WRR to replace my KLR?

Hello all, first post here.

I've looking at potentially selling my 2012 KLR and going with a WRR. My current ride is mod wise where I want it, but it is just too much of a heavy beast offroad (450+ lbs) and for the type of riding I want to do more of, am looking for a small DS/Enduro bike. I almost bought a KTM 690 the other day, but after realizing that I would never, ever ride that bike to it's full potential began looking at the WR. I know I will be dropping in power, but being over 130lbs lighter, may not be that big a deal.

From what I have read, it seems to be the bike to get in the 250cc market when compared to the CR and KLX.

So my questions are..

Is the WR a good/strong/powerful enough bike to carry a 200lb, 6'2" rider with bags etc and still have the power etc to be an enjoyable, daily driver that can hang with the rest offroad on fire service roads and double/single track?

My 8 yr old son also enjoys going for small rides with dad. How is the WR for smaller passangers?

My most current pic of my KLR..

Welcome to the forum. Lots of info to read through here.  Sounds like your are a perfect fit for the WR. I too made the move form the KLR to the WR. The KLR is a fun bike and I still have one but as you said they are just to heavy for true off road riding. We make several trips to CO each summer from MO. The power loss at high elevation along with the weight with the KLR limited what trails we could ride. My son was the first to get the WR after years on a YZF. I soon realized that the WR was what I needed too. Love the fuel injection and light weight. I will say that the KLR was far better for 2up riding, however it can be done on the WR, just not at the comfort level as the KLR. Lots of farkels are out there for the WR just as with the KLR. For me personally, it is the best all around bike if you are just going to have one bike. As I said earlier I still have a KLR and my son has a Triumph Tiger 800XC for those longer cross county tours that don't have as much single track involved.

Im 6ft 1in and 200lbs I really like my WRR, i have a C Baily wind shield, Giant loop Mohavi bags and a few other items, I got this bike for around town and short rides on the highway, Im not planning any long highway trips any more, I changes the gearing from 13-43 to 13-47 works way better for my need`s, I would keep the KLR for longer trips if you could.

6'-2", 195lbs, love it:

Thanks all. That last picture makes the bike look tiny!!

Think I'll put my bike up for sale and see what happens!

Cheers!

LOL,    I thought the same thing too. That's how I look on a TTR 125. Must be the angle of the bank which has him leaning slightly to the left side.  Neat picture!

On FSRs the WR will have no problems keeping up with the bigger bikes.
I have ridden with guys who are on Beta 400s, KTMs 690 and the dr650s and KLR750s.
I am 6'2" and 200 lbs and it has no issues. I have doubled my wife and it keeps up with city traffic and has no issues doing 60 mph with the extra weight.

The WR is a great Swiss Army Knife of a bike with a lean towards dirt performance.  The biggest downside is the virtual lack of low end power, but a change in gearing has a profound effect.  The six speed transmission makes it possible to have reasonable acceleration while still being able to cruise at highway speeds.  While the WR is a tank compared to a pure dirt bike, you will definitely be able to throw it around a lot more than the KLR.  It's a very fun bike to ride off-pavement, and is reasonably tolerable on the street, although I wouldn't want to spend an entire day on the slab with it (although many people have).

Lee

I recommend keeping the KLR until you have used the WR on a few trips...and great chance for me to photo bomb this thread...

The KLR is my big picture bike ..the wrr is the zoom in unit for rabbit path trails i spy on the KLR. Having two bikes is not for everyone ...but for camping in comfort i don't travel all that light = KLR for those week long comfy trips.
As others have mentioned the WRR will easily do it all... i just want to keep the 250 as light as possible and the klr will be the tank it already is so to speak...

20151028_151708 by Freewillie KLR, on Flickr


20151028_151016 by Freewillie KLR, on Flickr

and little honey...

HPIM3362 by Freewillie KLR, on Flickr

20150615_190137 by Freewillie KLR, on Flickr

I have 7000 miles on my WRR. It does it all and is comfortable for even a 6'4" 200lb guy like myself. I should also add that I am 60+ but the Sarg. seat makes a comfy ride. As the bike has gotten more miles on it, it gets stronger and seems to have no problem holding 70 into the wind, so it will go down the road when you need to. I've had a sport touring bike and a VStrom, but this is still my favorite.

