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administrator · 12-24-2008, 02:17 PM

Original Article:
2009 Yamaha WR250X Review

Please discuss the Motorcycle.com article 2009 Yamaha WR250X Review in our Motorcycle Forums below. Use the reply button to let others know your comments or feedback on the article. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, along with your thoughts and personal opinions on the bikes and products we have tested.

mscuddy · 12-24-2008, 03:18 PM

300 lbs for a four stroke 250? Well that's par for the course I guess. Why Yamaha couldn't have paired it down some is a mystery to me. After all, my 1972 DT2 weighed 270 lbs. soaking wet. Surely technology has reached a point where a street bike of two fifty cee cees can weight well under 300 ponderous pounds? Hell, my '83 XL600S weighed 325 lbs. And my 1978 XL250S weighed in at 275. What, did they put lead in the frame tubes like a works Suzuki MXers to get the weight up to "acceptable" standards? "When it's heavy like that, it rides like a Caddy..." Someone set me straight!

sfcdjevans · 12-24-2008, 04:58 PM

Ok I'm looking at my cheat sheet of 250 specs, I'm shopping. None of 'em are 300 lbs. I'll put off reading the review for when I'm bored. Thanks for the Cliff Notes.

OK, ok I've read some and used links. Wet weight, ok, so that puts it at what about the same weight as a Sherpa? Obviously more performance. I've got to stop posting just to type. Where are my meds?

Dr_Sprocket · 12-24-2008, 05:01 PM

I look forward for the comparo. You guys better bring it on this one. Might I suggest cart track racing, lap times, and best wheelie contest?

newagetwotone · 12-24-2008, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfcdjevans

Ok I'm looking at my cheat sheet of 250 specs, I'm shopping. None of 'em are 300 lbs. I'll put off reading the review for when I'm bored. Thanks for the Cliff Notes.

OK, ok I've read some and used links. Wet weight, ok, so that puts it at what about the same weight as a Sherpa? Obviously more performance. I've got to stop posting just to type. Where are my meds?

That was rather rude O_O or was it sarcastic?

2009 Yamaha WR250X Specifications, specs, spec

Actually the yammy is 300lbs...wet.

sfcdjevans · 12-25-2008, 09:27 AM

I was trying to be sarcastic. While the bikes I've been looking at are the same size,cc, they are not fuel injected. The heaviest is at 282 lbs. So 4 quarts of oil is aprox 8 pounds and 10 pounds of fuel is what 10 pints, roughly ok,I guess were at the same weight for a whole lot less. I guess it depends on what your looking for. While I admit the specs are pretty cool, the wheel sizes and price point mean it's not for me. $6K for a 250 DP?

Kevin_Duke · 12-27-2008, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mscuddy

300 lbs for a four stroke 250? Well that's par for the course I guess. Why Yamaha couldn't have paired it down some is a mystery to me. After all, my 1972 DT2 weighed 270 lbs. soaking wet. Surely technology has reached a point where a street bike of two fifty cee cees can weight well under 300 ponderous pounds? Hell, my '83 XL600S weighed 325 lbs. And my 1978 XL250S weighed in at 275. What, did they put lead in the frame tubes like a works Suzuki MXers to get the weight up to "acceptable" standards? "When it's heavy like that, it rides like a Caddy..." Someone set me straight!

Okay, Cuddy, I'm surprised you fell into this trap. For 2009, all Japanese OEMs (and others) have agreed to list their bikes' weights in actual, ready-to-ride, full-tank formats. This is considerably different than the old pull-it-out-yer-butt "dry" weights they formerly listed. So, it makes me wonder how you ascertained the actual weight of your ol' DT2. Also, any liquid-cooled bike will weigh more than an air-cooled bike because of the additional radiator, hoses, fluids, etc.

Please, everyone who has wanted or will write about how much heavier bikes are these days, please keep this in mind. I wrote more about this on our blog that you can find if you scroll down on this page: Kevin Duke | Motorcycle Blog: The Sidecar

Merry Xmas, gang!

Kevin_Duke · 12-27-2008, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfcdjevans

I was trying to be sarcastic. While the bikes I've been looking at are the same size,cc, they are not fuel injected. The heaviest is at 282 lbs.

The Kawi KLX250SF is listed at 302 lbs...

And anyone who wants a cheap d-p bike only has to go here: 2008 Lightweight Dual-Purpose Shootout - Motorcycle.com

But I'll tell ya, the $4549 XT250 ain't nearly as fun to ride as the WR!

mscuddy · 12-27-2008, 07:53 PM

Well lets see, I put the front wheel on a bathroom scale, wrote down the weight, then I did the same thing to the rear wheel, wrote that down, then added them up. 272 lbs full of fluids & 1/2 tank of gas, autolube tank full. This was done stone stock, before the removal of trash that wasn't needed. 300 lbs for a 250 cc four stroke single is right up there with a 1966 B25 BSA. Yamaha takes a giant leap backwards. At least there's no ziener diode under the lower triple clamp to worry about...

pplassm · 12-27-2008, 09:08 PM

Cuddy, that was then, this is now. If you want a lightweight dual sport bike, you have to look to Europe, not Japan. KTM, Husqvarna, and a couple of other manufactirers make what you're looking for.

The Japanese manufacturers will not risk putting their off-road bikes on the road.

