250cc Enduro Comparo: Husqvarna FE250 vs Yamaha WR250F

If you want to make a compelling case for why more Aussie riders would be much better off buying a 250cc four-stroke enduro bike than the larger-capacity machines they currently gravitate toward, look no further than Husqvarna’s FE250 and Yamaha’s WR250F. For 2022, the Husky moved to Braktec brakes and clutch, and firmer fork settings, while the Yami came in for sweeping upgrades to engine, frame, suspension and brakes. And both bikes are now arguably the finest examples of quarter-litre enduro machinery on the planet.
But that’s not just because these flagship 250cc offerings from Europe and Yamaha have taken significant steps forward in power and handling in recent years; it’s also because Aussie riders tend to routinely overlook all the other things these punch-above-their-weight 250s have going for them. Namely...
They’re neutral-handling and agile. They don’t fatigue you. They no longer require special maintenance regimes. They’re cheaper than their larger-capacity brethren. And they’ve evolved to a point where they’re much more powerful and fun to ride than you remember they were.
But how do these two incredible little machines compare when it comes to personality and performance? What are the biggest differences between them? And what sort of rider is each bike most likely to suit, and why?
To answer those questions in detail, we teamed up with former Pro riders, Damian Smith and Scott Keegan, and spent a few days testing these 250cc weapons in a broad variety of trails and racy enduro loops.
Here’s a snapshot of the boys’ conversation in the wake of that extensive testing...

[@johnrenehan7406]

Whao .....the first Aussie ive heard admit this 👏👏👏

[@fynn8252]

I went from a crf450x to a wr250f and that was a great decision. My ecu and exhaust are stock (US model) but I feel so much control and such little fatigue when flowing through the single track. Delighted to have this bike!

[@2uzfe4x43]

this is what i am thinking about doing (05 crf450x) but thinking i will miss the speed and torque in sandy washes and desert for half the year. (half southern nevada, half idaho single track)

[@fynn8252]

@@2uzfe4x43 Look at the 350. Similar handling characteristics to the 250, but more torque and peak horsepower.

[@Freenavo]

It is a good first bike?

[@goneridingparts]

Just wish the WR came with the CCU and ECU in the USA, like it does there, Great video !

[@nickg2431]

I really like your relaxed and informative videos with plenty of knowledge and experience

[@jymjess]

awesome video guys 👌

[@glennaltschwager5234]

It took me 20 odd years to work out I didn't need a 500 for trail riding 😛 Went back to a 350 2 years ago and more recently back to a 250 BETA 2T. I reckon a 4t 250 might be worth a crack next bike. Cheers Legends 🍻

[@TEKKYTWO]

which 350 did you get? FE 350

[@glennaltschwager5234]

@@TEKKYTWO 350 exc-f mate

[@AdventureMotoEnduro]

I moved from 500s to 350f and yes much more fun to ride through the bush ,,just got to keep rowing through the gear box keep it singing

[@Superdisco199]

I feel like I know alot about how the WR works in sand now and very little about how either, esp the husky, works in regular trail and hard enduro conditions TBH.

[@artvandelay2111]

Hey guys great video. Was the Yamaha "uncorked" ie - airbox snorkel / muffler restrictor / throttle restrictor ? Apparently all Aussie WR's come that way to pass ADR's

[@transmotoevents]

Hey legend, yes this WR was "uncorked". They all come this way when you purchase one from an Aussie Yamaha dealer.

[@artvandelay2111]

@@transmotoevents Awesome ....cheers for the reply 👍

[@motoboggle7525]

@transmoto guys which one has more engine braking and which was more prone to stall in the super tight tech ?

[@Mockle07]

Bit late to the party, but how would the Sherco SEF300 Factory compare for general XC/woods style enduro. I’m in the Uk so no wide open desert stuff here. Just curious to see if the Sherco might be best of both worlds as it’s light and nimble but with extra grunt with the full KYB suspension.

[@adamniswonger8015]

I had a ‘21 sef300 factory. It was a great bike that has more grunt than the fe250 I had all over, but it was still further away from the fe350 I had as well. It needs some revs to get moving I. The woods.

[@Mockle07]

@@adamniswonger8015 really? Ok that’s interesting cheers. I had read somewhere that the 300 was more like a 350 in low to mid but didn’t have the top end of a 350, but you think the 350 has more everywhere?

[@airindiana]

@@adamniswonger8015I’m torn between an FE250 and Fe350. Uk based. Currently got a TE150 but really struggling on hills with it as no low end grunt (well it has a bit but it runs out fast on hills) and I don’t have skills/bravery to launch up hills screaming, which is what it needs. Does the Fe250 lack low end grunt? Last thing I want is to swap my 150 for another similar issue. What attracts me to the 250 is I’m a novice and it’s a little lighter, and I’m guessing slightly more nimble than the 350.

[@Booki89]

Average trail rider who rides mostly singles - the WR or the FE?

[@Booki89]

Anybody wondering - Ended up with an EC250F, no regrets.

[@adzythepwcblokeinaustralia5467]

A YZ250F airbox , airbox lid air mod ,muffler and Lithium battery and a good map and your cooking with gas ! 😅 Adzy knows 😊!

[@tobz173]

What’s the difference between the two air boxes?

[@adzythepwcblokeinaustralia5467]

The YZ airbox from 2021 onwards has a bigger velocity stack that allows more air to breath thru the engine .

[@kordapyo612]

How about the yz250fx?

[@adzythepwcblokeinaustralia5467]

@@kordapyo612 the FX does not have the YZ airbox either , look at the part numbers . It’s worth about $178 Au , cheap mod really .

[@kordapyo612]

@@adzythepwcblokeinaustralia5467 what do you think between xc250 or wr250f. I'm leaning unto the wr250f as it is a complete package already but i would like to have a hand unto 2t. I would go for a 125x if it's a electric start. But will see how it goes.

[@davidhaviland843]

Balls to the wall mate 😎 Yamaha before husky every day of the week🤙we be smash'n da Bush 😁👍

[@64maxpower]

The Wr250 is nearly non existant here in the US. Lots of yzf and yzfxs but rare to see a Wr250 or wr450

[@Blucru90]

wr isa racebike- european enduro is better than americans.

[@chadjohnson7712]

👑 YAMAHA 👑

[@adzythepwcblokeinaustralia5467]

You don’t need to touch the clutch on the WR when you have a Rekluse Radius CX auto clutch 😊 , rear brake on the left hand side and have fun ! Love my WR250F

[@nickovdub6131]

That's boring

[@motobandits5338]

May as well have a postie bike if you want an auto clutch.

[@adamniswonger8015]

@@motobandits5338 yeah, and electric start and fuel injection is for wusses and noobs who can’t tune a carb. The Ty I g app os for nerds.

[@ildoc66]

Yamaha is so much heavier think will get you tired faster

[@Booki89]

I thought they were the same weight?

[@Mockle07]

Lol there is no way that 3kg will make any difference in reality. Power, suspension settings, power delivery and reciprocating mass have far more influence on rider fatigue. Ride an MX bike that is 7kg lighter but far snappier and a bit more powerful and you’ll be knackered in half the time!

[@adamniswonger8015]

The a muffler and battery swap will make them virtually even.