I Rode a Plated WR250F and WR250R. Here's What I Think

Yesterday I took my WR250r out for a ride, and someone was nice enough to let me try out their street legal WR250F. Here are my thoughts on it.

[@RumorHazi]

Enjoyed the video and this is good info. One funny part though, when you said the WR250R is “just so heavy…”. I have a WR but my other bike is a BMW R1200GS. Now THAT is heavy! I guess it is like thinking your AC is not working up to par until you go outside in the heat and come back in! When I get off the GS and get on my WR I feel like I am riding a bicycle! Thanks for the video. New sub.

[@duffyboby]

I have the same combo as you, the wr feels like a mountain bike after the gs!

[@gregsmith7821]

Have to agree as I'm in a similar boat: Honda Blackbird and WR250x.😂 My WR has lost a bit of weight and gained a few horse power. A little suspension fettling too, so tbh, feels more like an f than a stock r. Which works really well on road, with the street wheels/tyres and lowered rear (yamalink).

[@jennifermullins7783]

Try riding the WR250F down the road at 60 MPH for 30 minutes- not good! WR250R will go down the highway comfortably for hours at 60 MPH. WR250R is basically a dirt bike chassis with a street bike engine. WR250R is as smooth and reliable as it gets. Even 30 MPH on dirt roads for 4 hours will be more work and less comfort on WR250F compared to WR250R- complete bliss cruising dirt roads on WR250R. On trail or track, WR250F has huge advantages, but WR250R will ride the same, slower, with more work. Completely different motorcycles with different purpose. WR250R most versatile. 250F is a real dirt bike, with those limitations and advantages.

[@motosporttouring]

Completely disagree. I’ve done just that on a WR250F and it’s fine. The F is much better in many ways. GYTR ecu for one so you can make your own maps with the programmer to suit the condition, much better suspension, stronger engine. If it’s too snappy, you tame it with the programmer, or don’t uncork it. WR250F FTW!!!

[@martinwebber5792]

My friend has just bought a wr250f great bike loads of power put he would like to tame it down a bit. Would you have a tamer map that you could share. Regards Martin

[@noduh736]

I have a 94 wr 250 2t with a weighted flywheel port and polish everything a fmf gnarly and big fat jets and I have had it going 96 mph according to a GPS app and I had plenty of throttle left but the rear tire changed sides and it was scary

[@Rally_ADVentures]

I couldn't find a WR250R for sale in my area so I purchased a WR250F. Great comparison vid.

[@austinyates9127]

I swear I just bought the last one in Michigan too. My buddies looking for one now too and we'll have to go to Ohio for it. I love the bike.

[@smeggysmeg2837]

wr250r has been discontinued. still new ones out there for sale but fewer. used there have also been fewer for sale, maybe bc of the discontinuation. here’s hoping Yamaha finally produces a “dual sport” that can compete with KTM/husq, Beta etc. I have a 2007 wr250f that I love. But i cant make it street legal here in CA (at least not with a CA plate...i know there are schemes for plating out of state).

[@liamwilson1948]

@@austinyates9127 yeah I was trying to find a yz250f but I found a 2018 wr250f and It's my baby now lol. I've made it so it's more a mx bike and since the wrf is just a yzf engine but with different gearing and valving.

[@mdubzzz3133]

@@liamwilson1948 how are the service intervals

[@liamwilson1948]

@@mdubzzz3133 oh I just do the oil and filter every 10 hours or 15, depends if I can be fcked😂, and I do the air filter when it's dirty, I just treat it as if it were a mx bike

[@seancooper7256]

Dude thanks for the video! I’ve owned a WR250r and DRZ400 with the pumper carb but it’s time for a dedicated dirt bike and a cheap street bike soon after. I think the WR250F sounds like a perfect middle ground🤙🏼

[@Itsjake908]

Did you get the 250f?

[@LaurenceGough]

In the UK both come road ready but I still pick the R because of the better maintenance and works great for me on and off road. I wonder if the wr250f shock could be transferred to it as I do agree the rear shock could be better but my short legs don't help with soaking up bumps at all.

[@SuperNomad14]

WRR is a modified YZF platform as the WRF, just one 15 years older than the current one which WRFs are based on. WRR is from a time long before the inverted cylinder era.

