09 WR250R advice

Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum and wanted to say hello. I'm also new to the WRR.
I'm looking to buy one and was told this place was a good place for info.
I've located a 09 with 5,000 miles on it at a dealership, I'm going to go look at it today. As you can see from the pictures below they cleaned it up real good, looks like the header pipe is rusty. I haven't had the chance to talk to the sales man thoroughly yet to find out if any mods have been done to the bike, they want around $4,500 bucks for it.
Can anyone give me some advice on what to look out for on the WRR? I'm not new to motorcycles (going on 36 of years riding) just new to the WR250R.
Thanks.

That bike is way too clean and way too stock to have 5000 miles on it.

Nothing special to watch out for on something so stock and clean other than what you'd look out for on any other used vehicle you might want to purchase.


It's almost a case of too good to be true that thing is so clean.

its does look clean. i have not had any problems with my 09. if it were me i would try to go down on the price, maybe 4k. I would argue the fact that you will have to install a new chain & sprocket (maybe go with 13x46, 47, or 48) and a set of tires soon. everything else would be just regular maint which i would imagine they have already done before they give it to you (oil change, lube chassis, etc.)

I thought the same thing.... that's really clean! I would almost prefer to see it dirty, easier to check for leaks.
Is it normal for the header pipe to be rusty already?
The rear sprocket does look worn from what I can see in the photo, if I do get the bike I want to change sprockets to a size better for trail handling, any recommendation?

I think 13x48 is great both on and offroad

this is a good reference to determine what chain size you will need https://wr250rforum.forumotion.com/t5-chains-and-sprockets

All right, I just got off the phone with the sales guy, he said a local guy sold them the bike because he needed the money, (one owner). All stock, ridden regularly, original front tire, rear has been replaced and has about 70% left. No mods made to the bike.
I'm going to go ride it this afternoon and see how it runs.

Thanks for all the info!

If you can, see if the dealer will let you peek under the seat.

It requires two bolts to be removed up above the rear tire in the fender area.

Just check to see if it's crowded as hell under there and if everything looks stock there as well.

Check this link for reference:

http://www.wrrdualsport.com/tech-guide/air-intake/68-flapperrem <-- clicky

5000 miles and not a single boot mark on the frame.

I have an 09 and the header pipe is an uneven mix of black and rusty red. The red is mostly from the red clay we have here - some was baked onto the pipe. Perhaps the one that you're looking at was used as a commuter and sat out in the rain often. Perhaps it's something about the local environment where the bike was used/stored - close to the ocean, extreme humidity etc.

Probably a good idea to get a good look at the chain slider and underside of the swingarm up by the CS. Need to have the CS cover removed to get a good look. https://wr250rforum.forumotion.com/t4825-swingarm-eaten-by-chain?highlight=swingarm

Heoz wrote:

I have an 09 and the header pipe is an uneven mix of black and rusty red. The red is mostly from the red clay we have here - some was baked onto the pipe. Perhaps the one that you're looking at was used as a commuter and sat out in the rain often. Perhaps it's something about the local environment where the bike was used/stored - close to the ocean, extreme humidity etc.

Probably a good idea to get a good look at the chain slider and underside of the swingarm up by the CS. Need to have the CS cover removed to get a good look. https://wr250rforum.forumotion.com/t4825-swingarm-eaten-by-chain?highlight=swingarm

THANKS good info.

Looks great! Go for it and don't look back.

Factory tanks stickers and reflectors, too.

Well I pulled the trigger and bought the bike!
It turned out to be in excellent shape. The PO was much smaller than I and had lowered the forks (as a member on here pointed out to me before the purchase, thank you) and adjusted the shock a little lower and put on a new rear tire, that's it for mods... other than those all stock.
The shop where I purchased it at said, PO changed oil with Yamalube syn + filter twice and air filter. Before I bought the bike they raised it back to factory level for me.

I spent the first day going through the entire bike, tires have about 50% left, sprockets and chain are getting changed out tomorrow with 13/48. Everything seemed in good shape except for the handle bars have been bent slighty, looks like it fell over, I will be replacing those soon too.

Yesterday I ran 15 miles of trail and had a blast! It definitely needs the 13/48 for what I'm doing. I'll be looking at power mods next, I need more low end snap. This bike will spend 95% of it's life off road if not all, and looks like it's going to do exactly what I need.
Overall I had a big smile on my face and loved the bike, it was great to be back out there riding with my kid's.

Thanks for all your help everyone!

The bent bars are normal... mine took a "little spill" in some sand and bent the stockers.

Sounds like you got a good deal.

Bram: What did you have to ride before ?