Is the WR250R right for me ?

This will be my first Dual Sport bike. I live in Tehachapi California and will mainly be riding dirt roads, paths and will on occasion jump off the paths to grass / rock terrain. On road use will mainly be transitions to the next off road. I will however ride the bike on back paved road to work for 40 miles at 55 mph speed limit twice a month. Also possibly once a month longer trips on paved back roads at 65mp for 80 to 100 mile distance.

My weight is 190
Height 5'10"
Inseam 32"

I have sat on the 2015 Honda XR650L, which has similar seat height and Im comfortable with that and its my other choice.

My concern is my weight. Will the suspension and power of the WR250R be able to move me around, climb, short jump / hops, etc.. like the 650 will ?

Hell im 6' 1" and 210lbs and mine hauls me around just fine, I would be a little worried about the 32" inseam, these bikes are tall in the seat, but can be lowered some, but when your riding im usually standing off road, and I also put on a seat concepts cover and it lowered it about an inch, so all good. I like my bike but im not a super aggresive rider.
cheer`s

I'm 6'1" and 240 lb, and the WRR hauls me around just fine. I do have it geared down quite a bit but I can still cruise at 55-60mph for an hour or more. It is heavier than a dirt bike but does fine on dirt roads/trails. But bottom line it is a street bike, so technical terrain requires slow speeds and lots of muscle.

RickJB
I have taken the liberty of running your machine choice, riding style, screen name and post count through an online scientific motorcycle suitability decision tree tool. Unfortunately neither the WR or the XL are your ideal bike. Sign on to your local Craig's list or Ebay and look for a 1993-1997 Yamaha Vmax with knobbies, that'll be the one.

If you cant find one choose the WR or listen to the guys on the XL forum who are telling you to chose the XL.

Problem solved

The only issue I have had with my WR is riding through Colorado mountain passes on the slab.

So, if you really need to go 65+ in hills, the WR will be lacking and the 650 will be a better bike for that. If you get into a tough single track trail with the 650, you will wish you had the WR.

I'm thinking the 250 will be great for what you describe. I'm 5'9  or 5'10 and way the hell heavier than you (probably older, too) and mine fits me fine. like previous poster advised, in thin air and steep hills, you may wish for more muscle, but hell, it's a 250...

don't worry about the height. I lowered mine about 1 or 1 1/2 inches and it's fine. ya don't want it too low.

disclaimer,,,,,,,, never had a Honda 650. I have a Kawasaki klr 650 and I know it isn't as trail worthy as the Honda, but the extra umph comes in handy on the roadways. likewise, the extra weight sux on trails.
if your limited amount of road riding is an accurate prediction, I'd go with the 250

just noticed no one addressed your suspension concerns.
I am not qualified to do so, either, only to say that with my fat arse, it bottoms out without too much effort. I know that's fixable, but I don't mind staying on the ground. no jumping for me, thank you.

RJB

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=936588

Check this thread out, you'll find some good info there. My own WR250X-R hauls my 190lb ass around pretty smartly. Could it use more oomph, sure, but gearing will help + the reliability and low maintenance of this engine are a really great plus. The front suspension can be owner tweaked with fluid weights and level. The rear shock is another story, but a $200+ revalve for your weight and riding style will make a night and day difference in handling, just ask those who have done it here and on ADV Rider.

At this price point you might want to consider the big Husky 650 too...

Cheers, Rick

I really like my WR for fire roads, jeep trails, etc. Extremely comfortable, predictable handling, and reliable. I geared it down considerably and installed a Tubliss D606 in the rear.

That said, I'm thinking seriously of adding a Husqvarna 501. I'm considerably heavier than you are. I frequently ride alone in sparsely populated areas of Nevada so I also carry a fair amount of emergency gear. The WR struggles a bit with the toughest trails. However, I'll likely keep it for the moderate stuff. It will also make a great loaner for my nephew, who is very slender and will be riding more modest trails than the Husky 501 is aimed at.

The WR isn't light but that Honda is even heavier. If you need more power than a WR, I'd consider a KTM, Husky or maybe even a Beta.

Dave

Thanks for the replies.  Still undecided. I knew I would get some mixed responses but what really threw me was joining the ride dual sport forum and asking there. I think all of the 4 or 5 responses said go with the 650 since my riding terrain is going to be more open. I think it was stated that if I were in tighter riding scenario  like narrow riding trails then I would want the 250.

The torque difference between the two is what has me leaning towards the Honda. I think the difference is 28 vs 18 foot pounds.

I talked to the dealer, which we know, and I feel he is giving us a pretty good hookup on the WR250R at $6200 out the door. Additionally from the same dealer I can get the DR650 or DR400 for $6500ish out the door.  He does not carry Honda so I will be paying $7900 out the door for it.

