Took my road bike down to the local Yamaha dealer for servicing. While there I (again) oogled the WR250R that's on the sales floor.

(This WR250R thing is Krabill's fault. At first I KNEW I wanted a DR-Z 400S, but now... I ain't so sure.)

Young Corgill mentioned that one of his employees had a WR250X ("motard") and would likely let me take it for a spin. Not exactly a WR250R, but perhaps close enough to give me a feel for the bike's powerplant ability/etc.

The young man was more than willing to let me take it for a quick trip around the block.

As soon as I fired up the little thumper... I smiled. It sound SO CUTE (putt, putt, putt, putt...) compared to the V&H equipped 88 cubic inch bike I had just dismounted.

Swung a leg over and: Wow. These things really feel TALL (again... just got off a low rider)... and LIGHT. (A good thing!)

I putt-ed out of the parking lot and hit the 4 lane... headed for the Bypass where I could air it out.

Rounding the twisty S curve approach ramp... I nailed it.

Not bad! Pretty peppy for a lil' 250! I took it up to the upper mid-range/lower top end. It seemed happy there. Glancing down at the speedo... I was shocked to see I was perculating along at 75 MPH.

Whoa. Serious speed there... better back it back down to the legal 55.

Well, soon enough, I took the fella's toy back to him. Needless to say, it was an impressive little scoot. Agreed, riding the motard version instead of the Dual Sport version may be a bit of an "apples to oranges" comparison. But at least it DID let me get a feel for the little booger.

The dealer offered to service the R2 and let me take it for a spin... but I was up front and told him it would still be a couple months before I got really "serious" about purchasing a Dual Sport. However, IF he was going to service it anyway... then once he did I would DEFINATELY be up for a test ride.

Now... I gotta' find a DR-Z 400S to ride.

will sell you. Post on the DRZ boards to find someone near you (I was looking at the same choice, 250 or 400 last year) After comparing the weights (not much difference between a 250 and DRZ) I went for more power. Love my "S".

still depends on what kind of riding you'll do.. unless you're getting into a lot of sand, steep uphill climbs, or need faster acceleration, or are putting some miles on the freeway, i think the wr would be a fine ride. You can uncork it a bit & it is amazing what they squeeze out of that little motor.

Of course, you can't go wrong with a drz, either, & if you want to be cheap, you can find a decent one used if you look around.. should save you a couple thousand..

But i'm keeping my eye on the little wr, too.. might be my next ride in a year or so..

Good point: I also need to sit/oogle/ride a DR-Z.

I intend to. In fact, I may swing by the regional Suzuki dealer while out and about tomorrow to see if they have any.

For some reason I thought the WR was significantly lighter than the DR-Z (like 40lbs lighter). However, I see the actual difference between the claimed weights is 22lbs.

Of course, 22lbs CAN feel like quite a difference in many situations.

I really like my wr250r maybe I'm not much help here because I have'nt owned alot of bikes I had a old TM-125 and a CB-750 rode the hell out of both of them for years.30 years later a friend at work was telling me about this new yamaha that was coming out looked at the Specs. last year and was hoping to find a used one this year but no go.So I got a new one breaking it in like I broke in my TM so many years ago FAST.I have 217 miles on it now and am going to change the oil in the morning.If I really get on it I havr trouble keeping the front end on the ground in 2nd gear but thats about the only place it really gets lite in front.anyway thank for reading and may you have many safe rides this year Patrick

I really like my wr250r maybe I'm not much help here because I have'nt owned alot of bikes I had a old TM-125 and a CB-750 rode the hell out of both of them for years.30 years later a friend at work was telling me about this new yamaha that was coming out looked at the Specs. last year and was hoping to find a used one this year but no go.So I got a new one breaking it in like I broke in my TM so many years ago FAST.I have 217 miles on it now and am going to change the oil in the morning.If I really get on it I havr trouble keeping the front end on the ground in 2nd gear but thats about the only place it really gets lite in front.anyway thanks for reading and may you have many safe rides this year Patrick

After many Japanese bikes, including a DRZ 400S, I say give Husqvarna a look if you want a world class dirt bike with a license plate. If you want a commuter dirt bike then the Husky TE 610 would leave a (imo) bigger smile on your face then any Japanese Dualsport.

double post.......

