Is this the best value Enduro Bike available? | Yamaha WR 250F Review

[@tieoneon1614]

Getting these WR's or FX on flowy single track, desert or open woods is really something else. Nothing matches the feel of how planted-but-plush the suspension and chassis. Its good to see you giving the WR some love. A lot of people buy the FX thinking its better, but only if u race or riding extremely hard. Lights, display, and a bit softer suspension comes on the WR and it runs great being so quiet {saving our sport}

[@BrakeMagazine]

Totally agree on the quiet exhaust.

[@AS-dc8tb]

Regarding the stalling at low end on technical terrain: I geared down by adding 2 teeth on the rear sprocket (52, from stock 50). Problem solved.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Nice.

[@jebediahnightlinger6357]

Did you have to add links to the chain or just replace it? I've installed the comp ECU and CCU, loaded a trail map and mine has become so much easier to ride in the extremely technical terrain. Still stalls occasionally and is still pretty fast when just lugging it up some ruts or taking off in the middle of a steep hill. Dam fine bikes though!!

[@burkey426]

Did you still run the stock chain with the 52t sprocket? If you had to do it again would you go 52t, 53t or something different?

[@nigelw598]

Buy one! Buy one! Buy one! You won’t be disappointed! At 55yrs old I realised that if I didn’t get back into a bike soon that I wouldn’t do it. I bought a 2023 new and I absolutely love it. I haven’t had a bike since my teens but always wanted to get back in. They have plenty of poke for off-road single and open track style riding. I’m 5’9” and I find it a bit tall if I stop on high centred ground and have to be quick to get a foot to the ground by slipping down one side. As my skill level is increasing I’m finding that not an issue so much any more as I’m a lot less “unco”. I tossed up between the 450 and the 250. Good buddies with much more experience than me recommended the 250 over the 450 for a relative newbie. I’m stoked with the 250 and may or may not upgrade later to the 450. The 250 is a really great bike. Do yourself a favour and buy one! Cheers from Australia 👍👍🍻🍻

[@BrakeMagazine]

I bought one!

[@nigelw598]

@@BrakeMagazine Excellent choice! 😁👍👍🍻

[@garykleinsteuber4529]

I had an '07. Before all the electronics. Never stalled. Revved Quick and smooth from idle to redline. It was so easy to kickstart I almost never used the electric starter. Great Review. It's making me miss my WR. Loved that bike.

[@BrakeMagazine]

The old carby ones were amazing. I remember riding one around 13 and it was easy and smooth. The YZf's made ripper enduro bikes for all the reasons you said. The big change now is that these are much stronger engines.

[@emfl4437]

I had a '02 WR250F, it was tough as nails. I still regret selling it, your review has me wanting a newer one 🏍️👍

[@skylerb7103]

Just got a 2022 wr250f I’m super happy with it and can’t wait to put a new exhaust on it !

[@BikingWithCraig]

Your breathing sounds like you are sat on the sofa whilst blasting around a track 🤯. - I seriously need to improve my fitness 🤣. Awesome review, love your channel and work 👍👍

[@actstuntcam]

Thanks mate. Great review. Always first-rate, well-presented information. Cheers, Campbell from NZ :)

[@BrakeMagazine]

Thanks Campbell!

[@JohannesDalenMC]

Another excellent video, and awesome riding. To me there’s nothing as fun as slow technical riding, would love a lightweight enduro bike one day!

[@BrakeMagazine]

Honestly, there is nothing I enjoy more!

[@glossblack1098]

You should try an Enduro bike Johannes. Since starting riding in 2016, I've gone from a Vstrom 650 to Yammy WR250R to Husky FE501 to Husky TE300i. I finally found my dream bike - "nothing I enjoy more".

[@JohannesDalenMC]

@@glossblack1098 Cool to see you here my friend 😁 Yes, it’s definitely going in that direction - but as you can imagine my wallet is empty right now 😂

[@rogermty1971]

@@JohannesDalenMC This enduro sport dries your wallet when you start. I bought a TE250 from Husqvarna but then you need a lot of protective gear. And after that, had to sell my VW Jetta to get a pickup truck so I can take my baby to the desert. It changes your life totally.

