Newbie - Should I get the WR250F or WR450F

[dobbo]

450FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFaaaaaaaasssssssssssstttttttttt

[ScorpX]

Thanks everyone, I bought the 450 last night and cannot wait to get on it. I am gonna leave it factory stock for awhile until I am ready to set the power loose.

Thanks again.

[5to1baby1in5]

So, how's the 450 treating you?

Too much power for a Newbie, or just right to learn on while uncorked?

I'm curious because I'm in the same boat as you were.

[FastRides]

Thanks everyone, I bought the 450 last night and cannot wait to get on it. I am gonna leave it factory stock for awhile until I am ready to set the power loose.

Thanks again.

So, how's the 450 treating you?

Too much power for a Newbie, or just right to learn on while uncorked?

I'm curious because I'm in the same boat as you were.

Fellas, you may want to read this thread. It starts with maintenance reliability, but shifts to gradually ramping up the 450 with mods, etc. https://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=387741

Also be sure to check the air filter cage on your 07 (if you haven't already done so)- read SCs FAQ sticky for more info. Hope this helps.

MG

[someone_else]

Hi all,

Been reading 250 vs. 450 discussions for a while now, but I have to say I'm still unclear as to which bike is best for me. See, I'm not a big, tough guy (I'm 5'11 and about 145 pounds - basically a walking coat hanger) so weight is definitely an issue. I'm also not a competitive racer type; I'd get the bike for the occasional week-end trail riding in the woods, so I don't really need a crotch rocket. Now, all of this being so, I first thought that the 250 would be better for me. But what's been nagging me is the fact that I keep reading that with the 250, you have to keep the revs up to get it going; now to me this sounds like the 250 would require a more aggressive, alert riding style, and that's not something I feel comfortable with.

I've been riding street bikes for about 6 years now, and after some contemplating, this year I finally got off the road with a Husqvarna TE610E. I love this bike: the engine seems perfect to me: it's got enough low-end power to get you anywhere and over anything, and it's not at all brutal, so you can ride it slow if you want and it won't complain. The only problem is the weight: about 365 pounds. So while I love the engine, the bike is simply too heavy (for me) to ride in more difficult terrain. I can't even pick it up for pete's sakes. So this is basically the reason why I decided to go for a WR: I just need something lighter.

Having gotten (sorta') used to the 600, though, I've been hesitating on going for the WR 250. I've come to think that perhaps the extra power of the 450 would actually make it easier to ride, since, as previously mentioned, I'm not really the rev-it-and-rip-the-ground kind of guy. Of course the 450 is heavier than the 250, and has more power than I'll ever need (I ride a 250 street bike, so I'm not at all power hungry) but would it be easier for me to ride than the 250?

Any opinions and advice are welcome.

[erickdj]

Hi all,

Been reading 250 vs. 450 discussions for a while now, but I have to say I'm still unclear as to which bike is best for me. See, I'm not a big, tough guy (I'm 5'11 and about 145 pounds - basically a walking coat hanger) so weight is definitely an issue. I'm also not a competitive racer type; I'd get the bike for the occasional week-end trail riding in the woods, so I don't really need a crotch rocket. Now, all of this being so, I first thought that the 250 would be better for me. But what's been nagging me is the fact that I keep reading that with the 250, you have to keep the revs up to get it going; now to me this sounds like the 250 would require a more aggressive, alert riding style, and that's not something I feel comfortable with.

I've been riding street bikes for about 6 years now, and after some contemplating, this year I finally got off the road with a Husqvarna TE610E. I love this bike: the engine seems perfect to me: it's got enough low-end power to get you anywhere and over anything, and it's not at all brutal, so you can ride it slow if you want and it won't complain. The only problem is the weight: about 365 pounds. So while I love the engine, the bike is simply too heavy (for me) to ride in more difficult terrain. I can't even pick it up for pete's sakes. So this is basically the reason why I decided to go for a WR: I just need something lighter.

