2022 WR250F In The Hands of an Average Rider - Can It Really Do Everything?

[@user-se7vt5ow4e]

Having both the WR450 and 250 . For me it is all about the fantastic suspension both bikes come with. My only complaint with the 250 is that it lives on the rev limiter but the engine seems to be bulletproof.

[@robrobinette]

In the US the 2024 WR250F comes with a non-tunable ECU. You have to buy the Competition ECU and the CCU (WiFi tuning) for a total of about $540. The map select button is also an extra $77. My bike was corked (throttle stop, intake and exhaust) and the dealer said they normally uncork the bikes but he was too busy to do mine. He did the throttle stop fix though. I did the intake and exhaust at home.

[@Paul-gu2lv]

You are a lot more patient with your dealer than I would have been.

[@itsmumoe]

I just bought a 2023 WR250F and they said that the Bluetooth tuning is noncapable and I should not use the CCU for the wr450F.. Where do you see this bluetooth that is for the WR250F?

[@robrobinette]

@@itsmumoe Sorry about that, the CCU uses WiFi, not Bluetooth (I edited my post above). The USA 2023 WR250F can be programmed using WiFi and a free phone app (GYTR Power Programmer app). You have to have the competition GYTR ECU (electronic control unit) and the GYTR CCU (competition communication unit). The CCU puts out a WiFi signal. You connect your phone to the WiFi and upload/download the ECU maps.

[@itsmumoe]

@@robrobinette so when I contacted Yamaha they stated they do NOT make a WiFi CCU for the 250Fs they stated that it’s my own machine and if I wanted to use the 450f one I can.. the bike was used with like 100 miles on it and it already had the button just no WiFi in the back left.. I contacted dealer and they also have no clue. So I’m lost and even the manual shows there is no WiFi options unless people are just using the 450f one for the 250f

[@itsmumoe]

@@robrobinette also there is no GYTR Power Programmer app? Are you talking about the Yamaha app?

[@Paul-gu2lv]

Most comprehensive and accurate review yet.

[@khaccanhle1930]

I've got a much older WR, it's carburetor. It's not top of the line, but for the tight, steep forest trails I ride, it is quite a monster. The after market carb and exhaust really helped. I'd love to get a new one, I love that 5 valve engine, a good mix of power and longevity.

[@HenryCrew35]

I’ve heard that the EFI ones are much more capable from factory. Especially with the Alu frame. They’ve always been beasts when uncorked though! I’ve got a 2015 450F and I love it.

[@adzythepwcblokeinaustralia5467]

I had an 03 WR250F and a 08 WR250F and now a new 2021 WR250F. The fuel injection is way better in all regards .

[@allanlombard8221]

I’ve got a wr250f 05 model with about 50 hours on it. I’ve had it for a year and it hasn’t given me one bit of shit! I ride it hard every time. It’s heavy but I’ve taken it up a difficult mountain on a hot day and it handled no problem! I think I need more power though.. 😬

[@lgraff2301]

So glad you mention Maintenance intervals. Not enough people talk about this.

[@aleks_the_Great13]

Has this been confirmed from Yamaha? I'm struggling to find this online anywhere 😃... Thanks for the great review

[@HenryCrew35]

Yeh it should be in the service manual 👌

[@reecehall5299]

20-21' WR has same cylinder head design as 19-20 YZF with different exhaust cams so I'm assuming would be much better down low. Standard header pipe on WR is also smaller then the YZ for emissions/noise compliance, 21' model WR would be the same and would be the main restriction as UK model comes uncorked from dealer the same as AUS. Cutting out the backfire screen on MY 21' WR gave some extra crack to the throttle however changing the header pipe to YZ is necessary to properly uncork these bikes. 22' WR engine is effectively a YZ now so it would be more beneficial to change header pipe on this years model. Running a bigger rear sprocket by a tooth or two made tighter riding much easier can use 3rd and 4th without fear of death These bikes are sprung for heavy riders from factory and 22' WR revised valving may be stiffer again if they have moved closer to the YZ in that department. If you are sub 75kg you will want to change at least the springs the valving on my 21' WR is pretty good from standard even with the spring rate drop but it is still suited to a track application, low speed rough/rocky tracks or hard enduro are not this bikes forte you can feel it's MX bloodlines and that's where these bikes really shine.

