WR250X vs DR400SM ?

Everything I've read ( I've been lurking here for some time now ) about the WRX makes me want one (or two).

But my ex motard racer friends tell me that the 250 will be just too underpowered, and that I should get a 400, 550, or 690.


I'm really leaning towards getting a WRX (or two) for me and the wife to complement our three street bikes (Honda Hawk, Triumph 675, FJR1300)

I want a LIGHT WEIGHT, aluminum frame, reasonably priced, adjustable suspension, fuel injected "SM" for putting around when we are out camping
.... must be "as fun" as my "well prepped" Honda Hawk in the SUPER TWISTY tarmac ... and must be able to "putt" down roads that are a little too rough for a street 4WD truck.
(putting around for me will include as many SM track days and runs to my favorite twisties as I can fit in)

So ... ... ... will a WR250X fit the bill for me ?

.... or do I have to go to the dark side and get something bigger ?
(like a DR-400SM)

... is the DR heavier than the WRX ? Is the power really significantly better on the DR ?
(I'll start searching for dyno charts)

I don't own aa WR-250X, but I do have a 2008 WR-250R (the dual-purpose version).
I also owned and rode a 2009 DR-Z400SM for a year.

Stock, neither bike is a powerhouse - I wasn't satisfied with the power output and throttle response of either the WR or DR-Z off the showroom because they're choked-up with EPA regs.
It wouldn't be a question of which one was faster, but which was least slow.
I felt they were equally doggy-feeling, stock, so basically, pick your favorite color if you're not gonna' hop the bike up. :)

If you want to spend some money and make them run like they should (without the EPA crap choking them down), they both get lots better, and, naturally, the DR-Z would make the most power because it's a 400.
Don't discount the WR, though, because I'm finding out this riding season that I'm as fast on my WR-250R on curvy roads as I was on my DR-Z400SM.
How?
The WR feels a fair bit lighter when manhandling the bike because of it's smaller engine spinning around down there.

In my opinion, to make the DR-Z a lot better than the WR, you'd have to put some real money into it, basically.
Stock, they're in the same ballpark, easily.

Dude, you simply have to be honest with yourself about what you really want and what you really need.

Are you the kind of guy that buys into the ultra-American philosophy that says fun-factor is defined by horsepower?

I've posted videos here of a guy doing a 5th gear wheelie on a wr250x with stock gearing.
There's a turbo kit for the 250x and a big-bore kit.
There's guys who stunt these things.
There's guys who race them.
You can outfit one with pure off-road knobbies, dual-sport knobbies, sm tires, or roadracing compound street tires.

There's a ton of after-market stuff for the X.

The choice between a Suzuki and a Yamaha can only be yours. You'll get a mostly biased opinion here just like I'm sure you'll get the same at a Suzuki DRZ forum. They'll probably tell you the WR250X is a "girls bike" and for "beginners" or some crap like that.


I've gone on some rides with guys on KTM 690's and with the exception of flat-out top speed runs on long straight roads, the guys on the KTM's usually admit that they are surprised at how well the wr250x can fly.

You looking for off-road ability? The wr250x can do it.
You want to stunt? The wr250x can do it.
You want to rail the tight twisty stuff with ease? The wr250x can do it.
You want to climb stairs, and jump off loading docks? The wr250x can do it.
You want 110 mph? Nope....the wr250x can't do it.

You want a shit-load of fun? The wr250x can deliver.

I'm sure most of the same stuff can be said about the DRZ400sm.
Can probably be said about the Husky 610 and the KTM690smc.

Just because some "friends" tell you a 250 is too small doesn't mean they know what's best for you.

I sold a 1000cc Yamaha R1 sportbike to get my 250x and I've never had so much fun riding a motorcycle on the street as I've had with the 250x.

It is what you make it.

i have a drz 400 buts is the e model converted to street, a little more hp then the sm's, also have a 250x (wife's bike) one thing that the 250 has is this, its a more rideable bike do to the fi and 6 spd the drz does not have, on longer hill pulls without rolling on the throttles the wr will drive past the drz, injection is just the way to go period ! as for straight line performance there is about 3-5 hp difference in the wr's and sm's, my e has about 4-5 more hp then a sm stock. the wr is a do it all bike . my wife does not (yet) like to ride gravel and stuff but she really likes her bike so far, just had it a short time and less then 1000 miles but its all positive and she always want's to go, the end of the month we are taking a 3 day ride into the mountains for some twisty road rides, can't wait.
so both bikes are great bikes, just have to decide, if you want matching bikes for you and your wife the yamaha is the way to go. if not get the 400 and get her a 250.
the 400's will run for ever, mine has 26 k and still ticking good .

motokid wrote:

I sold a 1000cc Yamaha R1 sportbike to get my 250x and I've never had so much fun riding a motorcycle on the street as I've had with the 250x.

It is what you make it.

That makes two of us ( see my intro thread in the noobies section )

I dont have an X yet but will soon and have sold the R1 for all the reasons you mentioned about fun factor

having fun does not have to happen at 100 mph +

I had a Suzuki SV650 sold It for a Yam R6. Kept the R6 for a while... It was fun but honestly with the roads here (they suck) and the fact that its so easy to lose your liscence due to going too fast. You can only really enjoy a sportbike if you do a lot of trackdays, or like to park downtown and get chicks.

I'm glad I sold my R6 for the WR250. I too, never had this much fun on a motorcycle. With the X version (or R with 17'' wheels and stuff) you can still have a blast on the track (the one here thats not far is mostly 2nd and 3rd gear track for SS bikes, lots turns, so perfect for SM). With the R version (or X with 18/21 wheels) You can go anywhere you point the WR towards. It's really a do it all bike.

Then again the same thing can be said about the DRZ. The only diff is do you want a 400cc bike that only has 2-3 more HP (granted more torque) at the cost of: No FI, no alu frame, way older and not as good suspensions...

bobbyward wrote:

the 400's will run for ever, mine has 26 k and still ticking good .

All indications are the wr250x's will "run forever" too.

Medski wrote:

Then again the same thing can be said about the DRZ. The only diff is do you want a 400cc bike that only has 2-3 more HP (granted more torque) at the cost of: No FI, no alu frame, way older and not as good suspensions...

.... nail on the head ..... Thank You Medski !