[@JohannesDalenMC]

@@rogermty1971 Hehe, yeah it’s definitely an expensive hobby! I think I’ll stick to dual sports and no pick-up for now 😁

[@glossblack1098]

Excellent honest review. You had me really interested until you said "it stalls a lot riding slow n technical, it's hard to re-start, blips a lot down low, and there's not much power down low)". For my style of riding, I think I'll stick with the 2 stroke Euro bikes. Cheers

[@BrakeMagazine]

Yeah, it'd pretty different to a 2-Stroke 🤣

[@legendhvh1239]

It's still the best cheap 4 stroke enduro bike, the best 4 stroke all around enduro bike is the Sherco sef 300 but it's way more expensive.

[@glossblack1098]

@@legendhvh1239 In Australia, the WR250F is still quite expensive and not much less than a Euro 300. Only a small difference around $1500.

[@ShawnBlais]

fwiw, the stalling can be mapped out pretty easily, and a $50 throttle tamer works wonders to ease the blip down low. In terms of power down low, it's definitely not weak, more of a medium amt of power there, but then it just absolutely comes alive in the mid-upper range.

[@BrakeMagazine]

@@legendhvh1239 I'd also disagree with that. I think the engine on the 300 is nice but really have to rev it to get much from it.

[@gillesgenete9598]

Key words are : it's a MX bike adapted to fast enduro race. Means very stable, revving high to reach power, excellent brakes. So that in more technical terrain, doesn't turn well, lacks torque at low revs, more difficult to pass steps, logs. I've ridden a 2016 WRF250 until last year 2021. I before rode for 5years a 450EXCF. The EXCF range is real enduro bike, really ready to race, while the WRF needs preparation to reach the EXCF performance.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Kind of. The KTM suspension isn't ready to race.

[@BrakeMagazine]

@@Peter-ff1tp Sure, but it's expensive. You add a £1000.00 to cost of the bike here in the UK, which makes the the bike £2000.00 more. That is not insignificant 🙂

[@solomotoadventures]

Great Honest review, the timing is perfect as I am looking to buy one. Thanks for the video

[@BrakeMagazine]

Would be a fun shout. Is it your first ebduro?

[@solomotoadventures]

Hi @@BrakeMagazine, yes, first Enduro bike; I ride my trials bike (4RT 260) a lot for fun and want a bike that I can go out on long trails and forests with that can handle some challenges and is not too heavy. I proffer technical riding over speed.

[@BrakeMagazine]

@@solomotoadventures I'd probably say the Yam isn't the best if that's what you like then 👌😊

[@solomotoadventures]

@@BrakeMagazine , yea, the stalling was one issue you brought up that I hadn't heard before and being tricky to restart at times is another concern that has me rethinking. Thanks for the replies and the video

[@BrakeMagazine]

@@solomotoadventures I think the lack of low end grunt compared the KTM/Husky/Gas Gas isn't ideal either.

[@SCORPASRULE]

Loved the Video, loads of information delivered in a way we can all understand. Would love for you to test the Fantic 250 XEF enduro.. looks may be deceiving with it, but one of your tests would uncover the truth as to how good it really is. Cheers Llew 👊🏻✊🏻👊🏻✊🏻👍🏻

[@BrakeMagazine]

I'm keen to ride one too. It's a 2021 Yamaha WR 250 F top to bottom, with a more open exhaust. Should rip.

[@amichaiziv9204]

@@BrakeMagazine I agree with every word We would love to see a video on the new fantic XE250F

[@rezkidgamingyt4725]

I don’t know I need to get used to that throttle control . I’ve learned that the idle screw needs to be turned up about 200 to 300 rpm it’s not much but it really helps with the flameouts

[@rezkidgamingyt4725]

I have the 2023 in Canada you need to buy the competition ECU and CCU and an exaust and this bike is a rocket an opens up better throttle response it’s a nimble bike I love mine I ride mostly bush hard induro trails and bush roads between trails it loves to rev

[@shayj.999]

Did it help the stalling in the low end

[@rezkidgamingyt4725]

@@shayj.999yha turning the idle nob up to about about 2500 rpm is what I’ve got mine set to and with clutch control in the slower technical stuff it fixed the flame outs for me anyway

[@biscuitsalive]

Give us a duel sport version!

