Devon TRF Group Forum

Whitey · Novice

thoughts on wr250f

doug9270 · Powermonger!!

Buy a 2 stroke if you want less maintenance, the WR250F is a good machine but is a enduro race bike.

I suggest that you try before you buy, lots of the guys on here will give lots of good advise but it is your cash at the end of the day.

Whitey · Novice

cheers Doug,
I reakon I've got a budget of about £1500-£2000.
I think I'm looking for somethiing that will cope with me being a newbie on the dirt but also something I won't grow out of too quickly.

I guess the other option is to buy a dirt cheap 125, get some miles under my belt and then upgrade. Hmm, decisions, decisions. confuse

TTR · Powermonger!!

This may help focus your mind on what you want Andrew - http://www.dirtybiking.co.uk/features/features_biketest_ttr250_v_wr250.htm

Always a good idea to start cheap so as not to lose out on the resale as it is important to find out what you don't want as well wink

PS Wish I was still 15 stone cry

Lucky · Clubman B

Whitey wrote:

I like the look of the WR250F anybody got any experience with this beasty. Is it going to be too 'high maintenance'. I don't mind doing bits and pieces but I don't wan't to spend every other weekend on the driveway doing oil changes and valve checks! cheers Andrew

You might consider the WR250R which is much the same bike as the WR250F but with a softer motor (not race spec, more trail friendly) and 6000 mile service intervals etc

RichT4 · Champion

The DRZ 'S' has a 4000 mile service interval but you'd be courting engine damaged if you followed it.
I think it's all to do with manufacturers trying to lower the supposed cost of ownership. I wouldn't feel happy running a 250cc to 6,000 miles unless it holds about 8 litres in it's sump.

Whitey · Novice

cheers for the input.
I think, to start out, I'm going to try and find a nice condition XR/TTR or something similar
I really like the WR but I suspect it's way over the top for what I actually need at this point.

GREGORYPEECK · Clubman B

hi ,

i only started trail riding in March and got an 03 Wr250f and i love it. Had nothing to compare it with however i find it more than adequate performance wise and have had no expensive bills so far. New wheel bearings chain sprocket just the usual wear and tear stuff.

Greg

Big T · Expert

Lucky wrote:

Whitey wrote:

I like the look of the WR250F anybody got any experience with this beasty. Is it going to be too 'high maintenance'. I don't mind doing bits and pieces but I don't wan't to spend every other weekend on the driveway doing oil changes and valve checks! cheers Andrew
You might consider the WR250R which is much the same bike as the WR250F but with a softer motor (not race spec, more trail friendly) and 6000 mile service intervals etc

We just spent a few days at Torotrail in Andalucia riding WR250R's - very impressed. They don't feel particularly powerful compared to my XR4, simply due to the smooth delivery, but they easily handled anything we threw at them, generally in 2nd gear. Could still easily pull 70+ on the road without vibration due to 6th gear. Torotrail swear by them - comfortable, economical, bulletproof, low maintenance and only one radiator to worry about.

They have even run trips involving days of roadwork on these. They handle it without a problem, even on knobblies.

I would!

-- Edited by Big T on Tuesday 14th of December 2010 09:01:00 PM

jt · Powermonger!!

Whitey wrote:

cheers for the input.
I think, to start out, I'm going to try and find a nice condition XR/TTR or something similar
I really like the WR but I suspect it's way over the top for what I actually need at this point.

a nice one of each for sale on the forum as it happens.....

XR

TTR

Lost · Expert

The WR250 is a exellent choice as a green lane bike or even a first bike you could not do better as a off road mount you would be wise to remember that this bike has won world championships in the right hands ,its also very reliable as a race bike/trail bike ,but if its to be a comutor bike as well then there are more suitable bikes ave the suzuki DRZ400E or a yamaha TTR 250
if you want somethink even more focas then a 2 stroke is the way to go

Q/ what do you intend to do /expect from your first off road bike ? trail ride/ poss compete or mainly comute during the week ???

Wheely · Expert

Andrew

I personally would highly recommend the WR250F as a green laning bike - even for a newbie.
Running costs should be very low if its only for laning, I had one for well over a year and a half and apart from the normal £15 wheel bearings, I also checked and replaced a couple of shims which I got for £1 each !!!
An oil change every 500 miles is a must other than that yes they look great, they go great whether you are 'pottering around' or taking part in some more spirited riding (like a competition or a TRF moto-x track evening).
Since my WR250f I have progressed to WR450s (on my second one now). My son has my old WR250, and has had for around 18 months now. Its his sole form of transport though (daily commutes etc) and only now after virtually no maintenance does it require a more pricey rebuild.

My next door neighbor is considering selling his WR250F, its in Plymouth at his dad's house but he's lived in Manchester for over 2 years now and only rides it about 6 times a year. Last year it had a full strip and rebuild after a gearbox issue (he had all receipts for work done).

Let me know if you want further info on it and I'll see if he still wants to sell.

cheers

Mark

Torr · Expert

Cut to the quick and buy a HONDA !