Not enjoying this since I have been waking up at 3am the past three mornings with motorcycle on my brain immediately.

zestymac wrote:

RickJB
I have taken the liberty of running your machine choice, riding style, screen name and post count through an online scientific motorcycle suitability decision tree tool. Unfortunately neither the WR or the XL are your ideal bike. Sign on to your local Craig's list or Ebay and look for a 1993-1997 Yamaha Vmax with knobbies, that'll be the one.

If you cant find one choose the WR or listen to the guys on the XL forum who are telling you to chose the XL.

Problem solved

I did find a Vmax but will have to change out the tires.

Rick James Bish wrote:

Not enjoying this since I have been waking up at 3am the past three mornings with motorcycle on my brain immediately.

LOL.. you dont need to be bike shopping to have motorcycle apnea ... ... ..

RJB, If your willing to drop $7900 on the Honda, there are a multitude of options at your price point and below. Lots of people buy bikes, accessorize them ride them a bit and then move on. Check the ADV Rider classifieds, lots of inventory there.

Are you kidding?

I'm 190 and 5'10", live in Newport Beach and I drive up to Lake Isabella or Kennedy Meadows every month for some of the best single track in Southern California (SHHHHH! DON'T TELL ANYONE!).

The WR250R is the second best motorcycle in the entire universe for connecting off road trails with street legal only trails and roads in ulta strict California. Put some Michelin AC10's on it, a decent bashplate, hand guards, bigger rear sprocket, and it is a fantastic off road machine with a license plate which is about as reliable as the moon. Maybe more so.

The BEST motorcycle is the WR400R. Which doesn't exist. Sadly.

I had the WR and im 5ft 8 180lbs and have a 30 inch inseam I had no problems with the height but I am used to high bikes.

From my european perspective the XR is kind of a vintage bike, even if you can buy it brand new yet in the states. Before I got my WR I actually owned a bike of that technological age. But a real vintage one, it was '89 Yammi XT600Z Tenere. And, although I am aware that I am on the WR forum here: these bikes were not that bad.  

To give you some pro and con on this let me start with what I miss on the WR:
- tractor like low rev power of the big bore, clutchwork in gnarly trail section was something I really had to get into only since the WR.
- the convenient knee angle when seated and relaxed standing position, (I am 6' 6" if I did convert from metric correctly).

Pro WR on the other hand:
- superior handling, (shorter wheelbase).
- less weight (ok, not that much of difference compared with the XR as with the XT probably)
- better suspension
- high rev engine is more fun on mountain roads and in the city.
- modern maintenance schedule, 10,000km major inspection cycle as with any BMW, but much more reliable than the latter.
- halfway decent stock lighting, at least in my German version with 55W H4. Have found my way home in a freezing January night 70 km completely off-road in Northwest Transilvania (roads were so iced I could not use them), with the XT I would have needed an instrument flight license.

The handling in the forest, turns between trees and that coming with the easy maintenance  (i.e. not being forced to convert to the orange religion, but still get something from both worlds) contributed most to my decision to eventually trade in the old lady for a WR. Although, you know, old love...

Don't get sucked into that " you need a 650 bullsheet". Lots of us on here had them for years, went to a 250 Yammie, and won't go back. From the useage you outlined the WR will be perfect.

Ok, so i've had A LOT of motorcycles over the years and this is by far the best one yet. I had a DR650 and i'd say i'm happier with the WR. I've had my WR on the freeway on the 405 in Orange county and no problem what so ever hanging with the traffic. 65-70 no problem and still had more if I wanted . Next week, I plan on riding out to Norwood Colorado and it should be 1000 miles one way from Huntington Beach. Definitely get the WR. Oh i'm only 5'5" and I lowered the suspension with the stock adjustments and got a aftermarket seat that lowered it as well. The height is no problem now. Suspension is a bit soft but i'm heavy. That is one thing I will fix for sure but it does just fine for now. Buy it and you'll be super happy

Rick James Bish wrote:

The torque difference between the two is what has me leaning towards the Honda. I think the difference is 28 vs 18 foot pounds.

I talked to the dealer, which we know, and I feel he is giving us a pretty good hookup on the WR250R at $6200 out the door. Additionally from the same dealer I can get the DR650 or DR400 for $6500ish out the door.  He does not carry Honda so I will be paying $7900 out the door for it.

If you are worried about your weight and low torque go with the DR650... if you are concerned about the bike's weight and like snappy EFI go with the WR250R. Both are proven machines and will sell quickly/easily should want to try something different later.

Lots of KTM 690's around here now. Berwyn