[@BrakeMagazine]

As in street legal?

[@biscuitsalive]

@@BrakeMagazine yes. I know they do it. But isn’t mainly Australia and stateside?

[@BrakeMagazine]

@@biscuitsalive It can be street legal in the UK too. You can make a couch street legal in the UK 🤣

[@biscuitsalive]

@@BrakeMagazine but I’m lazy and want it off the shelf ready. :) Just nice to have some more options outside of a CRF300L and a Husky 701 etc.

[@BrakeMagazine]

@@biscuitsalive It will be. Buy it from a dealer and it'll be road reg'd.

[@rogermty1971]

I ride in northern Mexico and some enduro riders here have the YZ250FX and they say it is better because it has a bit more power. Our terrain is much rockier than in this video. Yamaha confuses me calling the WR250F and enduro bike and yet they have an even better enduro bike in the YZ250FX.

[@BrakeMagazine]

They are the same bike with a different exhaust.

[@craigd123]

​@@BrakeMagazine nope

[@BrakeMagazine]

@@craigd123 Sorry, you're correct Craig D.

[@gnarlybadger690]

Nice review is the bike ready to ride in the UK, I've heard the Yams don't come with the necessary requirements to make them fully road legal for example brake light switches? Not sure if that was just the previous models as you gave an not OTR price

[@BrakeMagazine]

You don't need any of that to road reg a bike in the UK. It won't be homologated for European use but we have some bendy rules for enduro bikes, so yes, it can be road registered by your dealer.

[@k_plax]

Nice review. whats the servicing like for weekend warriors with minimal mods?

[@BrakeMagazine]

The same as most dirt bikes really. Oil and air filter every three days I'd say.

[@KentwoodWarrior]

Be nice to have an updated wr250r

[@BrakeMagazine]

What do you anticipate improved

[@GraneyMitigationStrategies]

I know that you have done numerous rallies…….wondering if this bike would be a good platform to use for a modern lite rally entry bike?

[@SwedBear1]

I really appreciate all your videos 👍👍 For a person contemplating a first bike for off-road riding, to learn the "trade" on, what would you suggest? (Second hand market for this wallet). No pick up truck, so will be riding transport as well. I am a bit hesitant to the time and money for servicing a proper enduro bike, but as I understand you there's a lot to be gained as opposed to a dual sport bike like a wr250r or a crf300l? My preferred riding would be less technical and more flowing, (I think). That's what I prefer on an MTB anyway 😄 Would also prefer fuel injection, not being much of a tinkerer love things that just plain works with as basic servicing as possible. I'm 187 cm, 90 kg, 42 years and been riding street bikes since last year on pavement and gravel roads. I value your opinion 😊

[@BrakeMagazine]

My personal opinion is the best starter bike on the market is the Honda CRF 250L/300L. It ticks all of those boxes you require. It's not the best bike on the market but; it's cheap as hell, requires very little maintenance, works on the road okay and is easy to ride. You can ride this for a while, sell it and loose next to no money. If you make the jump to a full on Enduro bike you gain as many problems as you solve, but you'll know if you want that after a year on the CRF. For your height, get some stiffer spring fitted, some small bar risers (10mm) and ride the wheels off it. In the long run full blown enduro bikes are better, but don't underestimate the transition from road to off-road. it's a new sport and most enduro bikes, even the soft ones are really designed as race bikes. They're very fast, finicky and I personally believe that anything more powerful than a KTM/Husky 250 four-stroke is a lot of bike. They do need work, by you or someone else especially if you buy second hand. They need setting up well and if you're into more flowing riding they're probably overkill. The only caveat to this is that you're big and that's a good thing. Managing an enduro is a bit easier at your height. At 90kg's, I'd recommend stiffer springs than stock, whatever bike you get on. :) I hope that helps!