Whitey · Novice

Damn, thought I'd made my mind up and then the votes for the WR came pouring in.
I can't face selling the Triumph though. I love it too much.

So use will boil down to mainly green laning with some occassional commutes (only a few miles each way) .
I'll no doubt want to try a few other things but the main use is to check out the green lanes and see if I enjoy it as much as I think I will.

If I'm not losing the Triumph my budget will suffer though and I probably won't want to spend any more than £1200-£1500 Which I suspect will dump me back towards the XR. Hmmmmmmmm

slip a long · Clubman A

Totally agree with Wheely

i had xr250 outstanding bike loved it biggrin

, brought a wr250f on an 09, picked it to bits ,hated it from day one ,After 6 months riding it i came to the decision it was me bloody useless rider

after i broke my leg i need to blame some thing so i blamed the bike

Now i love it great laning bike and i find cheep to maintain so i would recommend a wr250 to anyone biggrin

jt · Powermonger!!

Whitey wrote:

If I'm not losing the Triumph my budget will suffer though and I probably won't want to spend any more than £1200-£1500 Which I suspect will dump me back towards the XR. Hmmmmmmmm

I stuck a link up on the for sale section to a TTR for a grand last night...

-- Edited by jt on Wednesday 15th of December 2010 05:52:20 PM

MikeT · Clubman B

Hi Whitey
If you are looking for an XR my mate (who works away all week) has an XR250 2003 for sale, under 3000 miles. It's on Flog It for £1600 but he would take £1500. Welcome to try it out. Honiton area.

Wheely · Expert

Whitey wrote:

Damn, thought I'd made my mind up and then the votes for the WR came pouring in.
I can't face selling the Triumph though. I love it too much.

So use will boil down to mainly green laning with some occassional commutes (only a few miles each way) .
I'll no doubt want to try a few other things but the main use is to check out the green lanes and see if I enjoy it as much as I think I will.

If I'm not losing the Triumph my budget will suffer though and I probably won't want to spend any more than £1200-£1500 Which I suspect will dump me back towards the XR. Hmmmmmmmm

Hey buddy

Just spoke to my neighbour and he will let this go for 1500 absolute minimum -- personally I'd say that's bargain of the year.

There is also one other person interested in this bike (on this site) so it may be a case of 1st come 1st served.

Cheers

Mark

PS - Bike is based in Plymouth

TTR · Powermonger!!

What's a WR250R?

Steve H · Devon's Best

RE: thoughts on wr250f

TTR · Powermonger!!

Nicest "white" TTR I have seen for a while here

Whitey · Novice

cheers guys, all info greatly received.
I've had a couple of helpful pm's as well.
I need to make a flaming decision and stick to it.
Doesn't help watching 37 different bikes on ebay also!!

v2 · Novice

that white ttr would make an excellent first bike,especially in that condition and price

danfulford · Clubman B

Hi Andrew, sounds like you need something like a TTR250!

They are cheap, reliable, minimumal maintenance and a great starter bike.

I have one and have been greenlaning and commuting on it for a few months now and i'm chuffed to bits with it.

The WR is definately a great bike and will probably be the next bike for me, however they are not as forgiving and comfy as the TTR's.

If this sounds interesating to you, drop TTR a message on the forum and he may well be able to help you. There isn't anyone who knows more about them them than him!

Good luck

waterboyrob · Novice

Hi Andrew, im on my second Wr250f the first was an early bike (non e start) it had an FMF exhaust it was extremely well set up with a high compression piston, so it had plenty of spring in the start and certainly made me smile, until it became harder and harder to kick start, after getting it re-shimmed a few times etc i pretty much gave up on the bike, and bought a later e start model and since then!

well... what can i say bullet proof riding i have entered a few enduro practice sessions and the bike has never never let me down extremely easy to work on and their are lots of bits often for sale if needed on ebay etc, one of my rads had even taken a big knock leaving a huge scew to the rad however no leaks and the bike still works great

also great on fuel and insurance is arround £211 fully comp, nice light agile bike just please please please buy an e start model lol

Whitey · Novice

Nice one, thanks for that.
I'm doing my usual and second guessing myself.
Then I started looking at the CCM CX-R230e.

just make a decision already! LOL

PeterBc · Clubman B

Get a blue plastic tank TTR super starter bike and hold value superbly.

CCM aptly nicknamed Chinese Cheese Machine by others - seemingly built from weak mettle or sumfing.

Whitey · Novice

pretty much decided that if I can find one within budget and within a sensible distance I shall likely go for the WR250 as it 'sings' to me.
It's likely I'll change my mind tomorrow though wink

Wheely · Expert

Whitey wrote:

pretty much decided that if I can find one within budget and within a sensible distance I shall likely go for the WR250 as it 'sings' to me.
It's likely I'll change my mind tomorrow though

Wise decision.

Where are you based?

Do you want to look at my neighbours 2003 model, elec start, full rebuild (after a gearbox issue). Will let it go for 1500 quids.

Mark

waterboyrob · Novice

bump the above price and spec! im sure i paid over 2k last spring for mine!

Whitey · Novice

I'm up in North Devon, Barnstaple.