Classic Bike Review: 1989 Yamaha YZ250WR

This is a look back at Yamaha's first YZ250WR form 1989.
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[@mikep996]

I had this bike back in the day and actually had one that won a Baja race it was super modded clocked it at a 100 mph plus before!! Cops hated that thing never could catch it😂💪

[@IanNiblett]

I bought my YZ250 WR in 89 and I still have it sitting in my shed. It's looking a bit sad these days, but I guess one day I will strip it and rebuild it.

[@deborahchesser7375]

Ian Niblett I’ll rebuild it for ya. I’ve worked on em for 40 yrs

[@IanNiblett]

@@deborahchesser7375 Thanks for the offer. I have other priorities at the moment to spend my time and money on, namely a 1986 Yamaha RD350 YPVS. I'm also in the UK so I suspect I'm not around the corner from you.

[@deborahchesser7375]

@@IanNiblett sorry, a year later I see this lol. Yeh, I’m in the US. an RD ya say, I love those too, the 500 was one of my dream bikes too. Cheers 👍🇺🇸

[@theozBandit]

This was the BEST BIKE EVER for open beach races, and won a HEAP of Desert races all over the US, then once hit Australian dealerships, it won heap of races as 6 times in Class and held a top 10 position for 7 years in a row at the the Australian Finke Desert Races in late 80s and 90s until the unspoken controversy occured! After its 2nd year in Australia, all of the factory desert/enduro teams (except Yamaha 😉) were becoming suspect on how fast the new YZs were pulling away from all other 250s riders on open straights to speeds same as the top teams open 500cc were doing. After many secret talks between race teams, even between a couple of manufactures, all teams went and secretly started matching their teams bikes to have exact same specs believing there was some secret special 'sweet spot' with a rpm/gearing, and or a modded part YZs had and Yamaha wasn't legally disclosing. So several teams went ahead used identical matching pistons, piston weight, bore/stroke, compression ratios, to the final drive of sprocket sizes all so to be identical as these 'modern rocket' YZs. (Yamaha as joke deliberatly put fake case cover over their front spockets in the pits and photos to make the others think that is the big secret) So later, after finding no real change in results, many wanted to know how so many 'certain YZ250' were getting away so fast at starts and holeshots to then continue on up to such amazing top speeds, still pulling away in open top speed country. After matching all the specs, some then believed many of these new YZs had secret internal electric motor, had NoS, even a inbuilt mini supercharger!! It was later found that for all 'WR' owners using them for national or championship type races, dealerships and others were secretly helping and removing all the WR identifying info as stickers, even changing small WR parts to standard YZ all claiming bike was a 'factory YZ' so as not to be re classed. (All teams were currently saying the YZ250WR and WR500 models would have to be entered as 'modified') A short time later a small number of YZ490s believed to had been shipped from Shizuoka Japan to Australia, had arrived to race the major desert races in Australia. These secretly had used and fitted the same 'WR' gearbox blueprints as the 250 on these YZ490s. These 490s were absolute rockets as they quietly blew away a number of well known desert racers during several un named desert races including the current dual winning 171kph CR500 for a lead over 18mins due to the YZ490 WR having a 193kmh top speed until it blew a chain that destroyed the whole rear hub assembly. From here on its believed WR500s then took over. A FYI slip of the tongue during a Red Bull filming production by world#1 Toby Price says KTM has approved and is currently designing an identical WR Wide Ratio bike in a 350cc 2s / 500cc 4s for use by riders in Australia in its open outback remote Deserts as well as for the Finke and other Aussie Desert race events to compete against the new modified AF KX500, CR500s and other open 2s! Well about bloody time guys!! 👍🍻

[@MegaWingman7]

Omg I had an 89 YZWR250 and it was a BEAST!! And omg top end fast!

[@aboutfaceretreats6562]

Just bought one today

[@deborahchesser7375]

@@aboutfaceretreats6562 how ya liking that monster

[@aboutfaceretreats6562]

@@deborahchesser7375 more every day! It does everything so good

[@aboutfaceretreats6562]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIe0pp-ChZeahdk A little brap in mine and holeshots

[@sevenmilewhite1407]

I ride a 95 wr250. Still capable of podium finishs in hare scrambles any day of the week. Faster than alot of the four stroke new timebomb bikes I race against.

[@stevenwilliams4681]

I have an 89 yz250wr the power is there 24.7, fly by cars all day long

[@aboutfaceretreats6562]

Bought one of these today! It is an amazing bike!

[@aboutfaceretreats6562]

Still loving it!