[@SwedBear1]

@@BrakeMagazine Wow, what a thorough and thoughtful answer! Completely golden, Llel. Thank you! I will go for the 300 because of the abs, just have to wait for a second hand one 😅 Take care 🙏

[@BrakeMagazine]

@@SwedBear1 Happy to be of help. I'd be wary of the ABS off-road too btw. Generally bikes without the BOSCH ABS System aren't great off-road :)

[@SwedBear1]

@@BrakeMagazine Thanks for the heads-up, luckily it's easy to turn off by a button from stock. Useful on road and then just push the button when fun begins 😄 By the way, I saw you used the Michelin tracker on your 350 lightweight adventure, would you recommend those for a crf as well? 🤔

[@Krgump]

Do yourself a favor and get the yz. Even if you ride poorly now, youll outgrow the wr fast. Maybe the yz will be to much at first, it might scare you for awhile but youll get used to it. You will grow into it.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Have you ridden this WR? Or a WE from 2008?

[@Krgump]

@@BrakeMagazine no mine was a 12. I grew up on 2 strokes. I know not everyone has. I concede that a person can have tremendous fun on a wr particularly trail riding ... but the first time you ride with buddies in open places or on fast tracks .... they will ALL leave you behind. My last dirt/trail was a yz250f 16 and even the 4 banger just is so so so much more than the wr. Im not hating on you or the wr. But if a person is gonna put in real time on a bike .... wr will get out grown fast. Even the yz X would be an upgrade. (I think).

[@Krgump]

​@@BrakeMagazinea quick afterthought. I think they come road rdy in Australia?! Think is the keyword. If they came road rdy in the usa i would absolutely join you in the purchase of the wr. They do not come rd rdy in the US. I think only a headlight still. I might be wrong.

[@Jason-cl8hk]

Great review, thanks. Would this bike suit a complete off road novice do you think?

[@BrakeMagazine]

Honestly, not really. I think it's better suited to a more confident rider. The KTM is more forgiving.

[@aleks_the_Great13]

Would you agree that this is the best bike for a beginner, trying to get into green laning and a bit off road... ? Do you know if the service intervals are 1800 miles ? And 3000 for valves ? I have heard this on one of the videos from someone but I'm unable to find any information online .. very nice review sir .

[@BrakeMagazine]

No. I don't think this is beginner friendly. It is quite aggressive to ride compared to the KTM/Husky/Gas Gas or Sherco 250 models. These are easier better beginner bikes. I don't know the service intervals sorry. Normally they are measured in hours not miles too. Typically it'll be around 15 hours for an oil change, 80-100 for valves and 100-200 for a piston but that can be longer if you are riding gently. 😊 Hope that helps!

[@aleks_the_Great13]

@@BrakeMagazine many thanks for the quick reply... I'm biased towards the Yamaha for reliability but I haven't heard any bad stories about the Austrian brand so I might have a look as well. How about a 2 stroke bike for first off-road bike, what are your thoughts on that ?

[@paigntonbeach]

What is the maintenance schedule like valve checks and piston change etc ?

[@painsrides]

If we had more open terrain here New England(USA) I'd have a WR250F.... Its really too slow and technical for a peaky 4T so I'll just keep plugging along on Euro-Queen 2T's ... 🤣

[@BrakeMagazine]

Can't beat a two stroke when it's tight!

[@KairyuRider]

Not available in Japan for the last few years🥺 Honda for the win

[@copybooknano854]

A bike made in Japan and not available in Japan. What...?

[@MDM1992]

2 stroke for the win yz250's are always available and anyone who says they make poor technical/enduro bikes either cant set up a bike properly, cant ride a bike properly, or both. lol

[@Superdisco199]

"It doesn't have the pull off the bottom as some other 250F's"..... can you tell us what 250F's in particular you're thinking about ? :-) (Personally I don't feel like yamaha are moving in the right direction for trail, i.e compliance, low end torque etc - I wouldn't want to do any hard enduro on one).

