I rode a WR250F today .... can you make those street legal?

It was a cool bike. 2008, aluminum frame, different engine, 5 speed geared for power ... I think the rear sprocket was 50 teeth!

Anyway, it' has lights and a speedometer ... no real odometer other than trip. I figure I'd have to install taller gearing, mirrors, horn and I'm not sure about signals ... I'd have to check the law. I'm not even sure if it can be titled for street use, but that would be cool if you could do it.

The nice thing was, it's only around 250 lbs with fluids and hard to tell with that gearing, but it lofts the wheel under power in 2nd gear ... now geared down it may not feel quite as fast. I rode a bit in the dirt too ... that thing is awesome in the dirt!


Has anyone here put one on the street?

zone47 wrote:

It was a cool bike.  2008, aluminum frame, different engine, 5 speed geared for power ... I think the rear sprocket was 50 teeth!

Anyway, it' has lights and a speedometer ... no real odometer other than trip.   I figure I'd have to install taller gearing, mirrors, horn and I'm not sure about signals ... I'd have to check the law.   I'm not even sure if it can be titled for street use, but that would be cool if you could do it.

The nice thing was, it's only around 250 lbs with fluids and hard to tell with that gearing, but it lofts the wheel under power in 2nd gear ... now geared down it may not feel quite as fast.    I rode a bit in the dirt too ... that thing is awesome in the dirt!


Has anyone here put one on the street?

I've had no experience as the WR250F and 450F are street legal in Australia but I have heard of people doing it.
This thread is the one they refer them to. I have not read it but it may interest you.

http://supermotojunkie.com/showthread.php?144432-Get-a-Street-Legal-Title-and-Plate-for-ANY-Bike

I've done it with two WR250Fs, a 2009 model (same bike as that 2008 model) and a 2002 model which I still own.

It all depends on the laws and DMV regulations of your state.

In Connecticut, the bike has to be modified with the addition of certain parts in order to meet regulations saying what a street-legal bike needs to be considered street-worthy, and after putting those parts on the bike, you bring it in to the main Dept. of Motor Vehicles office for an inspection.
If your bike passes that inspection (and you have your required paperwork in order), you can then street register the bike, walk out with your license plate, and your legit title arrives in the mail a few weeks later.

My opinion on riding a WR250F on the street:

I feel a WR250R or WR250X is MUCH better for any street riding.
Why?
The WR250R and X are designed for lots of street riding - the engines are smoother, they have 6-speed trannies, they come geared much taller in order to actually run with modern traffic (even when geared down, a WR250R or X is still geared considerably taller than a WR250F), and they come with full street-legality built into the purchase price.

The WR250F is the opposite:
Nothing special on the street due mainly to much lower gearing, but the lighter weight and much better suspension (especially the rear suspension - not even in the same league) has the WR250F rider feel as if he's cheating while riding off-road compared to a WR250R.

In my opinion, it only makes sense to street register a WR250F if you want to ride it on a trail loop or off-road riding area that requires a street registration.
That's the reason I did mine.

Good points / link, thanks.

My idea was to gain a high performance /  light weight version of the WRR.

For me the advantages would be the light weight, great suspension and the (hopefully) more powerful engine.   My idea was to gear it the same as the WRR and see if it is good enough for highway speeds 65-70 mph.   Not having that 6th gear may be a problem.

Disadvantages as you mentioned are enough to make me want to scrap the idea.  Too, the seat was hard as a rock compared to my WRR.  No key'd ignition, so security issues.  No odometer, no mirror mounts, no horn, no turn signals and full out knobby tires.  In Ohio I would have to get the horn and mirror but I'm not sure about the tires or signals.

Oh well, it was a fun idea to toy with.   I'd probably ride it more on the street than dirt, so overall it may not be such a great idea.

Just wait till you see one on your local craigslist for the right price, Here where I live bikes like that pop up all the time but usually only the 400-450s.

I briefly owned a mint condition yz400f that had been converted. It was geared about the same as my wr (at least 90), had a lighting coil, had wiring but everything else was removed. paid $800 sold for $1300.

Pros: It had 40+ hp and good suspension. Was running great. Never had a bike that would kick start hot or cold so easy.

Cons: First gear was very tall. Very easy to kill,it just hated being lugged in any gear. Only liked to accelerate,but that was fun. Ate up its back tire like you wouldn't believe. Had a good amount of buzz on pavement.

I have an 01 WRF, in AZ, it's street legal with the minimum of a headlight (cheezy little buggers) and a taillight. We have an OHV tag for the plate--for bikes mainly built for off road, that allows you to ride on the street. The 01 has minimum power for accessories, it's a magneto only, no battery bike. I don't think I'd want to ride it much more than 45 mph.

As somebody pointed out, it's all going to depend on your local motor vehicle laws.

My first post, I don't even know if this is the right place for me!

Your biggest challenge will be plating it in your jurisdiction.

Two obstacles will be getting an ignition key on it as you've mentioned. Also you'll have to get brake lights. Most dual sport kits will only have a switch on the rear brake but not on the front brake. I found that annoying but you can work around it.

If a WR250F rides like my WR450F on the highway, you will not like it much. It vibrates way more than a stock engined/geared WR250R. My old WR250R was silky smooth in comparison to my WR450F. Although it has way more power, the lack of a 6th gear will make you want to limit it to 65MPH unless you have to make a pass. My 450F is geared down a bit compared to stock but not massively so.

Never ridden a 250F but I've seen on the trails and it appeared to possess a similar disposition to the 450F.

Then there's the issue of insurance and maintenance.

I'd see if I could get a ride on one before you make up your mind.

I also have a 2015 KTM 690 Enduro R and that rides more like the WRR but with way more power. Smooth and refined. Well maybe that's just because I picked up a new one too.