[@sevenmilewhite1407]

I ride a 95 wr250. I love it myself. Fast as +×÷!! Lol, it really is pretty much just a yz250 with a gallon bigger gas tank and longer 345gears.

[@BosephusBigelsworth]

I 'm really enjoying this channel. Thanks for putting in the time and effort to make these videos. Revisiting my dirt biking youth through these vids makes the workday much better! Thanks!

[@jeredalmeida1880]

You have the best KZbin handle EVER. BosephusBigelsworth! 🤣

[@BosephusBigelsworth]

@@jeredalmeida1880 Thank you kind sir. Keep riding, and keep safe.

[@sipplixx6202]

Your videos are awesome man I’m looking at a 91 wr250 now

[@davidcarper5411]

..had a 92, You won't be sorry

[@stevehavard]

I have a 1990 model. It’s been stood for 15 years. I’m in the process of getting her back on the road. This vid is great cheers

[@michaelroberts6299]

Is it a wr?

[@cgreen1599]

This is what the new yz250x should be now!!

[@davidbradshaw6472]

Excellent Video, thanks for posting, Wish I still had my 89 YZ250 WR

[@deborahchesser7375]

David Bradshaw I bet, I’ve let a lot of bikes go, regret it every time

[@evanrichardson8714]

I have one does anyone want to buy it it’s been gone through! New jug and top end,

[@davidbradshaw6472]

@@evanrichardson8714 Where are you located?

[@evanrichardson8714]

@@davidbradshaw6472 southern New Hampshire

[@davidbradshaw6472]

@@evanrichardson8714 Long ways, I'm in SC

[@jbfracing6317]

Awesome channel 👍 Dude knows his vintage bikes!

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thank you!

[@nessuno7537]

Great video! I have a 1992 WR 250 like new...

[@klmccune]

Had one, loved it!

[@jasonpeters9390]

Great vid .very interesting brings back memories every time I watch one of your vids thanks for bringing this to us

[@joshuasteel2109]

Cool Video Tony, keep up the great job and thanks for sharing.

[@1xlknight206]

I just recently bought a 1990 YZ250WR what a hell of a byke I just love it and it is in a very very good condition, I'm the 2nd owner, definitely not selling this bike

[@scottmiller3025]

I miss the era of all those bikes

[@alriders5787]

I own a 1990 yamaha yz 250 🙌

[@judaslicciardello3946]

just bought what i hope is a 89 250 wr ...either way its a wr and its getting that blue and whit classic graphic's love the look of this bike .. im normally a fan of white and red but this year yamaha nailed it ... resto vid on the way

[@natanpierce495]

I had it, raced it, loved it and got #8 in my class. (Championship Series) But everything you said was true about this bike. I raced very well in Hare Scrambles, not too bad in MX and a bit too much for the East Coast woods where my KDX shined.

[@hermansanchez8512]

Just got my 94 running today. 💪🏼

[@thatalaskaguy]

When these came out I wanted one so bad! I finally ended up getting a '93 WR 250 years later and it was quite hard hitting for my trails and riding area. The tank was ridiculously big for its size.

[@TheMotocrossVault]

That tank was comical.

[@robklein3582]

I had a 89 yz250 ported polished head and cylinder boysen rad valve and that thing ripped like no other. Wish i still had it.😞

[@jaybosak2767]

Again another great video, great info , and pics, brings me back to the days when i had a 1988 yz 250,( great strong tractable predictable power loved this bike )1991 rm 250 ( wrecked my back on that one hard to ride , it was all reving fast to get power or nothing my least favorite engine for two strokes that i owned) 1996 rm 250 (great bike) , 1982, cr 80, (indestructible, fast air cooled engine)and a few kdx's witch were a great trail bike loads of fun, that my list of two strokes i;ve owned . You bring back the days of two stroke riding , great channel keep it up , you'll get their , your friend from the great white north

[@TheBajanAmerican24]

I would love to see a WR250Z comparison/review. Great video man!

[@liamoberthur7684]

Please do one it's been 4 years

[@deborahchesser7375]

I wanted a WR200, they are rare as hens teeth

[@chrispotter2948]

I had a wr200 for about a decade, it was an awesome trail bike. I geared it way down and it would just crawl. The thing was so forgiving to own too. I never changed the top end until my piston exploded, then I just cleaned it out and put a new piston in, good to go. Rare because they only imported them 2 years. Finding parts these days not so easy. I still miss it.

[@rochellestanley9532]

I owned one new, great memories..

[@socalsand86]

Just picked up an 89 wr250 and an 89 cr500 from a guy who had both.

