WR250X ~200 mile report

figment · 07-31-2008, 05:57 PM

The bike has more power than I need for a commuter and probably more if it was the R version for off-road.

It turns in MUCH faster than anything I've ever ridden. I'm always too close to the apex too soon now.

The fuel light comes on at 90 miles and has ~30 miles of reserve. When the light comes on, the display starts a count-down from zero so you know when to get serious (-30). It costs 6 bucks to ride it all week on 93octane.

The suspension is set way too soft for me. The forks dive coming to a stop with front stoppers only so you HAVE to use the rear break. I've played with the front rebound but have not dialed it in yet.

The instrumentation is OK. I like the clock and the speedo. Its based on a OR bike so there's no tach.

At 100 miles after a good warm-up I put it to the limiter in 1,2 and 3 just to get that out of the way. Linear power IF you ham-fist it. If slow speed maneuvering there is a significant amount of Fi choppiness. I'm told this is solved with a PCIII (which also could be used to add a tach)

The rear-end is horribly mangled by the ridiculous air-brake of a tail light/plate holder. Fixing this is the first mod I'm doing.

Despite others complaints I see no problem with the mirrors. Much better than a sport bike anyway.

Also, the seat is quite comfortable to me although I've not ridden more than 30 minutes straight on it yet.

The stock Bridgstones are quite grippy even cold and inspire confidence.

The bike has stalled abruptly with slight throttle after initial start on the first launch several times. Seems like the fuel enrichment or temperature sensor may need some reprogramming...

A small bolt that holds the top of the headlight on fell off somewhere.

The bike even with the smaller sumo wheels is still tall for my 5'10" frame. I have to use the stand to crawl up on it. Maybe its my near 50YO frame that cant twist a leg as high as it should...

I tried using my off-road helmet and that was a big mistake. Got a new RF1000 to fend off the wind.

At around 70 the bike feels a little light. Not scary but not steady like 170 on the RC either.

You need a tight jacket for this type of up-right posture to keep flapping down. I have a JR mesh in large thats a bit loose.

It's tempting to spend a lot of $$ on this thing but modding it with a full system or slip-on and a programmer seems counter to the reasons for having it. Just putting the PCIII on it is going to cost an MPG or two.

Buzz is not a problem. Even though it's a thumper, there is no noticeably unusual vibration.

Off-road tire options are problematic because of the wheel size and brakes. Possibly future options will be available.

A larger 15L tank is in the works I'm told.

The bike is a blast to ride and I'm really glad I got it instead of the larger DR400SM.

More later, I gotta ride!

seamus · 07-31-2008, 07:10 PM

Is the compression on that so high you need 93 octane?

I have the same stumble on startup on my FMX650 but I just attribute that to the carb setup on it.

figment · 07-31-2008, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamus

Is the compression on that so high you need 93 octane?.

yes, the stickers I took off the filler area of the tank say 91 or better only.

(I took all the "SIoD" stickers off it.)

Mojave954 · 07-31-2008, 11:21 PM

I am hoping they do this to its big brother the 4 fiddy this yr. They do and one will be in my garage that DAY!

As for getting on/off tires just get a set of WR 250 rims put your tires on them and swap 'em out. What I was planning to do. Have to swap the disk and sprocket, that takes minutes.

Thanks for the review.

Have the WR 450 now but cali won't let you gussy 'em up for the street. Thing is a BEAST in the dirt, can't imagine what it would be like on the street.

Happy riding.

figment · 08-01-2008, 03:13 PM

what kind of MPG does the pho fiddy get?

jose_jimenez · 08-01-2008, 06:18 PM

pics!!!!!

Mojave954 · 08-03-2008, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by figment

what kind of MPG does the pho fiddy get?

I get about 15 MPG. That is strictly dirt... and on it 90% of the time. Hoping the Fi system fixes this and get some more MPG.

figment · 08-03-2008, 04:40 PM

my 4wheelers get 10mpg tooting around. one is Fi

Mojave954 · 08-04-2008, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by figment

my 4wheelers get 10mpg tooting around. one is Fi

If I left the 450 in stock trim it would get about 25-30 but in that trim it was really and I mean really WEAK. More like I would expect a 125 to be.

Much happier with this configuration.

figment · 08-06-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jose_jimenez

pics!!!!!