[@rezkidgamingyt4725]

I’ve got the 2023 and the clutch is working Awsome for me 135 hours over 4000 km on it now no problems at all with the bike I’ve got some stuff on my KZbin page with me riding the app will explain the the different values in the map dose . On my 2023 model you go to where the i is at the top of the screen in the app it explains how to tune the characteristics that you want from the bike engine

[@NorthWestEnduro]

Loved my WR on the trails but hated it on the road for the reasons you said. The engine induction noise on long road sections was also very irritating! Sold it a few months ago and now ride a 570 on the trails and it's perfect for everything!

[@HenryCrew35]

Glad you’ve found something that works for both!

[@rezkidgamingyt4725]

I’ve got the 2023 wr 250 f , I love my bike there was a few things that I had to do I’m sure a lot of people did the same . I got the competition ECU and CCU in Canada it isn’t offered with the bike from the dealership so Yha that another 1200$ anyway I also. Had to order the bigger gytr racing exhaust baffle it opens the exhaust up big time. I don’t do much road riding on this bike but I can get up to 147 km that’s wide open in sixth gear ⚙️. I’ve put 2568km on my bike already in about 85 hours all in the trails or bush roads I try to stay off of paved roads as much as possible

[@itsmumoe]

what CCU are you buying.. I have contacted Yamaha and they state for the 2023 there isn't a Bluetooth CCU that is compatible? Which one did you use?

[@rezkidgamingyt4725]

@@itsmumoe it’s a 2023 Wr I got it at Trailside sport Yamaha dealer they ordered it for me .it says made in Japan model number T722-A00. Those are the only numbers I was able to find that I’m willing to put on social media. Yha cause when I bought the bike August of last year the dealer told me that it came with the competition ECU and CCU well when I got home i removed the seat and left side number plate to have a look at it there was no CCU and it had the detuned ECU for it to pass epa rules and regulations. So I call the dealer an they told me that in Canada you have to order it separately it was like 1300.00 $ a change for both ECU and the CCU it did not come with the switch either .oh yha it not Bluetooth it’s wifi it connects to on your phone

[@kevingumfory]

I didnt think they tractored well at all ?

[@itsmumoe]

I just bought a 2023 WR250F and contacted Yamaha an they said that the Bluetooth tuning is noncompatible and I should not use the CCU for the WR450F.. Where do you see this Bluetooth that is for the WR250F?

[@HenryCrew35]

With older models in some markets tuning was not included as standard - it may still be the case

[@itsmumoe]

@@HenryCrew35 Older models? Its a 2023?

[@HenryCrew35]

I’m saying with older models in some markets you had to buy the performance ECU separately. I don’t know about 2023 models, it may still be the case. In the U.K. it comes standard.

[@itsmumoe]

@@HenryCrew35 yeah I called Yamaha because the button is on my bike but the actual Wi-Fi portion in the back is not Yamaha said that they don’t even make one at all and it’s not compatible for the WR 250 F but it is compatible for the WR 450 F and they are unable to tell me if I can use that one with the 250 since it’s not really compatibleand my dealership isn’t helping which is wild

[@HenryCrew35]

@itsmumoe yeh they’re 100% wrong on that - these definitely have the WiFi / Bluetooth capability - what country are you in?

[@brianbyrne8956]

Henry, good review man. I live in the states and bought a 2022 wr450. Here the wr’s don’t come with the programmable ecu. Just one dumbed down ecu for emissions reasons. So I bought and installed the programmable wr competition ecu and map switch. I also ordered the ccu to link to my phone but it is back ordered. Do you or anyone here know what my competition ecu map settings are from the factory. Are the settings all zeros? I can’t see them until my ccu arrives and I can’t really tell any difference between light on or off. Henry, I know you said in the review that if the two maps were programmed identical, one (I’m assuming light off) would be slightly not as aggressive. Any insight any of you could share would be much appreciated

[@HenryCrew35]

I believe it comes zero’d out from what I’ve seen!

[@SmalltimR]

What's odd is where your complaint was about the bottom end(lacking), but in other reviews, some riders were complaining about the bottom being too strong, and that they'd like it to be subdued. Are you sure you bike wasn't mapped to favor mid and top end?