[@BrakeMagazine]

I was referring to the Austrian ones; the KTM, Husky/GasGas. Right at the bottom of the power, low revs, low throttle opening, they make really good forward progress. They're not insanely quick but for enduro they make grip and keep you moving forward. Great in Europe when it's wet. I think they're doing a good job without putting the R&D in that the European brands are and I'm glad they're still making some effort to do so. There really are a lot of things to like about the WR that are progressive for the end user. Opening up the EFI is a push that was industry leading and makes it much better for us as the consumer. :)

[@jameshealy4594]

Is that power figure right? 36 hp out of a 250cc thumper! I'm obviously out of touch with enduro bikes, that's far more than I thought they produced.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Yup. Something a bit fettled should be able to put our 40 and a 250F Mx bike should be low 40's in stock trim. Modern 350's are around 48 in stock trim and 450's are in the low 50's. The MX versions are around 60hp now.

[@JonathanVerrier]

Yes.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Yes.

[@IBOO57]

From various reviews it seems the earlier alloy frame but carbied bike are a better Enduro bike? Would you agree?

[@BrakeMagazine]

They were really good enduro bikes apart from being kick-start. It's been a long time since I rode on though and I probably say it depends on the type of riding you do. As a cross country race bike or a bike for going fast on I was really impressed but for technical riding you're probably right.

[@IBOO57]

@@BrakeMagazine thanks heaps for the reply! I need an all rounder tbh.

[@BrakeMagazine]

@@IBOO57 This isn't that sorry. Buy something European :)

[@Dashriprock4]

Excellent bikes no doubt. I'd like to see it up against the SWM RS300 as it relates to value proposition

[@BrakeMagazine]

That would be a fun comparison indeed.

[@Dashriprock4]

@@BrakeMagazine There is every logical reason to buy the outstanding Yamaha, but there is something intangible about Italian machines. Excellent review by the way. Well done.

[@jebediahnightlinger6357]

Great review of a great bike! Read the comment section if you need a good laugh...some real goons in here!

[@LizardMane]

husqvarna and ktm for the win.

[@BrakeMagazine]

This Yam has really nice stuff including better suspension.

[@LizardMane]

@@BrakeMagazine we both know that's not true lmao 😝👌🏼

[@MDM1992]

​​​@@LizardManeif that nonsense helps you sleep at night. Never raced with a single ktm or husky that could beat or shake my yamaha's consistently yet. Oh and good luck finding parts in a year or 2 when they stop making them, and IF you're lucky enough to find them enjoy paying an arm and a leg, yamahas always have available spares at a fraction of the price. And psst, when the ktms and huskies i ride with fall apart and break down.. my yamaha still tanks on strong. 😂

[@Turt51278]

A bike designed for enduro should have the bottom end pull and not stall easy. Not saying this is a bad bike but it’s not a enduro bike. It’s falsely claimed as one

[@skrzatRG]

Why you want ride 4t if there are a lot of 2T bikes from ktm, hsqvarna or gasgas?

[@BrakeMagazine]

I agree. Terrible life choice.

[@muzz17]

Because 2 strokes suck

[@MDM1992]

​@@muzz17only if you cant ride 😂

[@stanimirgg6044]

where do i find maps for it ?

[@shawnmcgrath4631]

How much do you weigh? I am a bigger guy and considering this bike.

[@BrakeMagazine]

95-97kg

[@Steini07]

I think 36HP is enaught for a Enduro bike in this class ;-)

[@BrakeMagazine]

It's okay 👍

[@Steini07]

@@BrakeMagazine my Beta xtrainer have arround 30HP

[@legendhvh1239]

Yamaha wr250 makes 40.5 hp

[@BrakeMagazine]

@@Steini07 its a different bike for different things though!

[@rickybobby7660]

Lovely job. Did you ride the GYTR kitted bike? Curious to see what their like with some basic bolt-ons

[@BrakeMagazine]

I did not. They had one with an Akrpovic system but that is all. We might have some updates on that front over the summer 👌

[@rickybobby7660]

@@BrakeMagazine sweet, looks like what I’ve been looking for, something less dual sport, more hare and hounds that could sort of evolve with me rather than have to chop it in after a year for an EXC

[@BrakeMagazine]

@@rickybobby7660 For sure it'd be a good bike for that. I've been trying to see if you can add a clutch weight to see if you give a little more low down too. There is company in South Africa making them.

