Hi,

I currently own a very fast and very modified 2000 YZ426F. I am 6' 1" 205lbs.(without gear). I love the 426. I am not parting with it. I don't care what my wife says. LOL

Here is my situation. I like to ride tracks and I am getting back into racing next year. So I am keeping the 426 for that.

However, the 426 SUCKS BONE! in the woods and tight trails. Just too much snap and power. Now I know I could modify it for the woods but I don't want to do that. I just want a woods bike for that.

I am looking at and considering the WR250 for a trail bike. I dont' want the WR450 because I think it would be too much power to have fun on in the tighter stuff I ride in.
I live in Canada, so I would be getting the Canadian version of the bike.

What can you all tell me about the WR250, taking into consideration my height and weight. Is it a good bike? And how is the suspension? Can you jump with it?

I figured I would consult the experience of many of you here before I make a decision. I like to here from users before I go out and fork over serveral grand. Any comments on the 2003 model coming out are appreciated as well.

Thanks, all your feedback is really appreciated.

When in doubt, GUN IT!

I think you might be a bit heavy for it but it might work OK. If you're not in too much of a hurry and are kind of an easy going woods rider. If you do get it you will probably need to install stiffer springs front and rear. the suspension on my 02WR250 is all stock and works perfect in the woods for me but I'm 165lb or so.

i love it!!! guys really...stop it with the too heavy business. I'm 6.1 or so and 200# and the bike pulls great, ok it's got the canadian mods and exhaust -who's doesn't. i love it!!! i set the sag, and went a few clicks in all around.

we ride dry sandy, lots of washboards and technical. i like the wr timing and especially in the technical stuff. it did help to make the cockpit bigger with the new triple and new bars. it's ceratinly not a torque monster but never lacks power. i do however hit the rev limiter when the wheel spins in loose terrain uphill. i tend to lean back for the traction. i'm also, very "not tired" at the end of the day. the bike is so light and easy to ride.

hey Josh,

Sounds like you and I are about the same size. The triples and bars i knew would be must given my height. I am glad to hear that the suspension is ok. I am not planning on doing heavy jumps with this bike. That is what the 426 is for. I just wanted a bike that is fun in the woods and easy to handle. I may use it for recreational hare scrambles too. I guess I will have to see if I like the suspension for myself. Thanks for the feedback.
I guess I will go out and put my order in for the 2003 model. I REALLY want that e-botton

The WR250F is the most awesome bike in the tight stuff on anything else you have to work your butt off to catch a wr250f in the tights
You must also at least do all the free mods as it is a disappointing bike off the floor
But once you do just the free mods it is like day and night

I would probably get better results at harescrambles on a 250f but I am buying the WR450 as to much power is just enough
PS no other 250 thumper comes close to the yammie the others are just wannabes

Mike - my 02 WR250F is awesome in the woods! I'm 6', 177 lbs (no gear) and have no problems with it at all. I don't "hill climb" or anything like that so I can't tell about the vertical torque requirement, but do the free mods and think about making the cs a 12 teeth sprocket or enlarge the rear and you'll get that extra torque for tight stuff - the power now I've added really helped with not stalling at low RPMs - I would recommend it to anyone to keep your bike from stalling at low RPMs (along with the 12 teeth front sprocket).

BTW - Not totally sure on this, but if you go with the 03 WR250F, the power now gizmo may not fit because if its carb is built like the YZ450F with the extended intake for the air bell, then you can't use the power now gizmo (03 YZ250F riders can confirm this (true or not - YZ250F_Rider are you reading?)). Also if you go into deep water a lot, the 03 WR has side access to the air filter (i.e. watch out for flooding). The e-start is nice, but many guys here on TT believe the 03 auto-decomp exhaust cam may be retrofitted to the older models (01 & 02) - so do you really need the e-start and the maintenance that goes with it if it's easy to start kicking it? Not sure on this one, but for me the less to worry about (maintenance wise) the better...

If you do a lot of sand riding or big hill climbing you should get the big WR for the torque, for tight stuff the baby WR is probably easier to ride/handle.

Good luck with your decision.

av,

Thanks, that is good input. That is the honest feedback I am looking for. I didn't know about the side air access. That will make a difference in my decision. There is an '02 at my local dealer (brand new) for about $ 6500 Cdn. The only thing is that the exhaust baffle is welded. I will need a whole new tail pipe. Oh well, I would end up doing mods like that anyway.

I am going to go and take another look and see what I can beat them down to. I may just play the waiting game as NO ONE here this time of year is buying dirt bikes. I think I can kill them on the price. I hope!!

Let you all know how it goes.

Thanks again.

well I'll be. I didnt even notice the carb being that different (can you hear the forehead slapping?). av you're right, the 03 does not have a manifold adapter.

the wr250f would be a great mount for you.don,t worry about the weight factor because i,m 6ft and a half and my weight is 192 and it throws me around like nothing.i really can,t think of a better woods bike specially when you get into the tight nasty stuff.i also do some mx and it does just fine in all situations.

I'm thinking about the same thing. Just choosing between the wr250 or the 450. I do some desert and very little woods, but it's pretty technical for desert riding. I use my YZ250f for motocross.