WRR Pros/Cons for Noobs?

Awesome forum, and great to see more bike-specific forums popping up. Obviously a bunch WR fanatics here, just the kind you want to talk to! So, Im looking to jump ship from my DR650, to a WR. My DR's been a great reliable bike, but its heavy, the suspension sucks, and its a bit uninspiring. The reliability, handling, light weight and good suspension of the WR is really looking attractive. I dont have the time or gumption to become a KTM expert, and keep one on the road. Having two kids now means less time/energy for keeping an exotic on the road. So, a WR is looking great. Ive' read BIGDOG's incredible reports and review of his WR and what more can be said?

I am sure some may be concerned about the power/cc's available for long dual sport trips. I do a 7-10 DS trip each year, and dont mind doing long distances. For those that run soft saddle bags, rack, and haul camping gear, how are your WRs holding up to extra weight and abuse?

So what's your list of pros and cons for the WR?

Whats your list of top upgrades for long distance dual sporting?

How does the alternator output hold up to E-vest and gps?

How does the suspension hold up with a load, and have some of you upgraded springs and/or Race Tech valves?

Any tips on farkles? My long distance farkles would be: seat, larger tank, skid plate, hand guards, pro-taper bars, luggage rack and Wolfman Expedition bags, Wolfman tank bag.


Thanks!

If I were to ride regular, long trips...a few hours in the saddle at a go, I would definitely want a cushier seat...maybe larger fuel tank.
Cons: Its kinda tall for a noob, especially in the rough stuff...for me, the taller it is, the heavier it feels. But I've addressed most those issues for me, in my first season. I'm a foot short on my tallest days...

Pros: This site, itself, exists because of all the pros and potential...I'll let the forum speak for itself.

At first I debated whether a DR would be a better suited for me...but I chose a wrr, so most all those questions are behind me...I bought the best bike available, for me.

Only thing that could be, possibly, better, right now, for me, would be 2 bikes...and that's debateable.

Pros: Its easy to ride, agile, fast enough, and light (on the road, off-road its on the porky end of the spectrum)

Cons: porky off road but great as long as you aren't really aggressive. You are so low on power at ~70 that a head wind can ruin your day. Also the mileage drops fast at those speeds.

oic0 wrote:

Pros: Its easy to ride, agile, fast enough, and light (on the road, off-road its on the porky end of the spectrum)

Cons: porky off road but great as long as you aren't really aggressive. You are so low on power at ~70 that a head wind can ruin your day. Also the mileage drops fast at those speeds.

Good info, thx! Yes I can see that a head wind could suck the bike down pretty quick. I guess its just about expectations. My DR650 is geared lower, and I usually cruise at 60-65 tops for long distances at a time. I bet with six gears, the WR does good even at 60-65.

I am not an agressive dirt rider, which is why a KTM would be more bike than I can really use, and I would just get hurt! I am sure the good suspension and chassis on the WR lets a rider get away with some mistakes.

How are the larger IMS tanks working out? Read the thread and looks like after some teething pains, they are sorted out now. I would want a solid 200 mile range, of course this depends on speed, riding conditions and such.

Thx!

When on highways and normal roads Ive never felt like I didnt have enough power, even in a wind storm. Its just the big wide open interstates that really allow that steady speed raping head wind. Ive had it bad enough before that it was hard to maintain 65 where as on a normal road or highway, 65 is a very easy cruising speed with plenty of oomph to spare. Its not an all the time problem, just an occasional inconvenience sometimes.

Alotta folks here have gone for the bigger tank...and I consider it too. But on the road you got gas stations, and if I ever offroad for that duration, a portable fuel cell would probably be the trick for me, since I'ld want to be geared up anyway.
Until my regular journeys find me short or close to, 160 km offroad suits me fine. Just a matter of topping up the tank diligently, which you would do on any responsible jaunt. Storing a weeks worth of cruises seems less efficient than this bike was designed for, to me.

DoctorDR wrote:

Im looking to jump ship from my DR650, to a WR. My DR's been a great reliable bike, but its heavy, the suspension sucks, and its a bit uninspiring. The reliability, handling, light weight and good suspension of the WR is really looking attractive.


So what's your list of pros and cons for the WR?

Whats your list of top upgrades for long distance dual sporting?

How does the alternator output hold up to E-vest and gps?

How does the suspension hold up with a load, and have some of you upgraded springs and/or Race Tech valves?

