Getting these WR's or FX on flowy single track, desert or open woods is really something else. Nothing matches the feel of how planted-but-plush the suspension and chassis. Its good to see you giving the WR some love. A lot of people buy the FX thinking its better, but only if u race or riding extremely hard. Lights, display, and a bit softer suspension comes on the WR and it runs great being so quiet {saving our sport}

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

Totally agree on the quiet exhaust.

I had an '07. Before all the electronics. Never stalled. Revved Quick and smooth from idle to redline. It was so easy to kickstart I almost never used the electric starter. Great Review. It's making me miss my WR. Loved that bike.

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

The old carby ones were amazing. I remember riding one around 13 and it was easy and smooth. The YZf's made ripper enduro bikes for all the reasons you said. The big change now is that these are much stronger engines.

Buy one! Buy one! Buy one! You won’t be disappointed! At 55yrs old I realised that if I didn’t get back into a bike soon that I wouldn’t do it. I bought a 2023 new and I absolutely love it. I haven’t had a bike since my teens but always wanted to get back in. They have plenty of poke for off-road single and open track style riding. I’m 5’9” and I find it a bit tall if I stop on high centred ground and have to be quick to get a foot to the ground by slipping down one side. As my skill level is increasing I’m finding that not an issue so much any more as I’m a lot less “unco”. I tossed up between the 450 and the 250. Good buddies with much more experience than me recommended the 250 over the 450 for a relative newbie. I’m stoked with the 250 and may or may not upgrade later to the 450. The 250 is a really great bike. Do yourself a favour and buy one! Cheers from Australia 👍👍🍻🍻

@BrakeMagazine

2 ай бұрын

I bought one!

@nigelw598

2 ай бұрын

@@BrakeMagazine Excellent choice! 😁👍👍🍻

I had a '02 WR250F, it was tough as nails. I still regret selling it, your review has me wanting a newer one 🏍️👍

Regarding the stalling at low end on technical terrain: I geared down by adding 2 teeth on the rear sprocket (52, from stock 50). Problem solved.

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

Nice.

@jebediahnightlinger6357

Жыл бұрын

Did you have to add links to the chain or just replace it? I've installed the comp ECU and CCU, loaded a trail map and mine has become so much easier to ride in the extremely technical terrain. Still stalls occasionally and is still pretty fast when just lugging it up some ruts or taking off in the middle of a steep hill. Dam fine bikes though!!

@burkey426

Жыл бұрын

Did you still run the stock chain with the 52t sprocket? If you had to do it again would you go 52t, 53t or something different?

Just got a 2022 wr250f I’m super happy with it and can’t wait to put a new exhaust on it !

Key words are : it's a MX bike adapted to fast enduro race. Means very stable, revving high to reach power, excellent brakes. So that in more technical terrain, doesn't turn well, lacks torque at low revs, more difficult to pass steps, logs. I've ridden a 2016 WRF250 until last year 2021. I before rode for 5years a 450EXCF. The EXCF range is real enduro bike, really ready to race, while the WRF needs preparation to reach the EXCF performance.

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

Kind of. The KTM suspension isn't ready to race.

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

@@Peter-ff1tp Sure, but it's expensive. You add a £1000.00 to cost of the bike here in the UK, which makes the the bike £2000.00 more. That is not insignificant 🙂

Your breathing sounds like you are sat on the sofa whilst blasting around a track 🤯. - I seriously need to improve my fitness 🤣. Awesome review, love your channel and work 👍👍

Thanks mate. Great review. Always first-rate, well-presented information. Cheers, Campbell from NZ :)

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Campbell!

Another excellent video, and awesome riding. To me there’s nothing as fun as slow technical riding, would love a lightweight enduro bike one day!

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

Honestly, there is nothing I enjoy more!

@glossblack1098

2 жыл бұрын

You should try an Enduro bike Johannes. Since starting riding in 2016, I've gone from a Vstrom 650 to Yammy WR250R to Husky FE501 to Husky TE300i. I finally found my dream bike - "nothing I enjoy more".

@JohannesDalenMC

2 жыл бұрын

@@glossblack1098 Cool to see you here my friend 😁 Yes, it’s definitely going in that direction - but as you can imagine my wallet is empty right now 😂

@rogermty1971

2 жыл бұрын

@@JohannesDalenMC This enduro sport dries your wallet when you start. I bought a TE250 from Husqvarna but then you need a lot of protective gear. And after that, had to sell my VW Jetta to get a pickup truck so I can take my baby to the desert. It changes your life totally.

