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Bought a WR250R Today

  1. #1
    Senior Member TwelveGaugeSage's Avatar
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    Bought a WR250R Today

    Bought a WR250R Today-wr250r-jpg

    I have been really enjoying riding my wife's KLX 140L in the woods and went and ran some trails in Granville last Monday with a coworker that lives out there. I've been mulling picking up a dual-sport for awhile now. I was long considering getting one of the Euro race-bike dual-sports. I love that they are so light and powerful, but don't love the prices or the high maintenance they require. So I kept coming back to the Yamaha. I don't like the weight, anemic engine, or the basic instrumentation, but the price seemed right and it seemed like those were the only real knocks against it. I also didn't want a straight dirt bike because I absolutely hate dealing with a trailer.

    I went and rode at left-over 2016 today. My first thought was, "Damn, I'm glad I have long legs!". Despite being Anemic(I rode my Hypermotard to the dealer), I really like the way it rides. So I traded in my Hypermotard and rode it home. I've got around 50 miles on it. I took it to my favorite very low traffic road and got used to the brakes, tried some wheelies, practiced some U-turns, got used to the controls. Then I went home and rode around my yard a bit to get a feel for it off pavement. Finally, I took it for a few laps around my backyard woods single-track.

    Here are my initial impressions: The brakes are pretty good. At first I felt like the rear brake was a bit weak, but once I got used to it, it is pretty easy to lock up on the road if I so desire. The front brake is great for a bike like this. Really easy to do a stoppie. Wheelies feel a bit awkward compared to my other bikes and may take some practice. The rear brake pedal is entirely too small. Maneuverability is great, almost as nimble as my Z125 and the KLX. The gearing on this thing is way too tall. It struggled and stalled a couple of times in 1st up some dirt hills. I didn't check the pressure which I assume is way too high for dirt, but the stock tires seemed pretty bad off-road. I'll have to drop the pressure a bit and give them a try. While it didn't have the grip of the KLX, it definitely made up for it in ground clearance and suspension.

    The fit and finish is very nice for a bike in this price range. While the dash is chintzy, the controls are nice and in good positions. I hated the controls on my Hypermotard(especially the turn signal switch), but love them on my Z125. This is more towards the Kawasaki. The seat, for what it is, isn't bad at all. I like the cheesy mirrors and am happy to trade a little power for a quiet exhaust at this point.

    I learned to ride on a KLR650 years ago and spent a lot of time riding it on the road, but it was too heavy and not set up for riding anything more than a dirt road. This is much more what I have been looking for in a DS.

    I'll likely end up changing the gearing, do some of the free performance mods, tires, skid plate, hand guards, and maybe some luggage. I think I will also end up getting a bigger fuel tank as well.

    I've scouted out a bunch of trails in my area and look forward to checking them out. If anyone in my area wants to go for a ride let me know. I work a weird schedule, but love doing pretty much anything on two wheels.


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  2. #2

    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    for what you're looking for, you will definitely grow to love this bike!

    plenty of good DS blogs/threads/accessories for it too

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  3. #3
    Lifer Chippertheripper's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    I want to be excited for you, but I'm pretty sure you just said you traded a hyper in for a wr250r.

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  4. #4
    Senior Member TwelveGaugeSage's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    Quote Originally Posted by Chippertheripper View Post
    I want to be excited for you, but I'm pretty sure you just said you traded a hyper in for a wr250r.
    I traded in a Hyper with a lot of annoying issues that was either going to get me killed or arrested. They are great bikes, but my work schedule never lined up with me getting to the track, and on the road it's just insanity. I need my CDL more than I need a Hyper. :-P Maybe some day I'll get another, when a career isn't quite so important. Next up on my want list is another 650 class dual sport if the Japanese ever update the damned things.

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  5. #5
    Lifer Chippertheripper's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    yeah, I'm not allowed to have a bike with 17" street wheels either.

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  6. #6
    Lifer Garandman's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    Ours is pretty much standard-issue: hand guards, skid plate, and radiator cover. It's the bike we keep on road year-round. UJust a brilliant all-a rounder.

    Really should change the sprockets to gear down, what you going to get?

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  7. #7
    Wizard loudbeard's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    Wtf. I can't get past "I traded a hyper for a WRanything"


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    I went to MMI I know what Im doing here chief

  8. #8
    BMW track whore e30addict's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    throw a 12 tooth front on it. Much betterer in the woods.

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  9. #9
    Senior Member TwelveGaugeSage's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    I've slowly been trying to research the options on accessories and gearing and the like. The mega thread at Advrider might take me a while.

    I'll probably play with gearing commander, but I'm thinking I may just go with a 12 tooth front until I kill the stock chain, then go from there. I hate wasting perfectly good stock parts even if there is an improvement to be had. I don't mind being buzzy as hell on the highway as long as the motor can take it. I have ridden pretty long periods on my Z125 at 60-65 mph pushing fuel cutoff and it's not THAT bad.

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  10. #10
    BMW track whore e30addict's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    13/48 is supposedly the sweet spot, but you need a new chain. A 12 tooth with the stock rear is pretty close to that ratio and you can use the stock chain. When I kill the chain I'll go 13/48.

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  11. #11
    Lifer Chippertheripper's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    They run on unicorn farts. That's pretty much all you need to know.

