Yamaha WR 250R

Not quite your everyday enduro motorcycle and neither a dirt bike, the WR250R is Yamaha’s most versatile two-wheeled machinery, one that can take you off-road and on pavement with great ease thanks to a highly evolved and easily adaptive chassis and a potent quarter-liter engine. And the best thing about it is that it can actually go on public roads so it qualifies as a commuter too.

Introduction
If it is to make a short, but still proper introduction for the 2009 Yamaha WR250R, I would call it an off-road motorcycle with a headlight and mirrors. In fact there’s plenty more to it and definitely worth checking out.

For starters, with 11.8 inches of Ground Clearance and 10.6 inches of travel both front and rear, the bike makes for a great solution even for hardcore off-road riding, but the 36.6 inches high seat won’t help much when you’ll be needed to touch the ground at traffic lights and intersections. The frame is a motocross derived semi-double-cradle aluminum piece ensuring a great balance between strength and rigidity (and that feels on the streets as well) while the wave brake rotors are the perfect solution for all riding conditions, surfaces and styles.

Yamaha really tried to make this the bike that would suit everyone’s riding needs and the engine had to comply. A 250cc liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valves, four-stroke thumper with motocross DNA mates to a six-speed gearbox in order to make commuting possible, but not the best thing this bike can do.

The headlight, taillight, signal lights and mirrors are all signals of street legality while the tires are meant to do great with or without a grippy surface underneath them.

But this isn’t a new addition to Yamaha’s dual-sport lineup so seeing where it came from sure helps in knowing where it’s heading
 

Test Ride

There’s no doubt that the bikes in the dual-sport quarter-liter class aren’t for beginning riders (although it could be if these would go easy on the throttle) so we tested the Yamaha WR250R like a big boy’s bike. This means a lot of aggressive riding through dirt and potholes, but that is children’s play for this bike. Yamaha created the WR250R with pure off-road adrenaline in mind. So while the bike will do very well in city traffic and cruise relaxed at 80 mph in sixth speed on the freeway, the dirt is what you’re looking for. Otherwise you would have gone for the WR250X model.

The fuel-injected engine fires up quickly and provides an enjoyable, but not loud exhaust note. I managed to partially put my feet to the ground so I kept the suspensions standard as I was anxious to ride, but if it was to ride the thing daily, I would have lowered them at least with one inch. The seat is definitely out of the pants and the handlebars at quick reach. You’ll also feel good about the standard pegs although you won’t keep your feet on them much while spreading the dust.

There is enough power coming from the small engine even though I didn’t completely enjoyed it at first due to the insufficient low-end grunt. Furthermore, the engine stopped surprisingly easy before I god used to “keep it in the zone” and play with the clutch more. Still, you’ll have no problems with fast launches because, as I was saying, you only need a little bit of getting used to and revving up if always the solution especially in the case of a small engine such as this one. The midrange is very strong and that’s what you’ll be enjoying on the trails. Also, a light clutch feel and a responsive and easy to actuate gear lever always do the trick especially when working with such an exact engine. The gearing is fairly tall for off-road use, but I guess that this is where Yamaha remembered that they actually plan on taking this model to the streets.

Working easy with the commands means more concentration to the feedback that you get from the bike and WR’s is all positive. It handles very light and the Bridgestone tires grip on to the surface they roll on very nice while the 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels easily go through potholes and over logs. Once again, I could have used a skid plate and a pair of handguards, but you’ll most likely order those intuitively.

2009 Yamaha WR250R Engine

The frame and swingarm are probably the most refined pieces of this bike and they provide awesome geometry which results in quick handling.

Sharp is WR’s middle name and it refers to cornering. The suspensions also bring their contributions, but these will stand out during jumping sessions without which I don’t end a day out on the trail. Up front, a46mm inverted Kayaba fork is compression and rebound adjustable while its 10.6 inches of Ground Clearance mean you’ll never encounter bottoming resistance problems. Distance travel at the rear remains the same, but you’re able to adjust compression and rebound, but preload as well. How’s that for a perfect tune-up? Landing on the rear wheel puts no problems to the WR and the bike is actually quite inviting in that matter.

Despite the 11.8 inches of Ground Clearance, the center of gravity feels low which can only add a plus from all points of view. The motorcycle is stable at speeds in excess of 90 mps, but, still, it is well known that the brakes also have to bring their contribution to an overall impressive product. In this case, 250mm front and 230mm rear floating discs aren’t wave for nothing. That in the front has to cool down after experiencing the full power of the dual-piston Nissin caliper and the rear one from that of a single-piston rear unit. This results in efficient braking under all riding conditions and when it comes to stopping, simply grab a handful of that brake lever and hit the forged aluminum rear pedal. Oh, I forgot to say that you must also hold on pretty well, but with that grippy seat, I wouldn’t worry.

Key Features:

Directly descended from our YZ motocrossers and WR off-road machines—even the original Yamaha YA-1 of 1955—the WR250R is here to make Yamaha’s off-road prowess street accessible.

Not exactly an enduro model and not a streetbike either, the WR250R is for riders who ride off-road more than on. Its sibling, the supermoto-inspired WR250X, is for riders who spend more time on pavement.

The WR250R achieves fuel economy up to an estimated 71 mpg** with a fuel tank that holds 2 gallons of gas.

Engine:

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.

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.

Large titanium intake valves with WPC processed high lift cams, a treatment in which the surface is sprayed with fine powder at over 100 meters per second to increase surface hardness.

Three-axis engine layout keeps the engine compact. Wet sump tucks between frame rails to keep the engine height down.

Rare earth-type ACM alternator keeps the weight down while providing 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.

Six-speed gearbox provides a wide spread of ratios, with shower-type lubrication for reliability. A special light-action clutch makes shifting a snap.

Tucked-in, three-chamber muffler keeps the mass concentration up and the bike quiet.

Electric start only: Leaving off the kickstarter keeps it light and simple.

SUSPENSION:

YZ / WR250-inspired semi-double-cradle frame uses a main frame of cast and forged aluminum sections, with high-strength steel downtubes for excellent strength and rigidity characteristics.

Asymmetrical swingarm provides excellent strength/rigidity balance and a dynamic look. Cast aluminum crossmembers, extruded arms and a 22mm rear axle are carefully tuned for optimum handling.

Fully adjustable 46mm fork provides 10.6 inches of wheel travel. A forged lower triple clamp and a cast upper one help give outstanding front-end feel. An aluminum steering stem reduces weight.

Linkage-mounted rear shock provides 10.6 inches of travel with adjusters for compression damping, rebound damping and spring preload—and features a 14mm rod and 46mm cylinder for excellent damping and fade resistance.

Wave brake rotors front and rear reduce unsprung weight and provide excellent performance. Rear pedal is forged aluminum.

Additional Features:

A slim, steel fuel tank is shaped with knee grip in mind, and the entire ergonomic layout is designed to make the rider feel like part of the bike.

Narrow, YZ-inspired seat features gripper-type cover for great seat-of-the-pants feel. Seat height is 36.6 inches.

WR enduro-style instrument panel provides excellent visibility in spite of the compact size. Basic mode provides speed, clock, tripmeter and self-diagnostic function. Measurement mode includes stopwatch, distance-compensating tripmeter, etc.

2009 Yamaha WR250R Instrumentation

Minimalist front and rear fenders are designed for function, simplicity and lightness.

Bodywork with separate radiator heat outlet helps keep engine and rider cool.

Lightweight headlight and LED taillight maximize visibility and draw less current.

Adjustable front brake lever.

Source: Top Speed