Any tips on farkles? My long distance farkles would be: seat, larger tank, skid plate, hand guards, pro-taper bars, luggage rack and Wolfman Expedition bags, Wolfman tank bag.


Thanks!

The WRR rides smoother, handles better, way lighter and better mpg, than a DR650.
The only thing the DR650 does better is highway cruising.

A windshield, seat and extra fuel will help long trips.

Plenty of juice for GPS and heated clothes.

Tip: Don't write off KTM/Husky/Husa yet. They dont require that much work if you're not racing them.

I'm ready to trade my WRR for something with more power to run highway speeds.

Do all of the mods on this site and you'll have a fine machine --- exup removal, AIS, exhaust swap, sprockets, etc. When I got it new, I thought I was screwed with this bike (they must have had 50lbs of emissions crap on it). Now that I have it almost done - I love it. It doesn't rip like some other bikes but it is dependable, strong and keeps up with the big dogs. I had taken it to Moab a couple years ago and it was a blast!!!

Pros: MPG, If feels lighter than it is, Fuel injection for higher altitudes, Street legal, short 1st gear great for grabbing thru tough low speed climbs, Large Selection of available mods, very easy to work on, cost to operate is very low, Insurance is cheap.

Cons: Lots of junk on the bike when it is new (just take it off), it isn't a 450, gas tank is kinda small (but at almost 70 mpg - who cares).

when I fiirst got my 08 WRR I told myself that I would keep it stock but the more I read on this forum the more mods I have done....I like my bike alot more now...my suspension is going to GO-RACE in a few days,,,,I can't wait to see the difference. I went from an 84 KLR600 to the wrr so this bike is much better..I like the fuel injection and low maintenance..I took off all the emissions crap and went with a full FMF exhaust and fuel programmer,modified air box,K/N air filter,bigger rear spocket,,Dunlop 606 tires,,Rickochet skid plate,,Acerbis rallypro handgaurds, Corbin seat(probably my favorite mod),,Sandman case saver and front sproket cover,,I removed the passenger pegs,helmet lock,reflectors,,,there are times I wish this bike had more power but honestly more power would just get me in trouble..a friend of mine races enduros,and he was getting hurt alot on a 450 and went back to a 250..I've done 300-400 mile days on this bike ,,I have over 16000 miles and it still runs like new...my next mods are going to be handlebars,grips,,I'm thinking of going with heated grips..also braided steel brake lines..I'm still on my original brakes... I hope this helps out,,,I don't regret any of the mods I've made so far,,,,,good luck................Jason

Dudes, thanks for all the great feedback. Good to hear from those of you having spent more time on your bikes now. How your first impressions changed is interesting, sounds like the WRR is a great bike that you can "build a relationship with"!

Ive been checking all the forums and ebay looking for alternatives, but dont see many KTM 640s, those are getting harder to find. EXC 450s are available too, but still some of them seem pretty trashed. Dont see many BMW X-Challenges either, and those only made it one year in the States. Overall, there is a "no mans" land of a gap between the WRR 250 and the high performance KTMs and such. I am sure a WRR 450 would be the dogs bullocks, if Yamaha decided to make one!

I went by the local Yamaha dealer with my twin brother and checked out a 2012 WRR and we both came away impressed by the overall build quality, its great Yamaha did not make this a lower end dual sport. Lots of nice details abound. The swingarm is beautifully crafted, with nice hollow axel. The forks and triple clamps are substantial, and you can feel the quality of suspension movement, even on the showroom floor. Turnsignals, grips, bars and maybe not as up to the grade as rest of bike, but those are typically replaced anycase.

So, Im still leaning to the WWR 250. As long as I can hold up to some 350-400 mile days a few times a year I should be good. Also, with two kids now, and several other bikes in the garage, the bullet proof reliability of the WRR is looking even better. Time in my man cave is harder to get!

Thanks!

In my opinion, the only area where Yamaha Motor Co. cut corners and cheaped-out is in the suspension internals (fork and shock valving and even the quality of the rear shock, itself).
The suspension looks the part, but the suspension performance is inferior (by quite a ways) to the dirt bikes it's trying to look like.

The suspension is OK for just puttering along with your butt on the seat down a dirt road.
If you were to want to ride it like a dirt bike off-road, a suspension service from a reputable suspension shop is WELL worth it.
In fact, I feel the bike requires it for anything faster than sight-seeing.