[@tomjoad4168]

Thank you for these videos! I can’t get enough of them.

[@unclequack5445]

I learned to ride a Clutched bike on my uncles 78 IT 175 .

[@ericbrandt816]

The old IT175s are great bikes! I just sold a IT175E and should hve never looked at Facebook market place because a nice 89 WR250 just popped up before I deposited the IT money into the bank....OH well my WR200 was getting lonely in the garage all by itself....Now its "big Evil sister" will keep the "kid sister" company.

[@christopherjdm]

I just got one and I love it

[@terrypikaart4394]

Thank you, maybe change my 89 490 to that wide ratio. If the gears are still available. Great vids, brings me back to my youth. Look forward to seeing more!.

[@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443]

There is no difference between the YZ490 and the WR500 engines except the color.

[@gagehallen858]

New Subscriber here Love your this video! I have a 1987 RM125H from new it's one of the best bikes I have ever rode on. The 87 RM250H was great as well but the chrome bore was a issue for me at that time. Hope you did a video on the Suzuki RM series. I'll have to check your vids out. Remember the Suzuki logo at that time it was "Suzuki manned Suzuki built , together they work like a single moving part" Keep up the great work!

[@samblackman5028]

Made my day to discover you have a KZbin channel great work man Excellent detailed review 🤙

[@michaeltrower6792]

In 91 yamaha also made a wr200 it was more of a off road bike than the wr250 but still had alot of grunt and lights

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Don't forget the WR500 as well. My best friend is restoring one right now.

[@michaeltrower6792]

@@TheMotocrossVault WR500'S are awesome desert bikes If I remember correctly Damon Bradshaw raced one in the 500 nationals in 91 or 92

[@superwilcox9026]

@@michaeltrower6792 bradshaw still races some enduro harescrambles once in a while here in NC. Was at Lost Valley last year out of no where

[@peterjacobs6290]

@superwilcox Bradshaw has a place in Donnelly, Idaho. He drives monster trucks for a job now.

[@ericbrandt816]

Owning a WR200 for a while, I would say its more pedestrian than the WR250....Its based on the JDM DT200 and has a counterbalancer and while its porting is wild compared to the DT200.....the WR250 is from a TRACK WEAPON! so WR250 is more Dirt Oriented than a WR200

[@mikemahaffey3612]

This is great! I just started restoring my 1990 YZ250WR that's been sitting unridden in my garage for 10-years. Seeing close ups of it really helps. I am trying to figure out if the swingarm was factory painted or if a previous owner painted it. Thanks for doing this!!

[@anthonyaguilar6106]

Great informative video, my cousin has one and it hauls.

[@dannymiester5825]

Thanks for this channel my friend, perhaps you could do a talk on the YAMAHA DT line of motorcycles, not pure motorcross but many many people have history with these models. I currently have a mint 1990 DT200R which i ride on the road and offroad, and I love it.

[@cojogo23]

I bought a 95 250WR a few years ago... It didn't run get but i had plans to restore..I ended up not having time and sold it... really regret it...

[@jonruger]

Rewatching this because I just picked up an 89 WR thats pretty rough but all original.

[@bikerman6907]

Over in Europe not many enduro guys ran Yamaha WR's, except Stephane Peterhansel. And the former Enduro 500 world champion Peter Hansson, won the only round he participated in that year, 1993 world championship series, on a Yamaha WR250.

[@BrandonONeal1]

Great review. I'm interested in purchasing one to race the NETRA Vintage class. Thanks!

[@jimmycapps7263]

That 97 WR is probably the best looking stroker of all !

[@rochellestanley9532]

Bought a new one in 89’ Great Bike

[@nostalgicbaainaar9751]

Clearly blue seats were all the rage amongst manufacturers during this period.

[@rhameparralax8006]

My friend Rampart Rooster Rob and I built a complete frome the frame up every part top and bottom end front to back 1994 Yamaha WR 250 I got it with a grenaded bottom end and was bored and stroked so we sent the cylinder to wiseco to be resleeved back to stock 250 and we pit a wiseco piston in with an all new to me bottom 3nd we found at a bikr salvage yard steeles cycles and they redid all the bearings and clutch plates completely redone bottom end to match the top! Man that bike was amazing on power! Great woods bike would lug down low up over any boulder or hill and wind out with that wide ratio transmission when you let her rip! I put an fmf fatty on er that was designed specifically for the 1994 WR and man after that the bike was unstoppable! Wheelies in every gear had to fight to keep that front end down!🔥👍💪😄❤🔥

[@willyd4850]

Just picked one up, great video!!!