I cleaned up the rear plate area the night before last and have a PCIII on order. I also and seriously contemplating a LOUD pipe for merge prevention. This has happened a LOT

I put some pics up soon

Mojave954 · 08-07-2008, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by figment

I cleaned up the rear plate area the night before last and have a PCIII on order. I also and seriously contemplating a LOUD pipe for merge prevention. This has happened a LOT

I put some pics up soon

The HD rider's complain about being cut-off around here sometimes and I ask them about the value of their loud pipes. Don't believe that loud pipes save lives. Just try not to be in someone's blind spot.

figment · 08-07-2008, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojave954

The HD rider's complain about being cut-off around here sometimes and I ask them about the value of their loud pipes. Don't believe that loud pipes save lives. Just try not to be in someone's blind spot.

I've heard em in my blind-spot before...

sportbiker929 · 08-07-2008, 10:35 PM

My street legal XR650R gets 47 MPG riding like an idiot.

figment · 08-08-2008, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sportbiker929

My street legal XR650R gets 47 MPG riding like an idiot.

That's about what my diesel golf got and it had four doors.

figment · 08-18-2008, 04:13 PM

Power Commander III USB has done for this bike what it did for the CBR. Much better throttle response. All the on-off low-end is gone. Put Zeta Hand guards with integrated signals on and removed the front stock blinkers. Next is a Delta full system Exhaust and color it done. Sorry no pics yet due to other priorities related to a proper "back-drop" for the bike

. Soon though...

figment · 10-13-2008, 08:11 AM

With modifications I'm done, It's LOUD fast and FUN!

seamus · 10-13-2008, 08:37 AM

There was one at Barber this weekend. Made me wish I had my FMX with me.

NorthernRR · 10-13-2008, 09:19 AM

that thing looks like a BLAST. Wish I could get a high out pipe like that for the CRF.

figment · 10-14-2008, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthernRR

that thing looks like a BLAST. Wish I could get a high out pipe like that for the CRF.

it IS a blast! I am really liking the new full exhaust. I don't have a map for it yet but it runs better than the stock exhaust did anyway. I plan on going down to Sabin Performance and getting a tune when I get the air box opened up, flapper and air injection removed. Form stock, the bike as it is now is incredibly faster even though it was great stock. I'm down from 90 to 80 miles/1.7 gallons of 91octane

07-31-2008, 05:57 PM	#1
figment riki-tik! Join Date: 02-03-2007 Location: St. Paul, Texas Age: 50 Bike(s): Yamaha WR250X Posts: 907	WR250X ~200 mile report The bike has more power than I need for a commuter and probably more if it was the R version for off-road. It turns in MUCH faster than anything I've ever ridden. I'm always too close to the apex too soon now. The fuel light comes on at 90 miles and has ~30 miles of reserve. When the light comes on, the display starts a count-down from zero so you know when to get serious (-30). It costs 6 bucks to ride it all week on 93octane. The suspension is set way too soft for me. The forks dive coming to a stop with front stoppers only so you HAVE to use the rear break. I've played with the front rebound but have not dialed it in yet. The instrumentation is OK. I like the clock and the speedo. Its based on a OR bike so there's no tach. At 100 miles after a good warm-up I put it to the limiter in 1,2 and 3 just to get that out of the way. Linear power IF you ham-fist it. If slow speed maneuvering there is a significant amount of Fi choppiness. I'm told this is solved with a PCIII (which also could be used to add a tach) The rear-end is horribly mangled by the ridiculous air-brake of a tail light/plate holder. Fixing this is the first mod I'm doing. Despite others complaints I see no problem with the mirrors. Much better than a sport bike anyway. Also, the seat is quite comfortable to me although I've not ridden more than 30 minutes straight on it yet. The stock Bridgstones are quite grippy even cold and inspire confidence. The bike has stalled abruptly with slight throttle after initial start on the first launch several times. Seems like the fuel enrichment or temperature sensor may need some reprogramming... A small bolt that holds the top of the headlight on fell off somewhere. The bike even with the smaller sumo wheels is still tall for my 5'10" frame. I have to use the stand to crawl up on it. Maybe its my near 50YO frame that cant twist a leg as high as it should... I tried using my off-road helmet and that was a big mistake. Got a new RF1000 to fend off the wind. At around 70 the bike feels a little light. Not scary but not steady like 170 on the RC either. You need a tight jacket for this type of up-right posture to keep flapping down. I have a JR mesh in large thats a bit loose. It's tempting to spend a lot of $$ on this thing but modding it with a full system or slip-on and a programmer seems counter to the reasons for having it. Just putting the PCIII on it is going to cost an MPG or two. Buzz is not a problem. Even though it's a thumper, there is no noticeably unusual vibration. Off-road tire options are problematic because of the wheel size and brakes. Possibly future options will be available. A larger 15L tank is in the works I'm told. The bike is a blast to ride and I'm really glad I got it instead of the larger DR400SM. More later, I gotta ride! __________________ "Einstein, don't tell God what to do with His dice". - Bohr P = \| an \| 2 Last edited by figment; 07-31-2008 at 09:59 PM. Reason: more stuff