@JohannesDalenMC

2 жыл бұрын

@@rogermty1971 Hehe, yeah it’s definitely an expensive hobby! I think I’ll stick to dual sports and no pick-up for now 😁

Loved the Video, loads of information delivered in a way we can all understand. Would love for you to test the Fantic 250 XEF enduro.. looks may be deceiving with it, but one of your tests would uncover the truth as to how good it really is. Cheers Llew 👊🏻✊🏻👊🏻✊🏻👍🏻

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

I'm keen to ride one too. It's a 2021 Yamaha WR 250 F top to bottom, with a more open exhaust. Should rip.

@amichaiziv9204

2 жыл бұрын

@@BrakeMagazine I agree with every word We would love to see a video on the new fantic XE250F

Great Honest review, the timing is perfect as I am looking to buy one. Thanks for the video

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

Would be a fun shout. Is it your first ebduro?

@solomotoadventures

2 жыл бұрын

Hi @@BrakeMagazine, yes, first Enduro bike; I ride my trials bike (4RT 260) a lot for fun and want a bike that I can go out on long trails and forests with that can handle some challenges and is not too heavy. I proffer technical riding over speed.

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

@@solomotoadventures I'd probably say the Yam isn't the best if that's what you like then 👌😊

@solomotoadventures

2 жыл бұрын

@@BrakeMagazine , yea, the stalling was one issue you brought up that I hadn't heard before and being tricky to restart at times is another concern that has me rethinking. Thanks for the replies and the video

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

@@solomotoadventures I think the lack of low end grunt compared the KTM/Husky/Gas Gas isn't ideal either.

Excellent honest review. You had me really interested until you said "it stalls a lot riding slow n technical, it's hard to re-start, blips a lot down low, and there's not much power down low)". For my style of riding, I think I'll stick with the 2 stroke Euro bikes. Cheers

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, it'd pretty different to a 2-Stroke 🤣

@legendhvh1239

2 жыл бұрын

It's still the best cheap 4 stroke enduro bike, the best 4 stroke all around enduro bike is the Sherco sef 300 but it's way more expensive.

@glossblack1098

2 жыл бұрын

@@legendhvh1239 In Australia, the WR250F is still quite expensive and not much less than a Euro 300. Only a small difference around $1500.

@ShawnBlais

2 жыл бұрын

fwiw, the stalling can be mapped out pretty easily, and a $50 throttle tamer works wonders to ease the blip down low. In terms of power down low, it's definitely not weak, more of a medium amt of power there, but then it just absolutely comes alive in the mid-upper range.

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

@@legendhvh1239 I'd also disagree with that. I think the engine on the 300 is nice but really have to rev it to get much from it.

I don’t know I need to get used to that throttle control . I’ve learned that the idle screw needs to be turned up about 200 to 300 rpm it’s not much but it really helps with the flameouts

I have the 2023 in Canada you need to buy the competition ECU and CCU and an exaust and this bike is a rocket an opens up better throttle response it’s a nimble bike I love mine I ride mostly bush hard induro trails and bush roads between trails it loves to rev

@shayj.999

2 ай бұрын

Did it help the stalling in the low end

@rezkidgamingyt4725

Ай бұрын

@@shayj.999yha turning the idle nob up to about about 2500 rpm is what I’ve got mine set to and with clutch control in the slower technical stuff it fixed the flame outs for me anyway

Nice review. whats the servicing like for weekend warriors with minimal mods?

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

The same as most dirt bikes really. Oil and air filter every three days I'd say.

Give us a duel sport version!

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

As in street legal?

@biscuitsalive

2 жыл бұрын

@@BrakeMagazine yes. I know they do it. But isn’t mainly Australia and stateside?

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

@@biscuitsalive It can be street legal in the UK too. You can make a couch street legal in the UK 🤣

@biscuitsalive

2 жыл бұрын

@@BrakeMagazine but I’m lazy and want it off the shelf ready. :) Just nice to have some more options outside of a CRF300L and a Husky 701 etc.

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

@@biscuitsalive It will be. Buy it from a dealer and it'll be road reg'd.

Nice review is the bike ready to ride in the UK, I've heard the Yams don't come with the necessary requirements to make them fully road legal for example brake light switches? Not sure if that was just the previous models as you gave an not OTR price

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

You don't need any of that to road reg a bike in the UK. It won't be homologated for European use but we have some bendy rules for enduro bikes, so yes, it can be road registered by your dealer.

I ride in northern Mexico and some enduro riders here have the YZ250FX and they say it is better because it has a bit more power. Our terrain is much rockier than in this video. Yamaha confuses me calling the WR250F and enduro bike and yet they have an even better enduro bike in the YZ250FX.

