Yamaha WR250R Mega Thread

Similar situation a couple of years ago, and I decided to ride the bike and wait (partly because that seemed wrenching beyond my novice skills at the time, and partly because the 3rd hand bike had many more pressing problems); no issues.

If I remember correctly, the feeling was the failures were perhaps tied to being in extremely hot conditions, some internal tolerances in the pump were too tight, plus these could be exacerbated by any gunk in the fuel that built up in there. Swapping the whole pump assembly isn't hard, but isn't cheap; replacing just the pump within the assembly is cheaper, but could be tricky for a klutz like me (I've read here).

A few months ago I upgraded to a Safari tank, and I decided to buy a new pump assembly at that point.

All DR650s have 17" wheels. The tires are too big, I had a DR650 while trying the 17" wheel experiment. It's 17" wheel and tire was larger than the WR250's 18" (with a proper sized 250cc tire). This is my first hand experience at having these wheels and tires in my garage and comparing once mounted and inflated. The WR had a Shinko 244 in the 18" and 17" flavor. Skinnier sizes (4.6", I think). The DR650 had the 5.10 size in the 244.

I know it does not matter to some people but I don't think that Maxxcross is a DOT approved tire.

1996-2016 are all 17".

The DR is delivered with a 120-17 (4.60), many of us upsize to a 130/5.10 as soon as the 4.60 wears out.

I don't what a DR650 looks like "as delivered". I got mine used.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

At 65k miles, mine is used now. I just placed a $500+ order for OEM parts that need attention, not including the rear linkage bearings (which are original and surely used up ).

Re: the lowering issue

I bought my wr250r coming from an xt250. ( I'm pretty short, 5'6", 30" inseam). I put my wrr in the stock low position ordered a spiral step seat, and I assumed I would end up getting yamalink as well but honestly i think that if I just keep the low seat I could put the supension back to stock position.

I guess my point is she should give it a try before she gets too carried away with the lowering / money spending.

Also women tend to have longer legs when compared to men of the same height. You'll make the bike work.

I would assess honestly what kind of dual sport riding you do. I have trouble picking up my wr250r in very rough stuff more that 3 times before I am tired. My wife had no hope of picking it up. With an xt225, an xt250, a Super Sherpa, or the like, you'll have a pretty competent bike that will inspire confidence. I'm 5'10 1/2" and this bike is great for what it is, but it gets to be a real handful in the very technical stuff. I also find it quite top heavy and nap prone, especially with luggage, etc. Once it's going to fall over, it's going to fall over.

I have 2 new unmounted Kenda K270 tires. The 4.60-17 is 24" tall by tape measure up against a wall. The 5.10-17 is 25" tall. The 18'" tire I had last summer for a DRZ400S was taller but I don't have a size or height. It's knobs were noticeable deeper and larger than on the 17s. For that reason I was looking hard for an 18" DR350 cush wheel to put on my DR650 until I found out how it would adversely affect the steering geometry.
With my cheap hanging scale the 4.60-17 weighs 10 lbs. and the 5.10-17 weighs 14.5 lbs. I knew the little one was a lot lighter but never weighed them until now.

I have a 2008 as well, mine had a factory recall for the fuel pump, which was replaced. I've been riding the current one for 4 or 5 years now. When you take the bike to a dealer to get the stator replaced (recall), ask them about the pump. Mine was an American import, so I don't know if that had anything to do with it. Congrats on the new bike!

or something that's more adventure-bike in seating, like the CSC RX3.

I would add that I still love my xt. Its a great bike , basically a good mule and a low seat to boot. Don't cross it off the list just because its not glamorous.

I appreciate all the comments and thoughts about lowering a WR, and options. Perhaps a bit more information would clarify why I'm looking at the WR.

Skowinski-wife has a 96 DR350S which has been modified to work for dualsports camping trips, and lowered of course. She also has a 04 KTM 200EXC. (I have a KLR650 and a KTM300) The DR and KLR work great for camping, but neither are very good for more aggressive trail riding beyond an easy 2-track jeep road. The KTM's never get taken out any more, as we don't have the time to load them in the truck and go places to ride them any more.

The thought was to sell off all 4 of these bikes and try to find two dualsports bikes that would 1) still be able to be used for camping trips (we never go much further than about 100 miles from home, and virtually no freeway riding ever) and 2) could be ridden more aggressively off road, even some easier single-track now and then (which the DR and KLR just don't work on very well at all).

edit: sorry for crashing your thread!

If she can handle a 200EXC. She will be fine on a WR. You might need to drop it a bit. No big deal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

IMHO get a WR for you and a CRF250L Honda for her.

my 08 fuel pump died at 3,000 miles. After bike cooled off a bit you could ride it. I changed it right away so no idea how long you could get away with that.

i have 60000kms on mine

I don't think the WR is that much better offroad than the DR350SE with proper spring rates for the rider. I've ridden both a lot. I'd get a used wheelset for the DR and put some aggressive knobbies on it.

CRF250L would be a downgrade to me. It's 40lbs heavier than the 350SE and has 8in of fork travel. That ain't gonna replace a KTM.

EDIT: i forgot I had a '98 DR which had adjustable cartridge forks. WR would be a big suspension upgrade for '97 and ealier with their crappy pogo forks.

that has to be a piss take..... the only thing the SE had over my WRr was a better bottom end other than that it was a pig off a bike

Don't get me wrong, the WR is better in most ways but not really a substantial enough upgrade if you have an 350SE already. My SE weighed 280 with a pipe, desert tank and a lithium battery - hardly pig territory.

My XR650L - now that is a serious chunk of lard. And all those dual sport bikes feel like clunky tanks compared to the WR400F I have. But that bike totally sucks on the road.