2008 Yamaha WR250R:
Over the coming months I will be preparing my WR250R for a Trans-America Trail trip that will hopefully take place late next summer (August/September 2013 or 2014?). Stay tuned to this website for all the details on what I do to the bike to get it ready for a cross country off-road trip.
As of 10/11/2013, my WR250R has the following mods and accessories:
ENGINE:
I had left my WR250R's engine stock for the first two summers I owned the bike, then decided it was time to add a few mods. The first thing I did was replace the entire OEM muffler/mid pipe/header with our FMF Q4 Performance Exhaust Package, which consists of the FMF Q4 muffler, FMF Megabomb header, FMF Fuel Injection Controller, and 12oClockLabs EXUP Emulator. At the same time, I replaced the OEM air filter with a No Toil Super Flo Filter Kit. I couldn't be happier with this setup.... the FMF Q4 System is my favorite exhaust system for these bikes... it sounds great without being obnoxiously loud, it's quite a bit lighter than the stock exhaust, and it adds a significant amount of performance. Gone is that dead spot early in the powerband, the bike is now much more fun to ride, and it sounds so much better! Here are the links to the Engine mods we did...
• FMF Q4 Performance Exhaust Package
• No Toil Super Flo Filter Kit
LIGHTING:
Like most dual sport bikes, the stock tail light and front/rear turn signals on the WR250R's are very large in size and definitely take away from the looks of the bike. I wanted something that would really clean up the rear fender area and also wanted to get rid of the large front turn signals. Since I wanted to add hand guards anyways, I went with our Zeta Armor Hand Guard Package with integrated turn signals. This really cleans up the front of the bike and adds some protection as well. Out back I ditched the huge stock tail light and turn signals, replacing them with our nice and compact DRC Edge Tail Light Kit with DRC LED Flashers. These simple changes make the bike look so much better!! Here are the links to the Lighting mods I did...
• DRC Edge Tail Light Kit (Red)
• 12oclock Labs DRC Edge Processor Upgrade Board
• DRC Type 602 LED Rear Turn Signals (Smoke)
• Zeta Armor Handguards w/ XC Flasher Protectors
• 12oclock Labs Running Light Adapters (front only)
• 12oclock Labs Fixed Rate Flasher
COCKPIT:
The stock seat on the WR250R is not suited for the long rides I was doing on the bike. After trying out few different seats, I settled on one from Seat Concepts and couldn't be happier. The seat is substantially wider than the stock seat and uses a much more comfortable foam material. Now those 250 mile rides are a breeze! The stock footpegs were also one of the first things I replaced... they are way too narrow and don't provide much grip. Currently I'm using Pivot Pegz and really like them. For a cargo rack, there was no question which way to go...the popular Pro Moto Billet Rack, which is not only beautifully CNC machined, but functional as well. Here are the links to these mods...
• Seat Concepts Seat Kit (Low, Carbon/Gripper Cover)
• Pivot Pegz Footpegs
• Pro Moto Billet Rear Cargo Rack
• Double Take Dual Sport Mirrors
PROTECTION:
If you're doing any type of off-road riding on your WR250R, there are several things you'll need to consider to help protect her. The first thing I did was remove the worthless OEM plastic engine protection, replacing it with a Flatland Racing Skid Plate. Next I pulled off the plastic radiator protection, and replaced it with a Flatland Racing Radiator Guard. The stock drive cover was swapped for Sandman Parts Freedom Case Saver. The bike also desperately needed hand guards, so I went with our Zeta Armor Hand Guard Package with Integrated Turn Signals. This not only cleans up the front end of the bike, but it provides some needed protection. Here are the links to these mods...
• Flatland Racing Skid Plate
• Flatland Racing Radiator Guard
• Sandman Freedom Case Saver Kit
• Zeta Heel Guard
• Zeta Armor Handguards w/ XC Flasher Protectors
• Seal Savers
• Zeta Front Brake Disc Guard
MISCELLANEOUS:
The stock 2 gallon gas tank on these bikes is inadequate if you're doing long rides... unless you like stopping for fuel every 100 miles or so. I decided that an extra gallon of fuel would really help, so I installed the IMS 3.1 Gallon Gas Tank and now I get upwards of 150-200 miles of range, depending on how I twist the throttle. Additionally, these bikes are tall, and at 5'9" with a 30 inch inseam, I could never get comfortable with the stock seat height. Yamalinks Lowering Link helped lower the seat height about two inches when combined with the factory lowering option. Here are the links to these mods...
• IMS 3 gallon gas tank
• Yamalink Lowering Link
OFF ROAD TIRES:
The OEM Bridgestones that come on these bikes are horrible if you are doing any serious off-road riding. I pulled mine right away, and replaced them with the popular Dunlop D606 Rear Tire and Pirelli MT-21 Front Tire...
• Pirelli MT 21 Rallycross Front Tire (size 90/90-21)
• Dunlop D606 Dual Sport Rear Tire (size 120/90-18)
STREET TIRES:
I do quite a bit of street riding with my WR250R, so a set of Supermoto Wheels and Tires was a must. A good street tire like the Bridgestone BT-090 will provide so much more grip than any knobby tire ever will...
• Bridgestone BT-090 Battlax Front Tire (110/70-17)
• Bridgestone BT-090 Battlax Rear Tire (140/70-17)
LUGGAGE/BAGS:
Wolfman Luggage makes some of the best bags on the market for the dual sport, supermoto, and off-road rider. We use their Enduro Tank Bag, Peak Tail Bag, and Enduro Carry All number plate bag...
• Wolfman Enduro Tank Bag
• Wolfman Peak Tail Bag
• Wolfman Enduro Carry All Number Plate Bag
• Wolfman Expedition Dry Duffel Bag, Small
• Wolfman Expedition Dry Saddlebags
• Wolfman WR250R Side Racks
Modifications I have planned...
• Scotts Steering Stabilizer
• Trail Tech 8" Halogen Race Light
... and I'm sure there will be more...
Factory Specs...
Engine | |
Type | 250cc liquid-cooled DOHC 4-stroke; 4 valves |
Bore x Stroke | 77.0 x 53.6mm |
Compression Ratio | 11.8:1 |
Fuel Delivery | Fuel injection |
Ignition | Direct ignition coil |
Transmission | Constant-mesh 6-speed; multiplate wet clutch |
Final Drive | Chain |
Chassis | |
Suspension / Front | Inverted fork; fully adjustable, 10.6-in travel |
Suspension / Rear | Single shock; fully adjustable, 10.4-in travel |
Brakes / Front | Hydraulic single-disc brake, 250mm |
Brakes / Rear | Hydraulic single-disc brake, 230mm |
Tires / Front | 80/100-21 |
Tires / Rear | 120/80-18 |
Dimensions | |
Length | 85.6 in |
Width | 31.9 in |
Height | 48.4 in |
Seat Height | 36.6 in |
Wheelbase | 55.9 in |
Ground Clearance | 11.6 in |
Fuel Capacity | 2.0 gal |
Fuel Economy | 71 mpg |
Wet Weight | 298 lb (California model 297 lb) |
Other | |
Warranty | 1 Year (Limited Factory Warranty) |
MSRP | $6,190 |