[@manchesterroofingsystems8016]

thanks good to know!

[@tonyrichengod9280]

Man I had the chance to ride a WR250F for the first time yesterday and WOW. That thing RIPS! It was especially noticeable when I rode it back to back with an XR250. NIGHT and DAY difference. What a weapon. I've made my choice for trail riding. WR250F it is.

[@mississippisnowplow]

Compared to the XR, do you think WRF would be ok for me basically relearning to ride trails? I use to ride dirt bikes from about 12-18 years old.

[@chrispewkreme]

My WR250R is just one if those bikes I feel safe and happy on. I gotta work to wheelie 3rd gear. A 450 will just power up. I can just go wide open on trails on the 250R and it just goes faster. It doesn’t scare me. I can still go 80 on the freeway. I can go off the road and screw around on dirt. It’s just a fun bike that does it all. Is it the best dirt bike? Not at all. It will jump but it won’t land. It’s heavy. It flames out. Is it the best street bike? No. It’s so slow. You’ll always be shifting into 7th gear. It’s a dirt bike in the street. It kinda just sucks. But it does dirt and street like no other bike will. A sport bike will never belong off road. And a 2 stroke is just an absolute pain in the street.

[@arcadegamesify]

nice, my use case is motocamping and bdr-style riding, so the wr250r is perfect for me

[@chrispy1299]

Thank you, exactly what I want in a video

[@thehouseofronin9209]

Thanks for the info. I'm looking at one of these too.

[@davidstubeshow]

The gearing is the biggest factor in the sluggish response on wr250r.

[@HinspectorGournal]

Essay comment sry in advance: Love the video. But i always laugh when peeps say 300lbs+- is heavy.. I had a KLR put through the small bike paces(big fat slug and almost 500lbs without me or crap on there) Then went for a KTM 990 (a sloppy went hippo is great suspension after replacing the blowout). I did some of the hardest riding on/for a big adv I've ever done. Blew suspension on both bikes doing small bike territory. Difficulty of a trail is subjective to rider skill, while Weight is about 50% subjective as it plays to a person's stregth/skill level and 50% actual vehicle weight. But a sub 400lb bike is light in the grand scheme of it all. That said the xt250 we have has never felt heavy and the grom did at times. But i could stand over the grom and pick up the rear end and move it so i guess it depends on the day you know? Idk. Tangent over. Ps buying a wr250r next weekend. Lol

[@2wheelin]

Appreciate the feedback! Yeah 300lbs doesn't seem too heavy if you're used to big 500lb bikes. Weight placement is hugely important to the feel as well as the number itself. It's all relative. I wouldn't want a lighter wr if it meant sacrificing stability on the road.

[@HinspectorGournal]

@@2wheelin 100%

[@juddbelue1283]

Exactly what I needed to see…great job on the comparison!

[@jonharper7930]

Great video. Well done. Answered my questions exactly about the two bikes different qualities

[@sun6v546]

U have done a great job , Mate .

[@stevenburton7922]

Good review...Thanks for posting!

[@jebediahnightlinger6357]

Cool video, thanks for the comparison!

[@scottyd2262]

You have to have a bike that wheel stands out of corners. Otherwise, what's the use of having a bike ? That's one of the best things about riding !

[@cobococreek1224]

Agreed.

[@tbgtbg6311]

my WR250R will wheel stand out of corners if you rev it and ride the clutch like Tomac

[@noahridesmtb5886]

both of these bikes in Australia where they were engineered and designed are street legal from factory.

[@vedom7039]

Awesome video mate 👍👍

[@joeldude1]

Great work thanks so much👌✨

[@ozziejim8472]

With performance comes maintenance.

[@jameshuffman8591]

I own a 2013 WR250f amazing bike, the only thing that frustrates me is that it comes from the factory with a throttle stop screw that limits the pull of the throttle almost 1/4 of the full throttle, and it is a pain to remove, other than that it is an amazing solid bike.

