Sold my DRZ400, now looking for a lighter bike... 250WR?

[connor25]

Hi, I started on a DT125 which i got on great with on the green lanes and general use, until I passed my test when I listened to lots of advice and bought a DRZ400E 2007, this really was a great bike in ways of ease of maintaining etc and ran and ran, however I sold it simply due to its hefty weight, I could no longer dart around corners and do small jumps over streams etc, it honestly must be around 50lbs difference.

After a small 2 year rest, I am ready to purchase again, and I want the buzz of my old DT125 but something a little bigger in size, i'm thinking a Yammy 250WR or maybe a Honda CR250 Road Legal.

Basically I want a light bike, I am thinking a 250 but unsure if to go 2 or 4 stroke, i'm 6'2" also, so guess some bikes are out.

Would I be right in thinking a Yammy 250WR would be a little bigger but handle much the same as a DT125? I also want low maintenance, now I sound like a woman!

Thanks for your help.

[G]

There are three models of Yamaha WR250 - WR250R is a heavy trail bike that's only a little lighter than a DRZ400E; maybe 9kg, so under 10% reduction in weight! The WR250F is a competition enduro bike and a good bit lighter - 116kg or so wet weight the internet says.
There's also a WR250X which is a supermoto version of the WR250R, so also heavy.

If you're looking at competition bikes, you don't need to compromise on the power to get this weight - you'll find a KTM450/520 will be a similar sort of weight to the WR250f, but with lots more power than the DRZ.

However, competition 4 strokes tend to be pretty maintenance intensive, so I'd consider a 2 stroke.
If you want seriously-light, go for the latest KTM 125/150/200 you can afford. They will still be as lively as the DRZ, but recent ones are really ridiculously light feeling - feels closer to a mountain bike than a DRZ! Gas Gas also sell similar.
Think a wet weight under 100kg - so we're talking 40% on top of that for a DRZ-E!

The 250/300cc competition 2 strokes add a smidge more weight, but get a really flat easy to use power delivery. We're talking flatter than the big 4 strokes with more low down torque/power.

If you want a bit of a middle ground, a CRM250 for makes a nice trail bike, but doesn't have quite the rip-snorting liveliness of the competition bikes. KDX250 is supposed to be ok too, as are the KMXs.

Finally, also worth considering both the XR250 and XR400 - these are a bit lighter than the DRZ - they're air cooled and kickstart only (though a few 250s do have electric start), but the 400 is lacking in power compared to the DRZ, never mind the 250. Plenty capable, of course - but certainly needs a fair bit more work.

For me, for a fun bike I'd go for the latest model KTM200 XC or EXC I could afford.
If I wanted something that didn't require quite as much work to go fast, I'd go for a 300 2 stroke.

When at a Four Marks someone on a KX450 showed interest in my KTM144XC, so I let him take it for a spin.
He got back and said "KX is going on ebay tonight so I can get one of those!"
The 125/150(144 same model)/200 all share the same components for a bike from any specific year, just a different barrel and piston (and maybe crank), so weight etc will be the same.

[connor25]

Many Thanks for your detailed reply... I think maybe the KTM200 are a little scarce to find.

I am only really a weekend Green Laner (fun trials) nothing major. Some of the bikes you mention only seem available as older models, as a total non mechanic I would prefer a 2007 + model for parts and ease, well one hopes!

What do you think about the WR250F or Honda CRFX, the CRM looks good but can't find many in UK, the KTM 250 EXEC looks nice, if found cheap enough.

Musts are E start, light as possible and handling and really not keen on rebuilding all the time?

I'm not bothered about being the fastest on the track, but like nice handling, the DT125 was awesome but just a little short (as 6'2) and underpowered but not by much... the DRZ400 was too much and so cumbersome, I didn't keep it long!

[G]

Honda and KTM parts generally have good availability going back to the 90s.

WR250F and CRF-X are both bikes compromised by their racing category. Most people that I've known that have had them have moved up to a large capacity or 2 stroke competition bike.
They are not ideal if you don't touch tools - they are probably the most maitenance intensive of any dirt bike with high revving motors trying to eek out every last bit of power. And from that - the power only really comes in as the revs get high, so not always ideal trail bikes - it's quite popular for people to get a 300cc bore kit on there if not restricted to competition sizes.

And on that - if you've got a good bit of cash to splash - the KTM350 4 stroke is worth of consideration.
This bike is good enough that it's been beating 450s - combining the agility of the 250s with the extra ease of use of the bigger capacity, but with a little less ferociousness, so it's easier to ride fast if you want to.

The latest KTM 2 strokes do come with electric start, but are incredibly easy to kick start (presuming a clean carb etc, if not it'll still be easy, just may take a few more kicks!)
The little 2 strokes are the best choice as far as 'handling' goes - as I say, the 144 seemed closer to a mountain bike than something like a DRZ400E when taking steep undulating bumpy downhill sections or tight woods (though the latter was usually limited by my fear.)

[bridgedino]

Steer clear of so called 'Competition' bikes unless your looking for something very lightweight and heavy on the maintenance

The CRF250L has 8k service intervals and the WR250R is also fine for what your looking for

Generally, road based dual sport bikes should have the normal servicing intervals your thinking about with plenty of green laning ability

All be it the DRZ isn't really what you could call heavy

[G]

[salty21]

sounds like you need a gas gas EC300. ideal for green laning and not too bad on maintenance either. They weigh around 100kg i think so very light aswell.

