Dirt Bikes Reviews

Not precisely an enduro model and not a streetbike either, this supermoto-inspired dirt bike is constructed for riders who hang out more time off-road than on the street. However, absolutely descended from Yamaha’s YZ and WR off-road machines, the WR250R makes Yamaha’s off-road prowess street accessible; the superior latest creation combines Yamaha’s race-dominating off-road know-how with the no-compromise attitude of its R-series sportbikes.

The Yamaha WR250R, like the “X” machine”, is based on the heritage obtained through years of developing and producing the YZ series. History began being written in 1974 with the first YZ model ever produced. It was named Yamaha YZ125A and it was introduced as an off-road bike featuring aluminum alloy fuel tank, 28mm Mikuni round slide carburetor, and a five-speed gearbox. Ignition supplied was CDI (Internal Rotor). So great about this motorcycle addressing to the masses was the fact that it was very close to the MX125 model presented in the same year. Yamaha proved to have a great marketing strategy and the line began gathering more models. One of those models was the YZ250 motocross bike which contributed at creating the machine.

Yamaha designers took a look at their YZ motocross machines and decided they knew exactly where to inspire the looks of their brand new WR250R. The Yamaha WR250R presents us its fuel tank shaped with knee grip in mind, and an entire ergonomic layout destined to make the rider feel like an integrated part of the bike. Its narrow seat continues the two-tone color given by the fuel tank and side panels so everything blends in perfectly together.

21 inch front and 18 inch rear wheels provide the bike with its needed dose of aggression, a character which is completed by the nicely-shaped exhaust.

Fresh-sheet design 250cc liquid-cooled, DOHC engine with two titanium intake valves and two steel exhausts, forged piston and plated cylinder for outstanding durability. Pentroof combustion chamber with downdraft-type straight intake helps make excellent power across the rev band, with maximum power at 10,000 rpm. Three-axis engine layout keeps the engine compact. Wet sump tucks between frame rails to keep the engine height down. Six-speed gearbox provides a wide spread of ratios, with shower-type lubrication for reliability. A special light-action clutch makes shifting a snap.

First use of fuel injection on a 250 Yamaha on/off-road bike. The system relies on input from a crank sensor, intake air pressure sensor and throttle position sensor feeding a compact ECU to provide optimum combustion. An ECU-controlled EXUP exhaust valve, along with an electronic intake control valve, broadens the powerband.

Rare earth-type ACM alternator keeps the weight down while giving all the current needed to run the FI and lighting systems. Direct ignition coil sits atop the spark plug – another first on a Yamaha on-off-road model. Tucked-in, three-chamber muffler keeps the mass concentration up and the bike quiet. Large titanium intakes valves with WPC (Wonder Process Craft) processed high lift cams, a handling in which the surface is sprayed with fine powder at over 100 meters per second to increase surface hardness.

You haven’t handle the real meaning of fun performance until you have tried the WR250R!

SPECIFICATIONS:
Engine and Transmission
Displacement: 250cc
Type: Liquid-cooled DOHC 4-stroke; 4 valves
Bore x Stroke: 77.0 x 53.6mm
Compression Ratio: 11.8:1
Carburetion: Fuel Injection
Ignition: Direct ignition coil
Transmission: Constant-mesh 6-speed; multiplate wet clutch
Final Drive: Chain

Chassis and Dimensions
Suspension/Front: Inverted fork; fully adjustable, 10.6-in travel
Suspension/Rear: Single shock; fully adjustable, 10.4-in travel
Brakes/Front: Hydraulic single-disc brake, 250mm
Brakes/Rear: Hydraulic single-disc brake, 230mm
Tires/Front: 80/100-21
Tires/Rear: 120/80-18
Wheelbase: 55.9 in
Length: 85.6 in
Width: 31.9 in
Height: 48.4 in
Seat Height: 36.6 in
Ground Clearance: 11.8 in
Fuel Capacity: 2.0 gal
Dry Weight: 276 lb (CA 278 lb)