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  12. #12
    Lifer Tekime's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    Hell yeah! Dual sports are the joint. It's so clean and shiny, go beat the crap out of it!!

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  13. #13
    Lifer Jayspeed's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    I was torn between this bike and the KTM. Good choice imo!

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  14. #14
    Senior Member TwelveGaugeSage's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    I really like the Betas and KTMs. My problem with Beta is one dealer out here seemed totally not interested in selling one and the other was too small to take my trade-in. If not for those things I would probably be waiting on a BYOB right now. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized I am happy to put up with a little extra weight and a weak motor in exchange for the lower maintenance, price, ease of finding accessories, etc. With the Euro bikes, I'd probably just run into the same issues I did on the road with the Hyper, going WFOT in places I really shouldn't.

    I took my wife for a short ride on it today. It handles 2-up much better than I thought it would, but boy does that suspension sag. I have a 34" inseam and with both of us on it I could flatfoot both feet. I dumped it for the first time in the woods today. My wife was riding behind me on her KLX and took a long time to come around a turn, so I was going to check on her and tried to put it on the sidestand on a slightly off-camber spot. Stand sunk and I hit the ground. I'm almost at 100 miles. I need to get an oil filter and clean out the metal shavings. I'll probably run dino oil until the next change then switch to synthetic.

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  15. #15
    Lifer Chippertheripper's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    yeah, those euro bikes are so high maintenance.

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  16. #16
    Senior Member TwelveGaugeSage's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    Did some shopping today, got tires(D606 rear XCMH front), hand guards, 3 gallon tank, skid plate, magnetic drain plug, some oil filters, and a 12t front.

    I'll probably pick up a rack and some luggage, but I'm pretty comfortable riding with a big ass backpack for now. I worked today, so I took the Z125 to work(screw 49 degree morning temps!) then played around a bit on the Yamaha when I got home. Riding them back-to-back like that makes the WRR seem a little less under-powered.

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  17. #17
    Super Adventurer SRTie4k's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    After having bought saddlebags, I refuse to ever wear a backpack on a bike again. They're very annoying and distracting.

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  18. #18
    Where is my fast? GixerJockey's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    Am I the only person (who actually owns a Ducati) that thinks the Hyper sucks and doesn't really do anything "right"?

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  19. #19
    Senior Member TwelveGaugeSage's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    Quote Originally Posted by GixerJockey View Post
    Am I the only person (who actually owns a Ducati) that thinks the Hyper sucks and doesn't really do anything "right"?
    Functionally, it's not much different from the other sporty bikes they make. You could use it for all the same things you use a Panigale, Monster, or Supersport for. They even have some shared motors in there. Sure, it delivers power differently than the Panigale, but they are both fast, slick handling bikes. Problem for me is they all are really just track bikes unless you like risking your license and life on the road. I love the looks and power delivery of the Supersport and Panigale, but I could never live with their riding positions. The Hyper is far more comfortable to me, if a bit on the tall side. Ultimately though, road performance takes a big backseat to utility for me. I wanted a bike that I could ride to a trail, spend hours riding in the dirt, then ride home.

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  20. #20
    Super Moderator OreoGaborio's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    Quote Originally Posted by loudbeard View Post
    Wtf. I can't get past "I traded a hyper for a WRanything"
    Even a WRX?

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  21. #21
    Lifer Garandman's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    We got the billet rear rack and a Woodman bag for it. Along with a Woodman tank bag that holds enough for a day of riding.

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  22. #22
    Soul Rider Paul_E_D's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    Quote Originally Posted by GixerJockey View Post
    Am I the only person (who actually owns a Ducati) that thinks the Hyper sucks and doesn't really do anything "right"?
    Yes, yes you are!

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  23. #23
    Where is my fast? GixerJockey's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    Quote Originally Posted by Paul_E_D View Post
    Yes, yes you are!
    Well, that settles it. Paul has spoken, and I'm the only one.

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  24. #24
    Soul Rider Paul_E_D's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    Ask a stupid question... lol. I have one and find it supremely entertaining on pavement, and maintained dirt roads. It travels well too with decent wind deflection and comfy ergos. Much more versatile than a monster.

    Also, it backs it in easier than anything I have ever ridden. 2 downshifts into a corner and you are Nicky Hayden.

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  25. #25
    Senior Member TwelveGaugeSage's Avatar
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    Re: Bought a WR250R Today

    Update on my progress:

    Since my last post, I've dialed in the clickers and think I have it perfect for my tastes. No more pogo stick when I go over the logs that cross my single track. I installed my skid plate, hand guards, and today I put on the 12t counter-sprocket. It feels like a whole new bike in the woods! I have a 38t rear and a new chain, but I will probably wait until I kill the stock chain before installing those. I also have my 3 gallon tank waiting for install. I've been checking out luggage and racks. I REALLY like the Scaggs rack that's set up to take Rotopax.

    I still haven't put a lot of miles on it, as most of my commuting and road pleasure riding is on my Z125. I've put over 3500 miles on that since May.

    I'm pretty sure I want to mount my new tires. Anyone know of a place that mounts and balances for cheap near Palmer?

    Looks like the rumors of an end to the WRRs production were wrong. The 2018 model is finally up on the Yamaha website. Interestingly, Kawi just announced a new fuel injected KLX 250 as well. It doesn't look changed much compared to the old carbed versions, but it's really nice to see Kawasaki get back into the small dual-sport game.

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