Can't deside....Buy Both

[Navin]

Hey Gammy, how about posting your riding resume? Size, skill, age and experience.

I've never heard of "3" clay balls"??? Sounds liike a medical professional needs to be consulted!

[drm]

How about a threesome with the klx250s?

[rpet]

let's see some photos.

nothing in this thread is enlightening.

You are really reviewing the instrumentation?

[Kawidad]

Nice comparison. Thanks for sharing.

[ER70S-2]

[Happy Seal]

Originally Posted by ggamster

Ok, well judging from some of the above post I can see some of you think this is a stupid comparison. However I feel that this is an acceptable one. The WR was a 2008 model built in Japan (I think) and designed to fill a gap in a market which it did and they knew the price point they had to meet. Along comes Honda with there version. Made in Thailand. This gave them cheaper manufacturing expense pull the use of the CBR250 engine already in use and developed vs Yamaha's single bike power plant. Again lowering the cost. They defiantly used cheaper suspension and frame material. Hitting this $4500 price point.

With that said. I now have both bikes in my possession. 0 miles on the Honda and 110 on the WR Here is what I have to say thus far.

The Honda:
Has a much higher level of fit and finish. The plastics fit better. The quality of said plastics seam to be higher. The controls are much more modern looking and have better feeling as well as the instrumentation. I like the head light better as well as the grips and feel of the seat. On the road I think the Honda will be a better bike, but will save that report until I have 600 miles on both. I can say the the Honda feels lighter than the WR when lifting it off the side stand.

The Yamaha:
We know most of the things about this bike already, but basically all of the off-road bits are nicer. I think the WR will win in the off-road department for sure. I love the aluminum frame and the suspension. It has better tires for DS and overall the WR just looks way cooler IMHO.

I will report back after a little riding on the Honda tomorrow.

You should have used the money you spent to buy two mediocore bikes and bought one good Beta, Husaberg, or KTM and had money left over to smack up the suspension!

Just my .02 but carry on! I'll read it and thanks for sharing, it'll help someone for sure!

[Robert OK]

Originally Posted by Happy Seal

You should have used the money you spent to buy two mediocore bikes and bought one good Beta, Husaberg, ..

Don't know about the Honda, but my WR250R is not impressed with being called mediocre. Most fun bike I've ever owned. Nothing mediocre about that much fun.

[Navin]

Originally Posted by Robert OK

Don't know about the Honda, but my WR250R is not impressed with being called mediocre. Most fun bike I've ever owned. Nothing mediocre about that much fun.

A Z50 can be a laugh riot too, doesn't make it a serious machine!

[xplodee]

this forum is hilarious. I've been reading motorcycle forums about various bikes for the last ten years and this is the only one I've ever been on where people are constantly comparing the lengths of their weiners. Mine is bigger than yours! ;) My KTM is better than your "kiddy" bike ;P blah blah.

I love my CRF250L and I really appreciate the original poster's review. Thank you! I'm looking forward to installing whatever suspension improvements I can on my bike, shouldn't be a problem with the $2k I saved over the WRr ;)

[Navin]

Sounds like orange envy?

You admit there are different performance levels within the motorcycle realm, yes? Not everyone is Hell bent for leather to buy the cheapest machine and not everyone needs a top level bike. Something for everyone. Why a guy would buy two of the closer to the bottom rung bikes for more $ than a premium bike is a valid question. Even after reselling one of them the + 20% depreciation + reg + taxes seems a waste.

Why would someone do this? To compete with moto journalists who are being paid to compare and have a track record, good or bad, with readers? I can't say I get it either.

[Robert OK]

Originally Posted by xplodee

this forum is hilarious. I've been reading motorcycle forums about various bikes for the last ten years and this is the only one I've ever been on where people are constantly comparing the lengths of their weiners. Mine is bigger than yours! ;) My KTM is better than your "kiddy" bike ;P blah blah.

Are you serious? You must be on a different internet.

[kirbi69]

1994 honda xr 600 r, plated, PWNS ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Robert OK]

Originally Posted by Navin

A Z50 can be a laugh riot too, doesn't make it a serious machine!

I'm sure you realize that a "serious machine" is not necessarily tops in criteria for a person in the market for one of these two bikes.

Being an indecisive person, I can sort of admire the OP's solution. Do I have cake or ice cream, hmmm, I'll have both.

[AZ TOM]

Off roading 90% the rider 10% the bike Ride whatever works for you.

[joec63]

If the majority of my time was spent in the dirt I have no doubt a KTM would be sitting in the garage since that is it's bread and butter. The CRF fits the bill for the moment. These DS's are all a compromise that doesn't do any aspect particulary first rate. Some weighted more to street and others to off pavement. For the low entrance fee I'll thrash this thing around and get my money's worth and probably by something more serious next summer to park beside it. It's all good!