It's all a compromise, though. I have a KTM 525 that's "street-legal", but I wouldn't want to ride it more than a few score miles on the road. Not at all on the highway.

On the other hand, I have a DRZ400S that weighs a lot more, but it is much handier on the highway than the KTM. I have ridden it all day for quite a distance, and it's great. It will go anywhere, dirtwise, the KTM does, just slower. If I had only one bike, this would be it.

I have owned and ridden the old enduros (DT250, SL350, DT175, etc.). There's no comparison. While the newer bikes may weigh a bit more, they make up for it with capability.

I haven't ridden the WR250R, and I can guarantee that I will never buy one new, but all the reports I heard about say its pretty decent for a Japanese dual sport.

12-24-2008, 02:17 PM	#1
administrator Administrator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: On My Bike Posts: 0	2009 Yamaha WR250X Review Original Article: 2009 Yamaha WR250X Review Please discuss the Motorcycle.com article 2009 Yamaha WR250X Review in our Motorcycle Forums below. Use the reply button to let others know your comments or feedback on the article. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, along with your thoughts and personal opinions on the bikes and products we have tested.

12-24-2008, 03:18 PM	#2
mscuddy MODERATOR X Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Next to my still checkin the temp. Posts: 4,565	300 lbs for a four stroke 250? Well that's par for the course I guess. Why Yamaha couldn't have paired it down some is a mystery to me. After all, my 1972 DT2 weighed 270 lbs. soaking wet. Surely technology has reached a point where a street bike of two fifty cee cees can weight well under 300 ponderous pounds? Hell, my '83 XL600S weighed 325 lbs. And my 1978 XL250S weighed in at 275. What, did they put lead in the frame tubes like a works Suzuki MXers to get the weight up to "acceptable" standards? "When it's heavy like that, it rides like a Caddy..." Someone set me straight! __________________ On Any Sunday, like the tail of a kite, Flying and dancing in the wind. I'd like to break the string and drift out of sight I may not pass this way again.. I'm Flyin'

12-24-2008, 04:58 PM	#3
sfcdjevans Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: 43.47N-76.48W Posts: 959	Yikes Ok I'm looking at my cheat sheet of 250 specs, I'm shopping. None of 'em are 300 lbs. I'll put off reading the review for when I'm bored. Thanks for the Cliff Notes. OK, ok I've read some and used links. Wet weight, ok, so that puts it at what about the same weight as a Sherpa? Obviously more performance. I've got to stop posting just to type. Where are my meds? __________________ 3425 miles from Reading, UK Why their heads on a pike of course. If I thought it would do any good. Last edited by sfcdjevans : 12-24-2008 at 05:07 PM. Reason: I need a delete button.

12-24-2008, 05:01 PM	#4
Dr_Sprocket Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Delmarva Peninsula Posts: 972	I look forward for the comparo. You guys better bring it on this one. Might I suggest cart track racing, lap times, and best wheelie contest? __________________ Bodhi: Fear causes hesitation, and hesitation will cause your worst fears to come true.

12-25-2008, 09:27 AM	#6
sfcdjevans Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: 43.47N-76.48W Posts: 959	I was trying to be sarcastic. While the bikes I've been looking at are the same size,cc, they are not fuel injected. The heaviest is at 282 lbs. So 4 quarts of oil is aprox 8 pounds and 10 pounds of fuel is what 10 pints, roughly ok,I guess were at the same weight for a whole lot less. I guess it depends on what your looking for. While I admit the specs are pretty cool, the wheel sizes and price point mean it's not for me. $6K for a 250 DP? __________________ 3425 miles from Reading, UK Why their heads on a pike of course. If I thought it would do any good.

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12-27-2008, 07:53 PM	#9
mscuddy MODERATOR X Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Next to my still checkin the temp. Posts: 4,565	Well lets see, I put the front wheel on a bathroom scale, wrote down the weight, then I did the same thing to the rear wheel, wrote that down, then added them up. 272 lbs full of fluids & 1/2 tank of gas, autolube tank full. This was done stone stock, before the removal of trash that wasn't needed. 300 lbs for a 250 cc four stroke single is right up there with a 1966 B25 BSA. Yamaha takes a giant leap backwards. At least there's no ziener diode under the lower triple clamp to worry about... __________________ On Any Sunday, like the tail of a kite, Flying and dancing in the wind. I'd like to break the string and drift out of sight I may not pass this way again.. I'm Flyin'

12-27-2008, 09:08 PM	#10
pplassm Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,005	Cuddy, that was then, this is now. If you want a lightweight dual sport bike, you have to look to Europe, not Japan. KTM, Husqvarna, and a couple of other manufactirers make what you're looking for. The Japanese manufacturers will not risk putting their off-road bikes on the road. It's all a compromise, though. I have a KTM 525 that's "street-legal", but I wouldn't want to ride it more than a few score miles on the road. Not at all on the highway. On the other hand, I have a DRZ400S that weighs a lot more, but it is much handier on the highway than the KTM. I have ridden it all day for quite a distance, and it's great. It will go anywhere, dirtwise, the KTM does, just slower. If I had only one bike, this would be it. I have owned and ridden the old enduros (DT250, SL350, DT175, etc.). There's no comparison. While the newer bikes may weigh a bit more, they make up for it with capability. I haven't ridden the WR250R, and I can guarantee that I will never buy one new, but all the reports I heard about say its pretty decent for a Japanese dual sport. __________________ How about a nice steak dinner?