I was in the exact same boat as you... plated XR250 and 650L. wanted something more power than the 250 but lighter than the 650 and still reliable. I researched to death and wound up with a WR450F.

weighs a hair less than my XR250R, more power than my 650... e start, rekluse auto clutch, perfect bike. I know a guy that has 20k+ on his.

Wow! Beautiful photo!  

As much as I'm a BIG XR250R fan ... I must admit to the goodness of both the WR250F and WR450F. I own an '07 WR250F. Bought a 2nd hand virgin ($3500 in 2009). It's a bit of a pain to work on compared to the XR250R but its Oh So Good once you get right. Setting up the pumper carb is no fun and took a while to solve the "bogging" issue and soft stock suspension had to be addressed. (same with XR250R)

I'm now 63 and have found that the lighter, better handling WR makes it actually safer for me when riding. I crash less.  One weak area of the WR250F is in low down chugging power. It's weak, kinda like a 125cc two stroke. The XR250R is actually better in this area. The WR250F likes to rev and needs to rev to get through technical conditions with authority. The WR450F has no such low end weakness. A ton of torque ... and it's the bike I wished I had bought. Torque is your friend.

The XR250R is still the better bike on highway with it's wide ratio 6 speed gear box. Better seat too (much wider) and higher gearing allows easy highway cruising. Since I don't just ride fire roads I needed the WR for the Nor Cal trails I ride. In the desert the WR is good on rocks, has better brakes then the XR250R and generally works very well. Both are good bikes.

Yamaha WR's are reliable. Unlike the CRF250/450X Hondas. I've ridden the CRF's and loved them. But had to tow my buddy on his CRF250X for two hours in Nevada. The newer Hondas are better, more reliable, early ones had problems.

I would move up to the 2nd generation XR250R. Find a nice, low hour 2000 to 2003 for around $2000. Up grade the shock and fork, add an FMF and re-jet. You are now good for another ten years of easy going riding.


My old XR250R at Fouts Springs, Mendecino Nat. Forest

My WR250F in Black Rock Desert, Nevada.

IF you can plate a WR450 I think it's a no brainer, do it, very reliable bikes

if not, the WR250R with the factory big bore kit, 25k mile valve adjustments,  an oil sump made for dualsporting,  but it is still gonna be heavier and slower than a real enduro bike

Hi again, all ye faithfuls!

Working long hours lately... been too pooped to post.

I have spent some time surfing/reading about the WR off-road series bikes.  Nice scoots!  

n16ht5:

What kind of fuel MPG do you get with your WR450F?  What is its range?  It's been a long time since I've ridden performance big bores (2 strokes) in the woods.  I've been on 250 and smaller bikes for the past 20 or so years.  A 250 is my favorite size.  However, your WR conversion looks very nice.  Reading up and watching videos on the WR450F it becomes apparent that one thing is for sure: No bottom end torque worries!!!  Monster torque.

I also spent some time reading up and watching videos on the WR250F.  Again, looks to be a great bike.  I'm a'feared the 5 speed transmission isn't a selling point for me.  Five speeds likely works great in the woods... but think I'll give up some versatility in regards to dual sporting a tagged version.

I guess this sort of brings me full circle back to the WR250R.  Obviously, the WR250R isn't perfect... but I guess no bike is, right?  (Or I wouldn't be thinking of adding another to my stable.)  The WR250R seems to offer me the most of what I would like in my next bike: Durable, dependable, decent handling, electric start, etc.  Not a thoroughbred like a Husky, Beta or KTM, not the rock-crushing ability of a WR450F, or the flick-ability of a WR250F... but... does seem to offer me the best compromises for what I intend to do.

Having read up on it many times in the past, I have spent the last couple evenings watching some on-board ride videos taken by riders in my region. (Ozark and Ouachita mountains).  Seems they have the grunt to "putt-putt" over rough stuff when needed?  Also read that top speed with stock gearing on one of those things is in the 90-95 MPH range????  Wild.  WAY too much top end.  If I end up going the WR250R route, I would re-gear and remove about 15 MPH off the top, which would be a gain on the bottom of the range.  Doing so should still yield the ability to run 65 MPH comfortably for short blacktop jaunts, yet give more "putt-putt" available for when those situations arise.

Still going to be tackling the wife's first.  Once I'm finished working 6 day weeks (end of March) I will start shopping in earnest for her a Kawasaki 140L and get it kitted and tagged as I can over the following weeks.  Mine will then be next.  Even if a WR250R is selected, there will be things I will want to do to it.  Goal is for us to both have new bikes by this coming Autumn, along with new Dual Sport riding gear.  Complete upgrade, bikes and all!

In the meantime, this has really been an informative and enjoyable thread.  Thanks to all for your valued input!!!

Vinduroman

DR350 with 440 kit.
TT350 with suspension work.

The TT350 is 114kg dry. I've done 300hrs in the last 12 months of ownership and may get around to checking the valves sometime.
Also qualifies for Pre '86 Classic MX

Thanks.. it tends to get 40mpg dsing.. prob 50 or so street. the extra power over the 250 helps a ton. I love it. the rekluse lets you gear it up.. mine cruises 65mph. the 250r is good if you plan on racking up boatloads of mileage, but is not ideal for trails, which is my primary use. I have a stock tank so about 100mi range tops, but I am planning on a clarke 3.6g tank.

