Hello from Ontario, Canada

Hi folks! New member here from Ontario (Ottawa to be specific). Not an owner yet but still doing my research. But the more research I do, the more I'm convinced a WR250R may be what I want. Currently own a 2005 KLR650. Have yet to even see a 250R locally but may see one or two later this week. Hoping to find some feedback from previous big single owners and maybe which years are better than others, etc. The dealership I went to the other day was sold out and I don't see many for sale so I'm guessing that's a good thing! Anyway, just wanted to say hi and now I'll get back to searching

Drifteast- Welcome to the forum!!

A few years ago I was in the same situation that you are now in. I had been riding a 2006 KLR650 for three years, loved what I was able to do with it compared to my street rides, but realized its' limitations in terms of doing tighter trails, and more technical stuff.

Some history - I have been riding for 42 years, and have always had, or had full access to, trail bikes although some of them were not licensed for the road. Have also gone thru the Cruiser stage, and long distance touring stage. When my buddies started questioning my sanity for taking my Goldwing 1800 or the gravel roads and woods roads I knew I needed a dualsport, and ended up with the KLR after much research. But after 3 years, and one busted collarbone, I knew I wanted a lighter bike.

I read every moto comparison shootout I could and kept seeing the WR250R come out on top. But heck, only a 250cc, and $2000 more than a new KLR- that was hard to accept. And then, I tried one out. And then, I UNDERSTOOD. I found a lightly used one in New Hampshire for a good price, purchased it, and have put 14,000 km on it since. It is 100 lbs lighter than the KLR, smoother on the highway, all kinds of power (you do need a gear change), and bang on reliable. I have done a 10 day bike camping trip to Newfoundland that included highway miles to get there, and ATV/snowmobile trails once I was there. No issues what so ever! It is a different engine so you will have to get used to keeping the revs up which will seem unnatural after your experience with the tractor like torque of the KLR.

Obviously, I am a big fan of this bike! You won't have any regrets so long as you accept for what it is. My advice is to farkle it out for comfort, ergonomics, and useage and ride baby ride. I am not one who recommends you to chase the holy power grail with engine mods as I figure a person should figure out what their riding needs are and buy the appropriate bike to begin with. But thats' just me. Soapbox over!

Good luck with your decision, and I would be pleased to answer any specific questions you have via pm.

drifteast wrote:

Hi folks!  New member here from Ontario (Ottawa to be specific).  Not an owner yet but still doing my research.  But the more research I do, the more I'm convinced a WR250R may be what I want.  Currently own a 2005 KLR650.  Have yet to even see a 250R locally but may see one or two later this week.  Hoping to find some feedback from previous big single owners and maybe which years are better than others, etc.  The dealership I went to the other day was sold out and I don't see many for sale so I'm guessing that's a good thing!  Anyway, just wanted to say hi and now I'll get back to searching  

I'm also in Ottawa. I bought my 2009 WR250X (supermoto version) new in 2010. I dress it up as an R once in a while (have the off road wheels/tires too.)     And it replaced my 2002 KLR650!

No regrets. A little less power than the KLR, but about 100 lbs lighter!

PM me if you want to meet in Ottawa, I'm in the West End.

drifteast wrote:

Hi folks!  New member here from Ontario (Ottawa to be specific).  Not an owner yet but still doing my research.  But the more research I do, the more I'm convinced a WR250R may be what I want.  Currently own a 2005 KLR650.  Have yet to even see a 250R locally but may see one or two later this week.  Hoping to find some feedback from previous big single owners and maybe which years are better than others, etc.  The dealership I went to the other day was sold out and I don't see many for sale so I'm guessing that's a good thing!  Anyway, just wanted to say hi and now I'll get back to searching  

I'm also in Ottawa. I bought my 2009 WR250X (supermoto version) new in 2010. I dress it up as an R once in a while (have the off road wheels/tires too.)     And it replaced my 2002 KLR650!

No regrets. A little less power than the KLR, but about 100 lbs lighter!

PM me if you want to meet in Ottawa, I'm in the West End.

I replaced a 07 KLR with my WRR too.

I dont miss the KLR at all!

The WRR is way easier to ride and way more fun off raod and just as good on the road, with no vibes at all on the highway.

The WRR has almost as much power as the KLR, you do need to rev it alot more tho, that was the first thing I noticed when switching bikes.

You need to remember the KLR is the slowest 650 made so its not hard to keep up to one on a smaller cc bike.

Thanks for the nice welcome, folks!  Glad to see there are a few ex-KLR owners here.  Don't get me wrong, I think the KLR is a great bike for what it is and I'll likely miss some things about it but have had too many "man, I wish it were smaller" moments.  The hunt is on!

Take a look at Craigslist Vermont. Not too far from you and a 2013 for sale. Import process is easy albeit a bit tedious in that there are a number of sequential steps.