[@HenryCrew35]

It may well have been, we didn’t really spend much time playing with the mapping but as it’s can be changed via the app it’s totally possible. I also think it’s weird, a lot of people have said this but It really didn’t feel like it had much bottom end grunt at all to me!

[@johnbee1069]

@@HenryCrew35 Might of been gearing also

[@robrobinette]

I'd like to borrow a CCU so I could load up a de-tuned map for wet rides on my '24 WR250F with comp ECU and stock gearing. I'd pull the timing way back down low, at idle to 30% throttle.

[@itsmumoe]

Yeah dude the bottom end on my 23 WR250F is WILD it was to stand up 0-10 MPH it hits harder then my YZ for some reason but only for that initial punch

[@robrobinette]

@@itsmumoe I installed the comp ecu and ccu and created a max detune map that makes the bike feel like a trail bike at low rpm and less than 1/4 throttle.

[@burkey426]

Great review, does the tuner come factory?

[@HenryCrew35]

Yes it’s a standard thing

[@fattie2550]

How often do you have to replace the top end if you dont race or ride it hard?

[@HenryCrew35]

I have no idea and I guess it would vary a lot but WR’s have a reputation for being bullet proof

[@Mockle07]

Did I hear that right, you think a KTM ECX-250 has more low end power and needs fewer gear changes than the WR?!

[@HenryCrew35]

Yeh the 11 extra horsepower makes a big difference. I find the 20/21 EXCF to be quite punchy for a 250. More so than the WR anyway.

[@Mockle07]

@@HenryCrew35 I’ve got a 250 EXC-F and while certainly not slow, it has no-where near the punch of a WR... I have literally never heard anyone describe any WR as peaky, power-wise. If anything the KTM has a revier power delivery. I know Yamaha has sacrificed some bottom end to achieve a bit more on top this year but there’s no way it has gone that far the other way. The KTM DEFINITELY doesn’t have 11 horsepower more than the WR, where on earth did you hear that?! 😂🤦🏼‍♂️

[@HenryCrew35]

@@Mockle07 WR250F is 36.1hp ECX250F is 47hp so 10.9hp if you want 😂 trust me the difference between the two is night and day.

[@Mockle07]

@@HenryCrew35 where on earth did you get that info? 😂 there is no way a 250 EXC-F makes 47 bhp! The SX-F (the more powerful Motocross version the EXC-F is based on) puts out just over 41 bhp, the EXC-F will make 38 on a good day! I can’t copy paste the link but look in Dirt rider or Cycle World websites for the actual dyno numbers. Literally every other WR/YZ review I have ever seen says the exact opposite of what you have, power-wise in comparison to the KTM equivalent. If you meant the 350 EXC-F I would understand... Edit - And I am saying this as a 250 EXC-F owner, not a WR owner with hurt feelings.

[@HenryCrew35]

My bad I think that KTM figure is from some blog that’s got it wrong. Who knows, just how I felt riding it. I have been riding an 2020 EXCF250 for the last couple of months but on trail not an enduro track or MX track. To me the EXCF has a way more even power delivery with low end punch but also really takes off when you ring its neck. The WR felt a bit gutless low down. I also haven’t had to smash down gears to power out on the EXCF but haven’t been riding it on track. Either way just my opinion, see if you can get your hands on the WR and have a play.

[@oh_look_bananas]

If you would use this bike for commuting, would it be a problem with maintenance? Or valves specifically?

[@HenryCrew35]

They have the longest service intervals of any enduro bike I’ve seen, 1200-1800 miles and very easy to service & check valves 👌

[@oh_look_bananas]

@@HenryCrew35 thanks!

[@johnhewitt1096]

I would buy one but the intake induction noise is far to loud and irritating

[@sidvicious5848]

connects via wifi, not BT, just saying

[@josephfelice601]

So you have to have data for this to work?

[@HenryCrew35]

No its just a signal / connection from the ECU to the phone much like how a GoPro connects

[@philslinkee]

@@josephfelice601 In your phone's settings, you have to select the Yamaha wi-fi network (generated by a little comms unit behind the nearside rear panel) then the app will connect to the bike. You have to wake the bike up first of course.

[@BN1960]

Enjoyable video that

[@HenryCrew35]

Thanks Nigel!

[@deechenzorides]

D r zeee! Y zeee! Are you a yank? Zed mate.

[@Davidkxf]

Waste of time review.