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

They are the same bike with a different exhaust.

@craigd123

Жыл бұрын

​@@BrakeMagazine nope

@BrakeMagazine

Жыл бұрын

@@craigd123 Sorry, you're correct Craig D.

I know that you have done numerous rallies…….wondering if this bike would be a good platform to use for a modern lite rally entry bike?

Be nice to have an updated wr250r

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

What do you anticipate improved

What is the maintenance schedule like valve checks and piston change etc ?

Do yourself a favor and get the yz. Even if you ride poorly now, youll outgrow the wr fast. Maybe the yz will be to much at first, it might scare you for awhile but youll get used to it. You will grow into it.

@BrakeMagazine

9 ай бұрын

Have you ridden this WR? Or a WE from 2008?

@Krgump

9 ай бұрын

@@BrakeMagazine no mine was a 12. I grew up on 2 strokes. I know not everyone has. I concede that a person can have tremendous fun on a wr particularly trail riding ... but the first time you ride with buddies in open places or on fast tracks .... they will ALL leave you behind. My last dirt/trail was a yz250f 16 and even the 4 banger just is so so so much more than the wr. Im not hating on you or the wr. But if a person is gonna put in real time on a bike .... wr will get out grown fast. Even the yz X would be an upgrade. (I think).

@Krgump

9 ай бұрын

​@@BrakeMagazinea quick afterthought. I think they come road rdy in Australia?! Think is the keyword. If they came road rdy in the usa i would absolutely join you in the purchase of the wr. They do not come rd rdy in the US. I think only a headlight still. I might be wrong.

I really appreciate all your videos 👍👍 For a person contemplating a first bike for off-road riding, to learn the "trade" on, what would you suggest? (Second hand market for this wallet). No pick up truck, so will be riding transport as well. I am a bit hesitant to the time and money for servicing a proper enduro bike, but as I understand you there's a lot to be gained as opposed to a dual sport bike like a wr250r or a crf300l? My preferred riding would be less technical and more flowing, (I think). That's what I prefer on an MTB anyway 😄 Would also prefer fuel injection, not being much of a tinkerer love things that just plain works with as basic servicing as possible. I'm 187 cm, 90 kg, 42 years and been riding street bikes since last year on pavement and gravel roads. I value your opinion 😊

@BrakeMagazine

Жыл бұрын

My personal opinion is the best starter bike on the market is the Honda CRF 250L/300L. It ticks all of those boxes you require. It's not the best bike on the market but; it's cheap as hell, requires very little maintenance, works on the road okay and is easy to ride. You can ride this for a while, sell it and loose next to no money. If you make the jump to a full on Enduro bike you gain as many problems as you solve, but you'll know if you want that after a year on the CRF. For your height, get some stiffer spring fitted, some small bar risers (10mm) and ride the wheels off it. In the long run full blown enduro bikes are better, but don't underestimate the transition from road to off-road. it's a new sport and most enduro bikes, even the soft ones are really designed as race bikes. They're very fast, finicky and I personally believe that anything more powerful than a KTM/Husky 250 four-stroke is a lot of bike. They do need work, by you or someone else especially if you buy second hand. They need setting up well and if you're into more flowing riding they're probably overkill. The only caveat to this is that you're big and that's a good thing. Managing an enduro is a bit easier at your height. At 90kg's, I'd recommend stiffer springs than stock, whatever bike you get on. :) I hope that helps!

@swedbear4035

Жыл бұрын

@@BrakeMagazine Wow, what a thorough and thoughtful answer! Completely golden, Llel. Thank you! I will go for the 300 because of the abs, just have to wait for a second hand one 😅 Take care 🙏

@BrakeMagazine

Жыл бұрын

@@swedbear4035 Happy to be of help. I'd be wary of the ABS off-road too btw. Generally bikes without the BOSCH ABS System aren't great off-road :)

@swedbear4035

Жыл бұрын

@@BrakeMagazine Thanks for the heads-up, luckily it's easy to turn off by a button from stock. Useful on road and then just push the button when fun begins 😄 By the way, I saw you used the Michelin tracker on your 350 lightweight adventure, would you recommend those for a crf as well? 🤔

If we had more open terrain here New England(USA) I'd have a WR250F.... Its really too slow and technical for a peaky 4T so I'll just keep plugging along on Euro-Queen 2T's ... 🤣

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

Can't beat a two stroke when it's tight!

Great review, thanks. Would this bike suit a complete off road novice do you think?

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

Honestly, not really. I think it's better suited to a more confident rider. The KTM is more forgiving.

Great review of a great bike! Read the comment section if you need a good laugh...some real goons in here!