Edited by n16ht5, 28 February 2012 - 12:06 PM.

150ron, on 21 February 2012 - 09:24 AM, said:

My friend has a XT250. I believe a 2009. It was brand new off the floor and it is probably the worst bike for trail riding. He used to ride a PE250 on the trails with me with my DR350S. I wouldn't recommend this for major trail riding because of the suspension. Which you mentioned. It is extremely soft even for the casual cart trail. I would recommend a older DR350 because of what I get out of mine. Only problem is that it is 286lbs dry and anything older than a 96 is kicker only. And the older DRs (mine included) are real pain in the A$$ to start. So maybe a newer DR350? 96 or newer. I have 19950 miles on mine and never done the top end on it. I bought it used from someone on CL, but went through the whole bike and nothing was wrong. Of course checked the valves, but never had a problem with this bike. Not to mention there is a flurry of them where I'm from.

NordieBoy, on 25 February 2012 - 10:50 PM, said:

I +1 for this. I am actually getting my taxes back from the damn government soon and I was thinking about doing the 440 kit on my DR350 or even going with the pumper carb from Kientech. Would you recommend getting both done. I was thinking that it would do an amazing thing if I did get both, but would it still run good with the 440 kit and proper jetting? I believe it would, but don't want to drop $400 on something and then have to spend another $350 for the carb.

DR350S93, on 29 February 2012 - 12:19 PM, said:

I'd be inclined to go about it the other way around.
Pumper carb first. Then you may not need the extra power of the 440 kit.

But call Jesse and ask. He'll be able to give you a direction to go based on your riding style and intended use.

NordieBoy, on 29 February 2012 - 09:03 PM, said:

I have heard good things about the carb, but is it really worth almost 400 bucks? I could possibly fund a used one on Ebay or something for less, but I might give him a call and see what should happen. I would like some more power for the trails and better response. Not to mention I have never done a top end on the thing since I have had it and not sure if the previous owner did one. Nothing wrong with it, but could use a new piston, rings, and the works.

Vinduroman...you really need to check out "bigdogadventures.com"    This fellow, Mark Sampson, has a WR250R and has probably 30,000 miles on that bike.  Check out his buildup of the bike and his many rides on the bike, especially his trip to Alaska.  I think that is the type of riding that you do but on a somewhat lesser scale. He has nothing but praise about the WR250R and I think you will gain much information after reading what he has written and his trip reports.

Yes, Big Dog is one of the reasons I first started to consider a WR250R some many months back.  Though I find what he does very interesting (i.e. extended trips w/packing camping gear), it's not what I do, or intend to do.  The weekend jaunts the wife and I are tentatively talking will be based out of cabins in the mountains.  As I have done since the popularization of "fanny packs", things I want to pack along will be in my large fanny pack. (Any additional things deemed to be needed can be strapped to the bike.)  I don't even want saddle bags, etc on my dirt bikes.

Right now, I'm working six days a week and have zero time for much of anything.  However, the six day work weeks are to end in two more weeks... so I'll have time to get to the bike shops and get started upgrading our rides and riding gear!  Looking forward to fitting in at least one or two dual sport rides before the hot weather hits.  (I don't like to trail ride in hot weather.)

Thanks a lot for replying in this thread.  Your timing is uncanny, for just the other night I again "found" Big Dog's website!  (My previous bookmarks were lost during a hard drive issue.)

Vinduroman

can you guys post up a link for this big dog's wr250r rides?  id like to check it out.

http://bigdogadventures.com    Just scroll down, it's all there.

george68, on 11 March 2012 - 12:41 PM, said:

thanks george.

Hi Ron:

Sorry... I didn't think.  I should have posted a link in my reply.

I really enjoyed his Alaska trip report.  The pics and video sampler were great.  Wow... what an...  well.. an ADVENTURE!!  (No wonder they call it that, huh???)

Vinduroman

As much as a $1000 xr250 is worth the money, there is no other way to put it really, a $10,000 ktm is worth every single penny. That is just the way it is. You can have three bikes worth of 3000 but still the modern euro bike does it better and is ten times more fun. Last thing I would worry about is durability in low speed cruising.

The KTM 350 EXC is an awesome bike and I love mine. That said I wouldn't think it is a good bike for some one who doesn't need the power/quickness of the KTM. An old XR250 with its low end and tank like build that requires almost no work other than topping off the oil (not even changing) would be ideal. It is heavier and doesn't have the same great power and handling but it is a lot lower and easier to ride and as I mentioned doesn't even need maintenance*.



*Not recommended but I know people who thrash their XR's and only add oil to it ever once in a while and they run just the same as they did 10 years ago.

Iberian, on 14 March 2012 - 02:25 PM, said:

10 years? That's pretty good. And while you're handing out back handed compliments think about how many KTM's you'll go through in that same 10 years!

Edited by 54321, 14 March 2012 - 05:06 PM.

Quote

Aww, I've ridden an XR250R for a looong time.  I'm used to Euro-rider guys looking down their noses at it!  

Long as we're havin' fun on our scoots... it's all good!



Vinduroman