[@rickybobby7660]

@@BrakeMagazine that’s a neat solution, I’ll have a look

[@jonruger]

Wonder what it takes to make it have the same power as the YZ250f

[@BrakeMagazine]

Different exhaust, YZF Cams.

[@jonruger]

@@BrakeMagazine nice not that expensive than I just got a new bike but am also thinking about an enduro I really like all the YZ’s I’ve rode so this seems like a good option just noticed it was way down on power compared to the YZ.

[@BrakeMagazine]

@@jonruger Most of that is the exhaust really. The stocker is quite restricted. Depends on your riding though. Sometimes more power isn't better.

[@jonruger]

@@BrakeMagazine Very true but I’d want it to be as peppy or as close to my other 250 as I could get it so it’s not such a shock switching between the two. Maybe just an exhaust and a different tune would be enough I called my local Yamaha dealer this morning to see if they have any of these WRs in stock they said they have 4 coming this week. So I may pick one up I’ve been buying 450s for a long time now because I thought I needed them for my weight but I rode some 250s last summer and couldn’t believe how far they have come since I last rode them. A 450 is overkill for an older weekend warrior like myself I’m actually faster on the 250 than I ever was on the 450s so I agree more power isn’t always needed.

[@Davidkxf]

Yamaha South Africa don't import the WR250F anymore

[@BrakeMagazine]

Really? That's a shame. Do they still sell the FX?

[@Davidkxf]

@@BrakeMagazine Yes they sell the FX

[@NZ2STROKE]

Costs less than that for an exc250 2 stroke here.

[@BrakeMagazine]

It's £1100.00 more for a KTM EXC 250.

[@NZ2STROKE]

@Brake Magazine 16k nzd here which is about £7880 and that's with a full road kit.

[@BrakeMagazine]

@@NZ2STROKE Well that's awesome!

[@nestororduz]

How tall are you...just to know if I fit in one of that!!

[@BrakeMagazine]

187cm

[@svenpb1996]

You had me until 7999£ I'm looking for something more 3000£ or less hahaha

[@BrakeMagazine]

New, that's gonna be a tough ask. Even second hand in the UK it's hard to find something 😭

[@Blucru90]

evry japanese manufacutrer should have a wideratio racebike

[@BrakeMagazine]

I wish they did. Still loving this bike two years later.

[@stanimirgg6044]

Please can you send me the maps for it

[@stanimirgg6044]

Can you send me the maps for it?

[@koolade76]

As much as I like WRs I think something else would be more suitable for me, living not too far from you, it seems ideal to hammer around Pembrey on parts of the supermoto track or the forestry commission roads, I get the feeling a KTM Freeride would be a more suitable bike for slower technical rides, probably missing out something newer, the Beta Xtrainer, I am. out of touch what’s available these days.

[@riharddanielsson207]

250f excf race bike or 350

[@BrakeMagazine]

Is that a question or a statement?

[@stanimirgg6044]

Please send me the maps for itttt

[@BrakeMagazine]

I don't have them.

[@stanimirgg6044]

@@BrakeMagazine can you give me the email of this place cuz i realy need tge maps for it

[@100CupsColombia]

The big question now is what do you weigh? Don't go getting all ''curb your enthusiasm'' on the topic though.

[@BrakeMagazine]

About 95kg.

[@100CupsColombia]

@@BrakeMagazine You're carrying it better than I😂

[@riharddanielsson207]

You must uncork the bike

[@BrakeMagazine]

You must.

[@robertoholt2694]

ᵖʳᵒᵐᵒˢᵐ

[@GraneyMitigationStrategies]

I know that you have done numerous rallies…….wondering if this bike would be a good platform to use for a modern lite rally entry bike?

[@BrakeMagazine]

It would be fine not good. I own one now, I liked it that much! I raced a rally on a 250 F and it kinda depends on how fast you're trying to ride. The quicker you are on a bike, the more you ask on it. I noticed on the 250 that it has to rev a bit higher to go the same speed and then it a little more skittish than a 450. It's not horrendous and if you're going for a fun time, the 250F is an awesome entry point. If you wanna win, it's a little trickier and a little more crash risk. As for how fast it is, yes. It's really quick for a 250 and would be better suited than a KTM Group bike to the task.