Having gotten (sorta') used to the 600, though, I've been hesitating on going for the WR 250. I've come to think that perhaps the extra power of the 450 would actually make it easier to ride, since, as previously mentioned, I'm not really the rev-it-and-rip-the-ground kind of guy. Of course the 450 is heavier than the 250, and has more power than I'll ever need (I ride a 250 street bike, so I'm not at all power hungry) but would it be easier for me to ride than the 250?

Any opinions and advice are welcome.

I think that at your 145lbs weight the wr250 would be a good fit for you. I don't think that given your riding style it would be necessary to keep it in the upper rev range too much. I think that when people talk about keeping it revved high, is when they are referring to "agressive" riding. I used to ride a TTR-250, which was very heavy and not all that powerful, but even at my 180lbs it was sufficient for anything I wanted to do with it, unless I wanted to be VERY agressive with it then it wouldn't be enough. If you get the wr250 you would HAVE to do the free mods, otherwise it will be uderpowered. If you like to ride at a slower pace and not ride it like the tasmanian devil the wr450 would be a bit too much for you, it's a VERY powerful machine and you have to be alert and concentrated on what you're doing, otherwise it could get away from you if you're not careful.

[JSanfilippo]

Hi all,

Been reading 250 vs. 450 discussions for a while now, but I have to say I'm still unclear as to which bike is best for me. See, I'm not a big, tough guy (I'm 5'11 and about 145 pounds - basically a walking coat hanger) so weight is definitely an issue. I'm also not a competitive racer type; I'd get the bike for the occasional week-end trail riding in the woods, so I don't really need a crotch rocket. Now, all of this being so, I first thought that the 250 would be better for me. But what's been nagging me is the fact that I keep reading that with the 250, you have to keep the revs up to get it going; now to me this sounds like the 250 would require a more aggressive, alert riding style, and that's not something I feel comfortable with.

I've been riding street bikes for about 6 years now, and after some contemplating, this year I finally got off the road with a Husqvarna TE610E. I love this bike: the engine seems perfect to me: it's got enough low-end power to get you anywhere and over anything, and it's not at all brutal, so you can ride it slow if you want and it won't complain. The only problem is the weight: about 365 pounds. So while I love the engine, the bike is simply too heavy (for me) to ride in more difficult terrain. I can't even pick it up for pete's sakes. So this is basically the reason why I decided to go for a WR: I just need something lighter.

Having gotten (sorta') used to the 600, though, I've been hesitating on going for the WR 250. I've come to think that perhaps the extra power of the 450 would actually make it easier to ride, since, as previously mentioned, I'm not really the rev-it-and-rip-the-ground kind of guy. Of course the 450 is heavier than the 250, and has more power than I'll ever need (I ride a 250 street bike, so I'm not at all power hungry) but would it be easier for me to ride than the 250?

Any opinions and advice are welcome.

The kicker is that you're used to the 610's power delivery. That bike is alot faster than most riders give it credit for. They see the plate, full on smog gear, and 300+ listed curb weight and they think "oh, that thing ain't quick its just a lazy dual sport bike" ?. Little do they know it'll eat an XR 650R lunch

Go for the 450. The weight difference between the 450 and the 250 is undetectable when the bike gets going. I'd spring for the 450 because I think the 250 might leave you dissapointed

[someone_else]

First of all, thanks for the comments. While I am still as confused as ever (what with one post saying 'get the 250' and another saying 'go 450') I do feel like I'm getting some useful advice here.

Truth be told, I'd like nothing more than for everyone to tell me 'get the 250'. It's lighter, and cheaper too, so I certainly would prefer it all else being equal. I'm not really worried about speed or power in and of itself; what I am slightly worried about is that the 250 might lack the low end power I think I need for a more laid-back kind of riding. Of course you can't compare it to the 610, but... I don't know. Will I be able to ride it out of a ditch without wringing the throttle full-on and pushing like childbirth?