Would you agree that this is the best bike for a beginner, trying to get into green laning and a bit off road... ? Do you know if the service intervals are 1800 miles ? And 3000 for valves ? I have heard this on one of the videos from someone but I'm unable to find any information online .. very nice review sir .

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

No. I don't think this is beginner friendly. It is quite aggressive to ride compared to the KTM/Husky/Gas Gas or Sherco 250 models. These are easier better beginner bikes. I don't know the service intervals sorry. Normally they are measured in hours not miles too. Typically it'll be around 15 hours for an oil change, 80-100 for valves and 100-200 for a piston but that can be longer if you are riding gently. 😊 Hope that helps!

@aleks_the_Great13

2 жыл бұрын

@@BrakeMagazine many thanks for the quick reply... I'm biased towards the Yamaha for reliability but I haven't heard any bad stories about the Austrian brand so I might have a look as well. How about a 2 stroke bike for first off-road bike, what are your thoughts on that ?

Is that power figure right? 36 hp out of a 250cc thumper! I'm obviously out of touch with enduro bikes, that's far more than I thought they produced.

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

Yup. Something a bit fettled should be able to put our 40 and a 250F Mx bike should be low 40's in stock trim. Modern 350's are around 48 in stock trim and 450's are in the low 50's. The MX versions are around 60hp now.

"It doesn't have the pull off the bottom as some other 250F's"..... can you tell us what 250F's in particular you're thinking about ? :-) (Personally I don't feel like yamaha are moving in the right direction for trail, i.e compliance, low end torque etc - I wouldn't want to do any hard enduro on one).

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

I was referring to the Austrian ones; the KTM, Husky/GasGas. Right at the bottom of the power, low revs, low throttle opening, they make really good forward progress. They're not insanely quick but for enduro they make grip and keep you moving forward. Great in Europe when it's wet. I think they're doing a good job without putting the R&D in that the European brands are and I'm glad they're still making some effort to do so. There really are a lot of things to like about the WR that are progressive for the end user. Opening up the EFI is a push that was industry leading and makes it much better for us as the consumer. :)

Yes.

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

Yes.

Excellent bikes no doubt. I'd like to see it up against the SWM RS300 as it relates to value proposition

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

That would be a fun comparison indeed.

@Dashriprock4

2 жыл бұрын

@@BrakeMagazine There is every logical reason to buy the outstanding Yamaha, but there is something intangible about Italian machines. Excellent review by the way. Well done.

Not available in Japan for the last few years🥺 Honda for the win

@copybooknano854

2 жыл бұрын

A bike made in Japan and not available in Japan. What...?

@MDM1992

Жыл бұрын

2 stroke for the win yz250's are always available and anyone who says they make poor technical/enduro bikes either cant set up a bike properly, cant ride a bike properly, or both. lol

Lovely job. Did you ride the GYTR kitted bike? Curious to see what their like with some basic bolt-ons

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

I did not. They had one with an Akrpovic system but that is all. We might have some updates on that front over the summer 👌

@rickybobby7660

2 жыл бұрын

@@BrakeMagazine sweet, looks like what I’ve been looking for, something less dual sport, more hare and hounds that could sort of evolve with me rather than have to chop it in after a year for an EXC

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

@@rickybobby7660 For sure it'd be a good bike for that. I've been trying to see if you can add a clutch weight to see if you give a little more low down too. There is company in South Africa making them.

@rickybobby7660

2 жыл бұрын

@@BrakeMagazine that’s a neat solution, I’ll have a look

where do i find maps for it ?

Why you want ride 4t if there are a lot of 2T bikes from ktm, hsqvarna or gasgas?

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

I agree. Terrible life choice.

@muzz17

2 жыл бұрын

Because 2 strokes suck

@MDM1992

Жыл бұрын

​@@muzz17only if you cant ride 😂

husqvarna and ktm for the win.

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

This Yam has really nice stuff including better suspension.

@LizardMane

2 жыл бұрын

@@BrakeMagazine we both know that's not true lmao 😝👌🏼

@MDM1992

Жыл бұрын

​​​@@LizardManeif that nonsense helps you sleep at night. Never raced with a single ktm or husky that could beat or shake my yamaha's consistently yet. Oh and good luck finding parts in a year or 2 when they stop making them, and IF you're lucky enough to find them enjoy paying an arm and a leg, yamahas always have available spares at a fraction of the price. And psst, when the ktms and huskies i ride with fall apart and break down.. my yamaha still tanks on strong. 😂

How much do you weigh? I am a bigger guy and considering this bike.

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

95-97kg

From various reviews it seems the earlier alloy frame but carbied bike are a better Enduro bike? Would you agree?