07-31-2008, 07:10 PM	#2
seamus is feelin alright Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Rocket City Age: 34 Bike(s): 1KRR; VFR; FMX650 Posts: 5,539	Is the compression on that so high you need 93 octane? I have the same stumble on startup on my FMX650 but I just attribute that to the carb setup on it. __________________ Ducit Amor Patriae Richard Herald, The Gentle Giant The nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools. --- Thucydides

08-01-2008, 03:13 PM	#5
figment riki-tik! Join Date: 02-03-2007 Location: St. Paul, Texas Age: 50 Bike(s): Yamaha WR250X Posts: 907	what kind of MPG does the pho fiddy get? __________________ "Einstein, don't tell God what to do with His dice". - Bohr P = \| an \| 2

08-03-2008, 04:40 PM	#8
figment riki-tik! Join Date: 02-03-2007 Location: St. Paul, Texas Age: 50 Bike(s): Yamaha WR250X Posts: 907	my 4wheelers get 10mpg tooting around. one is Fi __________________ "Einstein, don't tell God what to do with His dice". - Bohr P = \| an \| 2

08-18-2008, 04:13 PM	#15
figment riki-tik! Join Date: 02-03-2007 Location: St. Paul, Texas Age: 50 Bike(s): Yamaha WR250X Posts: 907	Power Commander III USB has done for this bike what it did for the CBR. Much better throttle response. All the on-off low-end is gone. Put Zeta Hand guards with integrated signals on and removed the front stock blinkers. Next is a Delta full system Exhaust and color it done. Sorry no pics yet due to other priorities related to a proper "back-drop" for the bike. Soon though... __________________ "Einstein, don't tell God what to do with His dice". - Bohr P = \| an \| 2

07-31-2008, 11:21 PM	#4
Mojave954 GONE PLAID! Join Date: 12-18-2006 Bike(s): 08 FJR, 08 R 1200 GS Posts: 906	I am hoping they do this to its big brother the 4 fiddy this yr. They do and one will be in my garage that DAY! As for getting on/off tires just get a set of WR 250 rims put your tires on them and swap 'em out. What I was planning to do. Have to swap the disk and sprocket, that takes minutes. Thanks for the review. Have the WR 450 now but cali won't let you gussy 'em up for the street. Thing is a BEAST in the dirt, can't imagine what it would be like on the street. Happy riding.

08-01-2008, 06:18 PM	#6
jose_jimenez Not Sure's Legal Representation Join Date: 01-05-2007 Bike(s): Hurricane Posts: 1,983	pics!!!!!

08-07-2008, 10:35 PM	#13
sportbiker929 Join Date: 10-11-2007 Location: Oceanside Age: 40 Bike(s): RC51, YZ450F, XR650R Posts: 30	My street legal XR650R gets 47 MPG riding like an idiot.

10-13-2008, 08:11 AM	#16
figment riki-tik! Join Date: 02-03-2007 Location: St. Paul, Texas Age: 50 Bike(s): Yamaha WR250X Posts: 907	With modifications I'm done, It's LOUD fast and FUN! Attached Thumbnails __________________ "Einstein, don't tell God what to do with His dice". - Bohr P = \| an \| 2

10-13-2008, 08:37 AM	#17
seamus is feelin alright Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Rocket City Age: 34 Bike(s): 1KRR; VFR; FMX650 Posts: 5,539	There was one at Barber this weekend. Made me wish I had my FMX with me. __________________ Ducit Amor Patriae Richard Herald, The Gentle Giant The nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools. --- Thucydides

10-13-2008, 09:19 AM	#18
NorthernRR Join Date: 12-18-2006 Age: 28 Bike(s): 1KRR, VFR, CRF450R, EX500 Posts: 1,428	that thing looks like a BLAST. Wish I could get a high out pipe like that for the CRF. __________________ See you at Indy

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