[erickdj]

I'm not really worried about speed or power in and of itself; what I am slightly worried about is that the 250 might lack the low end power I think I need for a more laid-back kind of riding. Of course you can't compare it to the 610, but... I don't know. Will I be able to ride it out of a ditch without wringing the throttle full-on and pushing like childbirth?

Don't worry, an uncorked wr250 will have PLENTY of power for laid-back riding and then some more. If it weren't because I'm addicted to engine power and want the absolute most powerful wr I would have gone for the 250. The wr250 can take you out of any ditch you throw at it, in fact, I've felt like the 450 is more of a handful to ride in tight situations. With your weight and riding style the wr250 (uncorked) will be the perfect tool for the job. At 145lbs the wr250 has enough power to throw you back on your butt if you don't respect the throttle, (again, if the 250 has the usual free mods and correct jetting).

[Maddeh]

I'm pretty sure you'll be happy with either. The 250 is easy to get used to and will have plenty of low end, especially for a lightweight rider like yourself.

The 450 will feel like a monster compared to the 250, so if you really enjoy a powerful engine you should go that route. Its only 13 lbs or so heavier, which is mostly noticeable when picking it up after a crash IMO (and even then not so much).

You will be able to go as fast as you want on a 250, except for maybe top speed. You can accelerate quickly on a 250 when you need to, and it is very nimble on the trails so that it can easily keep up with the big thumpers.

All that said, there's no doubt in my mind you should get the 450.

[Nostalgic]

Get the 250. I have the 450 but I'm 6'5" and weigh 220lb.

For you, the 250 just makes sense.

1) You aren't real big so the 250 is PLENTY.

2) My brother has an xr250 and it has PLENTY of power for trails/hills and he is even bigger than me.

3) You already have a great bike with tons of motor for the road etc (the 610).

4) You WON'T need to rev the heck out of the 250 at all.

5) The only reason a 450 would be less fatiguing (for most people at least) would be with more open riding. The 450 can get you in trouble in the tight stuff.

Again, this is all my opinion. But, to me it's clear, get the 250!

[someone_else]

Thanks everyone for the comments. I guess the 250 is a better bet for me, so I'm probably going to go that route. I might still get a 450 if I happen find a really good deal on one, but as far as I'm concerned, I will be looking for a 250.

[rljjredhed]

i weigh 200 without gear, i have a 2005 wr 250 and i can tell you it is very fast all i have done is the free mods and a yz pipe with promoto endcap for the spark arrester, the only time i ever have any problems is on very steep mountain climb's you have to have it in the right gear it will not lugg out a gearing mistake (say you are in one gear high) a 450 will bail you out and lug it out, so it is always rider error with me anyway, now my wr 250 replaced a yz 450 so it isn't apples to apples, you will love the 250 unless you ride in the sand i can tell you my 250 will spool up very fast and it is true you ride it at higher rpm's but that is just the nature of the smaller engine, and you don't have to ride it more aggresive, i am lucky enough to have buddies that will let me ride there bikes and i have tried alot of different bikes the only time i wish i got the 450 is the first 5 minutes riding, 15 minutes later i am thinking to myself your a moron and i always know that i made the right decision after lunch, i did like my 450 but i was wore out after the first hour because you had to hold on for your life, one more point and i will get off my soapbox, i could never keep up with my riding buddies on my 450 they would smoke me in all but long straight shots but i am on there ass and pass them at will on my 250 especially the second half of the day and i don't feel as wore out on the 250 that's my take also alot of guys on the 250 forums swear a big bore on the 250 is the best possible setup, i will go with a big bore when mine gets older but i have over 1000 miles on mine and the valves have not moved and it is as quick as it was the first 100 miles good luck i don't think you will go wrong with either bike i just think you will be happier with the 250

[rparobi]

If it helps at all , i have been racing a KTM 250exc ( 2-stroke ) succesfully for many years in my local enduro scene, i had one ride on my friends 07 wr250f the other weekend ( with all the free mods and white brothers pipe) the following week i placed a deposit on one , outstanding machine with more than enough power to race enduro competitively without wearing you out prematurely.