns might be tougher as a result of the steering is slower. Can it deal with tight, single-track trails? Sure, however it’s one of the best grime bike for woods driving, though it’s gotten higher total because it first got here out.
Weight comparability
Relying on which 12 months you get, the Yamaha WR250F weighs about 250-255 kilos, which is common in its class. In comparison with a 250 newbie path bike, it’s barely lighter as a result of the elements are larger high quality supplies with extra analysis and improvement put into it.
With that mentioned, although it’s heavier than a TTR230 path bike, it may well really feel heavier as a result of it’s taller and larger in bodily dimension. The next middle of gravity makes a giant distinction in dealing with, and that’s why I all the time suggest beginning on a shorter grime bike until you’re an abnormally tall rider.
Dimension Dimensions
It’s one of many tallest grime bikes obtainable from Yamaha, and that’s due to the full-size wheels, suspension journey, and chassis dimension. Brief riders, like me, are inclined to complain in regards to the peak of recent grime bikes, and for good motive.
Tall grime bikes are tougher for us to deal with as a result of we will’t simply contact the bottom. However, the rationale they’re so tall is that they’ve extra suspension journey and also you want sufficient floor clearance under the body so that you don’t get it caught driving over obstacles.
With a 58″ wheelbase, which is so long as it will get for a dust bike, that is one more reason why it’s so steady however steers slowly at low velocity.
Seat peak – what dimension rider is the WR250F for?
The inventory seat peak of a WR250F is 37.6 inches, which is fairly typical for an enduro grime bike. What does that imply for you? Nicely, when you’re brief like me (5’6”), then it’s going to really feel actually tall.
Ideally, the WR 250F will fit your needs properly when you’re 5’9”-6’2” tall, however it additionally is determined by your inseam size. With that mentioned, seat peak and your bodily peak aren’t the one components to think about. In case you’re a newbie, choosing the proper grime bike is extra necessary as a result of you should have extra confidence when you can contact the bottom with one foot.
However, as you enhance your stability method, you gained’t want to the touch the bottom or drag your toes whereas driving as a result of you will have extra management and confidence together with your bike.
Reliability – how lengthy will it final?
The reply everybody needs to listen to: “air relies upon.” On one hand, the WR250F is an especially dependable grime bike while you correctly preserve it, reminiscent of checking the oil and protecting the air filter clear.
It may well final a whole lot of hours and a few years earlier than needing a rebuild, particularly when you’re not bouncing off the rev limiter on a regular basis. The older 5-valve 250F engine was most likely essentially the most dependable engine you could possibly purchase, and the brand new reverse engine is nearly as sturdy.
On the flip aspect, when you don’t examine the oil, don’t ever clear the air filter, and always hit the rev limiter as a result of it sounds cool, you may be rebuilding your WR engine in lower than 20 hours.
WR250F Specs & Dimensions
| Engine | 249cc liquid-cooled 4 stroke |
| Transmission | 5-speed (‘01-’14)/6-speed (‘15+) |
| Seat Top | 37.6” (95.5cm) |
| Weight | 254 lbs. |
| Horsepower | 35HP |
| Prime Velocity | 80 mph |
Mannequin 12 months adjustments & updates
The Yamaha WR250F was first made is 2001 and continues to be being made as we speak. Listed below are the most important adjustments/updates all through its mannequin historical past:
- 2001: First 12 months – primarily based on the YZ250F however detuned/corked up
- 2003: Up to date cosmetics, electrical begin added, and auto-decompression added to exhaust cam for simpler beginning
- 2007: Fully new aluminum body (modified from metal), however dealing with didn’t change a lot, and it’s tougher to work on
- 2015: All new bike from the bottom up primarily based on the 2014 YZ250F MX bike – lighter, quicker & higher dealing with
- 2018: Engine updates for extra energy and reliability
- 2020: Engine updates once more for extra energy, kick starter eliminated for much less weight
Any frequent issues?
Nope, the WR250F is constructed so properly that you simply’ll hardly ever have points until you abuse it and don’t do any upkeep. Can it have main issues? Sure, however they’re not frequent, and you may typically inform earlier than one thing unhealthy occurs when you take note of what your bike is telling you.
For instance, if there’s a brand new knocking sound, don’t hold driving it till you determine what the trigger or how severe it’s. The longer you experience with a recognized challenge, the extra probably the engine will grenade and seize on you.
Different frequent issues, reminiscent of when your Yamaha WR250F gained’t begin is normally as a result of not utilizing it sufficient. When your grime bike sits for lengthy durations of time, the fuel goes unhealthy and can both trigger your carb to get soiled or simply not run as properly as a result of the gas breaks down and might soak up water – particularly pump fuel with ethanol!
Years to keep away from?
It actually is determined by what your wants or preferences are. There aren’t any “unhealthy years” for the WR 250F 4 stroke path bike, however when you don’t desire a carburetor then you definitely’ll need to keep away from the 2001-2014 mannequin years.
Perhaps you like a metal body Yamaha WR as a result of they’re a bit of simpler to work on. Then you definately’ll need to keep away from the 2007 and newer years as a result of all of them have thicker aluminum frames after 2006.
Is a WR250F the fitting grime bike for you?
Sure, the WR250F is a good grime bike for path driving, however it’s not “the proper grime bike” for every little thing. Particularly the older fashions, they had been pretty weak on the bottom-end, which makes it a bit of tougher to lug round at low RPM.
You will get extra torque with mods like a giant bore equipment, exhaust, carb tuning, and a cam, however they value a whole lot of {dollars}.
In case you haven’t discovered if the Yamaha WR250F is the fitting bike for you or not, listed here are some fast and sensible professionals and cons:
Execs:
- Very dependable
- Makes good energy for a path bike when tuned correctly
- 2003+ has electrical begin
- Suspension is good and plush however can take some aggressive path driving
- Components are simple to search out & comparatively low-cost
- Simple to keep up
- Steady at larger speeds than a newbie path bike
Cons:
- Not a lot torque proper off idle RPM
- Tall seat makes it onerous to deal with when you’re brief & a brand new rider
- More durable to work on than a path bike – particularly aluminum body fashions
- Lengthy wheelbase doesn’t deal with/flip as shortly on tight trails
- Arduous to search out used as a result of no person needs to do away with them
- Costly to rebuild if in case you have a catastrophic engine failure
How a lot is a Yamaha WR250F price?
The worth of a WR250F is determined by the 12 months, situation, season (time of 12 months), and most significantly, your native market. An older WR250F may be price 2000-2500 in your space, whereas newer used fashions are going for 4000-5000.
WR250F vs YZ250FX
A WR250F is an off-road enduro bike that’s made for path driving, whereas a YZ250FX is a cross-country enduro bike that’s finest for racing as a result of it has a extra aggressive arrange with stiffer suspension and a extra snappy energy curve.
Greatest WR250F mods
The most effective free or low-cost mods in your WR250F are:
- Air field mod
- Uncork exhaust
- Re-jet
- Wiring mod
- Suspension tuning in your weight
Tips on how to experience with confidence off-road
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It begins together with your driving method, and I need to assist you be taught the correct strategies so that you could not solely experience higher but in addition be safer so that you simply don’t crash and get harm. I put collectively a coaching information that can assist you do this quicker, and you will get it for FREE as we speak. Click on right here to be taught extra.