I hate to admit it, I really do, but my bike--WR250R--is an over-engineered/overpriced scooter. I'm done pretending to like this thing...I'd rather mow the lawn. The Husqavarna 610 SM or dirt enduro, on the other hand, is a motorcycle. XLEnduroman is spot on.

Vinduroman said:

DirtBike magazine recently had a dual sport bike comparo and they listed the Yamaha at 299 lbs. and the DR-Z at 305 lbs.

They also called the WR motor mild, and also stated the DR-Z would accelerate with the Honda 650L.

I wish Yamaha would have made it a 400/450.

MotoChris521 said:

My drz will easily keep up with a xl650 on but not an xr650. I really like drz's they are versatile and have great aftermarket support. I also have a 610 which is in another ballpark all together. I do like the "look" of the wr and would be real tempted if Yamaha came out with a 450 or 650 DS.

For you first real DS get a drz.

I've tried out both a "woken-up" DRZ converted to supermoto and my buddies stock DRZ. They're okay bikes. I don't particularly like the geometry (which I realize can be customized, tweaked, etc..). They feel clumsy. And what's with not have inverted forks. I will say this about the WR: for all it's lack of muzunga, it's as nimble as all get out.

I do think it's kind of ridiculous that Yamaha's only U.S. enduro offering is a 250. Screw California and it's emission standards. The rest of us rip all that crap off anyway.

Well I understand you have to work on the husky alot...adjust valves at low miles and the like .I'm not looking for that but if the husky is alot better bike I will check one out and may be a owner of one soon after.As for jap bikes they have way out shined there teachers and I thank them for it

UPDATE:

Today the wife and I went for an all-day cruiser ride. On the way back home we stopped at the Suzuki dealership and took a look at the DR-Z 400S.

I see lots of potential in this bike for what I want to do. There doesn't seem to be an impressionable weight difference between it and the WR250R.

True, the suspension in not "trick" looking like the inverteds/etc of the WR. Further, no doubt the WR can outhandle the DR-Z when in tighter woods, especially in the hands of an expert rider. BUT... I don't particulary want to ride that way anymore (i.e on the pipe and thrashing)... haven't wanted to in years. (When it comes to dual sporting.) My yearly 2-day off-road event I go to gives me all of that I desire.

It is really hard for me to justify 10lbs of weight difference in regards to the torque/power giveaway between the WR and DR-Z. At this point, I envision the DR-Z being able to be ridden more comfortably on the road at cruising speeds, as well as being able to be ridden more "lazily" when dual sporting on account of the bigger spread of torque to use. At age 57, I seldom over-ride suspensions like I used to do.

Wow... this could go either way.

Boy... this ain't cut and dried, is it? :D

nuke77 said:

Not the 610 they recommend a ridiculous long period between oil change and valve check, I change the oil frequently and check the valves often. They have never been out and I'm amazed at how clean the oil filter and bag filters always are. And I ride the piss out of it. My drz always has dirtier oil and filter.
I really love my 610 it is an awesome bike.

Vinduroman said:

If you spring and valve the drz to your weight the suspension is great. It soaks up nasty stuff like no other. These are the best conventional forks made.:thumbsup:

rockchucker22 said:

Second best, the WP 50mm Extreme is hard to beat up till about 4 years ago. :worthy:

Of course, nobody would buy them or the excellent 49mm Suzuki forks on the RMs of 96/97 because, even though they worked better, they didn't "look" trick. The DRZ gives up nothing to the WRr in suspension, I raced a DRZ with Race Tech valving & have a WRr now. Either will work, one is just the slower choice between slow bikes. The DRZ is easier to boost if you find the need. A FCR carb will have it at 40ish HP with a stock pipe.

Thanks for the additional input, fella's.

Truth be known, I have never liked the concept of USD forks. The rocks and crap around here are notorious for knicking, scraping, denting the lower areas of bikes. The sliders on all my dirt bikes have been gouged, scraped, nicked, etc. That would have been the tubes had they been USD's. These rocks laugh at plastic protectors. To me the durability of "conventional" forks is a plus.

Like I said... this isn't a cut and dried issue for me... but I am leaning back toward the DR-Z.

Get a ride on a TE610 before you drop any $$$. The 610 is everything the DRZ should have been by its 9th year!

Won't be dropping $$$ for at least a couple months.

I went to the Husqvarna website and found the TE610... but no specs? Also hit eBay and found one there... but again... no specs?

Where can I find the specs on the TE610?