[@highkey_steeze]

I found out can remove that screw to get full throttle but you'll have to re-jet for full power. Also I heard if you cut a "grey wire" is switchs the response mapping from the WR to a YZ not sure how true that is tho

[@willj7628]

Just looking at wr250r now I no the difference thanks👍

[@666dynomax]

i feel kind of dumb, i thought the F was built on the same platform as the R. Had a DRZ and sold it after 4 years was never really completely happy but when I bought it I was expecting more street, after the dirt tires went on it rarely saw the street, and the few times i was on the road i realized I no longer liked being on the road on a bike... soooo that brought me to the 250R, then finding out it was discontinued, i'm looking at a 250F, haven't driven one yet but expecting it is going to work much better offroad than my DRZ being 65lb lighter.

[@Editname972]

This comparison is just what I was after

[@michaelglenn2468]

I got the WR250r last year and started doing single track with guys riding KTM and Husqvarna. Now I'm wondering why I got the bike. Now I know why Yamaha discontinued it. To me it's more of a street bike that can go off road. Very neutral dual sport that's not great at either type of riding. Wow is that buyers remorse?

[@mtube620]

yamaha could fix that with a WR350R but they won't make it

[@michaelglenn2468]

@@mtube620 I'm hoping they come out with a Tenere 300.

[@mtube620]

@@michaelglenn2468 for ADV bike, one need a T4 to get around after loading it up with traveling gears

[@mtube620]

@@michaelglenn2468 a T3 would likely sell for 9 to 10k USD. I doubt entry ADV riders could afford that.

[@DrRumsmuggler]

@mtube620 I think you meant to say wr450r

[@zone47]

Interesting video. I test rode an 08 250F on the street and it was geared much lower so it was winding pretty hard at 60 mph. If I remember right, it was a close ratio 5 speed, does that sound right? The more powerful engine and gearing made it a very fast bike! I was considering doing the conversion but because it was so tall and I'm shorter, I didn't know if there was a lowering link option available for the F. Also, it would need mirrors, turn signals and who knows what else to make it street worthy, so I decided to just keep my R.

[@hphillips7425]

How do their maintenance intervals compare. Good video 👍🏻

[@jimmiller3594]

i had a 2015 wr250f sold it with 12000 miles never touch it except for oil changes

[@Tom-gt8yv]

it's funny that the wr250r isnt as crazy to ride as the 250f and i understand why but im a new rider, i had a 125 sport bike in the uk for a year, after jumping on the much taller, faster wr250 r with very knobbly tyres borderline illegal, riding it on the road was purely terrifying for me in a good way. im sure once i get my license and can ride it all the time ill get used to it and it will be more mellow but right now its like a rollercoaster that this 250f looks like in the video

[@philipyeo7535]

Where in the UK are you located? I'm in the UK and have a WR250X. I have the standard supermoto wheels but also have R wheels for off road.

[@Tom-gt8yv]

@@philipyeo7535 Brighton

[@philipyeo7535]

@@Tom-gt8yv not too far from me then. I'm Southampton. Have you managed to get your license yet?

[@Tom-gt8yv]

@@philipyeo7535 yeah i got it 2 weeks ago

[@philipyeo7535]

@@Tom-gt8yv congrats bro.

[@lmankj]

Nice comp

[@BACKROADBOYZTV]

Do you happen to know the exact kit the guy used, I’m looking for a good kit to build a street legal wr250f

[@projectfamily5802]

Different sprocket size you can easily change it I am going with a 50 tooth rear on my 250r

[@jasonbirbeck7833]

What do you think of the 50 tooth? I'm putting on a 49 tooth in the Spring. It's a new bike to me, but already looking for more torque. I like the low maintenance aspect with the WR. It's heavy as hell, but with some suspension adjustment (easy to do) and clutch control, it's the best bike you can't buy any more.

[@projectfamily5802]

@@jasonbirbeck7833 I like it but drops top speed a bit but over all worth it

[@666dynomax]

what makes the R more comfortable? seats look the same? I dont find any bikes comfortable but i know my DRZ rode much better than my buddies WR450!!! DRZ is a heavy beast though in the single track.

[@2wheelin]

Geometry is more relaxed, seat is wider and softer, vibrations are more damped.

[@walkerskii]

Thanks for the great video may I ask what year was the WR250F & what year is your 250R?

[@2wheelin]

Not sure on the f but the 250r is my 2008.

[@loyndsjames1]

I have a crf450r which I use for track and a ttr250 for trails but I'm looking for something with a little bit of a punch, do you recommend wr250f for me or wr250r

[@2wheelin]

Punch describes the 250f not the r. The wr250r will do most trails but the 250f is more capable for sure.