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

They were really good enduro bikes apart from being kick-start. It's been a long time since I rode on though and I probably say it depends on the type of riding you do. As a cross country race bike or a bike for going fast on I was really impressed but for technical riding you're probably right.

@IBOO57

2 жыл бұрын

@@BrakeMagazine thanks heaps for the reply! I need an all rounder tbh.

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

@@IBOO57 This isn't that sorry. Buy something European :)

As much as I like WRs I think something else would be more suitable for me, living not too far from you, it seems ideal to hammer around Pembrey on parts of the supermoto track or the forestry commission roads, I get the feeling a KTM Freeride would be a more suitable bike for slower technical rides, probably missing out something newer, the Beta Xtrainer, I am. out of touch what’s available these days.

A bike designed for enduro should have the bottom end pull and not stall easy. Not saying this is a bad bike but it’s not a enduro bike. It’s falsely claimed as one

evry japanese manufacutrer should have a wideratio racebike

@BrakeMagazine

3 ай бұрын

I wish they did. Still loving this bike two years later.

Wonder what it takes to make it have the same power as the YZ250f

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

Different exhaust, YZF Cams.

@jonruger

2 жыл бұрын

@@BrakeMagazine nice not that expensive than I just got a new bike but am also thinking about an enduro I really like all the YZ’s I’ve rode so this seems like a good option just noticed it was way down on power compared to the YZ.

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

@@jonruger Most of that is the exhaust really. The stocker is quite restricted. Depends on your riding though. Sometimes more power isn't better.

@jonruger

2 жыл бұрын

@@BrakeMagazine Very true but I’d want it to be as peppy or as close to my other 250 as I could get it so it’s not such a shock switching between the two. Maybe just an exhaust and a different tune would be enough I called my local Yamaha dealer this morning to see if they have any of these WRs in stock they said they have 4 coming this week. So I may pick one up I’ve been buying 450s for a long time now because I thought I needed them for my weight but I rode some 250s last summer and couldn’t believe how far they have come since I last rode them. A 450 is overkill for an older weekend warrior like myself I’m actually faster on the 250 than I ever was on the 450s so I agree more power isn’t always needed.

How tall are you...just to know if I fit in one of that!!

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

187cm

Yamaha South Africa don't import the WR250F anymore

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

Really? That's a shame. Do they still sell the FX?

@Davidkxf

2 жыл бұрын

@@BrakeMagazine Yes they sell the FX

You had me until 7999£ I'm looking for something more 3000£ or less hahaha

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

New, that's gonna be a tough ask. Even second hand in the UK it's hard to find something 😭

I think 36HP is enaught for a Enduro bike in this class ;-)

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

It's okay 👍

@Steini07

2 жыл бұрын

@@BrakeMagazine my Beta xtrainer have arround 30HP

@legendhvh1239

2 жыл бұрын

Yamaha wr250 makes 40.5 hp

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

@@Steini07 its a different bike for different things though!

Please can you send me the maps for it

Costs less than that for an exc250 2 stroke here.

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

It's £1100.00 more for a KTM EXC 250.

@NZ2STROKE

2 жыл бұрын

@Brake Magazine 16k nzd here which is about £7880 and that's with a full road kit.

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

@@NZ2STROKE Well that's awesome!

Can you send me the maps for it?

250f excf race bike or 350

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

Is that a question or a statement?

Please send me the maps for itttt

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

I don't have them.

@stanimirgg6044

2 жыл бұрын

@@BrakeMagazine can you give me the email of this place cuz i realy need tge maps for it

The big question now is what do you weigh? Don't go getting all ''curb your enthusiasm'' on the topic though.

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

About 95kg.

@100CupsColombia

2 жыл бұрын

@@BrakeMagazine You're carrying it better than I😂

You must uncork the bike

@BrakeMagazine

2 жыл бұрын

You must.

ᵖʳᵒᵐᵒˢᵐ

I know that you have done numerous rallies…….wondering if this bike would be a good platform to use for a modern lite rally entry bike?

@BrakeMagazine

7 ай бұрын

It would be fine not good. I own one now, I liked it that much! I raced a rally on a 250 F and it kinda depends on how fast you're trying to ride. The quicker you are on a bike, the more you ask on it. I noticed on the 250 that it has to rev a bit higher to go the same speed and then it a little more skittish than a 450. It's not horrendous and if you're going for a fun time, the 250F is an awesome entry point. If you wanna win, it's a little trickier and a little more crash risk. As for how fast it is, yes. It's really quick for a 250 and would be better suited than a KTM Group bike to the task.