[@eastbaymauiboy]

I love this bike, it's probably my 2nd favorite looking OAT. Back in 1989-90 I was gonna finance a bike for the first time and it was between this and the 89 CR250 (my #1 lookin scoot OAT). Ended up with the CR, and LOVED it, but this might be "the one that got away". Only thing about the white is it got dingy yellow/brownish (especially the lower tank in between the knees) which kinda deletes the gorgeous looks. Only way to get it close to white again (I think) was to scrub it, but that took away the shine, so, guess I'm glad I went with Team Red.

[@user-sn8gh2vs1p]

I had a fr8end, his older brother bought a idk 86? 89? I rode it and it was nice. It had tons of low end and short shifts were required but flying. Do you recall the year of cr250 that had this powerband? I just cant recall. It climbed hills very well.

[@owenarsenault5955]

Man the footpegs were so small back then

[@terrypikaart4394]

Owen Arsenault Those small pegs were nice, thats all i know. Rode a newer crf with big pegs and couldn't find a happy spot for my foot position.

[@biggussniffus5537]

they were like pencils

[@Wide000]

Great dirt bike channel! I really like the historical side of these videos.

[@michaelroberts6299]

91 the straight wr was only the 200 & 500 far as i know the 250 didnt change over to staright wr until 1993

[@michaelroberts6299]

I am in nz i have a 1991 yzwr 250 looks just like the yz

[@davidashleman6951]

just got my 1989 250wr top end rebuilt. love the power

[@deborahchesser7375]

They were a handful, but for fast guys it was great.

[@joshuasmith8120]

It's fun to surprise your buddy's when they don't know it's a wr. And they ride it .they think I'm a hell of good mechanic lol.

[@manoliswec5674]

do the wr 200! best looking bike

[@ericbrandt816]

Hmm.....not really a big fan of the "Pink Scene" myself.....I own a 92 WR200 and hopefully in another 24 hours own a 89 WR250 too! Then the fun begins!

[@deborahchesser7375]

Man I love the 200, they are hard to find. I had plenty of IT’s so it’s newer cousin would be great.

[@kennethlapham9054]

So modern looking ...the change from 80 to 90s is awesome.I think 87 and on look competitive to today's dualsport bike at least.much more innovation from year to year.great info keep em coming.love too see 1983 yz 80 start at 78 to 87 or so my weapon at otay palm ave.fastest 80 I ever rode.

[@dezracr]

Can you do a video on the wr 250z from 94-97 would love to see it!!!

[@YamUzu250]

The 89 YZ250WR had a lower 1st gear. Yamaha, therefore, in its YZ250X could use a lower 1st gear and 2nd gear to match the KTM 300EXC in lugging through steep technical hills. The 300EXC uses a 2.286 and 1.629 as its 1st and 2nd gears while the YZ250X, with already a 44cc disadvantage, is using taller 1st and 2nd gears at 1.929 and 1.533, respectively, which was more for motocross. Certainly, torque wise alone, the YZ250X is disadvantaged against the lower-geared 300EXC. One of the best ways hard enduro guys did on their standard YZ250 and YZ250X is to swap the 2.416 and 1.733 gears from the 02 WR426F or swap the 2.286 and 1.706 gears from the old WR250Z in the 90's onto their wide-ratio converted YZ250 Motocrosser or YZ250X

[@bradybright141]

I have a 89 yz wr and I would love a headlight where can I find one??

[@inactivegamer6965]

I have one of these bikes getting it rebuild .50 overbore right now should be running soon

[@inactivegamer6965]

Still got the bike and she still kicking since rebuild

[@7pines77]

Damon Bradshaw had a WR 500 that was custom made for MX so that Damon could race in a couple of races because Yamaha didn’t make a 500 yz

[@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443]

Yamahe DID have a YZM500 works bike that had liquid cooling, a power valve and an aluminum frame in '87/'88 that would have shocked the motorcross world if they ever produced it, even with a steel frame. There are only 8 YZM500s in the world.

[@deborahchesser7375]

@@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443 when they shitcanned the WORKS bikes I think they really shut the factories R&D programs down, sad.

[@panic-revv85]

The X is a blast

[@derrickzenner9300]

I had forgotten about the RMx. How many years were they produced?