They have a very low ratio gearbox and a hydraulic clutch so there amazing on technical bits... the top two gears are spread out a bit so it will still cruise along at 50-60 without revving its knackers off which is always nice.

Kinda wish i never got rid of mine now. I now have a CRF450R and it spends more time getting attention in the garage than it does getting dirty, pretty much constant maintenance/money then the occasional day of fun to even it out.....it is probably the most bonkers bike i've ever ridden though, the power/torque is unreal and it happily lifts the front just off the throttle in any gear
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04 NSR 125(sold) ---- 03 CBR 600rr(sold) ----90 pan euro ST1100 '' ----02 CG 125
94 CB400 Super Four ---- 2000 VTR SP1 (sold) ---- 08 ninja p8f(sold, meh) ----05 CBR600rr

[Fizzer Thou]

What about a CRM250AR.If you can find a good one they are good bikes,from what I have been told by owners that I have spoken to about them.
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Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[connor25]

Many Thanks, I am now going to see a KTM250 and a WR250

[delvey91]

Wrs are pretty low maintenance really. I did 6000 miles on my wr450 in year and just did oil changes every month or so only 1l a time they are reliable as hell.
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2016 Honda Africa Twin
2006 KTM 200 EXC

[G]

[ian505050]

I have recently been using a WR400 2000 reg pictured below

https://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii302/ian505050/ian505050%202/DSC01291edited_zps930b90cd.jpg

It seems very light to ride and seems to have a lot of power, easily enough for any novice / intermediate rider in my eyes.

I also used the WR250F 2006 Steel frame pictured below.

https://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii302/ian505050/ian505050%202/DSC01384edited_zpsd90f69fd.jpg

This feels just like the 400 but a lot easier to control and you can almost pin it in every gear and still have full control of the bike. It will still spin up on tracks in 3 rd if you twist the throttle all the way.

Service wise on the 400 i cant tell you anything, But i have changed the oil every 500 miles on the WR250F which takes 5 minutes and uses 1.3 liters of oil.

I have covered 2500 miles on the WR250F since November and used it at high rpm on occasions for a constant duration ie. 90mph + for 10 minutes and also used it a low rmp and speed on dirt tracks.

The WR250F says valve clearance check every 1000 miles and adjust when required.

I have not checked or adjusted in the last 2500 miles so i will be doing this when i get chance, but the bike runs fine and starts easily at the moment. oh, Its electric and kick start which is ace.

[ian505050]

If you a mechanically a noob and dont plan on winning any races and jumping 6 foot in the air this is a good bike. Wink Wink check for sale section, its my brothers.

Service intervals are massive i believe compared to the WR250 and other race type off road bikes.

https://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii302/ian505050/ian505050%202/IMAG2992_zpsd4ed18e0.jpg

[ian505050]

This gives you an idea of the speed of the WR250F, quite adequate for tootling about the lanes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU8cI-tHCbI&list=UUbQ9gAFoMks7rdcewrozo5Q&index=10

[delvey91]

[salty21]

on the other hand, a lad i ride with regular bought a wr400 and in the short time he owned it it dropped 2 valves on two different engines. each time it was the middle intake valve that went. It's not like he was thrashing it either, he is a very slow rider and rarely went above half max rpm
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04 NSR 125(sold) ---- 03 CBR 600rr(sold) ----90 pan euro ST1100 '' ----02 CG 125
94 CB400 Super Four ---- 2000 VTR SP1 (sold) ---- 08 ninja p8f(sold, meh) ----05 CBR600rr

[G]

[bladerunner]

If the DT was good enough for you...you still find a few kdx200's on eBay etc going for reasonable money and are easy to get parts for. They have a bit more top end than the later 220's but both seem to make good off roaders. As light as a 125 2t with the extra torque and much better green lane (soft) suspension than the dt should do you well. Honda CRM 250 if you can find one that's not silly money also have a good fan base for reliability and ability for more serious off road riding.
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Current bikes...cbr929, KDX200's, Rd125lc mk2, RGV250's

[connor25]

Many thanks for your great replies, certainly food for thought....

I am down to these now...

Yammy WR250F
KTM 250 EXC 2 Stroke
KTM 250 EXC F 4 Stroke
KTM 300 EXC 2 Stroke

or maybe the KTM 400 4 Stroke

Hear different advice all round, I guess the WR250F is the main contender, i'm 6'2" and 200lbs but do want light, I guess maintaining with oil changes and filters is fine, its more valves and rebuilds I could not do.

I do then hear horror stories of rebuild costs for say a 250 4 Stroke being £2K or so? I mean wow, so then guess its pot luck you get a good one off ebay or not! whilst the 2 stroke rebuilds are a fraction of the price.

Ive only ridden a DRZ400E and DT125 plus couple of road bikes, so not too sure on which, I live in the Bristol area and just waiting for some to come up fairly local to check out.

Great pics ian505050 of your WR's and jumps!

[ChrisJ]

The WR250F is a good bike, but if you're buying a well used one then there is an element of gamble with engine longevity. If you are buying new or nearly new, then there's a much better chance of having a good few miles on it before it needing major work..
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C90 for commuting and Divvy 900

[ian505050]