2009 Yamaha WR250F Preview

Introduction

No matter what, an off-road bike retains the basic features which practically make it a blast on the trails, but what does a change in this case is the push start button and digital enduro race computer with speedometer, clock and tripmeter.

Inspired on the YZ250F racer, the WR250F has made a name for itself as one of the most light, versatile and tractable power delivering dirt bike on the market today, and in order to better know where it heads, we should see better where it comes from.

History

2001 Yamaha WR250F

Launched in 1998, the year of the first R1, the WR250F was and still is part of Yamaha’s big future plans which until this time have proved very efficient and realistic. Also participating at the four-stroke revolution, it caught the big wave in what concerns technical achievements and inspirations from the YZ250F motocrosser.

First there’s the five-titanium-valved motor, a Yamaha unbeaten characteristic, followed by the light chassis and comfortable riding position. These are the main features which have contributed at making the WR name grow so fast and the 250F didn’t miss them at all.

Like most Yamahas of the time, the WR250F was kind of a brute when it came to strong acceleration and linear power delivery so if you’re a Yamaha customer of the time, there are great chances that you would be pretty scared of it. But as you can suppose, refinements soon came and after 2001 it became a little more user-friendly while 2003 made it a real trail companion. By this time you only needed a few twists and turns in order to accommodate with it and start revving all the way up to the 13,500 rpm redline. Imagine how the bike is now.

Competition

We didn’t get the chance to swing a leg over it as it will be available this September, but we do know which bikes go up against the WR250F and the situation proves favorable for the blue and white trail machine.

2008 Honda CRF250X

Today, the only decent alternative for this off-roader is the Honda CRF250X as it follows the same recipe. That consists in a powerful, compact bike that has undergone a severe diet, making it perfect for both trails and motocross tracks. Electrically started, the 249cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder Unicam four-stroke engine is the perfect competitor for our bike. Taking in consideration the new ignition timing, new brake rotors and a slimmed-down fuel tank, the Honda is more than worthy of our appreciation, but remember that this is still a 2008 model year.

2009 KTM 250 EXC-F

KTM presents the 250 EXC-F SIXDAYS, a dirt bike that has got the engine performance and chassis finesse to sit next to the Yamaha and Honda. The bike is new for 2009 and has power coming from a 248.6cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine that can be both kick and electrically started. Weight has been reduced and ergonomics improved so that it would make a point from the first corner it takes.

2008 Husqvarna TE 250

You cannot talk about KTM without mentioning Husqvarna as the manufacturers are declared competitors. In this case, the TE 250 becomes the subject of discussion as it is equipped with the only fuel injected motor in this category. Still a 2008, but powered by the also electrically and kick started 249,5 liquid-cooled single-cylinder, four-stroke DOHC four-valved-engine, it is the last, but the fiercest competitor for the Yamaha WR250F.

Exterior

2009 Yamaha WR250F

What is so great about these dirt bikes is that they look way better that the dual-sport models and get closer to the motocross bikes that inspired their creation. As you could read above, this is also the case of the WR which has inspired on the YZ250F, ending up looking like a real racing bike.

With big alloy wheels (21 inches front and 18 inches rear) it looks suitable to deal with any type of terrain, pass through rivers and jump over logs. The seat is pretty low (38.6 inches) and that helps at keeping the thing in control when having it put in those kinds of situations.

Styling is also nice, with a pair of aggressive fenders and the “knitted” headlight.

The Blue and White coloring is what gives this maker particularity and apart from the white number plates, and mudguards, blue is what it is all about.

Price

With a price tag of only $6,699, the Yamaha is a great bang for the buck, leaving you trying to find another one with five valves per cylinder at this kind of money. In fact, no matter the amount, your search will be in vain. The Yamaha WR250F is also green sticker approved for California.

Conclusion

Not highly improved for next year, but very well balanced and with power to spare, the Yamaha WR250F has its future trail days sorted out, something that we can’t say about all of the similar Japanese models. So it has to find its competitors in Europe and prove to those bikes what a blast it is. Hopefully, you will also get a first feel of it in autumn.

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