[@crystalstanborough4053]

89 till 98 here in Canada....we got the wr in 98 also. we got this other gem in the early 90s the Suzuki TS200R , more tame like a DT200 , street legal of course but more rare, so rebuilds can be a pain with options like using a Arctic Cat 600 triples cylimder, modified and the cat piston etc,,,, i personaly own a 84 RM250 but im going get a RMX myself . from what ive read, just a head gasket for same year RM, and a pipe and carb swap....whole new animal! with top speed, LIGHTS! this wr kick ass too! Europe and Australia got a neat Honda ive thought about importing ,,,, the Honda CRM 250 , street legal dual spot related to CR but tame like RMX ! looks cool!

[@100mphFastball]

I'll take the 89

[@livingroompickersclub6358]

Did Yamaha give the WR more power as the 90s went on?

[@andrewsinnett8098]

Raced the 1989 YZ250, great bike and handling but prefered my 1988 KX250's power characteristics......

[@kenkl5204]

Is the 94 different from the 97. Looking at both.

[@terrypikaart4394]

I have a question, did the wr 490s have the true wide ratio trany, maybe a smaller back sprocket or just the same old motocross 5 speed?

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Terry Pikaart the WR500 has a wide ratio transmission. It is not the same as the YZ490

[@nickwukmir9853]

My 89 YZ was slow compared to my 86. Miled head 60.000 th. Ported it . With boysen reeds.but changed the needel up richer and that thing would rip my first bomb run pulled a hole shot and had to slow down not sher where to go.

[@patelbv]

great video! really enjoyed how you explained the history and design changes along the years. The only correction I would add (but would require a fact check), is the last model WR250 from 1994-1997 was based off a 1994 YZ250, not the 1993. They share the same cylinder and are generally well reviewed bikes

[@tomnekuda3818]

The DIT 1's really started a lot of things. I loved the IT's and still have an IT250 in my shed. Really great bikes. Never rode a YZ250WR but after years of racing Husky WR's , OR's and XC's I am definitely a believer in Wide Ratio gears and six-speeds(when I can get that many gears). I like long legs on my bikes. You're not living until 90 mph! Ha!

[@davidcarper5411]

84 it250 is the goods..

[@acuraintegrar5]

Does the yz250x have a lighting coil and a heavier flywheel?

[@deborahchesser7375]

Yep

[@KJ6UXW]

I am wanting to purchase a oversized fuel tank for my 1989 yz250wr . Does anyone know if IMS tank will fit without hitting the triple tree?

[@aboutfaceretreats6562]

Did you find one? I want to do the same thing

[@captainbarbossa8616]

@@aboutfaceretreats6562 yes . The IMS fuel tank is a good fit and works great

[@adolfadolfvich3253]

Замечательный 🎥👍👍👍👍🙋‍♂️🤝

[@NOCOdirt]

Come to northern Colorado you can ride my 1991 yz250wr

[@JamesSmith-wv3fx]

I have a 94 wr250zf. Bike is crazy fast. I've been trying to find the original wr graphics because my bike is all white. Cant find original graphics anywhere. If anybody knows a website that sells wr graphics please let me know. Thanks

[@kenkl5204]

Probably tough. Some of these foreign graphics companies might be able to print.

[@jbfracing6317]

I ride an 89 YZ250 and want it’s brother to go with it

[@jchx99]

Wish i still had my 89 yz250wr

[@TheMotocrossVault]

I’ve always wanted to own one of those first YZ250WRs.

[@jchx99]

@@TheMotocrossVault they are awesome! And it was the first year for USD forks! I bought it listed as a regular yz250...didnt realize till i got it home what it really was. Drove from CT to IN last year to trade it for another machine. :-(

[@csavage1697]

@@TheMotocrossVault I have if you wanna shoot a price

[@chriscardoza9714]

There's one of the newer ones here where l like in California but it not to good of shape..

[@JustTip922]

Lol yz250x big tanks are still ball busters. I want to put my stock tank back on so bad, but I’d rather not have to deal with my old lady in the pits or listen to her bust my balls about the money I spent on the big tank so she didn’t have to pit me in the first place.

[@RICHOWASP]

how do you know ? lol only joking I just subscribed.

[@kenkl5204]

None of these bikes had the lights.

[@waynes.2983]

If you never road one how do you know it was this or that? You state a lot of other peoples opinions.

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Wayne S. I write my articles and do my videos based on the tests and shootouts done at the time the bike was released. I have over a thousand MX magazines going all the way back to 1971 and use them for my research. I have owned over 50 dirt bikes in my life and if I have personal experience about one I mention it in the video or my articles on PulpMX.com. If I don’t I am relying on the critical opinion of others who rated the machines when they were new.

[@unclequack5445]

14:42 Dick Burleson?