These guys are all telling it like it is. It's a great all-around D/S, but with a heavy lean towards the off-road nimbleness vs road trips.

It will keep up with most bikes easily on the off-roading side, but isn't going to win any races on long freeway trips. The good news is that it's got enough output so that you can accomplish either very well with a couple sprockets. I run 13/48 most of the time through town and also off-roading. Can easily through on a 14T front sprocket with the same 112 link chain when I know I will on the road at high speeds for a while. That, maybe dial in the suspension to your liking, and possibly a seat upgrade, and you have a do-anything go-anywhere machine.

Used to have a DR650. I'm happier now.

Good luck!

6ft-175lbs. Did the KLR thing for 10+ years thru about all it can go thru. Loved that bike (not so much the 2nd gen..didn't crash well). Lots of 2 up, and in knee deep sugar sand ect. Was a blast! Those memories will last forever.

****You have to find a way to test ride a WR250R.

It gets along alot quicker than you'd think for its displacement. Crashes well. Great suspension relative to the KLR. Have only done 2 up on road with this one with combined 290+ pounds. Was big fun.

The Big payoff for me is when riding offroad solo...in how much easier it is to get off your leg/pick up after falling..after being spent from riding in the heart of darkness type stuff. Priceless.

Do use it for 60 mile commute to work whenever I can with no issues (except the no fairing thing :)) Like this one alot.

Test ride...will sell itself

Spetz,

It's always what you're coming off. Since you're coming off a KLR your first impression of the WRR will be that it's underpowered but light and nimble. If you give it time and do some power mods you will likely grow into it.

Remember, the bike runs best at higher revs. If you insist on lugging it (or prefer to ride that way) you will never be happy with it.

gatorfan wrote:

Spetz,

If you insist on lugging it (or prefer to ride that way) you will never be happy with it.

Hmm. Can't really agree with that. Mine spends most of its life in the lower rev range, and I find that, for its capacity, it is a real little trier. Tough to stall etc etc. Even so, gatorfan is right that the bike is happy with revs. Just doesn't really like a million rpm in lower gears and sudden closed throttle, which is its lot in life but hard on cam chains. Due for a new one soon, I think.

Having said that, it's not a roll-on king in any way (it's a 250 - why do people keep comparing it with DRZ400s?), but it gets the job done. Mine is up to 26000km and about 1400 engine hours, which is feeble compared with some owners but enough to work out what it will do.

I just sold my Gen 1 KLR for a 2015 WRR and I am very happy with it so far! Surprisingly, the WR actually seems to cruise at 65 much smoother/easier then the KLR but I will not be spending much time on the highway etc. It needs a couple things to be perfect IMO....like a larger gas tank and a gearing change.....but overall, a very fun, easy to work on bike! SO far I have zero regrets.

I am 6'2" and 260lbs.......and who knows how much with helmet@gear on......I have a FMF exhaust,opened up airbox,K+N air cleaner, 13/48 gearing, and run Dunlop 606 tires.............this bike works good for me. I came from a KLR, There are times on the road that I wish I had more power,but the Wrr is better off road. I have dropped my Wrr many times at low speed and have only broken one mirror, I have Acerbis rallypro handguards which do a great job of protecting the bars and levers. I like the fuel injection and better suspension vs. the KLR........hope this helps.

I'm 6'3" and 195lbs. The bike is a hoot, but I found the cockpit a bit cramped in stock trim. I have a 36" inseam, so I found that lowering the pegs, buying a tall seat, and raising the bars was worthwhile. In my opinion for a guy my size the bike is a great allrounder offroad. I have 13/48 gearing and prefer to keep speeds below 65 mph for maximum enjoyment! No comment on KLRs.

Welcome! My buddy and I have a WRR. I'm 5'6" 160 and he's 6'3" 200. Bike works great for both of us. Shows the versatility of the bike. I've ridden the crf250l and it's a dog and the ergonomics are terrible, feels more like a scooter than a dual sport and I'm short! Another buddy has a '09 ktm 690 EnduroR. Surprisingly its power is very manageable. The suspension is very rough though. I have my WRR set almost max compression on forks and his bike is set to the middle Sport setting and it's way more stiff than my bike, pretty harsh actually. You might also want to consider the drz400 if you want more power, but then you're still stuck with old technology in the way of a carb and outdated suspension. I say go with the WRR, you can always mod it to your liking and size! Braaap!