Secondly, the stock final gearing (sprockets) is too tall, and a rear sprocket with 47 teeth would be much better suited to the power of the bike, both on the street and in the dirt.
For dirt-only riding, I'd go with 13/50 sprockets.

The bike responds to the typical airbox mods, aftermarket exhaust (FMF Q4 muffler is the most popular because of low noise output) and fuel injection box (FMF Power Programmer very popular).
All of that info is here on these forums. :)

Look up Skierd, he's done some long distance adv riding on an R.

He'll have lots of information for you.

Hey Doctor DR... Here is my take on the wr250r. First of all, Yes, the bike can do multi-day DS trips no problem. I have done a ton of multi-day DS trips around Arkansas, as well as the Western half of the Trans-America Trail last year. I have put about 6,000 miles on the bike so far. On the longer trips I have packed the bike with luggage and it performed fine. My friends and I have kinda joked that the wr250r is the bike that can do everything, but is great at nothing, and that is pretty much the truth. You can cruise on the Highway, but you will be passed a lot, and you will probably want more power (above 60mph), but it can do it. You will get tired before the bike does. The bike will do single track, but it will be really slow, and again, you will get tired before the bike does. For me, the wr250r is a perfect compromise - As long as I have the patience, this bike will do it. Here are some pics.

Loaded up:

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On the highway:

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In the woods:

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And I do this a lot too....

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And the bike never seems to mind. Just pick it up and keep going. No worrying about flooding out, because of the Fuel Injection!

I am still very happy with this bike. I also agree that a 350cc version of this exact bike (if the weight could be kept down) would have to be the ultimate light weight adv touring machine. If you prefer a wide spectrum of riding options, and can appreciate the trade off of maintenance vs. performance. I think this bike is a good choice.


Jordan

jglow wrote:

Hey Doctor DR... Here is my take on the wr250r. First of all, Yes, the bike can do multi-day DS trips no problem. I have done a ton of multi-day DS trips around Arkansas, as well as the Western half of the Trans-America Trail last year. I have put about 6,000 miles on the bike so far. On the longer trips I have packed the bike with luggage and it performed fine. My friends and I have kinda joked that the wr250r is the bike that can do everything, but is great at nothing, and that is pretty much the truth. You can cruise on the Highway, but you will be passed a lot, and you will probably want more power (above 60mph), but it can do it. You will get tired before the bike does. The bike will do single track, but it will be really slow, and again, you will get tired before the bike does. For me, the wr250r is a perfect compromise - As long as I have the patience, this bike will do it. Here are some pics.

Loaded up:

[/url]

On the highway:

[/url]

In the woods:

[/url]

And I do this a lot too....

[/url]

And the bike never seems to mind. Just pick it up and keep going. No worrying about flooding out, because of the Fuel Injection!

I am still very happy with this bike. I also agree that a 350cc version of this exact bike (if the weight could be kept down) would have to be the ultimate light weight adv touring machine. If you prefer a wide spectrum of riding options, and can appreciate the trade off of maintenance vs. performance. I think this bike is a good choice.


Jordan

Jordan, I agree that the Bike is not an R1 (I have one to satisfy my Need for Speed) or a WR450F - but it looks like you haven't done some of the cheap mods that really bring the bike to life. You are still running with the stock(heavy crap) exhaust? If you do the flapper Mod, and the EXUP removal & other stuff - you can bring it to life . My little WR250R (was laughed at for being smaller -puny 250cc) but it was a blast in Moab - and those guys at the end of the day were wishing they had my bike instead - they totally under estimated what they had thought was a puny 250 :) . and I plan to take it again in the next couple of months. You got to let the bike Breathe. It keeps up the big bikes in the tight stuff and is reliable as hell.

Horsman wrote:

Jordan, I agree that the Bike is not an R1 (I have one to satisfy my Need for Speed) or a WR450F - but it looks like you haven't done some of the cheap mods that really bring the bike to life. You are still running with the stock(heavy crap) exhaust? If you do the flapper Mod, and the EXUP removal & other stuff - you can bring it to life . My little WR250R (was laughed at for being smaller -puny 250cc) but it was a blast in Moab - and those guys at the end of the day were wishing they had my bike instead - they totally under estimated what they had thought was a puny 250 :) . and I plan to take it again in the next couple of months. You got to let the bike Breathe. It keeps up the big bikes in the tight stuff and is reliable as hell.

You are right, I have no engine or exhaust mods done to the bike. Better make a note that my opinions of the WR250r are of it in stock form .


Jordan