[@loyndsjames1]

@@2wheelin sweet thanks, I will look into geting one

[@oConshien]

What about service intervals on the WRF? I imagine not as great as the WRR's, but is it like KTM levels of maintenance?

[@2wheelin]

I don't own one but I believe the wrf calls for valve checks every 4,000 miles and oil about every 3,000

[@OgreMoto]

@@2wheelin That’s quite a bit off. WRF has oil change intervals of 600 miles and valve checks of 3000 miles for trail riding. If you race it’s oil changes every 3 races and valve checks every 500km. It’s very high maintenance.

[@SuperNomad14]

You can find pdf maintenance manuals for various WRF model years on the interwebs.

[@ozziejim8472]

@@OgreMoto the FX’s are ‘high’ maintenance!

[@OgreMoto]

@@ozziejim8472 lol all of the Yamaha dirtbike models are extremely high maintenance compared to the 250R. Plus, the FX bikes are race ready machines, the WRF is more of a trail bike that can be raced.

[@samirhernandez6520]

Great video. I’m saving money to buy a wr250 r

[@jabug_1144]

I had one and loved it man. They never die (well it’s really rare anyway)

[@samirhernandez6520]

@@jabug_1144 do you think is a good idea to make a wr450f a dual sport ? I mean use it for a daily driver.

[@jabug_1144]

@@samirhernandez6520 actually I’ve heard it’s not a great idea. The main issues are the high maintenance of the 450f engine, and it’s bad road manners. The 450f is designed more for competitive riding and is way faster off road, but you have to change oil every 600 miles and check valves 10+ times more often. The 450f vibrates like crazy, and will drain your endurance way faster. Allegedly... I’ve only ever ridden my 250R so I’m no expert but this is the hear/say I’m familiar with. If you want to go the 450 route, the best option might be the CRF450l if you can afford one. They are still pretty expensive even used as they’re pretty new so I could see that being a deal breaker. The Honda CRF450l is a better on/off road compromise than the more dirt performance oriented wr450f. But if you’re a new rider, the wr250r is an excellent way to learn and will be extremely low maintenance compared to the other bikes mentioned.

[@jabug_1144]

@@samirhernandez6520 just do a bunch of research.

[@samirhernandez6520]

@@jabug_1144 thanks man.

[@Etrician55]

Would the 250F beat a YZ 250 2smoker in a drag race?

[@2wheelin]

Probably would come down to the riders. The 2 stroke has more power but would be harder to put down.

[@dirtrider5001]

are they both about the same on acceleration?

[@2wheelin]

The F would smoke a 250r

[@markmccabe9688]

How can more power be a bad thing 🤯

[@2wheelin]

Beginner riders usually like less power, more power can get you in to trouble with whiskey throttle, and it's pretty darn fun to ride a slow bike fast. There are many people who would be better suited to the slower more manageable motor of the 250r.

[@ozziejim8472]

I had a 450 …. too much of a good thing for me, couldn’t sell it quick enough!

[@davidzambrano9126]

Just bought my wr250. How do I know if it's a F or R?

[@2wheelin]

If it's street legal it's an r, if it's street legal with a black frame it's an x, if it's not street legal it's an f.

[@scottyd2262]

@@2wheelin All depends on which country he lives. In Australia our F models are street legal

[@Lowdown13blues]

@@2wheelin Hi, what’s an X model ? TY

[@2wheelin]

@@Lowdown13blues the x is a variant very similar to the 250r, but with slight changes like a black frame, street wheels, etc. The x is basically a wr250r in street trim.

[@Lowdown13blues]

@@2wheelin thank you !!!!

[@brianrichard1768]

ditch stock tires , pipe and programmer and it's a diff wr250r. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6PYfmVqfsulrZY

[@nana-cu5rh]

Quite simple. The 250R is for women and the F is for men.

[@vivimu]

250s are for girls 450s are for boys

[@donalddegaetano9502]

Cops can’t bust us now

[@vivimu]

@@samueljlarson 650 is for borderline obese boomers

[@elijahman5769]

Eh you can have a blast on any sized bike

[@seahawksshouldveruntheball7419]

250R is badass foh

[@Lorenzo3372]

Nothing new in this vidéo...